Some patients contact us for sedation (which is medication like diazepam / lorazepam which can make you feel less anxious and sleepy) to help with them with anxiety related to many things. This can include fear of flying, dental procedures, procedures or scans at the hospital etc.
These drugs are classes as ‘controlled drugs’. This means that they are subject to high levels of regulation (they are also illegal to import into some countries) because they are especially addictive and harmful. This also means that there are restrictions that apply on their use, and the prescribing of them. They come with a lot of side effects. This includes drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, impaired coordination (increasing the risk of falls and accidents) depression, and increased anxiety. Other side effects also include agitation, blood disorders (such as blood clots) and respiratory depression.
Because of the above, we no longer prescribe sedation for the purpose of having a scan or procedure at the hospital, flying or dental procedures. The reason for this is that it is not safe for GPs to prescribe sedation.
Why is it not safe for GPs to prescribe sedation?
- GPs are not trained to provide the correct level of sedation for a procedure / scan.
- Providing too little sedation will not help you, providing too much sedation can make you too sleepy, which could lead to the procedure being cancelled.
- Too much sedation can dangerously affect your breathing. After taking a sedative for a procedure or scan, you will need to be closely monitored to keep you safe.
Although diazepam makes most people sleepy, in some less common situations it can have an opposite effect and make people aggressive or agitated. This may mean that the scan/procedure gets cancelled.
Scans and hospital procedures can sometimes be delayed due to the busy schedules in healthcare settings. Therefore the team performing the procedure or scan should provide the sedation, to ensure you become sleepy and relaxed at the right time.
Please see the below information from the UK Radiology guidelines regarding this matter. The link to the full guidelines is below but we have highlighted the relevant information for your ease:
3.3.3 Most patients are anxious before a diagnostic or interventional procedure particularly if they are in pain. A pre-procedure visit with friendly support and explanation in the radiology department reduces the need for sedation.
Sedatives should be offered if anxiety persists or if the patient would feel more comfortable during a procedure.
3.3.4 If the procedure is being done on a day case or outpatient basis sedatives can be prescribed at the pre-assessment visit, to be taken on the day of the examination.
Safe Sedation, Analgesia and Anaesthesia within the Radiology Department
(rcr.ac.uk)
[https://www.rcr.ac.uk/sites/default/files/publication/Safe_Sedation.pdf]
Therefore, if requesting sedation for the purpose of a scan or procedure at the hospital this should be discussed with your hospital team directly.
If requesting sedation for fear of flying, you can try the free resources below:
Easy Jet : www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com Tel: 0203 813 1644
British Airways: http://flyingwithconfidence.com/courses/venues Tel: 01252 793 250
Virgin Atlantic: https://flyingwithoutfear.co.uk/collections Tel: 01423 714 900
Fly And Be Calm is an instant download audio course which includes instructions, a fear removal tool and two hypnotic tracks. You can find this at: https://flyandbecalm.co.uk/
If you are requesting sedation for the purpose of a dental procedure, please speak to your dentist. The dental guidelines recommend that “oral sedation must only be administered in the place where the dental treatment is provided.”
If you have tried the above and still feel you need sedation then you may wish to consider consulting with a private GP or doctor that may be able to assist you with this.