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Mental health

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Original poster

can you talk to me about diazepam?

34 replies

lostboysfallin · 11/01/2012 13:31

GP has been lovely, offered to prescribe it on a couple of occasions, but I have resisted.
Finally given in, I am sick of feeling so anxious and stressed and I am finding it hard to cope
I have tried hard to change the stresses in my life, but a lot of them are out of my control.
I'm not depressed, we've discussed that.

OP posts:

Arana · 11/01/2012 13:34

It's lovely.

It's made things allright when I've been climbing the walls with anxiety. If gives you a crutch to lean on so you can actually look at things rationally. It's much easier to see a way out of a hole when you're outside looking in, and that's what diazepam did for me.

I never found it particularly addictive, although it was a little "moreish". I was given 20 tablets 4 months ago, and I still have over half of them left. I took half or quarter doses - I found it was enough to take the edge off without turning me in to a zombie.

VivaLeBeaver · 11/01/2012 13:36

It's habit forming, you'd need to keep upping the dose to get the same benefits. I take it occasionally for flying and have also been prescribed it for a slipped disc. But even when my back was bad never more than a few days supply at a time.

I don't know much about anti anxiety meds but I'd have thought there were better options than diazepam. I was under the impression it was used much these days for anxiety. I'm sure it would help with anxiety, but it makes you not care so much aout the good stuff as well. So you just become a bit removed from everything.

Original poster

lostboysfallin · 11/01/2012 13:38

Well that's a positive, thanks Arana. Do you know what your dosage is?
GP just given me 5mg, surely that's a low dose?

OP posts:

Scorps · 11/01/2012 13:40

It's amazing

I have it for dental visits

The doses are 3mg, 5mg, 10mg IIRC

I have 5mg and it's wonderful . I felt no anxiety whatsoever. None.

Original poster

lostboysfallin · 11/01/2012 13:40

Viva, I think she's given it to me, just as something to take the edge off, for some relief, not to be thought of as a long term solution.
Honestly, I think it would help to become a bit removed from everything for a day or two

OP posts:

nursenic · 11/01/2012 13:40

Should only be Px for short term use with regards to anxiety and depression.

deliakate · 11/01/2012 13:41

Its good for very, very short term. But I think they won't prescribe for over 4 weeks duration. And even 4 weeks is long enough to get addicted. 5mg is average, I think gps will give that or 10mg.

VivaLeBeaver · 11/01/2012 13:45

Sorry, should think that would be fine then. Thought you were going tp be on it long term and was worried you'd be a zombie. Really hope you feel better soon.

PresidentWensleydale · 11/01/2012 13:46

Lovely stuff. I took it over Christmas to deal with crippling anxiety coupled with a dip in my mental health.
I had 2mg tablets and tbh they really just took the edge off and allowed me to function.
Only took then for about 4 days and they really helped but I was very aware of how dependant I could become on them
Sounds like it would do you no harm to take them just get you over the next couple of days it certainly gives your brain the ability toswitch off.

Sluttybuttons · 11/01/2012 13:47

I get prescribed it (lowest dose) when my neck seizes up. I can only take it at night cos it totally knocks me out.

Original poster

lostboysfallin · 11/01/2012 18:38

Thanks for all your thoughts, not so worried now.
Wish I'd gone to get them today
cant help feeling like I'm a failure, not being able to deal with my life.

OP posts:

Chocattack · 12/01/2012 00:41

Short term use - great stuff. What about the longer term? You say a lot of your stressors are beyond your control. Personally I don't take them for more than 2 or 3 days at a time because if taken regularly (not sure how that's defined though) you could need to take more and more in order to get the same relief. I love diazepam and have done battles with my gp to get it so shame I can't see your doctor .

Arana · 12/01/2012 07:08

I have 5mg tablets that I halve or quarter

MissBetsyTrotwood · 13/01/2012 17:32

DM suffers from migraine and is prescribed these to take when she's overdone it (her trigger.) It has changed her life, and ours, as she's able to stay at our house and not have a migraine the day after.

I'm off to the GP next week to see about anxiety medication. I've started some physical symptoms now, as well as the psychological ones so I feel it's time to seek some medication.

Don't feel like a failure, please. You're coping with an illness. And addressing it, so well done.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 15/01/2012 08:59

I always have some but only take it when I am desperate, I have 2mg tabs and halve them, it is just enough to take the edge of off screaming anxiety.

mosschops30 · 15/01/2012 09:08

Its a great drug, used for anxiety, stressfull situations, back/neck pain, insomnia.

It comes in 2, 5 and 10mg

The only problem is is that if you take it reguarly it is habit forming and you will need to tke more to get the same effect.
I take it about 3 or 4 times a year but i eouldnt want to be taking it daily

HeidiHole · 15/01/2012 10:12

Have you asked about citalopram? I have that long term for anxiety. No depression at all.

Can honestly say it changed my life. Anxiety is kept so under control!

Original poster

lostboysfallin · 16/01/2012 12:20

I don't know any other drugs Heidi, have been chatting with the GP and it was her that suggested this rather than anti-depressants which I thought citalopram was?
I didn't know it could treat anxiety
I haven't taken any of the diazepam yet, too scared!
TBF, it was my birthday weekend and I knew I would be having a few drinks.

Choc, the long term stresses will hopefully be solved in time, it's mainly DH and his stress that impacts my life. We have just started counselling.

Betsy, I get migraine too, didn't know it could treat that. I'm sorry you are feeling similar symptoms, it's pretty crap

OP posts:

madmouse · 16/01/2012 13:22

Diazepam is a great drug for occassional or short term use. If you don't know how long you are going to be taking it for I agree with previous posters that an SSRI such as Citalopram is much more appropriate as it is neither addictive nor habit forming.

madmouse · 16/01/2012 13:24

Oh by the way to define short term: After 28 days consecutive use you would struggle to stop taking it.

Original poster

lostboysfallin · 16/01/2012 13:26

thanks, this is definitely a short term thing, I only have 14 days and I was just going to use them as and when I was a bit desperate, and also going to cut them in half.

OP posts:

dottyspotty2 · 16/01/2012 13:43

I was given this today 5mg to be taken every other night, as I really struggle to settle and stay asleep. I asked about addictiveness and according to dr it won't happen, something I don't want to happen I'm anti medication and now on 2 lots for current 'issues' as well as a long term one.

HeidiHole · 18/01/2012 22:53

Yes citalopram is licensed for anxiety as well as depression. I love it, it cures my anxiety and panic attacks!

Original poster

lostboysfallin · 19/01/2012 00:24

Is it supposed to work quickly?
Finally took a tablet tonight and feeling nothing

Oh dear

OP posts:

mosp · 19/01/2012 00:31

How long ago did you take it? I find it takes about 40 minutes to work for me.

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