Diazepam changed my life....for the better!

[sEiZuRe!]

Hi,

This one might be a little off-beat but I just want to put it out there.

Growing up I had HUGE fear of doctors, needles, and medical procedures. One time in my 30's I had to go for an MRI because I was having weird seizure/pain episodes. I was prescribed some benzo for the day because I was freaking out about it.

Anyway, I had the appointment at 10am so I took the pill at 8am. At around 9am I left for the clinic but on the way there I noticed the wind was stronger than usual. As if I was walking against the wind. I felt pretty good! I get to the clinic and I'm calm as can be.

The nurse pops me down and inserts the needle without a problem. I say to the nurse, "throw the roast in the oven!" as she helps me into the machine. I almost fall asleep in there!

After the procedure was done I pack up and leave. But I'd forgotten something so I reenter the room. On the computer displays I can see my brain, all these red and green spots. Usually I'd freak out but this time I thought, "Oh well. If it's a brain tumour, I'll just take this pill again and have it operated on".

How crazy is that???

I went to work after that. I spent the day not doing much. That day I learnt the word "no!" at work. It seriously improved my professional life!

That was the only time I ever took diazepam (I took a similar drug for something else later) but I still have zero fear of needles!!! I don't care about them at all.

In fact, three weeks ago I had another MRI, without any problems, without any drugs, and I was zero anxious. Loads of needles at the hospital as well as a lumbar puncture.

BTW: I didn't have a brain tumour.

[panic_down_under]

Glad that diazepam had such a positive effect on you. However, be aware that when taken regularly BZDs can trigger the brain changes that manifest anxiety disorders and depression and inhibit the way antidepressants (and probably also the cognitive/behavioural/mindfulness therapies too) work.

[Phill2]

I've been on 5mg 2/day for 18 yrs
All good

[pulisa]

I'd be interested to read the source for that claim, PDU.

[panic_down_under]

I'd be interested to read the source for that claim, PDU.

Sure:

Boldrini M, Butt TH, Santiago AN, et al. (2014)
Benzodiazepines And The Potential Trophic Effect Of Antidepressants On Dentate Gyrus Cells In Mood Disorders
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. Dec;17(12):1923-33 (Abstract (https://dx.doi.org/10.1017%2FS1461145714000844))

Nochi R, Kaneko J, Okada N, at al. (2013)
Diazepam treatment blocks the elevation of hippocampal activity and the accelerated proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells after focal cerebral ischemia in mice
J Neurosci Res. 2013 Nov;91(11):1429-39 (Abstract (https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.23264))

Sun Y, Evans J, Russell B, et al [2013]
A benzodiazepine impairs the neurogenic and behavioural effects of fluoxetine in a rodent model of chronic stress
Neuropharmacology. Sep;72:20-8 (Abstract (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.04.021))

Song J, Zhong C, Bonaguidi MA, et al (2012)
Neuronal circuitry mechanism regulating adult quiescent neural stem-cell fate decision.
Nature. Sep 6;489(7414):150-4 (Article (https://www.kurzweilai.net/how-the-brains-stem-cells-find-out-when-to-make-new-neurons/comment-page-1#comment-96481) | Study full text (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3438284/))

Wu X, Castren E. (2009)
Co-Treatment with Diazepam Prevents the Effects of Fluoxetine on the Proliferation and Survival of Hippocampal Dentate Granule Cells
Biol Psychiatry. Jul 1;66(1):5-8 (Abstract (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.01.023))

Stefovska VG, Uckermann O, Czuczwar M, et al (2008)
Sedative and anticonvulsant drugs suppress postnatal neurogenesis
Ann Neurol. Oct;64(4):434-45 (Abstract (https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.21463))

[pulisa]

Thanks for these, PDU. I'm certainly way out of my depth with interpreting the results of these studies but interesting to see that excessive anxiety may inhibit neurogenesis as opposed to long term benzo use.

[panic_down_under]

interesting to see that excessive anxiety may inhibit neurogenesis as opposed to long term benzo use.

Anxiety/stress inhibits neurogenesis which manifests as anxiety and/or depression which causes brain stress hormone levels to increase which inhibits neurogenesis even more...and then we're on the merry-go-round to nowhere. BZDs are a trap because they appear to alleviate the problem while actually gradually making it worse. Alcohol is just as insidious for the same reasons. Even moderate drinking can result in significant hippocampal atrophy (https://www.popsci.com/moderate-drinking-bad/) (Topiwala A (https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353), 2017; - see also: Anderson ML (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4568748/), 2012; Taffe MA (https://www.pnas.org/content/107/24/11104), 2010; Morris SA (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861155/), 2010; Crews FT (https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/197-204.htm), 2003).

[Phill2]

Don't worry about PUD.
He just copy and pastes articles from the web


Thanks for these, PDU. I'm certainly way out of my depth with interpreting the results of these studies but interesting to see that excessive anxiety may inhibit neurogenesis as opposed to long term benzo use.

[pulisa]

I think personal experience is a lot more significant but there will always be a market for these articles as psychiatry is such a controversial field. Glad you're ok, Phill.

[Phill2]

HI Pulisa
You're absolutely correct on that one.
Hope you're doing well too.


I think personal experience is a lot more significant but there will always be a market for these articles as psychiatry is such a controversial field. Glad you're ok, Phill.

[sparky10]

PDU is spot on with his views on this subject. I know from 4 years daily use that it makes anxiety worse being in tolerance to this devil drug. I’m 2 weeks into withdrawal and hopefully will be free of it soon. It affects your nervous system horribly and gives you a whole lot of problems on top of anxiety.
pray you never have to come off them Phill2 because you need it to function and believe me your yet to experience the hell of withdrawal…….

[Phill2]

I've been through it many years ago.
I broke my neck and a Dr put me on 15mg x 3 daily as a muscle relaxant.
Coming off then wasn't fun.

[skymaid]

It's in no way a devil drug and ignore the demonisation you'll often see about it. It never at any point made my anxiety worse. You can find horror stories about pretty much every drug - just listen to your doctor/psychiatrist.

Personal experience:

I was on it for around 4 years (around 35mg spread out over the week) while having regularly talking therapy (MCBT). It made me able to cope with my extreme anxiety so i could actualy GO to the therapy and DO the work to get "better".

After a while and plenty of hard work I just found I needed it less and less to do things that scare me before so I gradually reduced it 5mg a month. I have a stash of it left because I wasn't even using it at all toward the end.

I'm back to being a fully functioning member of society again and I feel happier and more relaxed and confident than I ever felt.

No congnitive or memory problems at all - I can still program computers as well as I ever could.

I check back here now and again to see how people are doing but it usually the same people who almost seem to want to scare people from taking their medication. We're all just talking from our own experiences though I guess - I wouldn't advise someone on medication since I don't have the required 4-6 years training.


I'm glad it helped you like it did me.

[fishman65]

I've been on diazepam for 30 years this month. 10mg a day. No cognitive effects as far as I can tell, but I'd rather have never been on it in the first place.

[Chlobo]

I'm taking 10mg a day at the moment. I find it's really helping me. I enjoy the floating feeling.
I wish my doctor would give me a higher MG but because I have kids at home he won't increase any further. The feeling is definitely addictive