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Diazepam withdrawal

Posted , 4 users are following.

joy87504
joy87504

Hi - I asked my doctor to help me wean off of temazepam as I`d built a tolerance and they were`nt working anymore. I was supposed to take 20 mg a night but found myself taking 30 mg - and so my prescription would run out early.

My Dr crossed me over to diazepam and I`m now taking 6 .50 every night. Trouble is I`m having terrible withdrawals - sweating, nausea, tiredness the next day and muscle aches.

  I wonder if anyone is going through the same thing and would like to get in touch to help each other through this?

TIA

1 like, 52 replies

52 Replies

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  • lily69921
    lily69921 joy87504

    Posted

    Joy, I am so glad that you have come to some decisions about your meds. Interesting about the thyroid med. I hope that the increase will help with the fatigue. I tend to think your fatigue is related more to fatigue than the V is. Tapering down on V usually because of the long half life,if you should feel any effects, will come in about four to five days so you should be OK for tomorrow. Yes, I still drive all over the place,but not for example to Los Angeles---7 hours or so. About 1 hour each way is all I can manage. Your fatigue might be worse than mine so I would agree about not driving. Also, with your inclement weather, it is probably not a good idea.

    i think that once your fatigue eases up a bit, you will in all likelihood feel different mentally and emotionally.

    I really don't think you are going through benzo wd. Maybe stress ?

    Have a great day tomorrow!

    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Hi Lily 

      I`m still ok with my double reduction of diazepam and tramadol - just some nausea this morning but not too bad. 

      I increased the thyroid med as planned but I`ll have to wait to two weeks to see if that helps. 

      We`ve seen our birthday daughter and she loved her present.

      Hope you have a good day 

      Joy x

  • lily69921
    lily69921 joy87504

    Posted

    Joy, Wonderful that you had a great day! Perhaps things are gradually getting better. Makes me think you are not in benzo wd. I had a terrible night's sleep --- maybe two hours after a previous night of wonderful sleep. I cannot seem to cobble together a few good nights of sleep! Very frustrating. I know that if I could sleep better, things would be better.You sound good,very positive. Maybe you need to force yourself to socialize more?
    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Sorry to hear about your bad night`s sleep Lily, is there an OTC med you could try?  The nights must seem endless when you`re like that.

       

      My anxiety was bad at our daughters and I had to make myself stay a little while. It`s so annoying because I wanted to enjoy some of her day with her. But I feel the panic rising  - and that`s not down to fatigue because I can spend hours chatting with my husband. 

      I agree though, I don`t think I`m in bad w/d, just annoying ones.  I hope the anxiety one lets up soon.  

      The thyroid issue is bugging me, so I don`t think that`s helping. I keep a journal to keep track of thyroid meds etc and noticed I didn`t have this debilitating tiredness two weeks ago. I`m mad at myself for not realizing those meds may have needed increasing. But then two weeks ago I may not have been so tired because I wasn`t so far into my w/d grrrrr. 

      Anyway enough about me - when`s your next reduction?  And hope you get a better night`s sleep tonight. 

      Joy x

  • lily69921
    lily69921 joy87504

    Posted

    Joy, it does sound like the panic is benzo wd. What is the best way to proceed? Do you think you should just try going out for social activities a few times per week for short periods? I just wouldn't want it to become a habit related situation,although I do understand that this is a form of agoraphobia which does go away when benzo wd is over.So no need to fear that it is a thing that is permanent.

    We all need to be thankful that we're alive. I keep telling myself that,no matter how bad this can be! My sister died two years ago from lung cancer---- I took care of her for 10 months. I've always had sleep issues but things got really bad at that time ,because I was living in a little room at my mother's house in Los Angeles. My mother and I do not like each other. For that matter very few people can stand my mother! A witch from hell! My sleep went over a cliff at that time and I started on Ambien!Even ambien didn't help. So, I think I was in tolerance from tapering off valium even then ( went from 5 mg to 2 mg)  though I was tapering very slowly. What really threw me off the precipice was adding a second benzo.

    But  I sometimes think about my sister--- she would have been 67 today and I realize that I should be grateful to be able to enjoy what I do--- though not that much these days!

    bottom line is that this sleep issue is benzo wd so melatonin and all the Otc meds won't help really. I just need to tough it out!

     

    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Hi Lily, I am so sorry to hear about your sister. I lost a brother in 1977 due to an accident and would you believe but it was today, March 25th. Yes, the same day as our daughter`s birthday. She was 4 yrs old and grew up never knowing her uncle died on her b/day as the family mourned him quietly -  we didn`t want it to blemish her special day.

       Its no wonder you had sleep problems caring for your sister, especially living in a little room at your mother`s house. Added on the fact you don`t like your mother would have made it all so much worse. But that was a wonderful thing you did by looking after your sister. And yes, you`re right, we should be grateful we`ve got a life as our siblings haven`t.  

      You could very well have been in tolerance back then and it`s still early days after losing your sister. None of this will be helping your w/d and maybe why you didn`t sleep last night.

      Do you read when you can`t sleep? I`ve got a Kindle paperwhite. It has a back light and switches itself off after a while. Perfect to use while trying to sleep - many a times my Kindle has clonked my husband on the head when I`ve fallen asleep reading smile But hey ho -that`s marriage!

      I`m reading Stephen King novels right now.  Lol- perfect for my anxiety don`t you think?

      Yes, I believe this anxiety is benzo related and I ought to socialise more - but even the thought sends my heart racing.  I did discuss this with my husband today, as obviously he had to leave our daughter`s early too and we`ve decided to go for a walk on the beach tomorrow. Well, the promanade, I think you`d call it the boardwalk. There`s usually a few people down there, as opposed to my quiet walk in the woods.  If I get brave enough, we can call in somewhere for coffee. Eeeek the thought of it is scaring me already. Sheeesh, I have got to overcome this!

      Is there a way we could share emails- that`s if you want to?

      I don`t think it`s wise to put our email addresses on here, so I`m not sure how we could exchange them? 

      I`ve so enjoyed chatting to you regardless of our benzo connection. 

      Keep your chin up and know that your sister`s birthday has now been recognised over in the UK. 

      Joy x

  • lily69921
    lily69921 joy87504

    Posted

    Joy,  yes, I do not think you should push too far with the social activities if your anxiety is that high. Just wait until you start feeling better.I have a feeling you will get out of this benzo wd soon.There are many people who withdraw easily and you seem to have not experienced too many symptoms when you were off restoril for ten days. Also, this still could be an adjustment period for you due to the crossover. Many people take months. If you had serious benzo wd I think you would be feeling much worse.

    Interesting that the date Mar 25 has so much significance for both is us! I would love to communicate via personal email but how do we exchange addresses?

    By the way, your Boardwalk or promenade sounds so beautiful--- overlooking the North Sea. You must be very strong and hardy! 

    Stephen King sounds really like a good choice. At the moment I am reading Donna Leon's murder mystery series because detective Brunetti is based in Venice and that is my favorite city besides Paris. Light reading,very entertaining.

    i guess I might still be better off lying there awake than reading.Then I tend to really stay up. I am now staying away from daytime naps no matter how exhausted I feel.

    So,let's think of a way to exchange email addresses. I do have two addresses so Maybe I can give you the one that I use infrequently if there is no other means.

     

    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Hi Lily

      Yes, 25th March is a special day for us both. My brother left a wife and 2 little girls. I`ve just been on Facebook and I see the girls (now all grown of course) have put his photo on there and some messages. 

      I think we are quite hardy living here. According to my husband, looking north on the beach there is nothing between us and the North Pole.....except sea. I love walking on the beach when it`s stormy and the sea is rough.

      I meant to say, although I hope I don`t regret saying it, that I`d heard w/d from tramadol can be very bad. I haven`t noticed anything from reducing them. I was taking 5 a day, the Dr said to reduce to 4.  I`ve got some OTC pain meds and they seem to be giving me just as good pain relief as the tramadol did.  So the tramadol are something else I`d reached a tolerance with.  I`ll give it a few more days and then reduce to 3 a day. And not be sorry to see the end of them!

      I`ve not heard of Donna Leon`s murder mysteries. I`ll look out for them on Amazon as I love a good murder mystery. 

      I don`t know if there`s a way to private message on here to exchange emails ? Perhaps a mod will step in and tell us?

      If not,  if you`re sure you don`t mind putting your spare email address then that would be great. 

      Joy x

        

  • lily69921
    lily69921 joy87504

    Posted

    Joy, it seems like you have a high level of tolerance for meds so I think you'll be just fine!  Your part of the world sounds lovely--- probably one of the few areas that is still unpolluted. Your 30 minute walk each day is probably more like a 60 minute walk given the cold weather,winds, and hills. Yes, if we can't figure out another way to exchange emails, I will send you mine and then you can email me yours. I will do that via IPhone or IPad and look at your emails on iPhone or iPad since I believe that if  anone wanted to plant bugs they're welcome to do it on the iPhone or iPad as I don't have important data on them. I just won't open your emails or any emails at that address on the desktop or laptop. 

    It really has been nice chat across the world with you even if it is about current health issues! Hopefully we will both be well in a not too long period of time and communicate on a happier note!

    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Hi Lily, We spoke to soon, some w/d kicked in this morning, aching all over, hot and cold sweats and nausea. That`s three days after I made the last cut, so at least I`ll know in future how long before my body reacts. It`s raining and I`m looking out the window trying to decide whether to take the dog through the woods or not? 

      I`ll still try and get to the beach later.

      Hope you managed to get a better night`s sleep and feeling not too bad?

      Yes please, can you put your spare email on here and I`ll get in touch.

      Joy x 

  • lily69921
    lily69921 joy87504

    Posted

    Joy, I am so sorry you had these new symptoms. It is true that  with V cuts, symptoms do not show up immediately, usually up to 5 or so days later. But before we assume it is benzo wd, might is be your tramadol reduction? Have you already increased your thyroid medications? I'd hate for you to think it is benzo wd if it isn't ,because it is not good for you mentally to view it as such. Creates stress and so forth. However,these are typical benzo symptoms---flu-like feelings.  

    I would not go out walking in the rain. I never even go out in a drizzle. Best not to catch cold on top of all this stuff. Perhaps it will clear up later and you can go out with your husband to the promenade.

    i did sleep better yesterday. Not like two days ago,but definitely more than the two hours of the day before. What happens is, I wake up and sometimes I start thinking about benzo wd and then of course I am finished for sleep at least for several hours.i am trying to control my thoughts by listening to my breathing so I can focus on that!

    above all, try not to think too much about this---easier said than done,but on days when I think less I do feel better!

    So let me give you my address:  [removed]. I'll look for yours and we can finally get off the public forum! 

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

  • lily69921
    lily69921 joy87504

    Posted

    Joy,  Very frustrating. I cannot send you a reply with an email in it. My reply is being sent to the moderator for review.

    Then I got frozen out of my IPAD. So I am now typing on the desktop.

    Can we be certain that the new symptoms are due to V rather than to the reduction in tramadol or the increase in thyroid medication.I just don't want you to get stressed about the benzo wd if you don't need to be!

    I had a better night's sleep last night but awoke and then couldn't stop thinking about benzo related issues. Finally fell asleep again for about an hour.However, at least it was some reasonable amt of sleep compared to the night before. I am trying  to work on not thinking once I wake up---difficult to do but possible.

    I would not go out walking in the rain --I don't even walk in the drizzle here because all we need to do is catch cold on top of benzo wd. I'm not a worry wort---I haven't been sick in about 40 years until this benzo situation.Just take care of yourself --wait until the afternoon when you go to the promenade with your husband . It might clear up by then.

    Try not to think and worry too much about the symtoms--easier said than done.

    We'll have to hear from the moderator about the email situation.

    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Hi Lily, I`m pleased you had a better night`s sleep, it`s hard to not think about these benzo issues. I do the same and try not to overthink it all- but we all want it over. 

      My w/d symptoms today could be the tramadol but they`re like the diazepam w/d symptoms I`ve had before, but they`ve been managable.

      I have some meds for the nausea the Dr gave me and they help.

      Something else has changed a bit for me, I`m not getting the night sweats quite so bad - whether this is because I`m getting lower in w/d, I don`t know?

      I went into the woods after all and it wasn`t too bad as the trees kept a lot of the rain off me, but very muddy underfoot. I had a second walk there later but never made the beach as I realized I had another blood test booked at our local hospital.  This test is for kidney function that I need for a BP med. Lol, I sound a mess with high BP, thyroid and benzo w/d but my Dr believes my high BP is because my body is stressing with coming off a benzo. I don`t believe the thyroid med has caused today`s symptoms as I`ve never had any reaction to them before, but worth bearing in mind just the same. 

      The hospital trip was easy today, we usually have to sit and wait for half an hour at least - but we went just after lunch and I was the only person there waiting to have my blood taken. So I was in and out before my husband even had time to park the car. 

      I`ve also realized my next appointment with my Dr is on Monday, I imagine this is to see how I`m getting on with reducing both the drugs. But I had also mentioned to him that I`d like to speed up my w/d, so I`m wondering if he`ll suggest another cut. After today I don`t feel ready for that, but I`ll see what he suggests and go from there.

      How are your symptoms today and are you ready for another cut yet?

      I hope the moderator hurries up smile  

      Joy x

       

    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Lily, I meant to add that when I go to the Dr`s, give blood or the chiropractor I never have any anxiety problems at all. It`s as if I`m ok because I know these people are helping me. Strange though?

      In fact I chat and learn so much about these people`s days - the lady taking my blood today hopes the rest of the day carries on being quiet as she wants to get away from work early tonight smile 

      Also I`ve forgotten, but did you say that you had night sweats too? They`re horrible!

      Joy x 

    • joy87504
      joy87504 lily69921

      Posted

      Also Lily

      My chiropractor does massages too. These aren`t the type with candles and soft music, instead she works hard on the back muscles.

      I had one of her massages a couple of weeks ago and it was a bit uncomfortable that same day- but the next day I had no w/d symptoms at all.

      Have you thought of something like this for your self? 

      Joy x

    • lily69921
      lily69921 joy87504

      Posted

      Joy, it was good that you could do the walk. Think of it------ you already have done quite a bit today! One thing about benzo wd is that you don't want to do too much either. Rest is important! I am on a bp med too--- very small dose! It is a calcium channel blocker which believe it not iiis supposed
    • lily69921
      lily69921

      Posted

      To be good for benzo wd! Apparently calcium causes excitation of the GABA neurotransmitters!

      I get some night sweats but not too bad---- mainly due to the heat at night I think! We use two down covers so I kick off the top one.

      You

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