View Full Version : valium the only thing that helps??
Hi, for the past few months I've been prescribed Valium for panic attacks and intense panic attacks. I read that it's a short term solution but I honestly feel like it's the only thing that will help me with my anxiety. I don't see the harm in it if it's preventing me from taking panic attacks?? i'm not on big doses, 5mg at a time.
panic_down_under
22-01-17, 04:52
I don't see the harm in it if it's preventing me from taking panic attacks??
I'm surprised you were prescribed diazepam. I thought benzodiazepines (BZDs) were considered Satan's spawn by the NHS. And that is probably the biggest issue with BZDs, the fact there is no guarantee you will find a doctor willing to prescribe them tomorrow. Even if yours is, s/he may change his mind, move, or fall under the proverbial bus and the replacement may be far less willing.
Antidepressants and/or therapy can be at least as effective as BZDs and are the better treatment options.
How about working on your mindset?
It is not as easy as that SLA.
It's kind of my pet hate when people say that.
I never said it was easy.
While valium seems like an easy option, it becomes a lot harder once you become dependant, then realise that your quality of life is actually reduced, and getting off valium is 1000% more anxiety inducing than anxiety on its own.
The only real solution is to become self-aware, and to work on improving all aspects of your life by monitoring your thoughts and physical symptoms.
To those people that say...
It is not as easy as that
Living with anxiety is hard, and it gets a lot harder if you never try and fix the underlying problem.
Barnabas75
22-01-17, 18:16
Valium sort of got me into the problem I have now with panic attacks. I wish I had never taken them. I took them for 7 month on average 20mgs a day or so. After my mother had a heart attack in front of me I looked for a crutch to help me cope. My GP did not warn me to discontinue slowy and I stopped it abrubtly. It was only after that that I learned about the Ashton method of slow tapering. That is when panic attacks from hell hit me along with muscle spasms and cramping. I now have breathing problems from it as I would hyperventilate something terribe. It also has left me with shallow breathing. I am told these symtoms will eventually go away but it can take years. Nearly 4 years and I still have the shallow breathing and am ocd about it. It is a strong cns depressant and if not tappered off cautiously will wreak havoc on your nervous system if you take them for a long time and stop..not to mention the insomnia that comes with stopping because your brain chemicals deprressed which are the gaba ones suddenly spring to life again..it takes a good while to get back to normal--and then there is the depression which in my case was severe and you may end up on an anti depressant then as its what they use to treat the depression caused by stopping benzos.
I think like panic down under said a better option is a low dose anti deprssant rather than diazepam. And like SLA saind, the anxiety you feel aafter leaving the diaz is 10 times worse that the anxiety you are dealling with now...As your body builds up tolerance you may need more and more... While I am sure they have a discontinuation downside they will in no way be as severve as the diazepam. I know a few people who have been taking diazapam for 20 years and they will be on them for life probably. I guess in the end its up to you to weigh the pros and cons of taking them as its your choice. 5 mgs is a low dose and any withdrawals should be considerably less. Wishing you all the best.
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It's kind of my pet hate when people say that.
I never said it was easy.
While valium seems like an easy option, it becomes a lot harder once you become dependant, then realise that your quality of life is actually reduced, and getting off valium is 1000% more anxiety inducing than anxiety on its own.
The only real solution is to become self-aware, and to work on improving all aspects of your life by monitoring your thoughts and physical symptoms.
To those people that say...
Living with anxiety is hard, and it gets a lot harder if you never try and fix the underlying problem.
Of course this is true but for a lot of people who have had an entrenched anxiety disorder for decades generic advice may appear a little simplistic. I think you have to take into account life circumstances -which may be very challenging-and the duration of the anxiety disorder. It's never too late to make a difference to your life but it's a hell of a lot harder when you've been trying your best for years and years
Hi, for the past few months I've been prescribed Valium for panic attacks and intense panic attacks. I read that it's a short term solution but I honestly feel like it's the only thing that will help me with my anxiety. I don't see the harm in it if it's preventing me from taking panic attacks?? i'm not on big doses, 5mg at a time.
It's such a tricky one they are so affective but addictive and you build a tolerance, so you end up needing more and more. I've been prescribed it recently for some medical procedures. My doctor only gives me four 5mg tabs and I have to phone him every time I'm having my next procedure to get more. I've suffered from bad anxiety/panic for 11 years, and it's the only medication I've used that I can honestly say has relieved any of my anxiety. It's not very common for a doctor to prescribe them for you to take on a regular basis, but s/he knows you best, and as long as s/he is happy to monitor and work closely with you then go with it.
Thats good then. 'Path of least resistance' and all of that.
My daughter is autistic and is prescribed diazepam for those times when changing her mindset goes out the window..along with everything else. It is used for emergencies and appropriately and it works to take the edge off. In my opinion diazepam is invaluable for these times. I have also had it myself when hospitalised with severe anxiety and I found it made me feel human again. Is it a cop out? The easy option? I know you think it is but again I think life circumstances comes into it
With all respect, you don't have a clue what I think.
I am commenting specifically on the situation that the OP has posted about, and not yours or anyone elses.
The question was...
...is valium the only thing that helps??
...in relation to anxiety disorder.
My answer is that it does more long-term damage for anxiety sufferers than good, and only provides temporary relief. If you take valium as medication for your anxiety you are putting out a fire today and creating a bigger one for tomorrow.
If it had no use at all it wouldn't be prescribed. But there is a key reason why people with anxiety only get prescribed short-term amounts.
---------- Post added at 18:48 ---------- Previous post was at 18:30 ----------
Sorry if that comes across as harsh, or negative.
I just really don't think its good to be singing the praises of valium for anxiety when it comes with such a serious drawback.
Tolerance and dependence being one, and trying to get off valium being a bigger problem than any anxiety will ever create.
I'm not singing its praises, SLA. Far from it. I'm saying that used appropriately and as a one-off medication in crisis situations it has its place. I would definitely not take it regularly-I appreciate how addictive it is. Just once in a blue moon for me.
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SmilingAlbert
23-01-17, 20:24
I sympathise with everyone here. Valium etc. are effective and quick, and can seem like life-savers at the time. But they don't solve the underlying problem, and they get less effective over time the more you use them.
I had panic attacks years ago, and a GP reluctantly gave me 10 for emergency use only. I responded to ADs shortly after, but it was nice to know they were there. The 10 ended up lasting me 9 years! If possible, this is a good way of having them - a reassurance they are there. But they cannot be a replacement for proper therapy, which is usually most effective when a combination of a SSRI or similar AD and CBT or similar.
Albert
I was prescribed it for really rough panic attacks, few times I was seconds away from phoning the ambulance. Recently though I've just found myself taking it when I feel ever so anxious just so I don't get to the panic attack point.
I'm not on a massive dose like I said in my original post, wouldn't even say I take it every day, although due to it's long half life I don't think I could tell you the last time I haven't had any Valium in my system. Past couple days I haven't needed it and when I do think I need it, I'm just gonna fight it and not take any
MyNameIsTerry
27-01-17, 00:07
I'm surprised you were prescribed diazepam. I thought benzodiazepines (BZDs) were considered Satan's spawn by the NHS. And that is probably the biggest issue with BZDs, the fact there is no guarantee you will find a doctor willing to prescribe them tomorrow. Even if yours is, s/he may change his mind, move, or fall under the proverbial bus and the replacement may be far less willing.
Antidepressants and/or therapy can be at least as effective as BZDs and are the better treatment options.
Not at all, that's just the kind of thing you may see from non official sources though.
NICE are clear in recommending them in the short term and also very clear why they can't be used.
It's not that hard to get Diazepam from a GP, but beyond 2 weeks it does get very hard as they are moving into the realms of specialist treatment which they are not licensed to provide.
MyNameIsTerry
27-01-17, 06:58
SLA
I'm sure Magic knows full well that anxiety is hard and harder the longer it goes on.
And I know pulisa well enough from many discussions, including about meds, to know that whilst she doesn't feel meds are right for her now, she looks at other people's situations with an open mind to offer advice that is neutral. She doesn't put people off due to her own experience or promote meds.
No one has promoted Benzo's here. And anyway, they are not the only ones to be concerned about when you consider the dangers of anti psychotics, some of which are permanent and one is a bad condition.
It's not about least resistance. They are useful. Anti med anxiety sufferers will say not to use any med simply because they are plasters.
Whether Benzo addiction is far worse than anxiety disorders, I think I would disagree on that one since these disorders can be severe and people come off Benzo's often quicker. That's probably subjective unless we have some facts to look at?
Thanks for the support, Terry. I do think diazepam has a place in the management of entrenched anxiety disorders but only when used appropriately and sparingly.
Thank you Terry and pulisa, just wanted to say that:hugs::hugs:xx
Whether Benzo addiction is far worse than anxiety disorders, I think I would disagree on that one since these disorders can be severe and people come off Benzo's often quicker.
Dangerous words in my opinion.
If you have an addiction to valium, you still have an anxiety disorder. You have just suppressed the symptoms.
You are not substituting one for the other, you are adding one on top.
You build up a tolerance, and become dependant on a drug. You do not in anyway solve your anxiety problem. And by some accounts you can set yourself up for a very hellish experience. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/valium-can-be-harder-to-withdraw-from-than-heroin
I have never, and never will, say that valium doesn't have a use. But as always, I am answering the OP in this instance, and others can throw in there tupence worth if they want, thats fine.
The question is...
is valium the only thing that helps??
And the answer is a resounding "NO!"
And I defy anyone to answer that question differently.
MyNameIsTerry
27-01-17, 22:26
Dangerous words in my opinion.
If you have an addiction to valium, you still have an anxiety disorder. You have just suppressed the symptoms.
You are not substituting one for the other, you are adding one on top.
You build up a tolerance, and become dependant on a drug. You do not in anyway solve your anxiety problem. And by some accounts you can set yourself up for a very hellish experience. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/valium-can-be-harder-to-withdraw-from-than-heroin
I have never, and never will, say that valium doesn't have a use. But as always, I am answering the OP in this instance, and others can throw in there tupence worth if they want, thats fine.
The question is...
And the answer is a resounding "NO!"
And I defy anyone to answer that question differently.
Not in my opinion. I think it's an overreaction to even suggest that. I'm well aware of the withdrawal issue but that still isn't evidence that it is worse. If it has to be then I would question why there are Benzo withdrawers at home doing it and anxiety sufferers under sectioning orders.
No one is saying it is the only treatment or even the best treatment, only you brought that up and I don't see why you are continuing to flog it to people who already understand this?
SLA is trolling and trying to make people upset. I have tried a lot of medication, if it wasn't for 7.5mg of valium a day I would be dead at this point, it's the only thing that has let me eat enough food to gain weight and survive. It isn't perfect but I'd prefer to be addicted to valium and not die than not take it and kill myself because the panic attacks are too severe to live with.
MyNameIsTerry
31-01-17, 05:49
SLA is trolling and trying to make people upset. I have tried a lot of medication, if it wasn't for 7.5mg of valium a day I would be dead at this point, it's the only thing that has let me eat enough food to gain weight and survive. It isn't perfect but I'd prefer to be addicted to valium and not die than not take it and kill myself because the panic attacks are too severe to live with.
People often have a bias against mental health meds due to life experiences (themselves or others) and a result can be an over exaggeration or passionate responses.
I don't know if that's the case but what I do know is that SLA is not trolling. He can be direct at times by his own admission but helps plenty of people.
Shazamataz
31-01-17, 06:48
SLA is trolling and trying to make people upset. I have tried a lot of medication, if it wasn't for 7.5mg of valium a day I would be dead at this point, it's the only thing that has let me eat enough food to gain weight and survive. It isn't perfect but I'd prefer to be addicted to valium and not die than not take it and kill myself because the panic attacks are too severe to live with.
I don't think you need to use the word 'addiction' when you are taking a medication for good reason. That said, ultimately one becomes 'tolerant' to the effects. It's great it has been helping you to get your health back.
I ended up on a small dose for over a year as I was trying different meds and told to only change one thing at a time. Now things are a lot better I have been slowly tapering off the diazepam (only 2 m for thee past few months but was on 4 for the first few months and stopped tapering when changing other meds). My experience is the withdrawal is NOT worse than the original anxiety.
If a person is desperate and going out of their mind with anxiety, as I was, I think anything that works to help normalise is worth trying.
I agree, Shaz. Anxiety has a huge spectrum and when you're at the severest end you are prepared to take anything to help make you feel like a human being again. I think you need to have experienced this to appreciate it though and I can understand SLA's stance on diazepam. I'm sure I would have felt the same before my hospitalisations.
:D I'm never trolling.
I just say what I think, and sometimes people don't want to hear it, or they disagree. That's cool. If people post and hear only what they want to hear, then nobody makes any progress. I want people to think differently about things. It is, after all, thinking that gets us anxiety sufferers into the mess that we do.
Again, when I write a reply, I am responding to the person who initiated the thread. Whether people interpret what I am saying and apply it to their own circumstances, that is there choice, but it is those people who are bending my words and ideas, which is why I continually need to reassert my point.
Valium helped you survive, and eat? That's awesome. Why would anyone argue against that?
I hope you continue to recover, and can progress further.
I've got a particular "debt of gratitude" to diazepam because it helped me at a crisis in my life and I just didn't have the skills to pull myself out of it without benzo intervention. And I was also too ill.
However, my experience has got absolutely nothing to do with the OP's issues and I apologise for chipping in with my views.
:doh:
God I love you. :hugs:
People can say whatever they want, its a free country. :)
Just to summarise my point. Valium isn't a bad thing, but should be a last resort for anxiety. There is a good reason why you only get 5 given to you by the Doctor when you first go to him with anxiety/panic.
I think I need a valium after this thread. Anyone got one? :D
MyNameIsTerry
31-01-17, 13:17
I think I need a valium after this thread. Anyone got one? :D
God no, don't open the old "alcohol & Benzo" thing, you've got cider waiting! :D
Pulisa, you've nothing to apologise for. The OP asked for opinions, they got them and naturally we debate our points. Your points were equally valid as the rest.
Lol, it's funny, a few days after writing this topic one of my doctors asked for me to speak to my GP about my continued use for valium.
Seeing someone for my anxiety at the end of the month so hoping I can throw away the medication I'm currently on.
Ive been told by my therapist that with my GAD I'm at a road block because I carry too much anxiety - and that therapy can only go so far... (several therapist have said that)
He says yes Were going to carry on working with my issues - but that i need a good Benzo to make the therapy and self work effective, because I have anxiety that just wont go away with any...even if i do the same think 1000 times the level of anxiety between the first and the 1000th time is the same - and its so ingrained in my physiology and sub-consious - no amount of changing how I think will change it - because its beyond thoughts - its primal in me - and I just need a powerful mood med as Im exhausted all the time from my anxiety
oh and I'm on long-term ssri's which don't touch the sides
panic_down_under
05-05-17, 06:00
He says yes Were going to carry on working with my issues - but that i need a good Benzo to make the therapy)
He might be right.
However, he could also be wrong. There is some evidence (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(13)00471-X/fulltext) therapy works by stimulating the growth of new brain cells (neurogenesis) in the hippocampal regions of the brain. This is the same mechanism (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC60045/) by which antidepressants seem to work. The problem is that benzodiazepines inhibit hippocampal neurogenesis (see: Boldrini M (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4374628/), 2014; Nochi R (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23963779), 2013; Sun Y (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23639432), 2013; Wu X (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(09)00106-1/abstract), 2009; Stefovska VG (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18991352), 2008).
But the only way of knowing whether a benzodiazepine may aid the effectiveness of your therapy is to try it.
oh and I'm on long-term ssri's which don't touch the sides
If your SSRI isn't working then there is no point in taking it? Which med are you on, how much are you taking and how long have you been at this dose?
Hi I'm on 100mg Sertraline - I was on 200mg and have slowly come off - because the are ineffective, they work - to a degree - but not enough -the levels of anxiety I live with on a day to day basis are not functioning levels!
My psychiatrist is just a therapist and not a medical prescribing one - although he knows of one and is keen of me to see him....obviosuly I want to go the cheaper route first!
panic_down_under
05-05-17, 12:46
Hi I'm on 100mg Sertraline - I was on 200mg and have slowly come off - because the are ineffective, they work - to a degree - but not enough -the levels of anxiety I live with on a day to day basis are not functioning levels!
My psychiatrist is just a therapist and not a medical prescribing one - although he knows of one and is keen of me to see him....obviosuly I want to go the cheaper route first!
If sertraline is working to some extent I'd be thinking about adding the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor nortriptyline (Pamelor) to create a bespoke SNRI. This was often used for treatment resistant depression back in the day and should work just as well for anxiety. However, as I understand it NHS GPs can only prescribe one antidepressant at a time so you'd need to see a psychiatrist, or go private.
The best single med alternatives would be either the TCAs imipramine (Tofranil) and clomipramine (Anafranil), or the SNRI duloxetine (Cymbalta).
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