Diazepam Withdrawel Tapering Advice
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi all, I've been taking 5-10mg diazepam a day on and off for around 7 years after experiencing severe anxiety following the death of my Mother. I used to take them after heavy drinking sessions or as required to treat anxiety attacks, however over the last 18 months or so this has increased to me taking them every night. Roughly 4 nights ago I decided I wasn't going to take them any more. Previously unaware of any withdrawel symptoms, I'm now up at 4 AM reading this forum and things have changed. Thanks to everyone who has posted so far because reading your experiences has provided me comfort - Googling "diazepam withdrawel symptoms" and seeing "seizures, suicide and death" listed was possibly not the wisest move given my state. Thanks also to whoever is reading my ramblings, in addition to the approx 7mg I took 45 minutes ago writing this is quite therapeutic.
Now I am aware of the severity of withdrawel I'm keen to taper off in a sensible fashion having read various people recommend The Ashton Manual which I have now checked out.
I know I need to do some more research and find out what works for me but is there a recommended time period to start reducing the daily dose when you start the tapering process? The Ashton Manual Tables say reduce a dose every 1-2 weeks but I've also read on here that withdrawel syptoms sometimes don't show for 3 weeks? If my daily dose was 5mg and I reduced by 1mg per week then experienced withdrawel after 3 weeks I imagine it would be a lot worse than if I reduced the dose by 1mg every 3 weeks? Thanks in advance.
1 like, 5 replies
ursulauc62 chris01934
Posted
I have been tapering off diazepam, and it does take quite a long time. I have reduced from about 25 mg a day about 9 months ago to 3mg a day currently. Mt doctor is managing the withdrawal after I was first prescribed it by a psychiatrist who specialised in substance abuse issues.
So far it has been pretty succesful, though on about 2-3 occassions I have taken more than I should have done due to unusually stressful events. But now I am on this low dose, and planning to reduce to 2mg in a couple of weeks. The last phase of the reduction is the most tricky - I know because I have tried it before - and going from 2mg a day to nothing can induce really bad withdrawal symptoms - well it did for me - extreme adrenalin rushes every couple of minutes, dizziness, - no sleep - unless a couple of diphenhydramine tablets - which are basically is the over the counter sleeping preparations -i.e. non addictive, and a couple of beers, or glasses of wine - even then just a few hours of sleep.
I would advise cutting down from 1mg a day - when you have reached that level - to 1mg every alternate day, - for 2 weeks, then every third day, for the next 2 weeks, then every 4th day eyc, and closely monitor youre symptoms - you will get some - probably insomnia - but getting youre body to adjust - Very Slowly - will reduce the worst of the symptoms.
I think there will still be some - I'm being realistic - as long as they are not so appalling that you have no choice but to start taking it again - which I have done in the past - but definitely not this time!
Lots of Luck!!!
Cass73 ursulauc62
Posted
tess33005 chris01934
Posted
Your total daily dose is clearly enough for you to notice if you don't take it but it the grand scheme of things it's actually quite small. I'm not minimising what you're going through in any way. Withdrawal symptoms for you are going to be rebound insomnia, a feeling a panic/anxiety, probably sweating. You're not taking enough to get to the most horrific withdrawal symptoms, fortunately for you - but since you are keen to stop taking diazepam, here's the best way to do it.
First of all, have you got a good GP? This is pivotal. If you have well and good. If you haven,t, and I'm assuming that this GP has been prescribing for you all this time, then what you do (if your GP looks at you with a blank face and threatens to cut you off immediately) is:
1) ask for all future prescriptions to be in 2mg doses.
2) decide a start day/night for yourself
3) take 6 and a half mg nightly for a month
4) then take 6 mg nightly for a month
5) continue reducing half a mg a month until you're only on half a mg, then take them on alternate days.
6) stop taking them. Now, you will find yourself trying to cut 2 mg tabs into 4 equal bits at times. (there isn't a 1 mg tab of diazepam) If this is too difficult, use a tablet cutter, easily obtainable from your pharmacist. Alternatively, ask your GP to change your medicine to liquid diazepam and use a medicine syringe, also supplied by your pharmacy.
I hope this makes sense. The key is to do it slowly. And not to beat yourself up if you have any lapses - that's what this site is for. Share your experiences with us. We know what it's like. God bless and best of luck.
tess33005 chris01934
Posted
Sorry - I've just realised that you said you were taking 5 - 10 mg daily. For some reason I fixated on the 7mg....
Anyway, the advice is exactly the same, but you start at 9 and a half mg a night for a month and reduce half a mg every month till you get sick of cutting valium up.
Sorry if I misled you - you always start with half a mg less than your usual dose and work downwards. \DO IT SLOWLY. Don't let your GP persuade you to do the cutting down weekly - unless she/he has been addicted to diazepam and knows how hard it is to come off it. \yeah, right. Like a GP would admit to that - but maybe a good one WOULD admit to it and would know how to get you off it.
Let's assume your GP is not, and never has been, a benzo addict, then follow the long slow road to recovery.
The worst thing you'll feel is when you screw up - which you will - we all do - and the other thing you'll feel is pride. Oh, and a bit of rebound insomnia. Your body has to learn to go to sleep on its own again. Keep posting. Good luck again.
cindy78245 chris01934
Posted
I was told 2 days ago that I would be sent to a sleep specialist as going off of this medication is like going off of opids. If your not in a position to get medical help then you need to seek out a friend who can tell if your personality has changed or your being coming agitated. The weaning process is different for everyone. You may want to go extremely gradual. Cut a quarter off your regular does for a month or 6 weeks, keep doing that in 6 week interval. Do not try to be off of them in a month. You will go through hell and probably just end up back on them. PLease be careful.