Stopped diazepam 18 days ago. Need some support .............

[Phill2]

I suspect you would have problems if your doctor suddenly stopped prescribing them though.
My GP is happy to prescribe them long term for my daughter too but we use them sparingly.

I'll worry about that if and when it happens.
Until then I'm happy.

[pulisa]

So would I be!! Just don't change your doctor!

[Phill2]

I gave up Lexapro cold turkey so I can do it with Diaz if needed

[pulisa]

Rather you than me but hopefully it won't come to that

[dally]

How are you doing now Michelle?

I was reading over this post and realised 3 things.

1. The tolerance/withdrawal effects very quickly (6-8 weeks) become more of a problem than the original reason for taking benzos.

2. I was sooo scared that I would never heal from the withdrawal.
(And have the major withdrawals plus my original horrendous panic attacks and agoraphobia)

3. There are a few non- benzo meds & herbals that can give anti anxiety relief
(Ie beta blockers and sedating antihistamines)

The vital info to remember is that benzos act on GABA receptors.
Taking benzos replace/switch off our own body's production of gaba.
if/when we reduce/stop taking it, our body has to adjust to producing it again. That process is VERY slow and can take years.
Taking any drug that affects the gaba receptors will lengthen the time of healing.
You HAVE to research meds you take.

[Phill2]

How are you doing now Michelle?

I was reading over this post and realised 3 things.

1. The tolerance/withdrawal effects very quickly (6-8 weeks) become more of a problem than the original reason for taking benzos.

2. I was sooo scared that I would never heal from the withdrawal.
(And have the major withdrawals plus my original horrendous panic attacks and agoraphobia)

3. There are a few non- benzo meds & herbals that can give anti anxiety relief
(Ie beta blockers and sedating antihistamines)

The vital info to remember is that benzos act on GABA receptors.
Taking benzos replace/switch off our own body's production of gaba.
if/when we reduce/stop taking it, our body has to adjust to producing it again. That process is VERY slow and can take years.
Taking any drug that affects the gaba receptors will lengthen the time of healing.
You HAVE to research meds you take.

You'll find that the less research you do the better you'll feel.
Dr Google is your worst enemy.

[Michelle1]

Phil I have to disagree. I wish I'd research long term diazepam then I would of made sure I'd of either not took the diazepam or come off after short use. I like you was quite happy taking diazepam daily long term. The problems happened when I hit tolerance.
In tolerance I took the pill but still had anxiety and other physical and psychological problems and didn't understand why this was happening.
My psychiatrist told me I had hit tolerance and needed to keep increasing the dose or go through withdrawal. I choose withdrawal even though one dr told me they didn't think I could do it and would now be on them for life, my medical file said I was benzodiazepine dependent. I choose to withdraw. These drugs really shouldn't be taken lightly as they cause a serious withdrawal after long term use, far worse than anti depressant cold turkey.

[Phill2]

Phil I have to disagree. I wish I'd research long term diazepam then I would of made sure I'd of either not took the diazepam or come off after short use. I like you was quite happy taking diazepam daily long term. The problems happened when I hit tolerance.
In tolerance I took the pill but still had anxiety and other physical and psychological problems and didn't understand why this was happening.
My psychiatrist told me I had hit tolerance and needed to keep increasing the dose or go through withdrawal. I choose withdrawal even though one dr told me they didn't think I could do it and would now be on them for life, my medical file said I was benzodiazepine dependent. I choose to withdraw. These drugs really shouldn't be taken lightly as they cause a serious withdrawal after long term use, far worse than anti depressant cold turkey.

I don't know what tolerance is defined as.
I've been on the same dose for 14 yrs.

[dally]

I meant research any anti anxiety drug or herbal med you take AFTER you have hit tolerance/addiction as there are many that act on the gaba receptors and will keep the benzo withdrawal going!

I had many tolerance/withdrawal symptoms whilst taking valium,
Doctors were no help. Didn't relate my symptoms to withdrawal.
After 2-4 weeks of going back and forth to gp with worsening symptoms...
I googled my symptoms....
Hey presto. Diazepam withdrawal came up!

[Autumn4]

I started tapering from diazepam 2 months ago. I have been on between 4 & 10 mg for the past 12 years. My only reason for reducing is a new doctor getting difficult with my repeat prescription. I reduced to 4mg everyday & haven't taken anymore than that in 8 weeks where usually I would have taken at least 6 to 8 mg. I had some difficulty as I have HA & PTSD however I am now feeling ok with 4mg. I will now taper to 3 for a few weeks as I want to do it really slowly. It is scary when you read all the awful stories about withdrawal !!
It is amazing that there are also many people who just come off & don't get any symptoms at all. I suppose some & I don't mean all of the symptoms could be what we expect to happen. Rather like the placebo affect in reverse. Good luck to you all & any support & advice will be much appreciated.