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Here's a question for anyone who feels they can answer it.

Posted , 4 users are following.

Lillychiff
Lillychiff

There has been a lot of talk about coming off benzodiazepanes. My story is, I am now 61 ,at the age of 5 when I started to school I developed a stutter.the Dr prescribed Valium. The stutter got worse,they took me off Valium and put me on something else. This went on for 20 years,all through my childhood and adolescence,I was in fact in and out of drug withdrawal. Labeled anxious,when in fact I never really got to know who I was. I was on Valium,Motival,Librium,and they are just the ones I remember. When I got pregnant I just stopped taking them...don't think I've ever been right since.

i can't blame anyone,as no one knew about withdrawal and addiction then.

but I feel hurt and angry about how over the years it's been dismissed or forgotten.   Am I right to bring this up with my new Dr? They don't read records that far back. Or will this just cause another one to treat me as if I'm neurotic? I have not felt well for years. Yes,I'm anxious. But could it have screwed up my body? Is this a reasonable thing to believe?

opinions gratefully received. Thank you.

3 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • pat97152
    pat97152 Lillychiff

    Posted

    I feel for you ..have been involuntarily dependent on valium for 44 years ..I came off cold turkey 40 years ago and yes it screws you up..I went back on them after 5 months of hell

    records should go back ..you have a right to air your views ..but it's a bit late for a news doctor to put right what should have been addressed when you went throug withdrawal 

    as you still feel anxious( understandably) ..I would get treatment fot it now ..its your body and you need help..ask....

    if I can be of more help just let me know 

    Pat

  • liz57
    liz57 Lillychiff

    Posted

    I've been on 20mg diazepam for 30 years about .I refuse to go through withdrawal at  my age -68.I did not make me dependent the medical profession did .I f I could go back of course i wouldn't take them but whats done is done
  • maggie80535
    maggie80535 Lillychiff

    Posted

    Hi Lynda I am 74 and just have withdrawn from Alepam using Diazepam liquid and tablets over 6weeks. Not a withdrawal symptom.The  facts are:The very thing you are using the drug to remove, anxiety and withdrawal symptoms,are caused by the short life of the drug. In my case Alepam lasts  8 to15 hrs where Valium lasts up to 200 hrs.Each new dr prescribes the same drug and so it goes on. Gps don't know everything so forgive them. It's normal to be anxious about situations in our life that arise from day to day.We can only do our best.So have a good life.Cheers.
  • maggie80535
    maggie80535 Lillychiff

    Posted

    You nailed it when you said;Labelled anxious, you never really knew who you were.I wonder how many here would feel the same.
    • Lizzie46881
      Lizzie46881 Lillychiff

      Posted

      Dear lynda and maggie

      You have a raised an interesting point and one which I struggle with from time to time.  I guess I was ill from 1984, but in 1998 I got a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder.  So, am I bipolar, thats lebelling me as if I am my illness; do I suffer from bipolar, that assumes I can't beat it and in my case I have it under control with meds; or to use a modern parlance, am I living with bipolar? I don't like that either as I live with my friend who looks after me.  In the end we aren't labels we are individuals and should be treated by everyone as such, esepcially by the health system.  Going back to your first post nynda, you have a right to be heard and if you want to raise this with your gp or psych then I think thats fine.

      For the record my meds are:  Risperidone 3mg at night, Citalopram 40mg in the morning, Diazepam 5mg, as required, Hydroxyzine 25mg at night

      xxxx

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