Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Diazepam

71 replies

SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:17

Having a really awful time at the moment with trauma and had a massive plan to get through the Christmas holidays with a therapy break but T4 means it's all gone to shit.

I've been prescribed diazepam which is coming tomorrow and it's been years since i have taken it.

Does it work quite quickly? Theyve given it to me to help me sleep but generally at the moment just want to take it in the day time as well and sleep constantly so my mind switches off.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 22/12/2020 21:21

Dh took it, works quickly but it’ll be a short course so don’t get used to it.

Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:22

Ok - does it knock you out kind of thing?

I have 28 tablets to take twice a day I think they said

OP posts:
MajesticWhine · 22/12/2020 21:25

Don't take them every day twice a day unless you absolutely have to. They are quite habit-forming. Try to just take one as needed. They won't completely knock you out I don't expect. Depends on the dose but they will relax you.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:27

Ok, i think it something you can take as you need rather then regularly so I will only take when I need if so.

I've already had a benzo withdrawl issue so don't want that again

OP posts:
bettyshotspot · 22/12/2020 21:28

They just make me spaced out and run out fairly quickly, but I get the same effect on kwells Hmm

Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:28

What is kwells?

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 22/12/2020 21:32

What strength are they?
They will help you to sleep or at least fall into a deep sleep fairly quickly. IME they don’t keep me asleep and I tend to wake up in the middle of the night after taking them.
Also, gps are reluctant to prescribe these as they are incredibly addictive so please stick to the prescribed dose they have recommended (should be on the sticker when it arrives).
Sorry you’re going through a shit time of it at the moment Flowers

I will add that I’ve had them prescribed to me on and off over the last 3 years after I slipped 2 discs. Once a year (approx) my back gets into a right angry state and I’m in spasm and my gp will prescribe me a very short course to help me get moving again.
I have taken them in the day and not gone to sleep because I’m trying to get walking and I feel quite numb and a bit out of body but at bedtime they help me get into a comfortable(ish) position to sleep in before I nod off.
Take care of yourself OP, hope you’ve got someone to talk to if you’re alone, and people are on MN day and night too if you need to chat.

ShinyGreenElephant · 22/12/2020 21:32

Theyre lovely but don't take twice a day. Wont knock you out per say but relaxes you enough to sleep. Take one of a night to sleep and they'll last longer

Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:35

They do sound like what I need.

I am alone (shielding, and NC with family). I had so much planned to get be through the therapy break but I cannot do any of it now.

Think I will pop to the MH board to start a chatty thread.

Thank you for taking the time to write your experience with them.

OP posts:
bettyshotspot · 22/12/2020 21:35

Kwells are travel sickness pills but for some reason they space me out like diazepam used to. I only had diazepam for travel, dentist etc. If they are to help you sleep why is your GP wanting you to take them twice a day?

Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:35

I think they said 5? Does that make sense. I had 2 before ages and ages ago and this is 5 now (I actually had 40 at one stage but was not for mental health reasons)

OP posts:
Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:36

I think they just want to relax me and then help me sleep.

I am on like day 6 of no sleep and am very agitated with people.

OP posts:
Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:37

(not medical people, other people. I have kept my shit with medical people)

OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 22/12/2020 21:39

I’m a big fan of diazepam

But 5 mg twice a day sounds like an awful lot

It will work quickly, yes.

Perhaps half them?

bettyshotspot · 22/12/2020 21:39

5mg was what I was given - they are fine, take one half an hour before bed and it should help, if it's too much break one in half, hopefully it will help your brain switch off and allow you a good sleep, good luck x

OmarListening · 22/12/2020 21:39

Diazepam is fab, I love it for long haul travel and it's great for keeping panic attacks at bay.

If you're not used to it 2x 2mg should be enough to start with to try and help you sleep.

Fluffycloudland77 · 22/12/2020 21:39

No wonder your agitated.

Have you ever tried melatonin? I order it online from America & 1mg a night gets me to sleep.

AcornAutumn · 22/12/2020 21:40

@SwankySharky

I think they just want to relax me and then help me sleep.

I am on like day 6 of no sleep and am very agitated with people.

Oh yes, this is awful

Is it literally no sleep?

One thing I find at night is it can be better to split them up and get a whole night that way, sort of.

Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:41

Thank you so much everyone. It was this or risperidone again and i hated taking that.

I haven't tried melatonin - does it still allow you to dream and process trauma at night? I guess that is the big thing but everything just became too much and now I just need sleep

OP posts:
Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:42

Yes - absolutely no sleep and lots of dissosciation. I slept this afternoon (bad I know) for 1.5 hours but I am waking up screaming and terrified with night terrors.

It's all just shit, but very lucky I can talk to the mental health team every single day apart from public holidays.

OP posts:
bettyshotspot · 22/12/2020 21:42

Crossed posted but try to keep off social media, mumsnet, tv etc, do all the other non medical stuff to try to sleep, nice warm drink, relax - really hope you have a fab sleep :)

ChristmasSomething · 22/12/2020 21:43

I find them great but the effects don’t last very long.
They just take the edge off, hopefully enough in your case that you can sleep.
Sometimes you just need something to break that pattern.
If you’re unsure about taking 5mg, you could always try half (so 2.5mg). They generally start most on 2mg anyway so surprised they’ve gone for the stronger ones.
Whatever you do, I hope you get some sleep soon. Lack of sleep is the pits.

AcornAutumn · 22/12/2020 21:44

@SwankySharky

Yes - absolutely no sleep and lots of dissosciation. I slept this afternoon (bad I know) for 1.5 hours but I am waking up screaming and terrified with night terrors.

It's all just shit, but very lucky I can talk to the mental health team every single day apart from public holidays.

I don’t think it’s bad

With raging insomnia it can be a case of grabbing sleep while you can, your body needs it.

Original poster
SwankySharky · 22/12/2020 21:46

Ok, thank you so much. I am normally very good on the sleep thing - good habits and can get six hours sleep but a retrauma thing has just killed everything in the last two weeks.

I am a shaky, stuttery, sleepless wreck.

OP posts:
OmarListening · 22/12/2020 21:47

If you're struggling that much with sleep and are not accustomed to diazepam I'd cut the 5mg pills in half and take 1 half about 7pm to help you relax and the other half when you get into bed. 5mg is quite high to start.

If that's not enough you can always build up.

Swipe left for the next trending thread