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Benzo Success Story

Posted , 6 users are following.

TurtleTom
TurtleTom

We see alot of withdrawl posts on here and negativity towards this category of drugs as most who use and are successful do not have the need to share their stories. so I have decided to make a happier post with my time with these Drugs, namely Diazepam (Valium)

So after going A&E last year with chest pains and having all the standard checks I was diagnosed with anxiety and told to see my GP with regards to this and about August time was preacribed Sertraline/Zoloft. I don't even take paracetamol for a headache and spent hours looking online and reading the horror stories surrounding them so refused to take the sertaline. I was getting worse and into a pit of oblivion, got depressed, light headed, and slowly started to become a recluse other than going Dr once/twice a week and having more Bloods taken, Chest X-ray's, ECG's, Endoscope to check larynx and pharynx, I didn't go to out, stopped working and started being teary as Christmas was rapidly approaching. I thought I was not going to be here to see my children's face at Christmas and one day my doctor literally said to me "Tom what have you got to loose, if you start the sertraline now by Christmas hopefully you will be feeling better" because of the horror stories I read about starting these the doctor prescribed 14 x 2mg diazepam and told me to use as and when needed as well as referred me to a psychiatrist wellbeing practitioner for CBT.

I spent hours trawling through this forum and several others again full of negativity so spoke to my doctor and was told the reason is because they are highly addictive and explained that the withdrawl is worse than opiod and deadly so not to abuse and over do it.

so about mid September I bit the bullet and started Sertraline 50mg alongside the diazepam for the first few days I was taking about 2mg diazepam daily and then tried bachs flower remedy because I didn't want to build a tolerance. about 3/4 weeks passed and I still wasn't feeling right and had run out of diazepam so went to see my Dr again and he discussed how the sertealine work and that side effects should be stopping but wanted to increase the dosage to 100mg sertraline daily and another 14 x 2mg diazepams I felt the 100mg a bit more and after a couple weeks the doctor gave some more diazepam and explained he didn't want me getting addicted but after averaging I had used them sparingly and he explained how if I was going in after a few days wanting more they wouldn't give the diazepam but due to the health anxiety I wouldn't do it to my self....... My doctor hates me using "Dr Google" and we now joke about now much I use it still to this very day.

about December he increased my sertraline to 150mg and as I was having chest pains suggested I may also have costochronditis but because of the ssri advised against nsaid and use ibu gel instead externally. but this had made me more anxious so was also given some more diazepam to ease the anxiety and referred to a cardiologist to ease my mind.

I am due a cardio appointment any time now but have been using diazepam as and when and use about 14 2mg a month. I am now able to get back out and spend time with my family, do household choirs, cut the grass etc things I just stopped doing.

If it wasn't for these I wouldn't have even started the sertraline so for myself these have quite literally being a life saver, my family are happier and they say happy wife, happy life haha.

If your Dr has prescribed them do not be like I was who read all the negativity and thoght "oh my god" just use sparingly and if you feel you need more or are getting addicted speak to your Dr although most doctors wont dash them out unless they can see you are not over doing it with them or using them recreationally.

keep strong.

2 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • weenett
    weenett TurtleTom

    Posted

    great to hear ur starting to see improvements benzos are not the enemy there actually very good low side effect drugs as long as people use them minimal as poss they are very good at doing what there designed for n like you help no end while sert kicks in! hang in there bud we've all been there and lived to tell the tale!

    • TurtleTom
      TurtleTom weenett

      Posted

      I am seeing some massive changes but still have underlying issues I need to deal with. the psychiatrist practioner I am under who has done CBT for 5 sessions has also agrees that I need to deal with the problem rather than mask with either Benzo or the SSRI but until that point to carry on with the meds.

      the one negative I have had is actually with Sertaline causing weight gain which is now causing back pain but It is all a Vicious Circle and I know what needs to be done so slowly progressing.

      I scared myself with the benzos as I read all these horror stories from others user experiences, I know it is said that for the majority who have positive experience with any medication even items (electricals etc) tend to have no reason to share their stories

  • RubySlippers
    RubySlippers TurtleTom

    Posted

    Hi Tom. I like you needed them when they were prescribed to me. But my issue was I was on them for 20 years straight 3 mg a day and never told I should try to be off them. They actually saved my life as well but i wish I knew now how bad they were for long term use. I sleep very well now and am glad to be off them. That saying, everyone is different and in order to treat my severe pain from neuropathy, degenerated disc and joint disease, I had to go off them for pain management to prescribe my much needed pain meds. So in fact I needed the pain meds more than the Diazepam and took me 6 months to get off them. Felt like I was gonna die of no sleep for months. But now I feel a little normal about the sleeping part. None of the drugs are a great idea but for some it is. I thank you for your story and just know that they and can be addicting. I did not know how hard it was going to be off the drugs. It was my worst nightmare and I am so happy to be off the diazepam. Have a good weekend. Ruby S

    • TurtleTom
      TurtleTom RubySlippers

      Posted

      Absolutely agree and well done with coming off after 20 years especially within a 6 month period, I have read stories with people still withdrawing 3/4 years down the line and it sounds awful.

      for myself I tend to just use them as and when they are needed and never more than 4mg a time, also due to the half life of diazepam If I do have to take some I will stop myself from taking any for the next few days. it is mainly the sertraline incrrases and start of them that I needed them the most. Since then as I become a borderline recluse I have made my anxiety worse so now struggle going out and if I have to go out to see family I will take a diazepam..... It may be a placebo effect but for me that is almost reassurance. the down side for me like I mentioned above is weight gain which now causes back pain when exercising/walking. I have being put on co-codamol to help the back pain so I can do more but that heightens health anxiety being codeine and another drug that is addictive.

      I hope you have being able to manage your pain with your back now. this can also take a lot of time to find the correct medication for.

  • coby08389
    coby08389 TurtleTom

    Posted

    These drugs work really well for most people in the beginning but it is because they change brain chemistry, preventing the brain to create its own healthy chemicals things begin to go awry.

    People are not being negative. They are sharing their experiences and many of them do read like horror stories ....that is because they are.

    I wish you the very best in your journey but I would like to suggest that before you go too far down the rabbit hole that you look for other methods to treat anxiety and depression - many of which you can easily learn to do for yourself like EFT, kinesiology, meditation and sooo many more- it is a far more life affirming way to go.

    • TurtleTom
      TurtleTom coby08389

      Posted

      Yes correct, they enhance the neurotransmiter chemical namely GABA which in turn enhances the calming effect of the GABA...... it is for this reason the drugs get abused recreationally people seem to not realise the dangers. I am also on a reddit page and daily it is almost like a competion who gets the most and/or takes the most. (ridicolous in my oponion)

      as my doctor suggested as I worry so much and research to much I shouldn't fall in to the trap.... I have also spoke with my partner aswell as parents and brother and if they see changes whilst I am around then they will ensure I see rhe doctor and speak about it but I am 80% certain this wont happen (I took 2 x 2mg diazepam 5 days ago and havent felt the need for anymore since)

      I have not read about EFT or Kinesiology. I have tried Yoga and Meditation but I just cant get into the zone, really dont have space to swing a cat at home let alone get into zen. I am currently going through CBT but the psychiatrist practioner has suggested it isn't working as my main issue has not being addressed as of yet.

      thankyou for replying

    • carole57510
      carole57510 coby08389

      Posted

      well said Coby

      Drs are now not allowed to prescribe the benzos for more than 2 to 4 weeks. Prof Ashton has studied these drugs for years and has written a manual on them.

    • TurtleTom
      TurtleTom carole57510

      Posted

      If you google reddit benzodiazepiens you will find what page I am sure. I dont believe sharing of other sites is permitted on here

    • TurtleTom
      TurtleTom carole57510

      Posted

      Drs can prescribe for longer but it is doctors discretion as to whether they should or shouldn't depends on each patient. the guide lines is 2-4 week continued use though you are correct

  • carole57510
    carole57510 TurtleTom

    Posted

    can I refer you to the latest statement issued by the Royal College of Psychiatrists on the dangers of benzodiazepines.

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