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

WITHDRAWING FROM DIAZEPAM (VALIUM)

Posted , 4 users are following.

jane47425
jane47425

I have been on 10mg valium for over 2 years since my husband passed away. I am now down to 5mg. I have been reducing very slowly and this helps. I still get some withdrawal feelings in the head and a queasy stomach, but just keep the faith. I take Remeron at night for sleeping, but I only take half of the lowest dose (7.5mg). I also have back pain and sometimes take a pain pill, but try not to get into the habit. If anyone else has suggestions, please let me know.

One thing that will help anyone out there is to go to Professor C. Heather Ashton's website benzo dot org. This lady is from the Division of Psychiatry at The Royal Victoria Infirmary. She is extremely knowledgeable, and it is well worth reading her suggestions.

Look forward to hearing from some of you.

Many blessings, Jane

2 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • patty12816
    patty12816 jane47425

    Posted

    hello jane, i write from palm springs ca, usa.

    I have just crossed over from ativan to valium and will be tapering from 10 mg in 4 weeks after i hold. i used ashton's protocol in crossing over. how are you tapering--just cutting the 2 mg pill or through titration. i hope we can stay in touch

    • jane47425
      jane47425 patty12816

      Posted

      Hi patty, Great to get your comments. For cutting I use a 2mg pill with a cutter right down to 1/4mg. The 1/4mg is hardest but I manage with some practice. Glad you are using the Ashton's protocol, she comes highly recommended. I did not have to switch from another drug because I was already on valium. By the way, I am in California too. Keep me posted. As for titration, I do not know if we can do that here. I know they can in the UK. Have you heard of it here. Guess I should ask the pharmacist. Anyway, let me know how you progress. Incidentally, my doctor said to just stay on 5mg but then you reach tolerance level and still get the withdrawal effects.

      Write when you have more news. Keep the faith!!!

  • patty12816
    patty12816 jane47425

    Posted

    2 mg pill cut in half is 1 mg. 1 mg cut in half is 1/2, then you cut that again? anyway, please let's keep in touch as we are kinda at the same place. i plan to stay or get on 5mg after i stabilize around 4 or 5 weeks, but if you can post your progress, that will help and inspire me. are you going to be on 5mg, i.e.1/2 of 1 right? how long are you on it, on a 2 week schedule? please let me know. it will really help. thanks! talk to you regularly. i pray for the both of us.
    • jane47425
      jane47425 patty12816

      Posted

      Hi patty, Yes I do exactly what you said with the cutting, and the 1/4mg is awkward but you will eventually get a good method. I use an ordinary pill cutter from the pharmacy. I often only cut 1/2mg a month. I did what I was most comfortable with. If you can do that, it will help, it is still not a picnic. As I said before my doctor wants me to stay on 5mg. I might do that unless I feel really comfortable. However, staying on 5mg does not always help too much because you have built up a tolerance and it does not seem to work like before. I hope this helps. Many blessings, Jane
  • nicola10405
    nicola10405 jane47425

    Posted

    Hi Jane, again.

    I'm n Australia and here we have such tough laws on almost any medication, I no when I went to California, by the way beautiful place and great people), I was so suprised at what you could get to help with these issues on Valium and sleeping tablets etc.  Apparantly Australia is one of the hardest countries in the world to get good help.  This is what causes people to buy on the net or doctor shop. I dont but after years of being given all these meds and of course being addicted, which I did not realize till it was too late.  Now Australia nos the danger they just clamp down on tappering methods etc, I could go on and on.  I've had it today a bad day.  Thank you girls, at least here we can all discuss how we are going and help each other.  Jane and Patty seem to have a handle on things, not saying you have it easy though, at all.  And wow Jane very sad that your husband passed away, even though 10 years still must be hard.  So you are really doing well as 10 years of this stuff in your system and brain is a long time.  Im almost at 8 years also.  You both inspire me, so thank you.  And pls keep in touch.  from down under Nicola x    Take care of yourselves. x

    • jane47425
      jane47425 nicola10405

      Posted

      Keep the faith Nicola, and read anything you can get your hands on about withdrawing. Take care, and if you have to stay on one level for longer that is ok. Wait until you are comfortable to start withdrawing again. Many blessings, Jane
    • nicola10405
      nicola10405 jane47425

      Posted

      Thank you Jane, I will keep the faith.  Have read so much but continue too do so, always more to learn.  Just wish my Doctors would understand.

      Hope you are doing wel,l as you are in my thoughts also.  God Bless you.

      Nicola.

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.