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Mental health

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Original poster

Anyone ever been prescribed Diazepam/valium for longer than a week?

15 replies

MogadoredMemoo · 01/03/2011 19:52

Suffer with depression and anxiety and for the anxiety I take buspirone and propranolol which isn't really helping at all. Had a bad few days last week and my GP gave me 5 days worth of Diazepam which do really help me. I don't understand why I can't go on them for a longer period though. I know they are addictive but so are the other meds they give me too. I'm confused!

OP posts:

onepieceoflollipop · 01/03/2011 19:57

I am a mental health nurse and where I work diazepam is generally only prescribed for up to 2 weeks. Afaik it is highly addictive but ok for a week or two.

So say if you have 2mg 3 times a day, in a few weeks that won't be enough so possibly you will need 5mg and so on. (I am not a doctor or pharmacist so sorry if I am not explaining this well)

Sometimes the diazepam is prescribed while other medication gets into your system. e.g. ads will typically take 3-4 weeks to reach optimum effect. So if the person is highly anxious or agitated then a couple of weeks of diazepam may help.

I do know patients who have been on benzodiazepines (diazepam being in that group) for many years on high doses.

onepieceoflollipop · 01/03/2011 19:58

Meant to add that for some people who become addicted to diazepam then the side effects may mean that the person doesn't have a great quality of life, as they are always a little bit sedated/out of it on the medication.

Original poster

MogadoredMemoo · 01/03/2011 20:03

Thanks for the reply. Are there any other anti anxiety meds than can be taken for a longer period? I'm so desperate for some relief from this constant stomach churning anxiety. I've been on Venlafaxine for about a year now and don't think I can go much higher than the dose I'm on which is 225mg.

OP posts:

onepieceoflollipop · 01/03/2011 20:15

Afaik there aren't many anti-anxiety meds (you mention you have had buspirone and propanolol).

Have you been offered some specific talking/group therapy just to focus on managing the anxiety. (obviously what is available may vary where you live). for example where I work we are able to refer people for specific anxiety management as an outpatient (individual initially generally followed by group work)

Have you been seen by a psychiatrist? If not, possibly you could as a one-off for a review of your medication? ime some GPs aren't always the best wrt prescribing for mental health issues. Possibly there may be an ad that suits you better and helps more with the anxiety?

Wishing you all the best. :)

On a personal note I had depression and horrible anxiety many years ago and I understand a little how awful it is.

Original poster

MogadoredMemoo · 01/03/2011 20:20

I have had therapy and seen a psychiatrist, I've had a spell in hospital do have had a lot of support and it's really helped with my depression. I'm just left with this crippling anxiety.

Was just looking at the info I have on buspirone and I think
I'm on quite a low dose so might see if they will increase that.

OP posts:

onepieceoflollipop · 01/03/2011 20:27

So sorry to hear that the anxiety has a real grip on you at the moment. It really is awful and so many people don't understand at all.

Possibly if you saw a psychiatrist again they could do a review of your medication (including the buspirone dose?)

Olessaty · 01/03/2011 20:37

I think diazepam gets less effective if you take it for longer periods as you build up a tolerance, along with being dependence forming, leading to withdrawal syndrome. Taking it longer than a couple of weeks is probably not a good idea.

I've taken a couple of benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam and temazepam) and they are definitely only helpful in the short term for acute situations for me. Whilst they do offer relief, they leave me feeling drugged, and I don't want to spend my life off my head floating in fairy land, as pleasant as it is to not feel the constant tension of anxiety.

What other means of therapy, other than drug therapy are you using? Is it possible to see your psychiatrist for a review to see if there is anything else you can do?

Original poster

MogadoredMemoo · 01/03/2011 20:45

I see my psychiatrist every couple if weeks and my cpn every week. I do group therapy as a day patient at the hospital and also do a one to one session with a well being councillor. I'm also about to start psychotherapy. Seeing my psychiatrists next week so just want to get everything straight in my head before I see him.

OP posts:

Olessaty · 01/03/2011 20:48

Good luck with the psychotherapy, perhaps your anxiety is increased because you are starting something new, I know I'd get nervous, you might find it reduces once you start. Hopefully your psychiatrist can help with medication.

onepieceoflollipop · 01/03/2011 20:49

Hope that your psychatrist is helpful and has some other suggestions when you see him. :)

Original poster

MogadoredMemoo · 01/03/2011 22:05

Thanks both of you, appreciate the advice x

OP posts:

bittersweetvictory · 01/03/2011 22:22

Ive been on 5mg a day of diazepam for years, one a night, I see my GP regular and he is fine about me taking them long term as long as i get my blood pressure checked regularly.
i would be worried about it if i had to increase the dose but manage ok with 5mgs a day, i dont feel sedated or out of it in the slightest or i wouldnt take them.

prettymaryk · 02/03/2011 10:05

i'm on a fairly high dose of lorazepam atm (equivalent to 40mg diaz) have been for about 3 weeks, to see me across a-d transition. so basically reducing my dose of the old one and gradually introducing the new one. i've been suicidal, self harming etc.

i'm seeing a psych for the a-ds but my gp is prescribing the loraz. they work very well for anxiety but i think i'll be well at risk of dependence after 4 weeks. the hope is that my new a-ds will have kicked in by then and will deal with the anxiety.

thing is if you're dependent on benzos your withdrawal needs to be very gradually tapered, as the side effects of withdrawal are even greater anxiety etc. also if you stay on them for a very long time they can make you more anxious.

having/kicking a benzo habit is basically often worse than the initial anxiety problem, from what i've heard, which is why docs are increasingly reluctant to prescribe them. i don't know whether i'm lucky or unlucky to have a gp who is prepared to prescribe for longer, i guess i'll find out in a couple of weeks.

good luck anyway, it sounds like you've really been through the mill with this, i hope you find something that helps you soon.

hannahsmum76 · 05/03/2011 19:18

i had them for use with severe panic attacks -whilst i was waiting for the cipramil to get into my system....to prevent the attacks.
the valium was used as soon as i felt the attack coming on...which always seemed to occur in the evening and sometimes in the night-they helped fantasticly in that way as i had 2 trips to a and e-as i didnt relise that they were panic attacks that i was having at first.
the panic attacke were very bad -and id be sick and need loo and couldnt stop shakin and felt detached from world.....but now i know what they are it is easyer to deal with .

thefirstMrsDeVere · 05/03/2011 19:28

I have been taking small doses of Diazapam for quite a while. I have a very understanding GP and she trusts me.

I go to see her every 5-6 weeks and she gives me 28 5mg tablets. I take them as I need to. I usually only take half but will take a whole one if I need to.

I understand they are addictive but as I can only get 28tabs and I make them last a good deal longer, I do not think its is an issue for me.

I take them due to anxiety bought on by the death of my DD. This is unlikely to go away. I amy have to take Diazapam for a very long time or I may not. I prefer the control I have with them. I dont need or want anti ds in my system 24 hrs a day. This is not a judgement on Anti Ds. They are just not for me. I have taken them in the past and they are not appropriate.

Valium is highly addictive and should be prescribed with caution but I do think it has its place. It helps me to function without taking over my life.

I am lucky that my GP is sympathetic and understanding and that she is able to listen and trust me.

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