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View Full Version : worries with Diazepam?!!



CJH86
25-01-09, 00:22
Just want a bit of reassurance really, started taking diazepam a few days ago...its really helping with my panic and agrophobia symptoms and ive taken diazepam for anxiety before. (over a year ago) Previously my anxiety/panic wasnt centred on my health so i probably wasnt bothered by side effects as much.

I Just wondered if anyone else feels slow and clumsy on diazepam? it feels as if im a bit forgetful, cant coordinate my speech properly and i feel a little forgetful! its not as if im on a high dose (meant to be 15mg day but currently managing half that due to drowsyness) I know this probably sounds silly, but as my anxiety had been completely focused on me having some kinda dementia/neurodegenerative illness im starting to worry a bit :blush: help!!

nomorepanic
25-01-09, 14:06
I used to take Diazepam and I had 2mg tablets and split them in half so had 1mg and that was enough to take the edge of the panic for me.

7.5 mg is quite a high dose if you are not used to it and so yes it will make you feel all foggy etc.

sunshine-lady
25-01-09, 19:11
Diazepam slows everything down and is also a muscle relaxent, so you are bound to feal slow, clumbsy and forgetful. To me it sounds that even 7.5mg is too much for you. It might be an idea to try to cut down more if you feel you can.

I have been taking Diazepam for many years and am trying to wean myself off them, please remember how addictive they can become. Yes they can be very effective in the short term, but hell if you use them over a prolonged period.

take care

happyone
25-01-09, 21:28
I take diazepam as and when required. 5mg. More if necessary.

I have to say, 15 mg sounds a huge amount! 7.5mg sounds like it is too much for you too.
I say that because I am used to high doses of medication without much side effects but 5mg is just enough for me to function without the grogginess. That has increased from 2.5mg though because it is addictive and now I need more for the same effect. It is for this reason I take it as required. You will become used to 7.5mg but if your doc is in agreement, why not reduce it to 5 or 2.5?

Happyone
x

CJH86
26-01-09, 13:14
Hi thanks very much for the replies, ive cut my dose to 2.5mg twice a day and the brain fog has lifted a lot and its still enough to get me out of the house and allow me to function at university...i.e. not fall alseep in lectures and drop glassware in labs!:).

Im not entirely sure what my doc was thinking giving 15mg day, im only small!!:blush: x

Krakers
26-01-09, 13:28
Like happy one I'm on Diazepam as and when needed - prescribed 10mg a day. Unlike others I'm benzo tollerent (been taking them for too long), so I just feel relaxed, not zonked.

Benzo's are usually only used short term because their effects only work in the short term before becoming tollerent. In fact its a bit of a joke with my doc and me (well, maybe not joke, but we have had many discussions) that my benzo use is probably psychosomatic as I've been taking Librium for 2 years.

Supposedly only effective for a couple of weeks, but they make me feel normal. Might be a placebo, but thats why I'm booked for CBT. I don't think it is as without it I feel awful, but hey, thats what CBT is all about.

Sorry for going off topic, its just that I'm on a med that works which my doc thinks works because I believe it does.

Back to diaza - Its effects normally last around 2 1/2 hours. You will feel "muddled" if you haven't taken it before, but thats the point. It supresses the anxiety by blocking brain receptors.

If you feel impaired have a chat with your doc. They're usually only short term anyway, usually given while another med is prescribed and takes a few weeks to kick in or in accute cases again for a short period.

Krakers.

CJH86
26-01-09, 15:53
Hi, thanks for the reply krackers!

i am taking them for the short term as i am ment to be starting fluoxetine...but the strange thing is that my doctor is prescribing them to effectivley 'mask' the side effects of fluoxetine while my body adjusts (As i have experienced extreme mood swings with other SSRI's..namedly citalopram)

.....thing is im really really petrified to take the fluoxetine as i dont want to be out of control like happened previously, im convinced from a pharmacological point of view i may get a similar reaction (as someone studying pharmacy ive looked way to into it, not to mention the lack of certainty surrounding how these drugs actualy work!!!:blush:) i did reel this off to my doc and she said something about fluoxetine being a 'less dirty' drug which makes no sense to me beacuse its one of the least selective for that class of drugs

...but at the same time i want to take them and i know they do work for a lot of people and they might help me :)

Krakers
26-01-09, 16:54
Hi again - all I can say is everyone is different. I don't know your medical background (as your doc does) and can't comment on specific treatments.

Diaza is often used to help rather tahn "mask" anxiety while a med (SSRI's for example) take time to work. Most take 4-6 weeks to reach their optimum working level at the prescribed dosage, so Diaza is used to manage anxiety until this is achieved. Its fast acting and short lived - so maybe an as and when approach may be better.

I could write a list of meds which haven't agreed with me, but that wouldn't be productive. I had to go through 6 months trial and error to find one that worked. Mine is an extreme case as 2 days in, I'd refuse to take anymore so we did go through quite a few.

My case isn't typical, but its a question of what works for you. If you don't try, you won't know. If you feel worse though, do see your doctor. Unfortunately many meds make you feel worse in the begining before their theraputic effects take over. Likely why you are on Diazepam for a short time.

I did as much research sa you before I took anything. Its only natural to be curious, but there is a strong argument that too much info can itself induce anxiety. Certainly with HA.

My first doc believes I didn't give most meds a propper go. My second doc specialises in mental health problems and was far more understanding.

Its difficult starting any new med, but it sounds like you're doc is giving you the help you need to get settled.

No point being afraid of your new meds - if they work, great, if you have a problem with them go back to your doc. Worrying about it won't help (although I know its natural and sometimes we can't help it).

See how it goes, and if you want to chat feel free to PM me. While I'm not a doc or qualified in any way, I have been there. Theres a med out there for everyone, sometimes it takes time to find.

Krakers.