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

Question about diazepam

Posted , 5 users are following.

nigel45109
nigel45109

Hello, have been on citalopram for 13 weeks, 40mg. Had to drop to 30mg, as intense anxiety non stop for 6 weeks. Thought I was doing better for a week, then had a complete meltdown yesterday, anxiety through roof, couldn't switch off, 2 hours sleep. Just seen doctor, am switching to venlafaxine, as per pysc recommendation. Doctor has given me diazepam, can take up to 5mg 3 x a day. I want to minimise diazepam. Would it be worth trying 2.5mg per day 2 x a day? Or is there another minimum dose to try? Thanks.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • chivonne66778
    chivonne66778 nigel45109

    Posted

    Hi nigel. I am currently on 2.5mgs twice a day diazapam and it works fine for me. I find its better than the 5mg dose as i can actually function with the 2.5mgs without feeling excessively drowsy. I take mine at around 8am and then 8 pm at night again.
    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 chivonne66778

      Posted

      Thanks all for your comments. Thought I'd been through worst with 13 weeks on citalopram. Yesterday seemed like on a different level.

  • daz44291
    daz44291 nigel45109

    Posted

    Daizpam are very good ye can can split them in half . Gives you mad dream's though . Clitrpram made me worse . Three things that help my life are diezipam lorazepam and zoplclone but i find them hard to get x

  • anne28866
    anne28866 nigel45109

    Posted

    Hi, You are wise to want to limit diazepam. Ask your doctor about this. yes they will ease the anxiety and yes they should only be taken for a short time and tapered off very slowly.

    While you are switching to other medication they may be necessary. Please consult the experts before doing anything. Diazepam are effective but highly addictive as I know only too well.

    Good luck

  • raymond08985
    raymond08985 nigel45109

    Posted

    Hi Nigel.

    There are a few ways of minimizing diazepam use, as you've mentioned..

    If you're only after having a meltdown yesterday I would take the diazepam as prescribed , especially for the first few weeks and then see how you're feeling and maybe reducing them , but at the moment you're in a very vulnerable and scary place , so I would definitely take them as prescribed for now ..

    I wish you the very best. Take care.

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 raymond08985

      Posted

      Thanks. He said I can do 5mg 3 times a day, but limit them if I can. Perhaps 2.5 in morning, afternoon and at night. Thats half max does. If i need, can take an extra 2.5 as needed. You are right about being vulnerable, will keep an eye out for how i feel. Thanks for your caution.
    • raymond08985
      raymond08985 nigel45109

      Posted

      Yes , I would definitely limit my dose when possible, I know diazepam are a terrible drug to get addicted to , but if they are used properly for a short period they can be very helpful, and I think the next few days are going to be very important for you in how you manage your feelings and emotions...

      Coming off a breakdown is really difficult, it would really help you if you have support from friends ,family etc...

      I found that talking about how I was feeling helped me so much , it helped me gain an understanding as to why I was self medicating for so long and not knowing why I was doing it...

      I wish you the very best. ..

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 raymond08985

      Posted

      Hello, I've been using half diazepam at half of max allowed, which I was given by a gp in UK, following a meltdown on Wednesday, with anxiety through roof. Anxiety is due to a recently started course of the anti depressant citalopram, either where dose has been too high, or it doesn't suit me. Reduced citalopram does further since Wednesday, ready for switch to venlafaxine anti depressant. Pysc wasn't sure to give new even lower citalopram with diazepam longer, to see how it works out, or switch to venlafaxine. Eventually said to switch to ven, though he wasn't completely sure. I've been taking half of max diazepam, in hope of using sparingly, I might be allowed to take it longer. Took first venlafaxine last night, made me far to alert, and I didn't sleep well. Very alert this morning, and worried my anxiety will go through roof. My sister said I shouldn't be thinking about using diazepam in future, only for my benefit now. Is she correct, and will uk doctors allow you to stay on.it for longer, if your circumstances warrant it. Ive put off venlafaxine switch for 2 weeks, it may be okay with full diazepam allowance, and could settle down, without need for diazepam in a few weeks. I'm worried about taking venlafaxine, that's probably going to.make me alert for a while, and having diazepam taken away. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

    • raymond08985
      raymond08985 nigel45109

      Posted

      Your sister is 100% correct.

      You shouldn't be thinking of using diazepam in the long term , they are really difficult to get off once addicted and if you're taking them for more than 3-4 weeks you'll become dependent on them.

      Plus with the other medication you're taking it won't be good for your anxiety.

      I would go back to my G.P and explain how erratic it's making you.

      Best wishes.

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 raymond08985

      Posted

      Hello Raymond, thanks. I'm staying on my even lower old anti depressant, with the diazepam for now, as i think I can cope. For diazepam 1/2 max dose of 2.5mg morning and afternoon, and full 5mg at night. My pysc was not compleyely sure whether to try this, or switch to new anti depressant, but then said to switch. I tried the new one once, and it made me too alert and didn't sleep well. Seeing pysc in a couple of weeks, and doctor in a weeks time. I'm worried about diazepam being taken away, as it does help. I will explain my worries if it's taken away, what happens then, as I'm not sure how I would cope. That's a problem for the future, will do what's best for me now, and see what doctor and pysc say. Thanks. Nigel.

  • anne28866
    anne28866 nigel45109

    Posted

    Agree with Raymond, diazepam used properly for the shortest time possible can help in these situations.

    Your doc should be aware of this and treat you accordingly.

    ​These pills can be a good friend at a time of need but take as little as possible, as much as you need and no more.

    ​3x5mg is the standard dose now for short term relief but if you can get by on less do so.

    ​Take care and the best of lucksmile

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.