Posted , 5 users are following.
I take occasionally a 2mg tablet or Diazepam (Valium) to help me sleep. This might be once or twice a week. I need to know if this would adversely effect my memory as I'm 79 and suffer from a terrible short term memory. And suggesions or help would be appreciated.
0 likes, 3 replies
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lily65668 stuartp77
Posted
Well, it's a low dose and if you're really only taking it once or twice a week, I think you might get away with it. However, the problem with Valium and all the benzo group is that you quickly develop tolerance to them. When this happens, not only do you have to up the dose to get the same effect, you can also start getting withdrawal symptoms while on the same dose. I'm wondering how long you've been taking it. If this has been going on for years and you haven't needed to up the dose, I suppose it's OK at your age, but you could still find yourself on the slippery slope to addiction. Google side-effects and particularly withdrawal effects of Valium if you haven't already.
As to the memory loss question, yes valium is known to permanently damage long- and short-term memory, though again, a small, occasional dose would have less of an effect. I'm also wondering whether you're taking any other anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications, as there can be a cumulative effect. It was prescribed for my 79-year-old friend who was suffering from vascular dementia and was also receiving an antidepressant and an antipsychotic. I could always tell when the staff in the psychogeriatric unit she was in had been giving her "freelance" overdoses of Valium to keep her quiet at the weekends, as she would become very confused, start hallucinating and go into a low blood pressure state. One afternoon I went in to visit her and found her quietly convulsing in her armchair in a corner of the busy day-room. When I insisted a nurse take her blood pressure it turned out to be 60/40!
I know it can be demoralising when you don't sleep well, but do you really need to get the mythical eight hours per night at your age? We need less sleep as we get older, not more. (I'm only seven years behind you, btw!) I'm a notorious night owl, and often stay up late watching TV, with a headset to avoid annoying my neighbours. I also find a glass or two of wine with my evening meal helps, though alcohol shouldn't be combined with valium or any other medication that can depress your level of consciousness. On nights when I really feel I need to sleep well (e.g. before a journey or on the eve of an important meeting) I take 5mg of the antihistamine Phenergan. This is the dose that can be given to a five-year-old three times a day, but it sends me off to sleep quite effectively! However I only take this a few times a year, as this is another drug to which you can easily develop tolerance.
In summary, even a relatively small dose like yours will probably have some effect on memory, and there's also a very real danger of developing tolerance, leading to addiction. The bottom line is that it's better to do without prescription medications to help you sleep. You could always ask your pharmacist about herbal remedies and the like, but please remember that herbal isn't the same as harmless, so you still need to respect the dose!
Zigangie stuartp77
Posted
I have tried vallium. But I have more experience with Tamazepam for insomnia. You soon get used to it and have to increase the dose.
The first one I took I had a job to get upstairs to bed half an hour later. These days I can take 2 of them and still be wandering about unable to sleep 4 hours later and if I'm lucky they work after 6 hours.
They also make me aggressive and moody the next day.
At the moment I'm trying magnesium and valerian root again.
lorraine52317 stuartp77
Posted
I do take 2mg of diazepam occasionally on those nights when I cannot sleep, or haven't slept properly in a few days.
I personally do not think this would do you any harm especially as you have mentioned you only take occasionally when the need arises plus it's a very small dose. I have been taking occasionally for over eight months and can easily go a couple of weeks or more without taking them. I am fairly forgetful at the best of times but I haven't noticed any adverse effects from occasional use, nor have I had the desire to increase the dose or take with frequency. I view diazepam my last resort tablet! It's always taken when I'm sleep deprived. I know this med can be addictive, hence use in moderation as you are correctly doing. ♥♥♥♥