1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Benzodiazepines and Z Drugs

HOW DID YOU GET OFF DIAZEPAM?

Posted , 4 users are following.

anne28866
anne28866

Hi there,

?I would love to hear some positive success stories from others who have done this and how did they cope.

Going through gentle reduction but very anxious about the effects of withdrawal.

?Would welcome good news that there is light at the end of the tunnelrolleyes

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Conta10
    Conta10 anne28866

    Posted

    Hi there, my story is probably a success story. Im off Valium since end of last December after 20 years. I was on a pretty low dose, but used it every day, sometimes as little as only 1 mg at bedtime. But I took 1 mg if i felt stressed at day time as well. I dont think I ever took as much as 10 mg per day, but those 2 mg tablets cut in halves were always with me in a little pill box. I could take one without any water, if needed. Then, at the end of last year, I kind of thought that I had enough and just stopped. It is almost three months now and i am doing fine. The only thing is that I actually need some kind of muscle relaxant as i have some inflammatory issues due to tense muscles in my back and breast cage. But I try to find something else. Stretching and excercise.

    According to the Ashton protocol as much as 50% of patients dont feel any severe problems from withdrawal. But of course nobody knows how it is going to work in beforehand.

    I think that in my case it was successful due to the relatively low daily dose.

    We are all different, but rest assure, there is light in the end of the tunnel. And it is good to do the reduction very gently. It always is, no matter what.

    Good luck!

    • anne28866
      anne28866 Conta10

      Posted

      Thanks for your success story. you were indeed lucky to be on such a small dose but well done and I wish you all the best with finding something else to help with your pain.

      Have you considered osteopathy? Mine has taken my back pain away in a very short time

      Good luck

  • lc72704
    lc72704 anne28866

    Posted

    Hi Anne

    I am living in the light at the end of the tunnel.  My tunnel was long and dark but I am 3 years off ativan. I was part of the small percentage who has symptoms for a long time after the last dose. Take it slow, then slower if necessary🙂.  Alot of positive self talk. 

    Congratulations on your decision!!

    • anne28866
      anne28866 lc72704

      Posted

      Hi there,

      ?Now that's what I call a shining success story. well done to you.

      Yes we are all different and it's just a matter of finding a specialist who listens to you and gives the best advice. Very scary thing coming off these evil pills but you have succeeded to find the light at the end of that tunnel.

      Many thanks

  • sammy85762
    sammy85762 anne28866

    Posted

    Hi Anne

    I am at the moment in the process of tapering the last 3.5mg of diazepam extremely slowly as in titrating 1mf diazepam in 100mg milk and reducing my dose by 0.1mg every day to not only limit the withdrawals but if I do start to feel any discomfort I can stay at that dose until I feel better then continue reducing. This is what is know as a symptom based taper.

    My story is long so the condensed version is misdiagnosed place on 3mg Ativan which is the equivalent to about 30mg diazepam for a long period of time could understand if I reduced my dose why I felt terrible, the Dr I had at the time wanted to palm me off to me at health, so my alarm bells started ringing, found another Dr who changed me to diazepam as it is longer acting but reduced way too fast had horrendous side effects for 4 years and only managed to get to 5mg in that time. The Dr also added in Amitriptyline which is a whole other story, anyway I have eliminated the ami with side effects that were torture so the last two years have been extremely difficult but I am 20weeks out from being off ami and have decided to tackle the last bit of diazepam. 

    This is hopefully the last year of tapering off medications that I don't need. 

    I understand how you must feel, I have been doing this for quite some time so it's not as daunting as it used to be, the good thing about diazepam is that if you make a cut to large you can updose without to much bother so mistakes can be rectified easily without suffering too much discomfort. Any advise that I can impart that may help please don't hesitate to ask.

    There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel.😁

     

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.