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Two weeks out from Final Dose of Valium

Posted , 7 users are following.

richard70589
richard70589

I have just done 2 weeks from my last 2mg dose of valium.

I have been tapering on and off for ages.  

Pleased to be off it, but still finding it hard to sleep and I am feeling agitated and nervous.  Hopefully, this will pass.  

On the upside, its been better than some of the tapers to date.  I took 10 days off work, which I think I should have done ages ago,  

Anyway, what I don't understand is this:  I felt fine for nearly a week.  No reaction.  Then it started, the usual no sleep feeling on edge headache etc.  THis happened before.  I usually reckon a taper affects me for about 2 weeks then gets better. However psychiatrist and psychologist both say that I was on a low dose and since it has a half-life of about 6 hours they cant see how it can possibly really be affecting me.  I kind of understand this, but why then would it take a week before feeling withdrawal (if it was all in my head I mean?).  

Does anyone else find tapers the same as I do?  

 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • marleen85993
    marleen85993 richard70589

    Posted

    Hi Richard l find exactly the same the second week of a reduction is always the worst.All the literature says it is because valium stays in the system longer so your brain takes longer to register the decrease in dosage or in your case stopping all together.Stick with it and hopefully things will settle for you.
    • richard70589
      richard70589 marleen85993

      Posted

      Hi Marleen.  

      Thanks for replying to me.  IIts not just me then (either that or we are all mad).  

      I did a switch from Lorazepam to Valium and not really sure it made things much better, except maybe the ability to cut them up better.  

      Basically my guy says 2mg is like having a glass of wine.  Its gone by the next day.  Not true though, is it!

    • marleen85993
      marleen85993 richard70589

      Posted

      Oh God who told you that?l swear I never heard nonsense like that in my life.You should never have jumped at 2mgs either however if you can cope stick with it.lf you can't go back to 2mgs stabilise and reduce to .5mgs then jump.You know your body and mind better than they do so do it whatever way works for you.Let us know how you get on.

  • RubySlippers
    RubySlippers richard70589

    Posted

    Hi Richard. I hear that my Lorazepam is just like valium. I am feeling restless now after going down to 1 and a half mg about 2 weeks ago. gonna be hard to cut to 1 mg. 20 Years on this stuff is outrageous. I never felt that it could be an addiction because my doctor just kept prescribing for 20 years. The another doctor gave me a reality check. See if there is something that can ease the anxiety. I take a small dose of hydroxyzine every now and then and it seems to help my agitation. Ask you primary care doctor. Even something over the counter just every once in a while. I am 61 and disabled so I can only take a few nights at a time. I am also on tizanidine 4mg and that is a lifesaver to get off the benzo. Good luck and keep you chin up. I am sure there are thousands of us out there going through this that don't even post. Sincerely,

     

    • richard70589
      richard70589 RubySlippers

      Posted

      Hi Ruby?

      THanks for your response.

      No doubt there are thousands of us, as you say.  I hadn't heard of hydroxyzine but just looked it up and will try to get hold of some.  

      Trouble with all these things is that they make me feel less sharp, so whilst they might calm me down a bit, they interfere with my cognitive function. 

    • richard70589
      richard70589

      Posted

      Also, meant to say I found some tapers worse than others. and looking back I think small reductions were nearly as bad or even as bad as large ones.  Certainly not having the stress of work was a big help this last time.  Back at work this week and really feeling it.  
  • KevB5
    KevB5 richard70589

    Posted

    Just my opinion but I'm done believing anything a Psychiatrist says about tapering benzo's. I have found the best information is from others that have gone through it and found the same. Benzo's change the brain and it's a process to get it it back. I'm in a few groups that totals 10k plus people and read daily on people's experience and how fast or slow they went and the med they were on. Benzo's as you've found out, are a very tough one to get off of without major issues. You'll heal just takes some time. I salute you for your accomplishment.

    • richard70589
      richard70589 KevB5

      Posted

      Hi

      Thanks for your reply.  You are right of course.  Why rely on the advice of someone who has never experienced it.  I just object to being told I am making it up.  

      Still feeling rubbish at day 17

  • ken2121
    ken2121 richard70589

    Posted

    I took 30mg of dalmane for 22 years. Tried to stop last year at this time and nearly killed myself doing it. Still taking 5mg per night and a zolpidem er. I supplement this with Melatonin, gaba, L-theanine, benedryl all available at Amazon.(except the Z) I am 72 years old. How old are you? 
    • richard70589
      richard70589 ken2121

      Posted

      Hi Ken

      Guess from 30mg 5mg is nearly there.  

      Do you find that the supplements make any difference? 

      I am 46.  I was only on them 2 and a bit years and trying to get off them for one and a bit years.  Keep strong

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