Posted by Brainbeard on April 3, 2010, at 7:59:51
Of all the meds I ever tried, Valium (diazepam) is perhaps the only one that consistently offers nearly immediate relief from anxiety and despair. Unlike other benzo's, it doesn't give me cognitive debilitation, and it also doesn't seem to screw with my memory (I can remember things I've read while on Valium, to name an example. When I read on Ativan (lorazepam) I have to start all over again when I'm sober). Its sedation paradoxically energizes me, making me care less about all my pathetic little problems in the world. Even my chronic jaw pain shrinks back in agony when faced with Valium.
My question is, though: is it possible to use Valium long term and keep reaping such benefits as described? I know that some folks claim that Valium is a depressant in the long run. Others say that it has a zombifying effect when taken long term. Is there anybody out there who can either dispute or confirm such findings?
Since I still haven't found an effective regimen, and I'm in a lot of stress now due to moving to a house with some asbestos parts (both the world shattering drama of moving and the asbestos problem shake the foundations of my mental sanity), I think it might be wise to just take 5mg of Valium twice a day, purely to survive the coming months. Oh yeah, and then I also got a new job coming up as a call center agent - not a good idea since I have (mild) tinnitus and I quit the very same job last time because I was convinced working with a headset all day worsened my tinnitus.
Perhaps Valium is the only drug that really works for me, although I still consider clomipramine, standalone or combined with an SSRI.
So, Valium long(er) term - does it work or not?
poster:Brainbeard
thread:941945
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100328/msgs/941945.html