panel:MakePopup() issues

[my_hat_stinks]

So, I had a report that my chatbox draws over some derma panels, naturally the first response is to do a simple panel:MoveToBack()
However, then you discover that after you've run MakePopup, you can no longer move it back, and it'll always draw over any other panels (Unless that panel also ran MakePopup)

So, the next alternative would naturally be to find another method to focus the panel, instead of MakePopup. Only, then you discover panel:RequestFocus() only works if a parent panel already has focus, and there's no other alternatives

So, I'm looking for either an alternative to MakePopup that still gives the panel focus so DTextEntry functions properly, or a way to move a panel to the back after MakePopup.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've spent a good amount of time experimenting with various functions, and haven't made any progress

Edit:
I've made a workaround with a temporary parent panel, but it'd still be nice to know a cleaner way