Ever tried coming off Diazepam?

Question

Im coming off Diazepam and feel real bad any tips etc

Answer 1

Depends on how long you've been taking it and at what daily dosage. It can be difficult to diagnose Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome as the symptoms are quite often similar to the condition for which the med was originally prescribed. As you've been taking Diazepam, it's unlikely but not impossible, that you have BWS. Diazepam has quite a long half life (20-50 hours), that is to say it takes the body a long time to metabolise it, half the drug is metabolised within 20-50hrs, then half of the half that's left within a further 20-50 hrs and so on, which generally makes withrawal easier as it is much slower. However if you have any of the following symptoms

Insomnia

Nightmares

Hypnagogia-hallucinations (Hallucinations on going to sleep/waking)

Severe Anxiety

Panic Attacks

Muscular spasms, cramps or fasciculations (localised muscle twitching)

Seizures

I would suggest going back to the person who prescribed Diazepam in the first place and asking them to titrate the dose down more gradually rather than just stopping it. In my opinion Doctors, certainly in the UK, are quite blase in their use of Benzos.

Answer 2

Whats Diazepam?

Answer 3

Hi there I do hope that you are coming off of them gradually and not stopping them all at once as this will make you feel realy bad.

Is your doctor supervising you and are you tapering your dosage? If not I suggest very strongly that you speak to your GP as you may find yourself having to go back on them again.

If you are coming off as directed by your doctor and you still feel very bad I suggest that you speak to him or her anyway as withdrawal is often as bad as the treatment.

I do hope that you have someone therewith whom you can talk to and that you are not on your own. It certainly helps if you can talk eat and sleep your way through the next week or so.

All the best and I wish I could be there for you.

Answer 4

Just to say i am also coming off this and at the beginning of my weaning process and im finding it totally scary as ive been on it a while and scared of old symptoms returning. All i can say is discuss with GP, mine is happy to go at my pace. Good Luck!

Answer 5

i've never taken diazepam. i did just quit morphine after 3 years. it was hard, but not as bad as i thought it would be. i just kept in mind how bad the drug was hurting me. i had severe edema from morphine. you can do it. what are your withdrawal symptoms? maybe i can help you with that. email me if you want.

Answer 6

What do you mean? Coming off? Do you drink on them? Are you taking them socially? You will have 24 rough hours if you cease what your body is used too. But Diazepam is crap, it's an old womans drug- just drop it.

Answer 7

its really bad i know i have done it and oh my it was bad it needs to be weened off you cant just stop. i hope it goes well for you remember it will pass but if you feel so bad go back to the g.p and tell them your finding it hard they will slow down the detox for you xx

Answer 8

i havnt personally, but ex mother in law did, and you have to do it really slowly, say if you take one tablet, then you reduce to 3/4, then half etc etc over a long period of time, dont rush it, hope you are successful

Answer 9

You must taper slowly over the course of three weeks.

Answer 10

no...but i want some