Have you ever taken valium or something similar? Can you tell me about it please.

[CrikeyOHare]

I have anxiety for which I refuse to take ADs for. I can just about cope without them and since I have a bit of a drug phobia, taking anything long term would probably just add to my worries.

But there are times when my anxiety gets the better of me - like going to the dentist for example.

I was thinking of seeing my GP to ask whether I could have something that I could take very occasionally to help me get through something specific, like dental treatment.

Would valium do this? What are the side effects? How do they make you feel?

Thanks to anyone willing to share :)

Hello :)

I have been prescribed both temazepam and diazepam, mainly for insomnia and as muscle relaxants, but also for the dentist. I am phobic of dentists and when I'm stressed my muscles spasm - not good for dental work!

For me it works very well, especially for complex dental work. I need someone to take me and bring me home as i'm too dozy to drive or use public transport. It also affects my memory, I can't remember the appointment too well. Those are the only side effects I experienced, but your GP will have an exhaustive list.

I don't know if they would prescribe them for you though, I have a well defined health problem and they don't get prescribed easily...

I used to find diazepam invaluable for high-anxiety events. It appears to work by suppressing your adrenaline response, which means that if you need adrenaline within a few hours of taking it, eg for exercise, it will be tricky I was also advised not to drive whilst under the influence as it affects your reflexes.

It's darn brilliant stuff though, used sparingly and intelligently.

What RuthlessBaggage said. Valium/diazepam is a powerful drug. I used to use it to suppress clusters of epileptic seizures - and it is an indication of how powerful this stuff is that the doses of diazepam used to suppress seizures (10mg administered rectally) are not that different to those some people with severe anxiety attacks use - although the mechanisms of action are different. Rectally they work in a few minutes. Orally they work in 10-15mins. They make me feel quite woozy and relaxed and sleepy. I've never taken them independent of having seizures so don't know how they would make me feel when stressed or anxious, but I imagine it would be quite a pleasant feeling. As a one-off I've never noticed any side-effects.

Because they are powerful and fact acting it is very very very easy to become dependent upon them. Which is why getting them prescribed is hard. But used sparingly in difficult situations they are a useful prop. Your GP might want to ask what else you are doing to address your anxiety? Could you capitalise on the effects of these drugs by also using something like CBT or hypnotherapy to help you control your anxiety about dentist - i.e. maximise your chances of success and reduce your need for the drugs in future?

Really, really appreciate these responses. Thank you :)

Yes, Penelope, I'm on the waiting list for CBT.

I'm planning on making it clear to the GP that I just want something that I can take very rarely, and only when really necessary (like for dental treatment). I don't want to risk becoming dependant.

I also suffer occasionally from really bad insomnia. Doesn't happen very often (maybe twice a year?) but when it happens, it's really awful and I can up to 3 days without sleep. having something on hand to help me through that too would be invaluable.

Brilliant and helpful insights. Again, thanks :)

I took Nytol for one-off bad nights. It is weird sleep but it does reset the clock.

Had whatever active ingredient it is prescribed by GP. Went to chemist, who said "don't pay the prescription charge, buy this instead".

I take valium occasionally for muscle spams relating to back problems. They don't actually do very much for me in terms of fluffiness etc, but that is normally because when i take them i am in a lot of pain.

However, i work with some people who suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and very acute phases are dealt with using diazepam, at very low levels for no more than 3 days. the problem is, they are nice, and the feelgood feeling is addictive without the actual addictive affects in itself so to speak, so the break it would give you from anxiety episodes might mean you then want to feel that good all the time iyswim. It is definitely worth a chat, as your gp would absolutely not prescribe them if he/she felt it would not work and he/she can talk to you about other medications that might be more appropriate.

Have you tried betablockers? a good friend of mine takes proponanolol (sp) which is a betabloker to help her anxiety and it makes a huge difference, without the groggy side effects of a drug such as diazepam.

It is very very very hard to get GPs to prescribe benzos. I have had lorazepam, it just sort of calms you down. Hard to explain. I had some the other day and I felt like everything was blurry at the edges, but I had not had any in ages and ages. You also build up a tolerance very quickly.

I would be surprised if your GP gave you valium (but I might be wrong).

I've been offered betablockers & ADs so many times in the past and i've always refused because I can't bear the idea of being on something long term. But it may be that I need to have a proper conversation with the GP about what will actually work for me rather than just saying no.

Fluffy I have a suspicion that you're right, actually. And I may be being a bit naive thinking there's some magic, safe pill I can pop once in a while to calm me down for a while.

Interested to hear that Nytol seem to work for you, Ruthless. I always assumed that because it was over the counter it would be a bit useless.

Fecking anxiety - bane of my life :(

you could try lavender oil, rescue remedy/mindfulness CDs if you want to avoid medication completely? or acupuncture prior to say a dentist appt?

It was perfect, actually. And I only needed half a dose once in a blue moon.

My experience is different from others', though. I was prescribed ADs (first Seroxat which is awful dangerous stuff IME, then Cipralex which was much better) for anx/dep and Valium at the same time.

Valium is fantastic. 5mg is enough to make me feel invincible! I had no problem getting the GP to prescribe for specific stressful events like going to the dentist - but they will only give out a couple of tablets at a time. I haven't asked for any more for years though, as they are so good I want to keep them in reserve and not have GP think I'm taking the piss by asking too often.
As for how they feel - 5mg doesn't seem to give me any side effects other than invincibility. I don't get the dizzy feeling you get while drunk & feel my head is very clear. Beta blockers don't work for me at all by the way.

I'm trying to get into meditation. I'm the least "spiritual" person in the world, but I really think, if you get it right, meditation can be incredibly good for you. Just wish I could turn my brain off for long enough .

Think I'll get some Nytol to have on hand. Does Bach's rescue remedy help at all? I've read conflicting reports about it.

i now have diazempam for when i fly. it is magnificent. it does not make me feel spacy or high, just calm, like someone who is unbothered by flying. i simply cannot get anxious - if i listen very very very carefully, it almost feels like i can hear my anxiety in a far room, like a mouse in a quiet house.

i will now never not be without it when i fly. logic and reason didnèt help, neither did prayer, or hypnosis, but drugs did, and i do not feel at all bad about that.

i only get a few at a time - to see me through the flight, iyswim because i think they are rather addictive.

good luck

I have a PRN based "prescription" for 2mg diazepam - basically the psychiatrist has said that it is useful in managing my anxiety at difficult periods and that I should request it as needed from the GP. Use it during periods of high stress 2-4mg up to three times a day, and to be honest is doesn't make me feel any particular way other than calmer. Once it starts giving me the dreamy feeling I stop taking it as that is when I am well enough to continue without it.

For medical appointments I take a much higher dose, and get the drunken and relaxed feeling, but that's what I am aiming for anyway and is only for a day or two before the appointment and none after. Usually around 5mg - 10mg then.

Actually some dentists can prescribe them if you need a serious piece of work doing. Not quite sure how it works, my last dentist asked me to come in the day before to give me a couple.

For me it really is a "magic safe pill", which I take once in a while, but I can really see why they'd be addictive. My insomnia has come back recently (thanks DD!) and I really miss them (can't take them while breastfeeding).

It will depend on the attitude of your GP as to how readily they will let you have them. I had Diazepam when my Mum was dying and again when I was going through the divorce from hell. I'm not sure how I'd have managed without them to be honest. I had no problem stopping them when things settled down a bit. I think if you have a tendency towards an addictive personality it might be very easy to get hooked and be able to always justify needing to take one and when that didn't do the trick 2 or 3 of 4 etc to get the same effect. Used sensibly they can be v useful imo

How many does the GP tend to prescribe at a time, Popped? I'd only want a couple to have at times when I really, really need them.

I got about ten when I went for a cystoscopy, to take for a couple of days before and then on the day itself.

I always have some Diazepam for anxiety, but as my main focus is health anxiety after I read on the leaflet thing that they are dangerous if you have a heart condition (I don't) I am too scared to take them . Last time I took one I managed to have a full blown panic attack while medicated and if anything it was worse than a normal one. Shame, as before that I found them really useful.

My GP happily gives me temazepam, 10 tablets of 20mg each every few months. I take them for sleeping. I love them.

Try to see the oldest GP in your practice. The older the GP, the more relaxed they are about benzos.

I have been wondering about asking the GP to prescribe me a one off dose to get me through a smear test, which has been overdue for 3 years now and I just cannot face going for a variety of reasons. Do you think he would do that? I feel such a fool for not being able to just go and have a smear.

I always have some Diazepam for anxiety, but as my main focus is health anxiety after I read on the leaflet thing that they are dangerous if you have a heart condition (I don't) I am too scared to take them

I am EXACTLY the same, Gobblers - and I am scared of taking anything for the same reason. What if I have some terrible heart condition that has never been diagnosed! ECGs have reassured me somewhat...but what if??? So, I know exactly where you're coming from.

Provincial Don't feel like a fool. People are scared of lesser things, believe me. Maybe the GP would prescribe it as a one off, on the basis of not getting smear done being more risky than a one of prescription of diazepan.

Thanks for your kind post Crikey. I'm sorry you suffer with anxiety about your health, it must be v difficult for you.

Your reasoning about the risks of one dose of diazepam being less than not having a smear makes good sense. I will have to try and build up the courage to ask the GP for that diazepam now (Is there a drug for that?).

Hell, my gynae did my last smear under GA - a bit of Valium is nothing. In fairness I was under for something else, but proper doctors don't underestimate how intimidating an intimate procedure can be.

I need an MRI n

Sorry, phone crashed

... but have thus far failed to stay in the coffin machine long enough to be scanned . I am told it will be a simple matter to have my GP prescribe enough diazepam to prevent me from.panicking inside the machine again - unfortunately one needs to be conscious and coherent for a brain scan.

Some procedures, although routine, are recognised to be traumatic or anxiety-provoking. Most GPs shouldn't have qualms about writing up small quantities for such situations.