Diazepam

[decca]

Can anyone taking Diazepam tell me what side effects they've experienced and does anyone know if it effects the heart rate ,ie slows or speeds it.
Doc said for me to take 2.5mg twice a day for anxiety and shakyness, just a bit afraid of side effects.
Thanks for any advice.

[BeckyC]

Hi Decca - I got prescribed Diazepam at the beginning of my anxiety & I had concerns like you, especially as I also have asthma, I got the same prescription as you, 2.5mg twice a day, but I just started with 1 a day and only had the 2 a day if it was really bad. I found it just calmed me down & it did relax me, it also made me tired, but I had no bad side effects. I hope this helps you, take care.

[decca]

Thanks BeckyC,

[decca]

I was wondering whether to just start on half of a half of a 5mg tab. that's about 1.25mg, would it do any good though ?

[decca]

Also my anxiety seems worse first thing in the morning usually before ore just after getting out of bed, when would be the best time to take a diazepam tab. ?

[Alabasterlyn]

Decca are you planning on taking the Diazepam long term or is this just to see you over a particularly bad patch? The reason I ask is that benzos do have a very addictive quality about them and it's not advisable to stay on them for longer than a few weeks.

[Caribou]

Hi Decca, you should probably take it whenever the anxiety is at its peak, so if mornings are bad for you, take it in the morning. 2.5mgs is a small dose and I doubt you would suffer any side effects although it may make you a bit tired. I was given 2mg tablets before and told to take them only when required (I take them as little as possible - usually before bed when I have trouble sleeping or when I'm travelling). They can be taken as required rather than taking a 'course' (taking them every day for a set period), although you should probably discuss this with your doctor first.

The one thing you need to be aware of is that diazepam (and all other benzos) can be addictive if used on a long term basis and tolereance to them can build really quickly.

[mynameis]

I agree with the above posts Decca. I've been stuck on diazepam now for nearly 5 years. Only 1 x 2mg a day, sometimes 1 every 2/3 days, but if I go for longer than 6 weeks without any at all, I'm in a mess. I would advise that if you're going to take these, then take them for no longer than 6 weeks. My anxiety usually happens at night, so I used to take them before bed. I generally get a good night's sleep this way & wake up just a little tired, nothing more. Hope you're back to your normal self soon !

[decca]

Thanks everyone for replying ,
Many years agoused to be on Phenobarbitone,not for convulsions but for severe eczema and anxiety,it was the prescribed thing at the time, and it used to keep me in order until I managed to wean myself off of them. I now find that after problems at work etc stress and anxiety have returned so I feel I need something again, probably long term.I've been off work for 2 months now and by the way I feel can't see me returning yet a while.
Doc. also gave me Citalopram but I don't really want to start taking them,
because of the side effects ,I've been talking to some of my work colleagues that have taken then in the past and they all say that they felt worse on them.
I don't think I'm depressed , I just need something to stop me feeling so shaky and generally anxious about everything.

[sagey]

I haven't had Diaz. for some time as my surgery won't prescribe more than 6 at a time. I recall getting a dry mouth but no adverse reactions. Drink plenty of water til you get used to them would be my advice.

[BeckyC]

I was only prescribed a weeks worth and I took them as an emergency and the Dr did tell me to drink alot of water with them too.

[Bill]

Diazepam can be very effective if they're Not taken every day. If you take them every day, you'll find the effects wear off and so the dose will be increased with little benefit and you'll become addicted to them. When you then try to come off them, your anxiety will shoot through the roof because your body will react unless the reduction is Very slow.

When I was prescribed them, I wasn't warned about the addictiveness of them and was left on them. After the dose had been gradually increased over 3 years I decided I want to come off them but it then took me 6 months to get off them. If I reduced too quickly, my anxiety levels became much worse.

They're fine to take on the odd days you need them because I found they are a good sedative but I really wouldn't advise that you should take them daily. I'm a little surprised your doctor prescribed them when he must know how addictive they are.

My wifes mother has taken them for depression for so many years now, she has been advised by her doctor to never attempt to come off them purely because of the withdrawal symptoms that will result, so please be very careful. They will only ease your symptoms but not tackle why your anxiety is so bad.:winks:

[decca]

Thanks,
In fairness to my Doc. I was only given a weeks worth of Diaz. and advised to take them until the Citalopram kicked in, but I decided not to start the Citalopram, but feel that I need a very mild tranqu.to ease the shakyness etc.

[bluebottle]

I find Diazepam doesn't touch me. Lorazepam helps and I take that when I'm really struggling, but the diazepam which I am taking every morning as a method of cutting down the Lorazepam, doesn't help at all. It may as well be a smartie.

[feefee1@feefee1karoo]

hi decca iam new to this site, like you i have been on diazepam, the doctor has given me it a few times,in the short term it really does help what i do sometimes is instead of taking it when iam meant to, i have one in my pocket in case i need it knowing it is there really helps me and sometimes i dont need to take it. the only side effects are they make you feel drowzy. but to take them long term you can become addicted to them so you have to carefull but your doctor has only put you on a low does so you will be fine
hope that helps you. take care cherie :)

[belle]

I have been given FIVE today.
I wanted them just in case i get panicky, i'm hoping the knowledge of having them there will ease my worries :)

FINGERS CROSSED!

[tamo]

Hiya Decca.
If your Doc is sensible he/she will not keep you on Diazepam for very long.Personally I had no side effects but the drug is very addictive and back in the 70s they were supossd to be the new wonder drug.I became addicted a few times over the years and they made my problems much worse.I do no though that they are very good for getting you over a tough spell.
good luck xx

PS where I live now,the GP's will not prescribe them under any circumstances.Not because of side effects but because of addiction.You just need more and more to do the same job.

[MissChampers]

Diazepam has been a life saver for me when I need to go on appointments like dentist, doctors and the hairdressers. I can go weeks without having any but knowing they're there are very reassuring for me. I will say though that I felt very tired and headachy after taking them so I don't think i'd like to take them long term.

[ruthb1]

hi, i didnt have any side effects from diazepam, it just really relaxed me, just be carefull when you need to come off it, just make sure your doctor weans you off it, dont come off it straight away.

take care


ruth

[BasilCat]

Anyone on here ever taken Cipralex? The Doctor gave me them this morning and now I darent take them because of the side effects!!!

BasilCat

[molly15]

I know this is a old thread but is there anyone who has taken diazepam ended up with acid reflux ?

[panic_down_under]

I know this is a old thread but is there anyone who has taken diazepam ended up with acid reflux ?

It is more likely an anxiety symptom, or GI issue than diazepam side-effect.

The gut has its own mini brain, the enteric nervous system (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/23/health/the-other-brain-also-deals-with-many-woes.html) (ENS) which can also be effected by anxiety (and depression) and may even be a major driver of these disorders. It is known to have a significant influence on the brain as it seems to be the dominant party in the data exchanges between them. Electronic vagus nerve stimulators which interfere with the ENS-brain link have been proven very effective at easing depression (though not anxiety). In turn the mix of microbes in the gut (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling) effect ENS response. What we eat and poop literally affects how we think. See also: Gut bacteria and the brain: Are we controlled by microbes? (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312734) and Gut communicates with the entire brain (https://aces.illinois.edu/news/gut-communicates-entire-brain-through-cross-talking-neurons). Indeed, it is possible to make a strong argument for us being merely the life support system for the bugs in our guts who can lead us on a merry chase at times.