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Doctor has cut my script for diazepam by 50% even though I have been on them for 43 years ..has he signed the end of my life as I know it

Posted , 4 users are following.

pat97152
pat97152

There is no way I can cope without my tablets ..I came off these pills 40 years ago and wanted to die.My GP for unknown reasons has cut the dose even though he has prescribed them for 30 years .He has the power to ruin my life ..I don't know what to do

4 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • puma
    puma pat97152

    Posted

    Thats terrible Pat, you need to see another doctor, one that understands how difficult it is to cope with withdrawal, making you cut by 50% is totally irrisponsible. Google Benzodiazapine withdrawal support forums and find support and advice there. Also find the Ashton Manual here:

    The Ashton Manual - Benzo.org.uk

    Print off a copy and show your doctor! You need to cut very gradually not by 50%!

    I know that you can buy diaxepam on line but wouldn't advise it, only as a last resort.

    How much are you on a day?

    • pat97152
      pat97152 puma

      Posted

      Thank for your reply and info.Been through hell these last few days ..saw the doctor this morning and he has re-I stared my original dose age !! Thank God he did as Inthought my life was coming to an end.He wants me to see a psych ..I am  not keen ..but maybe my GP needs reassurance from a consultant ??
  • woodbon
    woodbon pat97152

    Posted

    I

    Was this you own GP?  If not, phone up and ask to see or speak to your own GP.  I f it was your Doctor, did he explain why he was doing this to you  and offer you some other form of treatment to help you through this time.  Explaiin that it is an emergancy to you,    Did you have a high doseage or where yiou increasing the dosage yoursealf.  I am asking this because this is what I dd, as the tablets stopped  working at the prescribed dosage so I increased my dosage without asking and getting the tablets by ordering them different ways so the gP didn't realse.  Does your GP practice have a manager?  If it does can you talk to him/her about the reasons.  

    I don't know how why you started them but, they used to be seen as a cure-all for everything and over-prescribed.  My guess is that, like me you fall into that group, but, of course, I don't know you and could be wrong! In any case, if your GP has been provideing your prescriptions, they should take a lot of the blame and treat you kindly, with respect. Your GP has a duty of care for you and I reminded my GP of that, also said that I was not keen to take these drugs in the first place but was told that my gP would refuse to treat me  if I didn't take them and then left to keep on taking them for all those yearss.  You do need help if you are going to be successful at reducing and/or stopping these drugs, its not something many people achieve on their own.  I see my GP at least once a month and I havn't reduced yet, but I don't take so many large doses, which is good.  She has to see me as where I live we don't have specialist treatment, like some places, but she is understanding and kind.  I wish you good luck, and hope you let us know how you get on and don't let anyone tell you that you'r to blame, because you'r not!

  • woodbon
    woodbon pat97152

    Posted

    Hi,  This sounds very harsh, to sucseed in withdrawing or reducing the doctor should be working with you and agreeing a small amount to withdraw at first, especiallly as you've been taking them for such a long time.  Unless, of course, their is a medical reason for you t come off quickly.  

    Have you talked to your doctor about how upset and frightened you are about the reduction, or is it that you have picked up a repeat script, which is for less tablets. If not, make an appointment as soon as you can, or arrnage to talk to the GP on the phone and tell them how you feel about reducing.

    If it is a smaller repeat, it would be worth asking the Chemist, or the GP's receptionist if their has been a mistake  I know this has happened to me before now.  Good luck!

  • nicola10405
    nicola10405 pat97152

    Posted

    I am so very sorry to hear that your GP has done this to you!  Especially If you have been prescribed Valium for 43 years.  Has he explained to you why he has done this?

    I do understand overtime you build up a tolerance to these drugs and sometimes you take more but if he has been prescribing them, no matter what he should not be reducing you that quickly, how much were you on?  I no there has been a big change in doctors prescribing these medications latley, Benzodiazapines because of addiction to them but he should have told you this from the begining.  This is the problem they prescribe them for you unwittingly you become addicted and need them as it alters chemicles in the brain. It can be down right dangerous to come of them quickly.  I have been on and off them for about 6 years.  Last year i must have just stopped because i ranout and could not get them, I dont remember much at allbut had several seziures and endedup in hospital it was terrifying i ended up in a delirium, very scarry, thatwas just the beginging of 5 long months i felt like i was going to die, couldnt go outside talk to people felt so sick in the mind and body.  Doctors say "ohh the withdrawals would not last that long but I know from my experiences and others that these side effects and withdrawals can last for several years until you actually feel like you can smile again.

    I felt like i had 2 choices to die or to get more, so I did and im back on the roundabout, had to get them by other means than doctors, i wih i had not now as im again taking them every day just to get by.  I started a natural therapy and feel it's helping as it takes out the accumulation of the drugs from your cells.  But they effect your central nervous system.  I have promised my family after the last episode i would never take them again and I have which creates anxiety in it self. I dont have many left and tryingto taperdown is very hard and will still get withdrawals.

    So I understand where your coming from.  Your GP should be helping you and explainig why he has done what he has.

    I'm glad he has not cut you off completly because you can die from just stopping.

    You must talk to him or another health care professional.

    I wish you all the best, get back to me and let me no how you are going if you can.  Where are you from?

    Take care.

    Your not alone, these doctors have alot to answer for, and its not your fault, pls remember that.  I'm going thru hell also.

     

    • pat97152
      pat97152 nicola10405

      Posted

      So sorry to hear your experience ..I too was taken off them 30 years ago and thought I was going to die ..never again..I don't know why after all this time he has decided to reduce the pills ...I really need them to sleep ..I will go back to see him ..and will get back to you .thanks again ..I am from Preston ....I know more about Valium than all these doctors ..they know nothing 
    • woodbon
      woodbon pat97152

      Posted

      Hi, I hope you are feeling a little more positive today.  My own experience was that sometimes I'd have good days and think I'd got over the drug, but then I'd have a bad day and feel like nothing on earth and just want to hide under the bed clothes.  

      After such a long time taking the durg I feel that the doctors owe it to you to offer the best help they can.  After all you didn't start taking them for no good reason and you are not the one handing out the prescriptions regularlly. 

      The addictive side to these drugs has been known about for many years now, so your GP should have taken a helpful and slow approach to you, checking to see if you can manage as you reduce.  Some people find that, for them, they have to carry on taking a very small amount as their bodies are so used to it.  I have difficulty in blaming myself, even though I know its not my fault!  I try to keep in my mind the thought that IT'S NOT

      MY FAULT! 

    • woodbon
      woodbon pat97152

      Posted

      Thank you for your replies.  I had my worst experience reducing these pills years ago.  Not as bad as yours, but bad enough to make me  frightened to try reduction again.  

      Since then we have moved and I have a really good GP, a woman of about the same age.  As I wanted to, she is working with me to reduce the amount I take per day, 3 x 7 mg, she prescribes a few extra for bad days and has mada arrangements for me to have extra in an emergancy or holiday and I see her at least once a month, to discuss how things are going.  I am now able to manage most of the time on the 7mgs 3 x daily.  

      She did try to  refer me on to a speciallist, but we don't have anything like that in this region!  I won''t bore you any more with my long, eventful story.  I do know that, touch wood, I am lucky so far with an understanding GP.  Thank you for replying 

    • pat97152
      pat97152 nicola10405

      Posted

      Thankfully my GP has given me my original dosage !!..I am concerned that you are buying Valium online ..why are you unable to get them through your doctor?

      Shat is natural Therapy and is it helping you? I really feel for you ..being on Valium is like being held prisoner for something you have not done but are paying the price for.I don't know your circumstances but I feel you need to be honest with your doctor ,come clean about what you are taking  and ask for help from someone who is an expert .admittedly there are few of them ..but Heather Ashton and Malcome Lader are both well respected Proffesors of Psch ..print off some of there work and show it to your GP .

      I do hope you find some peace .

      take care...and seek help ..you have nothing to lose 

    • nicola10405
      nicola10405 pat97152

      Posted

      Yes, I was getting some on line, but no more.  Im in Australia and the doctors here have just stopped prescrbing them, full stop reallly left me with no choice.  I have tried a detox center but it's seven days and they think after that you will feel just fine which is not true at all.  I am going to try to seek out a GP and explain my situation to get some help.  Previous to getting depression around 6 years ago after a Divorce and sorts id never taken any medications.  Was not aware what they did too you till it was too late.

      I do appreciate your concern and comments  Im actually on a small amount of valium 10mg not prescribed and about 6 mgs of Xanax that is prescribed but im only suppose to take 2 mgs a day, it was not enough as previous they had me on 10 mgs of xanax and 30 mgs of valium, due to that doctor overprescribing and taking them himself he told me he can not prescribe anymore and left me high and dry,most doctors here now have signs saying they will not prescribe these drugs, I've tried to explain and ive never doctor shopped, previously I only took what was prescribed but the new GP would only give me the 2 mg a day. It led me to getting them else where as i could not just stop.  Only positive is i use to take huge amounts and now I am tapering down not taking nearly as much as I was.  It is prescribed for sever panick attacts and deppresion.  I wanted to start the natural regiem and get my body working again, eating right also excersise. My Psyciatrist has put me on an anti deppresant, I would like to do this on my own as i feel ive let my family down and myself.  Im afraid my GP wont understand and finding one that does where i live is very hard.  There are many people in the same boat as me.  Shat and specialised caps and dia earth is helping, I feel it's at least not accumulating in my body.  some days I can take less and feel not that bad but am yet to completly come off.  I'm trying to go slow with what i have left and reduce a little every few days.  I no it sounds silly but ive gone through withdrawals before with the help of my family but its hard for them to understand how bad you feel inside, I felt i jjust needed some releif so did get some more.  I want to be honest with them but they have told me if it happens again they want nothing to do with me.  They are very strict people im not a drinker and dont do drugs.  I've lied to them for the past 3 months and feel so much guilt over that, I did go to professionals and tried to seek help but they just wont prescribe, they have all said you just have to go through it.  I could not.  I am taking less now than ever and with the shat etc am feeling better that i have in a long time.  Honestly though i am scared.  I will talk to my GP and be honest but it's not helped in the past.  Thanks for your concern it nice to no someone understands.  I appreciate any help, so thankyou.

       

    • nicola10405
      nicola10405 pat97152

      Posted

      I agree, we do no more than these doctors that started this whole mess,  im worried anxious and just dont no what to do, I'm doing my best.  The docs make you feel so bad and im beating myself up constantly.  Im so glad to hear that your doc has helped you.  I wish I could find one that is understanding.

       

    • puma
      puma nicola10405

      Posted

      I have managed to get myself down to 3mg a day, but struggle going any lower. My main problem at the moment is alcohol, I tend to drink a bottle most nights just to wind down, it works but then I wake up at five in the morning feeling terrible!
    • nicola10405
      nicola10405 puma

      Posted

      Yes, I understand.  Alcohol works on the same part of the brain as all Benzo's, Valium - Xanax etc. They in fact are very similar when it comes to detoxing and withdrawing.  It's good your down to 3mg and I no how hard that last bit is. As you would no, Alcohol increases the effects of benzo's, so i kinda helps you feel a little better, as you say to wind down.  I dont drink,I use to socially but for some reason now I cant stomach it.   I do not judge you at ALL.  In the end its all bad as each other.

       I was surprised while in detox that Alcohol withdrawal can be as bad as the pills.  They usually use valium to help you detox from Alcohol but then stop you takin the valium very soon after.

      I really feel for you, I no the feeling of waking at 5am feeling just SO BAD that you need to take a pill.

      I'm just so angry that the Medical profession can be so uncaring and make us feel so bad about the problem we have.  It's not as easy as just cutting down then stopping and all will be fine.  I was precribed these drugs and then when they decide to stop prescribing we pay a high price.  I have often tried to seek help but sometimes you feel so bad that you cant even leave the house.  Alcohol is no different, it's easily obtained, I dont no your situation but did having to come off the pills make you turn to self medicating Alcohol to help how you were feeling?  I no with me when im tapering down to help the syptoms i get over the counter medication which does not make me feel wonderful but can help just a little to sleep, not much though.

      I did not take these drugs to get HIGH, i was prescribed them for severe anxiety, panick attacks and deppresion after a hard time in my life.

      I just want to feel "NORMAL" if you no what i mean, these drugs in the long run have only made me feel much worse, escpecially now they just want to stop prescribing all together.

      Some GP's or most in my case, make you feel ashamed and embarrased.  It is a disease and needs to be treated as such.

      My thoughts are with you, ive never really used these forems before but sometimes its just comforting to no that your not alone.  I have days i cant turn on the computer but will definetly keep checking in on this site.

      Pls try to take care, remember it's not your fault!  I share your pain.  Feel free to message me any time even just to scream how bad you feel or hopefully how well your doing.  I'm not doing great either.  cry

       

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