Lorazepam to Diazepam

[Dying_Swan]

Morning all.

After 2 and a half years of taking 0.5mg Lorazepam (with some interludes), I'm switching to Diazepam. I usually take Lorazepam about 3 times a week, with no set pattern.

I recently tried to stop Lorazepam but found it much harder than I had expected - Depersonalisation +++

I'm now supposed to take 2mg Diazepam a day. The GP said I should take it every day, and I can either take it in one 'shot', or split it and have 2 doses.

I was wondering if anyone else has experience of this, and what I should expect? I'm slightly concerned about going from 3x a week to every day

I'm also a little worried that the side effects may be different, although am assured that they won't be.

I'd appreciate any advice!

xxx

[nomorepanic]

Swan

Why does he want to give you Diazepam that often when he knows it is very addictive and could lead to more problems when you come off it - I am confused.

[xBettyBoopx]

Hi Swan

Diazepam and lorazepam are virtually the same benzos but lorazepam is 10 times stronger than diazepam. So 0.5mg of lorazepam would equal 5mg of diazepam which is prolly why your doctor is suggesting that you take it every day, but you should take what you are 'happy' with-I use the term 'happy' losely . I am not an expert but I am on both lorazepam and diazepam

Try not to worry, 2mg diazepam is a very low dose and both meds act in the same way.
Take care
Elspeth

[Dying_Swan]

Thanks for your replies I had thought I was a lost cause for a minute there!

Nic - I think that he wants me to take it every day so that I can do a 'proper' taper down....which would be more complicated if it was only 3x a week, with no set pattern. However, I really don't want to be taking it when I don't feel I need it, so might re-think that bit on my own.

Elspeth - thanks for your advice and reassurance. Lorazepam and Diazepam together? I was googling for that but couldn't find anything.....I'm wondering....if need be...if I can convert back to Lorazepam. I thought perhaps that would give me a 'benzo overload'? For example, 2mg Diazepam one day, 0.5mg Lorazepam the next day. Would that be safe?

I had never realised until recently how much stronger Lorazepam is I kinda wish I'd never been prescribed it.

I also never knew it was possible to write 'zepam' so many times in one post

Thanks again xxx

[xBettyBoopx]

Lol Swan at your quote about 'zepam', I was thinking the same thing too

I don't take the two together, I take diaz during day and loraz at night, it's a long story but I was on tranxene at night until they withdrew them April of last year.

I can't really advise you on what to do as I'm not an expert, perhaps you could go back to your doc and explain about your concerns. Almost all medication for anxiety are addictive, but with the NHS in the state that it's in, they give meds instead of getting us practical help (well that's my take on it anyway). Then some years down the line they say "you shouldn't have been taking this medication for so long", em.....duh!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, my small wee sense of humour coming out about the state of some doctors today
How do you feel today having taken the diaz? Any different?
I hope you get it sorted out soon.
Take care
Elspeth

[Dying_Swan]

Hi Elspeth.

Thanks for replying

I almost decided to go back to the Lzp last night (I'm going to use abbreviations now!) but decided to stick with it, as I wasn't sure if it was safe to take one one day, the other the next day.

I didn't really follow Doctor's orders....I just took 1mg Dzp. It got me through the night so I was pretty chuffed Not sure it will tonight, but I will try again. I didn't feel brilliant but not too bad at all

Thanks again xxx

[Alabasterlyn]

Almost all medication for anxiety are addictive, but with the NHS in the state that it's in, they give meds instead of getting us practical help (well that's my take on it anyway). Then some years down the line they say "you shouldn't have been taking this medication for so long", em.....duh!!!!!!!!!!

I totally agree with you on that Elspeth. It is so much easier and cheaper in the short term for GP's to dish out benzos and not think about what problems they are giving to their patients for the future. Perhaps they hope by the time the patient realises they are addicted they will be happily retired and no longer responsible for their patients.

Dying Swan I would suggest that you go to the benzo forum at http://www.benzoisland.org/benzoforum/
They are all great on there and will be able to give you clearer advice about doing a crossover and tapering

[Dying_Swan]

Hi Lyn.

I was hoping you might catch sight of this thread at some point

Thanks for that - I will check it out xxx

[margaret911]

Hi Swan
I havent taken diazapan for a long time now but it still is on my repeat prescription. I found a 2mg diazapan did nothing for me at all I had to take 2 to get an effect so you are doing marvelous to manage on a half of one so I wouldn't worry about it if I was you. Take care and love you.
Mags xxxxx

[Dying_Swan]

Hey Magseeeeeeeee.

Glad to hear you've not been taking it. Repeat prescription! Lucky you! Actually, I'd avoid it like the plague if you don't feel you need it.

I managed another night with just the 1mg although did feel a bit grotty at times. I'm figuring it's going to be a bit tough to come off it, so I have to make a bit of an effort.

The GP told me to start on 2mg every day, but I think I'm gonna avoid that ..and then reduce it weekly. So I guess if I take 1mg as and when, I'll reduce a bit more slowly. Does anyone know if it's possible to get 1mg tablets Diazepam?

Love you too Magseeeeeeeee

xxx