Valium

[frazzled]

Last year, my employer closed its east coast office and I was relocated thru my job to the west coast, having lived for 30 years on the other side of the country.  What's more, shortly after selling my home, finding new owners for pets that couldn't make the trip, and uprooting myself from everything familiar, my employer changed the compensation structure of every sales rep in the company to reflect a newpolicy: hit 75% of sales targets for the month or receive no commission.  Since commission is 1/3 of my compensation, this is no small threat.  Still, I don't make a habit of falling short.  I generally exceed target and haven't fallen more than 15% short in over a year, so I shouldn't be that worried.  But I haven't stopped worrying about it for 6 months.  Just thinking about work makes my stomach hurt. 

On top of work worries, I worry about earthquakes, the possibility that occasional aches and pains could signify cancer, liver disease, etc, that the IRS might arrest me for some mistake I made on my taxes three or five years ago, that my husband might succumb to any number of the "worst case scenarios" I worry about happening to me on a regular basis, and a hundred other plausible but improbable bad things that could happen at any moment. 

My husband was prescribed a low-dose Valium for a back injury around the same time we relocated.  I took half of one after the news that my office was closing and I would have to relocate or find a new a job.  I have never taken Valium before.  Over the last 10 years, I have been prescribed Zoloft, Paxil, Buspar, Celexa, Lexapro, Depakote, and a few more I don't remember.  Each one gave me such awful side effects,I had to discontinue use after a few months.  I have been without medication for years now...until taking my husband's Valium.  I know taking someone else's perscription is a big no-no, but I have to say the results that night were nothing short of miraculous.  A complete shut down of every worry in the world.  I even felt energized vs. sleepy as I expected to feel.  It took days to build up to my usual level of anxiety.  After my husband used all of the pills he needed, there were 10 left.  That was 6 months ago.  He now has 6 left.  I have taken the rest, no more than half a pill every two weeks.  Only when the worry gets bad enough it hurts.  The effect is the same each time I take.  A little more energy.  Zero worries.  Zero side effects.  And a sense of relief and relaxation that takes days to completely fade.

Anyone have any experience with Valium that could offer any input?  I have a psychiatrist appointment in two weeks and would like to discuss the possibility of beginning a treatment program that includes this drug, but I'm afraid to admit I tried without a prescription.  I have had such awful experiences with every other medication I've tried, I really don't want to try any other drug based treatment.  Any helpful info would be greatly appreciated.

[TheFishman]

Yes I take 5mg of Lexipro and 2.5mg of valium, The Valium was ment to be taken ONLY WHEN I FELT EXTREMLY AGGITATED, The reason why they don't like giving it out if that it can be addictive if taken for a long period of time 2-4 weeks, but those are dosages ever day during that timeframe.
I have found it extremely helpful in controling my anxiety. I was give 60 tablets and have been taking on average one every four days, with a two week brake of no valium- I didn't feel I needed it. which is no where near enough to be addictive.

It's great for treatment in the short term.

[frazzled]

I am always very paranoid about becoming addicted to anything, which is why I have only taken the valium once every two weeks or so. I was precribed Lexapro most recently and found it very helpful in controlling my day-to-day anxiety.  Unfortunately its side effects were horrible night sweats and unbearably sleepiness ALL the time.  I was so discouraged, I decided I would do best "dealing" with my day-to-day anxiety and only taking medication in "emergency" situations.  (Which I consider to be when worry is causing extreme physical discomfort.)  For that, the valium has been flawless.   I am just afraid the doc won't prescribe.

[gloomy]

Somebody correct if  am wrong but isnt the valium a benzodiazepine?  I know from a lot of previous posts on these boards, that some people have had terrible reactions with SSRI's etc, but found benzos their saving grace.

Maybe you should approach your doctor and ask for a benzo to deal with your anxiety, of course its up to you whether you mention the use of valium!!

If you look back over the medications and therapy boards there is a lot about benzos and how they have worked for people.

[ocdengineer]

Frazzled,

Yea, Valium was the first benzo and still the longest lasting.  It actually lasts most of the day from one dose whereas many of the newer benzos may work a little better on anxiety, they are much short lived in their ability to help you.  Valium and Klonopin are, in general, much less likely to cause dependency than Xanax or Ativan because of its long half life. 

For instance, I have found that benzos are really the only medications that help me, so I take 2 mg of Xanax a day.  In order for this to be effective as a long term treatment I have to take 4 doses throughout the day because it is out of my system so fast.  The Valium or Klonopin would probably be a pill in the morning and one in the evening which will probably get rid of most of your anxiety.  If you decide to stop taking Valium or any other benzo, you need to take it slow over a long period of time because your brain really does adjust to the drug.  You need to give your brain time to readjust to the lack of the drug. 

Benzos are not addictive in the sense that you will continue to take them if they are clearly hurting you like alcohol or nicotine, but it will cause withdrawl.  There is no tolerance issues, meaning once you have reached your optimal dose, you will never need more in fact many end up taking less over time. 

If you want to take something as needed, Klonopin is probably your best bet.  It is a very long lasting benzo and has less of a chance of causing severe drowsiness like Valium.  Valium will put you right to sleep whereas Klonopin will make you a little drowsy.  If you take it long term, the drowsiness goes away after a week or so and you won't even know you are taking meds, you will just feel less anxious and more relaxed.

Some doctors are not big fans of benzos, others love them, so you will have to decided with your doctor what is best for you.  If you are just having minor anxiety every once and awhile then maybe take something on an "as needed" basis rather than long term.  I am not a doctor, just a guy who has been taking benzos for nearly a year and found them very useful.  I hope this info is helpful.

If you want some more info on benzos, PM me and I will send you a link to a great site with some pretty encouraging info rather than all the addiction clinics you will find if you Google. 

Take care,
OE

[clill]

The neverending debate about Benzos....

When I was first diagnosed with panic disorder, I began my process of doctor shopping to find the doc that would tell me that my problems could be solved by taking an antibiotic, and miraculously my life would be back to normal.  Through this process, I encountered quite a few theories on benzos.  Some claimed that they were highly addictive and should only be used in case of emergencies.  Others said that it is dependent forming, but not addictive, meaning that you will not need to take more and more to get the same effects, but you cannot quit it cold turkey either.  what I always found interesting about this debate is that docs insinuate that SSRI's are not dependent forming, which is clearly not true, and you know this if you've ever tried to stop taking your meds with tapering.  Also, benzos don't have all the lousy side effects that ssri's have, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, gastro issues, etc.  The last doctor I had in the states before I moved to Europe thought that SSRI's were garbage, the doc I have now, loves them.  My father was struggling with divorce and a floundering business, and his anxiety flared up.  He's now taking an SSRI and he swears that he feels better at age 60 than at age 20....so everybody has their own opinion and own take.  I think you are probably safe with either route, although I'm not a doc.  :-)

[ocdengineer]

I agree.  I think it really comes down to the person and how they react to certain drugs and of course which doctor you see.  Either way, it is worth leaving all options on the table until you find one that works.

Take care,
OE

[frazzled]

Thanks for all your advice!

A few things:

For some reason, Valium does not make me sleepy...at all.  I feel quite the opposite when I take.  Does anyone else have any experience with this? 

I would definitely classify my anxiety as major.  I worry every second of every day...and never about minor things...always worries with the ultimate outcome of death, bankruptcy, prison, etc.  But I had all but given up on drug based treatment given the intolerable side effects I've had with every other drug I've tried (Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil, Depakote, Buspar and a few others too far back to remember the names). I can take Wellbutrin.  It helps my smoking craving, but does nothing for my anxiety (unless I forget to take it, then I get really edgy). I had never even thought of the debate over SSRI's vs. Benzos.  Truth be told, I don't even know the difference.  It just gets so discouraging.  I keep taking what the doctor(s) tells me to take.  The side effects start...they change dosage or tell me to take a little longer so my body can get adjusted...then eventually I get switched to something else.  Then I find something that actually works and two doctors have already opted not to prescribe it.  Instead, i was prescribed Lexapro...drenching night sweats and constant sleepiness.  And Wellbutrin...few side effects but fewer results. 

[ocdengineer]

Do a little research.  The book "The Anxiety Disease" by David Sheehan is good and has a lot of references to studies showing the amazing performance of benzos vs. placebos.  Everyone reacts differently to medications, so you have to try different options and if you are running low, this is a good direction to go if not daily then maybe just on an "as needed" basis.

Good luck,
OE

[Blashy]

Valium is the "father" of all benzos and in general probably still the one most people have a successful reaction to.

What I suggest is you see your Doctor and tell him about ALL of your anxieties (The paranoia, EVERYTHING) and let him know what you did with self medication... even if means giving you a bit of the evil eye ;) .

Most likely he will give you a prescription with proper instructions on how to use it to your benefit and you will not be worried as you are now about using it or addiction.

[davagio]

Hey i just wanted to throw some advice in here for you. I was taking valium for almost two years. I became addicted to this,maybe you will have better luck but i didnt. I quit cold turkey and had a 9 day mental breakdown. Be careful ! i hope u the best of luck.

[ocdengineer]

You should not have ever quit cold turkey.  You have to wean off the meds not just stop.  It takes time for your brain to readjust to the lack of medication.  That was very dangerous and if your doctor advised you to do that, he is not a doctor you want to keep around.  Also, benzos are just plain not addictive, they cause medical dependency.  There is no need to increase your dose once you get to your optimal dose and it is unlikely you would sacrifice you or someone else's life for the meds.  It sucks that you had a bad withdrawl, but that is a result of poor management by your doctor or simply a bad decision.

Hope you are feeling better now,
OE