I take 30mg's a day one 5mg tablet every four hours and 2 before i go to bed. I have done for 18 months. I've just been told i must be mad to take that much (Ironic that!). Do you agree?
I have PTSD with major anxiety and depression.
I'm in the UK and have a free prescription to take as many as i want!!
2007-09-04 07:23:30 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I can take as many as i want because it says 'take one when required' on the prescription. My doc knows i take 6 a day and is happy with that. Sometimes i take 7,8 and sometimes 4 (all 5mg's) it really depends-i average 100 every 16 days. And yes, diazepam is valium or ativan i believe.
2007-09-04 08:37:29 · update #1
Ti 'copy and paste' i can assure you that this is the truth 30mg's a day spread out over the day. I take celexa as well.
2007-09-05 00:40:48 · update #2
Hi girly!! How ironic that I know so much about this drug!
I am very suprised that your dr. would let you have this at will for so long..it is highly addicting and yu can suffer MAJOR withdrawls when going off this drug. The dose you are on is fairly ok..I don't see any thing wrong with that part, it's the length of time that you've been on it that is worrysome to me.. This is a great drug for PTSD though..this is also used for detoxing from drugs and alcohol..mainly alcohol. However, I DO NOT think that you are MAD to be taking that much of DIAZEPAM. But you should consider weaning yourself down so that you don't have any long term affects like memory loss and liver problems.
Good luck girl!
2007-09-04 09:29:53 · answer #1 · answered by ♥CUTIE♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you look at the inserts for ALL benzodiazepines, it will say "for short term use only". Benzo's such as diazepam were never meant as long term medications. That is quite a bit of diazepam that you are taking. I am not a Doctor, but an addictions specialist. The nature of benzodiazepines is that they are highly addictive. They one of the two drugs that are most dangerous to withdrawal from, that category of medication and alcohol being the two most dangerous. So before thinking of getting off the medication talk to your doctor and you would have to be weaned off the medication. DO NOT just stop taking it.
Just to add I have suffered from panic attacks since age 12 and am 48 years old now. I have been on benzo's before but found that lexapro is a good medication for both depression and panic attacks. Again I am not a Doctor nor am I a fool. I do know addiction and I do know Panic Attacks, and Benzo's should be taken with caution.
2007-09-04 07:56:57 · answer #2 · answered by know12 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are making a mistake somewhere. A person taking 30 mg. of Diazepam per day is just next to impossible. Either you are taking some other medicine or what you say is not true. This drug is a tranquillizer and it will ruin the life if you take it for continuously for a long time. You should immediately discuss with your Physician and take the medicines accordingly. Please DO NOT SELF MEDICATE-
Diazepam or Valium is available in dosages of 2 mg, 5mg and 10 mg only. Diazepam and Vallium are one and the same . -Diazepam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines . Ativan is also of the same class but it is more stronger.
Diazepam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Diazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety, seizures, and muscle spasms.
Diazepam is used to relieve anxiety, nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety disorders. It is also used to treat certain types of seizure disorders and muscle spasms.
Do not take diazepam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma. Diazepam may worsen this condition.
Who should not take diazepam?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
* have kidney disease;
* have liver disease;
* have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory disease; or
* are depressed or have suicidal thoughts.
You may not be able to take diazepam, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Side effects of Diazepam -
* an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
* sores in the mouth or throat;
* yellowing of the skin or eyes;
* a rash;
* hallucinations or severe confusion; or
* changes in your vision.
* drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness;
* depression;
* nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
* difficulty urinating;
* vivid dreams;
* headache;
* dry mouth;
* decreased sex drive; or
* changes in behavior.-
2007-09-04 17:25:21 · answer #3 · answered by Jayaraman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No you are not MAD! regardless of what people say and it is none of their business any was. I wouldn't go much more than that thought, I used to take alot of Xanax 6 mg a day I now take 2mg a day sometimes 3mg but that is only if my anxiety is off the charts I had to cut down my Doc helped me wean down. , I don't take Xanax to sleep my Doc doesn't like that so I do use restoril when I need it. Just be careful are very addicting and not easy to get off of. But you have anxiety and depression you should be on a anti-depressant and Diazepam which I think is Valuim or Ativan and how is it you can just take as many as you want? Be careful stay on what you are on. And don't listen to fools who don't know what anxiety, depression and panic attacks feel like.
2007-09-04 07:37:08 · answer #4 · answered by Kat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I take 10mg before getting on a plane because I really hate flying and that makes me pretty drowsy (and sometimes in the morning if the flight is in the evening as well)...so you'd think that it must really be affecting your daily life and how well you function? On the other hand only you know how much the diazepam is affecting you and if it feels right to you, then that is how much you should take. No two people are alike, so it is impossible for anyone to tell you how much to take. I was taking sertraline as well for anxiety but decided to come off it as I didn't want to be taking medecine for the rest of my life even though the doctor prescribed it. Are you taking the medecine because you feel you need it all? or because a doctor told you. If it's the former, then thats your answer.
2007-09-04 07:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, this isn't an abnormal dosage. I do hope that you are under a Doctor, and he is prescribing the amount you are taking. The max. is 10mg. 4 times a day, but as I said it's always best to be under a Doctors care to prescribe the amouunt you take. Diazapam is very addictive. It is a benzodiazapam, such as xanex, librium, Klonipin*, and a few others I cant remember right off the top of my head. SO be careful
Good luck
Alabama
2007-09-04 07:31:18 · answer #6 · answered by James R 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know anything about diazepam.I'll google it. I have major panic attacks and PTSD..and depression. I take a half mg. of risperdal. It's the first thing I've found..after years of searching..that helpls me. Sometimes just a fourth works..depends on what I'm going thru. Maybe you could mention risperdal (in a low dose) to your dr. They're using it now for PTSD etc. That way you won't have to take as much or as often. And I don't think it's addictive. My dr. usually won't give me anything that is. (that's another negative about Diazapam) Maybe you should check with another dr. about it. The thing is...you'd better keep a check on your liver.
2007-09-04 07:47:06 · answer #7 · answered by Deenie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely think it's not a good idea for you to be taking that many milligrams per day. That is a very high dosage and I would think you are walking zombie. Just because a doctor prescribes something doens't mean it's right. I would definitely try to deal with your condition in other ways without relying on the medicine so much. Try alternative therapies and such to cope instead.
2007-09-04 07:28:58 · answer #8 · answered by Amber 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
So are you saying that you take 10mg at a time. If so I don't see any thing abnormal with that . But you will grow a tolerance for the medication and may continue to up your dose. Speak with a doctor . I wish i where in the UK
2007-09-04 07:34:21 · answer #9 · answered by 518 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is what helps you today then you should take the drug.
My word of advice is to not combine this drug with any other drugs or alcohol. Keep in mind that even if you are too relaxed about it's safety you could end up like Anna Nicole Smith. All of her medications were prescribed and she took them as directed. Just be very careful.
2007-09-04 12:00:25 · answer #10 · answered by Rocky Raccoon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋