Been on diazepam for 5/6 months...scared

[SK1991]

Hey everyone,

I got prescribed my first benzo when around 6/7 months ago (1mg of lorazepam), but due to my fear of addiction i asked to go on diazepam (2-4mg nightly, usually 2-3). I had no trouble switching to the diazepam at all.

...But now I really want to try and get off any medication, my anxiety is not gone, but has improved to the point where I am willing to give good counselling another go. I was unable to socialise or anything (i'm 18 so it majorly affected the quality of my life), but now I feel like i'm back almost, even skipping doses at the weekend if I wanted to have a few drinks.

I've scared myself though by joining a benzo forum and reading horror stories, chatting to people on there and realising how difficult it could be. I don't think I could deal with any withdrawal symptoms as I'm studying for a place in uni next october, and currently need to be mentally on form for exams and coursework.

Anyone have any experience, or advice? : \

[gypsywomen]

you will be ok if you come off them you may get slight withdrawel for a couple of days i was on them 10 years had to come off them for me it was hard took 20mg a day it was hard for me but i could hadle it

[marley]

Hi there...

Firstly, try not to be too scared by what you've read about withdrawal. As with ALL health advice, each person has their own reactions in relation to stimulus (for example, even something like a hangover - or alcohol withdrawal - would be experienced differently by the both of us). Have you ever had to withdraw from any type of medication before? If so, how did you react to this change?

Now, onto the Diazepam...

The dose you've been taking is quite a sensible dose - and you should be able to gradually taper it down until you're comfortable without it. If I read correctly, you're taking the 2mg pills - 3 at a time of a night?

Try cutting down by 1mg (half a pill at a time). Do this over a period of 3 weeks. This may sound like a conservative estimate, but it should give your body adequate time to adjust to the lower dosage.

Best of luck to you. I hope you can adjust and seek counselling as you've mentioned!

Marley

[SK1991]

Thank you all for the replies.

It's 3mg at night, so one and a half tablets, so hopefully that'll be easier than anything higher.

I've just got back from my GP, because for the past few days i've felt really down about this.

Originally went on Monday I believe, and doctor said i'd be fine to stop taking it by half/quarter of a tablet at a time.

Then yesterday read/posted a lot on another forum and read nothing but horror stories which really upset me, told I'd have to avoid even small amounts of alcohol when cutting down(socialising etc.), and spoke to a lady from a helpline who said i shouldn't cut more than 10% - so kinda found myself in a huge huge muddle.

Another GP today said that i'd be fine doing the gradual reduction with just the tablets myself, won't hurt to consume alcohol...so again I'm really really muddled, which adds to the fear.

I've got school, exams, a social life...something that i've regained slowly after anxiety was at it's peak, i need to be 100% - and I dread the worry that i'll experience once I start, because i'll be waiting/expecting that first sign that somethings not right : \

Really appreciate all the advice given so far, thank you

[sunshine-lady]

You should be ok coming off them, especially as you said that you have been missing doses at the weekend with out any adverse effects, plus you are taking a small dose.

The people who have a hard time withdrawals are generally people who have taken large doses for very long periods of time.

Pleased to hear that your anxiety is getting better and hope that you will be anxiety free very soon :hugs:

[SK1991]

Thank you sunshine lady, that really cheered me up.

I suppose that it be fine to just give it a go, and if I did feel very bad I'd be able to increase the dose slightly, and then go back to the doctors.

I am going to see if there's a pill cutter available at the pharmacy, just so i can be a bit more accurate.

also off topic but with anxiety, did anyone ever experience weird feelings of sudden disorientation for an instant? I haven't had them much, but had it the other day and scared me a bit, incase it was something much worse.

[kathee]

yes i have had the disorientation thingie... with anxiety, in fact if i get it now i know it is a signal for me to chill out a bit ...

as for the diazepam my daughter had to take quite a high dose as she has cerebral palsy and it was thought it would help with her dystonia...it didn't.... even though she was on them for a long time...

when she came off them she had to cut them down gradually, take half a pill less for a week, then take another half a pill less,staying on the reduced dose for a week before dropping the dose again, then when you are down to one half pill take one half pill every night for a week, and then take one every other night for a week and finally the week after just take one on the mond thur and last one on sunday, that is how my daughter had to do it, of course the best thing to do would be to take YOUR doctors advice on how to come off any medication, regards kath xx

[SK1991]

Thanks kathee, that's a relief . Looking into absence seizures (petit mal) I got very scared that my anxiety was misdiagnosed, and seeing as diazepam is an anti-convulsant, i almost got into a panic about the danger of coming off : \ Is this disorientation feeling very sudden, and intense for an instant - as if you need to fight it off (best way to describe it sorry : \)

That's good that your daughter came off, did she have any withdrawal symptoms? I've hit a bit of a positive due to a friend telling me her sister and someone else they know came of 20mg daily with no trouble, so hopefully my dose should also be simple.

[SK1991]

Hey everyone, I've reduced my dose slightly (to start with to ease any worry).

My question is, what about alcohol when I'm trying to reduce my dose? I don't drink particularly often, only once a while on a weekend, etc. but the other forum (the place which scared me to my wits end) insisted that it must be avoided as it can cause problems with recovery, but my doctor seems to think it would be fine because i'm low dosage, etc.

It's not a necessity at all, but got a few social occassions coming up soon (not to mention my 19th!).

[jo61]

You're on a relatively small dose and slowly does it coming off. The odd drink won't do you any harm at all if my experience is to go by. I was on 30mg a day at one point and gradually reduced them - I now just keep a few in my handbag just in case - often just having reassures me
:hugs: