Anyone ever take Valium!

[Stellenbosch]

Can you still get this prescribed for depression/anxiety?

What are your experiences?

Does it impact upon driving/sleeping/anything else?

Also known as benzodiazepam. Yes I have for problems with my back as it's a muscle relaxant.
I wouldn't drive on them at all as they make me very sleepy. Really quite strong drugs even on low dosage. Superb at dealing with muscle spasms but I can see why people get addicted to them.

They do still prescribe for anxiety as well but they are not a long term solution.

I don't think they prescribe them readily these days.

Why do you ask?

Yes years ago . Helped when required but actually not a long term situation

You can only get them for short term. If for anxiety, it’s usually after trauma, from what I can tell.
More long term anxiety they’d use something else because they are addictive.
I’ve had them for back spasm and trauma many years ago and find them good in the evening but I wouldn’t have them if I had anything else to do.

I think they are quite against prescribing this, even on a low dose for severe back pain as a pp described. The reason being it is quite addictive. The GP would probably aim to prescribe you a different drug if possible.

similar to whathaveifogotten I had 7 days worth prescribed last year when my back problems started, as a muscle relaxant when the pain was truly excruciating. I slept for most of the time, I recall. Had no idea that they were Valium.

Only had them, like many others, when I put my back out. Between them, the tramadol and other painkillers (prescribed), and not having slept for the previous three days due to pain/stubbornness I had a blissful couple of days sleep.

I have two left somewhere at the bottom of the medicine tin, I need to make sure they’re disposed of!

Yup, love it.

If i was a housewife 40 years ago I would have been one of those who were addicted to it for sure! Mothers little helpers.

As it is, knowing how very addictive they are I've only ever taken them for flying, a back problem 12 years ago and one time I started citalopram and my best mate was dying.

More likely to get propranolol these days. Much safer. No addiction risks. Worked well for me when i struggled with anxiety for a while.

Iv not had them but Iv known people who are addicted to them and seeing them on them is really really awful to watch.

I’ve only ever had them earlier this year when I slipped a couple of discs. 10mg, don’t know what strength they go up to but they knocked me sideways. After two weeks, they refused to prescribe me any more but they were a blissful (if still painful) couple of weeks.
They moved me onto less addictive drugs after that but I remember begging the doctor to prescribe me more - and I don’t remember them even being good for the pain I just wanted them for the zones out experience. I look back now and see how easy it is to be addicted. I’d still take them now for the relaxing side of things and f I could lay my hands on them and I’m the kind of person who doesn’t ever take a paracetamol for anything.
So not for depression or anxiety, but in the strength I was prescribed, there’s no way I’d drive on them.

Yes I have a prescription for it , but only take 5mg (half tablet ) when work gets me down , or around the days of my daughters birthday , to take away the hurt and guilt I still feel all these years later

my GP knows why I take it , I don't abuse it , and I give him plenty of free legal advice , he trusts me as so does my other half
last prescription is dated Feb 2018 I have only taken 2 tablets so over 4 days 5mg

After I gave birth to my youngest two, i was given Valium to help me sleep in the hospital. Oh my...it was like falling back into the softest bed of clouds. I could feel my breathing slow down, my arms and legs get heavy and then drift off for a super comfy sleep.
I wouldn’t be able to function after taking one.

I work in a surgery and as far as I'm aware they don't usually prescribe on a long term basis as it's so addictive. We get quiet a few requests for this and often have to tell the patient the doctor has refused it.

I have been prescribed them for anxiety but I only have 2mg tablets. I would drive on one but not anymore. They give me the same feeling as a large glass of wine.
When my anxiety was bad they got me out of bed. Now I would only take them to fly or something similar.

GPs don’t perscibe them lightly. You need a strong case and a management plan as they are so addictive.

I’ve had it before for severe anxiety. They won’t prescribe more than a few days worth at a time now as it can be so addictive. It was okay, it didn’t really do much for me to be honest.

Meant to add I was given 5mg. I could drive on them and was pretty much as normal really.

I have had them for a back problem. I have Crohn's - colitis so painkillers are not...digestible, shall we say. The diazepam helped a lot to get me walking upright again. They made me feel a bit weird and sleepy. Not sure what strength the doc gave me. I didn't really like the feeling.

I had it prescribed for dental work, known as Diazepam now.

I take them for flying but never really felt any different for having it although hard to judge as I'm a mega anxious flyer due to emetophobia

I take them for flying.

I take them on long haul flights so that I can sleep, also for jet lag to get my rhythm back.
Also occasionally on a Sunday night after a bath to relax and deep sleep before the start of a hectic week. I love them and they make me calm and nicely sleepy. Never got them prescribed though, just over the counter in certain countries where I can stock up

I've been given Diazipam for over a year now after being diagnosed with two life altering illnesses. I'm given 2mg tablets bit only take them when having MRI's or when I can't cope with the anxiety anymore. This can be a couple of times a week or once every two months. My GP knows I'm not addicted as my usage is monitored closely.

They don't do anything to me except make me calm.. but I don't 'feel' any different.

My doctor has prescribed a few at a time for me a couple of times. For things like a cone biopsy that I didn't think I'd be able to cope with because of previous sexual trauma. I can just about manage smear tests, with the same very understanding nurse each time, and just thought I could not do it at all. I was ok with the valium/diazepam, still a tiny bit freaked out but manageable. Also had them once for a muscle spasm/trapped nerve in my neck, which was ridiculously painful for something that seems so minor, it was really helpful.