My psychiatrist has prescribed Valium for my anxiety. I take 10 mg 3x a day. Is that a normal dosage?

Question

For the past year I've been taking Xanax for anxiety. My body chemistry gets immune to any type of medicine very quickly. My dosage was 1-mg 4x a day. Recently the Xanax stopped working and my anxiety got worse. My psychiatrist recommended taking 2-mg 4x a day (it didn't do any good). So we both agreed to try another anti-anxiety agent - Valium. How long can I take this drug? Is it for short term use or long term use? I'm 19 years old and I have severe social phobia.

Actually, I've taken Klonopin and Ativan which didn't work. I am taking an SSRI. I take 25mg of Paxil CR every night before bed.

I'm also able to function perfectly fine on these meds. I don't feel like a zombie at all.

Answer 1

19 and you're on valium!?!?!?
how on earth did you get to this point?
How is your dr. HELPING you with a social phobia besides medicating you into a stupor.

Yes that is the correct dosage if you want to be a walking zombie!

Answer 2

Valium Dosage For Anxiety

Answer 3

I would have thought it would be kinder to wean you off them over a period of time, not just stop them cold. You could probably reduce to zero over a period of 3 - 4 months max, you wouldnt be allowed to stay on one reduced dose for "months". Talk to him about it and tell him you are worried. The excerpt below is from the web site given which is all about valiun, what it is and what it does. You can see that there is not just a physical dependance, people often get an emotional dependance on it too. "Valium (diazepam) is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Valium (diazepam) is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose."

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Answer 4

I too am on Xanax and Valium is the closest thing to that. I would say (without being a doctor) that yes that sounds right. Xanax is more powerful with .5 or 1.0 mg and the standard for Valium is 10 mg.

Hope this helps. I have a cousin in law who uses Valium for long term usage. Should be okay.

Take care.

Answer 5

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 6

yes, that is the normal dosage. first off, the drugs are for short term use. most people build up a tolerance eventually; they are also habit forming. you can't expect the drug to do all the work, you also have to do some therapy as well. remember the meds are just for the symptoms. i hope you are also getting some counseling to go with the meds. i've been there so i know where you're at. medication does not work by itself without therapy. always remember that.

Answer 7

I'd say that's a fairly high dosage, but it sounds like you have a fairly severe problem.
Valium isn't traditionally used for long term though-the potential for addiction is very high. Have you tried other antianxiety meds? Even some of the other benzodiazepines are safer for long term (lorazepam, klonazepam). I might consult with a medical doctor as well as my psych doc.
Good luck.

Answer 8

If you go to a doctor and trust that doctor with your health and fill the prescriptions they write for you then why do you need to come on here and question what that doctor has done? These questions should be directed to the doc not a bunch of people that are just expressing their opinions with no degree to back up their statements.
You could even call a pharmicist to question the dosage but if you don't trust your doc then you should pick another one.

Answer 9

Used to be on Effexor for anxiety & depression. Withdrawals from sudden stopping were very stressful. Each time I tried I ended up back on Effexor within 1-2 weeks.

Eventually tried a homeopathic version of SAMe (S-Adenosyl-Methionine). 'Clinical Studies have proven Sam-e to be more effective than prescription anti-depressants, yet Sam-e has absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS and it's not addictive'.

When people suddenly stop anti-depressants or anti-psychotics there is a strong chance of unpleasant or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Best to taper off under medical supervision. Drinking and 'meds' are a bad mix too.

By the way, there is no solid scientific 'proof' that brain chemistry imbalances 'cause' depression or anxiety. More likely our mind/soul/psyche puts the body's chemicals out of balance after prolonged stressful thoughts and feelings. Mind rules matter.

To assist with panic-like stuff try counselling, massage, nutrition, Bach Flowers, spiritual healing as well as the homeopathic SAMe. Dr Charles L. Whitfield is an expert on the harmful effects and unnecessary use of mental health medications. See helpful web sites below.

Answer 10

as long as you are seeing your psychiatrist on a regular basis and he/she is monitoring your meds you need not be concerned about whether the dose is normal.
The question is, how does it appear to be helping?

Another drug I might recommend is a different member of the benzodiazepine family - clonazepam which I have seen to be for anxiety. However it may not be suitable for you so if your doc says no, he knows you better.
It may also be wort considering going onto an SSRI. Speak with your psyciatrist about your concerns