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[CLKD]

From NICE Guidelines April 2017

Dose
By mouth, anxiety, 2 mg 3 times daily increased if necessary to 15–30 mg daily in divided doses; ELDERLY (or debilitated) half adult dose
Insomnia associated with anxiety, 5–15 mg at bedtime

By intramuscular injection or slow intravenous injection (into a large vein, at a rate of not more than 5 mg/minute), for severe acute anxiety, control of acute panic attacks, and acute alcohol withdrawal, 10 mg, repeated if necessary after not less than 4 hours

Note
Only use intramuscular route when oral and intravenous routes not possible
By slow intravenous injection (into a large vein, at a rate of not more than 5 mg/minute), for acute drug-induced dystonic reactions, 5–10 mg repeated as necessary after at least 10 minutes; CHILD 1 month–12 years, 100 micrograms/kg repeated as necessary after at least 10 minutes
By rectum as rectal solution, acute anxiety and agitation, 500 micrograms/kg repeated after 12 hours as required; ELDERLY 250 micrograms/kg; CHILD not recommended

so your GP is talking NUTS!!!!!  she would probably respond with 'well they are only guidelines' 

Do speak with a Pharmacist, do you have a BOOTS chemist or Lloyds close by?

[Tempest]

My psychiatrist won't prescribe over 2 mg up to 3 times a day for 2 weeks at a time only now as beyond 4 weeks, ANY regular dose becomes habit forming. Its the  duration of regular use thats important, as much as the dosage.Larger doses are only used in a crisis setting, or as part of a taper for those already addicted. Benzo dependence and abuse of 'street' benzo's is a huge problem in Scotland so prescribing has tightened up here somewhat. xxxxx

[CLKD]

It is only habit forming if one requires the 'extra' tablet in order to cope or to avoid the fear of symptoms getting worse!  So one reaches for the extra tablet more often than is probably necessary. When I was withdrawing from an AD I had to tell myself after each reduction in dose that the bounce back anxiety - nausea, light headedness, fear - didn't get worse after 24 hours ........ it took 9 weeks  but I am now more aware if I need to withdraw again.  Bugga it was hard though as fear was my biggest problem then: what if I get worse or can never stop this drug  .  But I did with support from Himself and our GP 

Because I know that these types of drug work and because I use when necessary: i.e. B4 an event (that was 10mg at night and 5mg the next morning if necessary) I could cope.  Not comfortably but it avoided panic attacks.  Same with the drug I now have for emergencies, I know it works, it usually knocks me out enabling me to sleep until symptoms go away - I used to wait to see if symptoms went on their own but have learned to take it immediately my brain starts to nag 'will this get worse, will this get worse' ........

We need to learn that quality of Life is important, if only GPs would give us a little lea-way!  2mg x 3 is hardly any dose at all  .

[MammaG]

I agree, I took 5mg every day and my body became used to it. The 1mg drop was small but in relation to %  it was quite a bit. I never take more unless I am in a real state but I even off and go back to 5. I told her this and she cut me off at the knees. She said it needs to be " looked at" fgs 


Its all brain chemistry, HRT, Steroids, Diazepam. I wonder why she looks at me sideways. Even if and if all of my symptoms were mental health, wouldnt I need suport and compassion? They fear me because I challenge them, not aggressively but I dont swallow the meds and cow tow. My old GP understood me. I never went to him with a problem without having a solution as well. Before he gave me bioidenticals he gave me an SSRI. I took one ( against my better judgment) fell asleep and woke up with a raging Malar rash ( Lupus triggered by the one pill) Luckily I took photos and showed him. He couldnt explain it but accepted that my body rejected it. When you have Lupus the body works the wrong way round. Everything is a possible Lupus trigger. This is why I question everything. I do miss him so much. He would have sent me to an Endocronologist

[CLKD]

Lupus can have it's own problems! and once the sufferer finds out triggers etc. they should be listened to!

Is there a branch of MIND you can contact for advice?  There maybe counsellors there that could give suggestions.  Hormones can mimic mental health problems which in someone with a history, can rock the boat!!!!  Yes you do need support for what ever you attend surgery for.

Maybe drop a short note to the Endocrinologist at your local Hospital with your main issues and see if he/she can help, then you can approach your GP for an appt., wrong way round but sometimes by-passing can get you seen quicker.

[MammaG]

Never thought of bypassing. Thanks for looking in on my post. I couldnt have held it together without you guys.

I know that my job is depressing me, my situation is not ideal. I live alone and live with Lupus. I cant socialise as the Lupus prevents me from keeping up. Its eiter work or play. At times I am too sick to feed myself. I cope well most of the time. I am 100% that the HRT pushed me over the edge. I was spending time with my grandchild, having fun and so much love. The steroid run me down so much my body was screaming for me to stop but I couldnt, then the Utrogestan was in and bang.. How can she not see that it was a perfect strom and give a T***?

I think I have to steer clear of the GP for now...Starting the Utrogestan again soon. Will try to PM Hurdity about the Utrogestan for some advice...I dont want to swallow it again

[CLKD]

I am sure that there will be an on-line Lupus group for support?  It wasn't something I had heard off until the middle 1990s when a neighbour was diagnosed.  There was a local support group which she attended with her husband.