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Diazepam usage for side effects

Posted , 6 users are following.

Dom05879
Dom05879

Hi all,

I realise there isn't a single 'answer' to this question, but I wanted to get some reassurance from people who used diazepam (or similar drugs) when adjusting to Sertraline. I have been very sensitive to sertraline since starting it last year and the increased anxiety after starting/changing dose has been the most difficult side effect. It's day 13 for me after increasing from 100 to 150mg, and the last 2 days the anxiety has gotten really bad. I feel like I am going to explode from the nervous tension. I've got some 10mg Diazepam tablets from a previous prescription. I've had them for almost a year and if I have taken them in the past it's either half (5mg) or a quarter (2.5mg). I took 5mg on Sunday night as I was having a panic attack but have been wary to take them again as I'm really worried about dependence and then getting withdrawal symptoms if I don't use them. I've had addiction issues with alcohol and codeine so I am being very wary.

My question is, has anyone used Diazepam regularly (say 4-5 times a week) for the 2-3 weeks adjusting to sertraline and then stopped usage without any issues? I would aim to only take 2.5mg - 5mg a few times a week max. I know it would really help me today but as I took some on Sunday I don't want to leave too short a time between doses.

If anyone would like to share their experiences or offer any advice, that would be very much appreciated as I'm feeling really rubbish!

Thank you smile

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • brenda80266
    brenda80266 Dom05879

    Posted

    Hi Dom I've been on sertraline since May now on 200mg awful time adjusting to doses had a bit of a meltdown when I was on 150 and 2mg diazapam so seen GP who increased to 200 and 5mg diazapam 3 daily which I have taken for over a month reduced down to one a day without any side effects I now think the sertraline has kicked in so I haven't taken any diazapam for 2 days and feel fine I'm also having CBT which is helping good luck don't give up I just think sertraline takes ages to kick in 

    • Guest
      Guest brenda80266

      Posted

      That’s really encouraged me too! How was the switch from 150 to 200?? Did you get a return of side effects?
    • Dom05879
      Dom05879 brenda80266

      Posted

      Hi Brenda, thank you for your reply. It's very encouraging to hear that you are at a stage where you don't need to take Diazepam any more, that's really great! I'm also having CBT which seems to be very good. I'll stick with the Sertraline and keep believing that the anxiety will reduce over time. It's really annoying that Sertraline takes so long to kick in properly, and that it causes such horrible side effects at first, but as long as it works out longer term then that's good for me. All the best to you and thanks again!

  • pamela51740
    pamela51740 Dom05879

    Posted

    I got diazepam off the doctors last month but he only gave me 5 at 2mg each...I didn't get any side effects off them...I've just started sertraline and week ago went from 50mg to 100mg today, I switched from citalopram and that pooped out and gave me horrendous side effects I'm in a constant state of panic all the time! Just take diazepam when you really really need it. Hope sertraline works for you soon x take care

    • Dom05879
      Dom05879 pamela51740

      Posted

      Hi Pamela, thanks for your reply! I'm sorry you're having a hard time with the meds. Lots of people on here say that Sertraline works well once it has settled down so I am sure things will start to get better for you. I know how awful it is to have that constant anxiety. Wishing you all the best and I hope things improve soon x

  • Guest
    Guest Dom05879

    Posted

    Hi there, I am roughly at same point as you. Now on 150mg sertraline but this is my 5th week.  I am taking diazepam 2.5 every now and again. I haven’t had any issues with withdrawal and I understood you could take daily for up to a month?? But not totally sure about that. Very much relate to the side effects you are experiencing though. 
    • Dom05879
      Dom05879 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Paul, thanks for your reply. It helps to know that you can relate to the side effects! I hope the bad side effects are starting to even out for you. Reading online they say to only use benzodiazepines for 2-4 weeks, so I guess short term use is OK. I'll just try and only use Diazepam if I have to! Thanks again and wishing you all the best smile

  • UK-Rose
    UK-Rose Dom05879

    Posted

    Hello Dom, sorry to hear your struggling... heightened anxiety is a real pain... Everyone here has there own experiences or thoughts relating to benzos, heres mine..

    Back when I was struggling with anxiety and trying not to go down the full on medication route, I used to occasionally  take diazepam to help take the edge of any particular LONG PERIOD bad episodes of anxiety I had... like you I would try to keep those doses minimal and for as short a periods as possible. 

    I have however taken 2mg daily for 2weeks before and walked away fine... still anxious, but fine. but again, as I said... this was AFTER first enduring 8weeks of 24/7 anxiety... if I felt I could power through without it, then I would much prefer that... but after 8weeks anxiety 24/7... I just needed an afternoon off!! lol And it was never like it stopped my anxiety, just helped to take the edge off for abit.

    However, I wouldn’t advise this regularly dosage / although temporary for you if you have struggled with addiction issues in the past, so dont read my experience and think... it will be fine, as It wouldn’t be the best way to go... 

    If you can try and burn of the Anxious adrenaline energy in other ways such as exercise, housework, etc this can also help,

    But  I would limit any benzos use to emergency only, if you can ride it out... ride it out, but if you have to... with your concerns I’d say no more than 2mg 3x week but no longer than 3weeks and you should be fine.

    hope this helps... Good Luck!!

     

    • Dom05879
      Dom05879 UK-Rose

      Posted

      Hi Rose,

      Thanks so much for your detailed and helpful reply. Based on your comments, and others, I will do my absolute best to keep any benzo usage to a minimum. I was able to go all day without taking any yesterday, so there's no reason why I can't do so again. The anxiety feels so awful that I just want to escape a lot of the time, but I know by now that it won't kill me so if I can ride it out then I will be stronger for it. That's a lot easier to write down than to actually achieve!

      One thing I haven't done is to join a gym, and I know I need to do that in order to burn off some of the nervous tension, but also I know it will make me feel better.

      I have never used benzos in any recreational way, which is why I guess I've never had an addiction with them, but I won't push things and take them for anything other than an emergency.

      Thanks again for your message, it helped a lot! All the very best, Dom 

    • monna93589
      monna93589 Dom05879

      Posted

      I'm taking oxapax every 4/5 hrs at the moment to simply exist while the anxiety and side effects are horrible. My psychiatrist says that is no problem at all. Main focus right now is feeling just a tiny bit well.

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