Tranquillizers

[Durlston]

I've been on Diazepam/Oxazepam for five years now and my doctor wants me to stop using it as he thinks I've become very dependent on it. Heard how unpleasant withdrawal can be for some people.

Has anyone on here been on it and how easy was stopping? Some days I can go without it but I feel a bundle of nerves and anxious most of the time. My sleeping has become affected, I just want to be a normal, confident person without Diazepam.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Chicken Run]

I think any drug/substance that makes one feel better over a period of time is going to be hard to shake, we are all different however and some can go "cold turkey" with the power of mind others may need group rehabilitation and indeed cutting down may work for some, one hopes that your GP will tailor the correct process for you, up until Nov 25 last year I was a 20 cigs a day man, haven't had one since but am now addicted to nicotine gum oops.

 

[Manny]

I was on diazapam for a while, although nowhere near as long as you have been. I didnt find coming off them too bad at all. Having said that... i was prescribed them because of circumstances i was in, my life was completely different when i came off them. Things were much better so it was easier to readjust.

i guess to be honest it depends on why you have been on them and whether any of the triggers are still in place. I honestly think the best person to advize you would be your doctor, or maybe see another for a second opinion.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

Well good luck with it.

Some members of my distant family can't cope without Diazepam I am told, which I find very sad.

Not sure this is really the best place to ask advice. But you never know.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Diazepam is a horrible drug imho, leaves you bumbling around all day caned out of your brain....and not in a good way. Medication masks the problem but doesn't solve it. Ever thought of trying CBT?

 

[Durlston]

I was on diazapam for a while, although nowhere near as long as you have been. I didnt find coming off them too bad at all. Having said that... i was prescribed them because of circumstances i was in, my life was completely different when i came off them. Things were much better so it was easier to readjust.

i guess to be honest it depends on why you have been on them and whether any of the triggers are still in place. I honestly think the best person to advize you would be your doctor, or maybe see another for a second opinion.

I went on it along with antidepressants because of a very painful split with a girl in 2005. It took me an awful long time to get over her. The last couple of months I've felt really happy again and I want to come off Diazepam so much but I think psychologically it's going to be one hell of a battle.

I'm seeing specialists on Thursday and Friday about it.

 

[Manny]

Good Luck with it. Coming off them was the best thing i ever did (although they did serve a purpose at the time) As i say as long as your circumstances are different now i.e. you are happier then im sure you'll be ok.

 

[Nappy thrower]

I went on it along with antidepressants because of a very painful split with a girl in 2005. It took me an awful long time to get over her. The last couple of months I've felt really happy again and I want to come off Diazepam so much but I think psychologically it's going to be one hell of a battle.

I'm seeing specialists on Thursday and Friday about it.

I came off antidepressants at my own free will a while back as i hated the effects it had on my body.As your doctor says..you are becoming dependant on them.Maybe you need to see a psychiatrist?

 

[Laughing Gravy]

I was on them for a while after my mum died of cancer and they do help you cope, but it was only for a month or so. It must for very difficult for you buddy if you have been on them for that long.
It's very difficult for people that haven't been through depression to understand the he'll that it is.

When I took the last one in my box I felt very anxious and scared, so I went and had a chat with my doctor and he gave me a small amount which I keep just in case. I don't take them anymore, but I know they are there. Bit like when folks quit smoking but have a packet in a draw at home.

You don't want to be on them for the rest of your natural, so go see your doctor and book some time with a councillor. The lady I saw really helped me.

I don't know the situation that you are in my friend, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Good luck to you

 

[Nappy thrower]

I was on them for a while after my mum died of cancer and they do help you cope, but it was only for a month or so. It must for very difficult for you buddy if you have been on them for that long.
It's very difficult for people that haven't been through depression to understand the he'll that it is.

When I took the last one in my box I felt very anxious and scared, so I went and had a chat with my doctor and he gave me a small amount which I keep just in case. I don't take them anymore, but I know they are there. Bit like when folks quit smoking but have a packet in a draw at home.

You don't want to be on them for the rest of your natural, so go see your doctor and book some time with a councillor. The lady I saw really helped me.

I don't know the situation that you are in my friend, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Good luck to you

I don't want to sound like i'm preaching to you but having small amounts in the house won't have much effect at all.Once you come off medication like that, it takes a while for it to leave your blood stream and likewise if you feel the need to retake them.For the full effects to kick in,it can take a good few weeks.

 

[Durlston]

Cheers everyone for the encouragement. NSC has some lovely people on here. It'll be a gradual weaning off them that could take months. The thought of being on a packed tube train or busy shopping centre without it is scary but i'm determined to get back to normal.

 

[Laughing Gravy]

I don't want to sound like i'm preaching to you but having small amounts in the house won't have much effect at all.Once you come off medication like that, it takes a while for it to leave your blood stream and likewise if you feel the need to retake them.For the full effects to kick in,it can take a good few weeks.

Yes I agree, but it's just the fact that you know they are there.
If they weren't there I would panic even though I don't take th anymore.

Well I know what I mean

I know all about coming off of other anti depressants. I was on them for over a year.

 

[Durlston]

I came off antidepressants at my own free will a while back as i hated the effects it had on my body.As your doctor says..you are becoming dependant on them.Maybe you need to see a psychiatrist?

I'm seeing a psychiatrist on Friday to evaluate my mental health. Always feel very intimidated by them but I sure it'll be ok.

 

[Nappy thrower]

I'm seeing a psychiatrist on Friday to evaluate my mental health. Always feel very intimidated by them but I sure it'll be ok.

Mate need any advice then pm me.I'm only disclosing snippets on here.Don't worry about going to see a psychiatrist as i requested to see one and it's the best move i've ever done.That's providing you get on with him/her.There is nothing to fear.

 

[bhaexpress]

I was literally hooked on Diazipam some time ago, it was still called Valium then. Doctors would prescribe it happily as they didn't realise then how addictive and in fact dangerous it was. I was on a relatively high dosage and my then doctor reduced it by 50%. The upshot was that yes I got serious withdrawal symptoms but at the time I had no idea why I started having panic attacks, black outs and pins and needles. It was very worrying and caused me a lot of grief. Needless to say, quite a few doctors have since told me (with the benefit of hindsight) that I should have been gradually weaned off it, just make sure that your doctor realises this.

 

[bhaexpress]

One thing you'll notice is that doctors quite often disagree with which particular drug to take. Prozac is no longer flavour of the month as it's side effects are now well know. Antidepressants are mood elevators. Unlike Valium they do not kick in straight away but they alter brain chemistry to induce a sense of well being. They also wear off slowly but unless they are a low dosage should not be dropped 'cold turkey'.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

Cheers everyone for the encouragement. NSC has some lovely people on here. It'll be a gradual weaning off them that could take months. The thought of being on a packed tube train or busy shopping centre without it is scary but i'm determined to get back to normal.

I was just going to say that surely it'll be a case of a gradual 'weaning off' the drug (via medical supervision), but you've just confirmed it for me.

From what I can make out, you seem to be readily aware of why you needed the medication in the first place; & how you are now in a different phase of your life - which I think bodes well for your reduction & eventual non-use. I've no doubt the process will have it's 'moments' - but with support, I'm sure you'll eventually be able to function both happily & productively without the chem's.

Good luck with it hon, & don't forget to continually laugh in the face of adversity! You know it makes sense.

 

[Durlston]

Diazepam takes a long time to leave the body and I can go 3-4 days without using it but the anxiety gets worse and worse. My hands shake sometimes. Seizures are possible from withdrawal which sounds really frightening.

I'm worried sick about my medication being stopped abruptly.

 

[Nappy thrower]

Are you signed off sick?

 

[Durlston]

Are you signed off sick?

Yes and everyone's been really understanding. I'm getting so much support from a girl I work with, she's made me feel so happy again.