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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HMK on March 12, 2002, at 13:35:35
I have been taking 5 mg. of Valium daily for the past two years and am wondering if anyone has had problems going off Valium. I currently am happy with the drug but always worry about the potentially addictive side of any benzodiazapine. Any insight would be appreciated.
Posted by Mark H. on March 12, 2002, at 18:00:40
In reply to Problems discontinuing Valium?, posted by HMK on March 12, 2002, at 13:35:35
Yes, getting off of Valium can be quite an experience (distorted sense of time, rebound anxiety and sleeplessness, some hypomanic reactions), but my doctor often will switch his patients to clonazepam during the transition. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is the least addictive of the benzodiazapines and has fewer withdrawal effects, especially at low dosages.
Mark H.
Posted by Mark H. on March 12, 2002, at 19:11:06
In reply to Re: Problems discontinuing Valium?, posted by Mark H. on March 12, 2002, at 18:00:40
And, I meant to add that taking 5 mg of Valium a day is not a problem, and you should not worry about the day you might wish to stop.
Generally, people who have problems with benzodiazepines are either increasing their dosage on their own (by seeing more than one doctor, buying it illegally, or demonstrating other pathological behavior around it) or they are mixing it with other drugs, especially pain medication or alcohol.
If you are maintaining well on 5 mg a day, you clearly do not have these problems associated with addiction or abusive use of Valium.
Warm regards,
Mark H.
Posted by mike21 on March 12, 2002, at 19:28:35
In reply to Problems discontinuing Valium?, posted by HMK on March 12, 2002, at 13:35:35
I was on valium for about a year, starting at 5-10 mg/day and ending at 20mg/day. I had no problems tapering off my dosage and finally stopping it altogether. I didn't notice a huge increase in anxiety, but it did seem like I lost some of my interest and sense of pleasure in life. I would also say that it was the one medication that seemed to really make an immediate and noticeable difference in my life. Sometimes I think I should be on it indefinitely, but I also worry about the long term effects of it.
Mike
> I have been taking 5 mg. of Valium daily for the past two years and am wondering if anyone has had problems going off Valium. I currently am happy with the drug but always worry about the potentially addictive side of any benzodiazapine. Any insight would be appreciated.
Posted by colin wallace on March 13, 2002, at 3:50:05
In reply to Problems discontinuing Valium?, posted by HMK on March 12, 2002, at 13:35:35
Hi there,
A little over two years ago, I was taking 4mg of alprazolam (xanax) for severe anxiety/panic.
I remember scanning this board for the first time back then, and reading some pretty grisly withdrawal accounts, which served to make me feel even more anxious and miserable.I firmly believed I would be a lifelong xanax depenedant.
The long and the short of it was that the benzodiazepine helped me hugely, and within a year I had reduced to 1.5mg daily.Recently, once I had reduced to .75mg daily, I switched to the longer lasting diazepam, with no problems whatsoever.After a month or so at 5mg, I reduced to 2.5 mg (last week), without difficulty.I feel no dire urgency to rush into ditching this small amount, although I'm certain I will get around to it soon!Bottom line here is that, to my mind, properly administered benzo. usage can be absolutely invaluable in overcoming anxiety disorders.With a controlled taper, I'm sure you'll succeed in coming off this small amount if you put your mind to it.Why rush it though, you have plenty of time!!Best of luck,
Col.
Posted by Hawkeye on March 13, 2002, at 7:56:59
In reply to Problems discontinuing Valium?, posted by HMK on March 12, 2002, at 13:35:35
I abused Valium for fivr years (big doses everyday 24/7)with the help of a "friend" who was a physician. I stoppeed "cold turkey" with no withdrawl or any noticeable adverse effects. While everyone is different, resist the hype. The hype can/will influence your own subjective experience if you allow it.
Hope this helps.
This is the end of the thread.
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