I am new in pain management and going thru changes in medicines, I am going thru withdrawals even though I wear a 50mcg. fentanyl patch. My Valium is prescribed by my old doctor, and I have some left and am at a point I really need to get this anxiety down for I am in pretty bad shape now. Already I am on thin ice with my new doc over not informing him the first time of a prescription I was taking. I DID make sure to tell him second visit. So he is not a happy camper. I have called twice in one week since seeing him with problems and he OK'd my requests, BUT still not too pleased with me. So... it is 10 pm, I am suffering really bad, blood pressure sky high, I feel like my body is going to explode out of my skin. I can't wait to call again tomorrow to ask permission again for something. I already have my next months appointment. moved forward to 8 days earlier. Sorry about the long post, but I don't want replies from some people that don't have the answer to my question and they start asking why and is it for employment? etc. etc. Not in the mood. Sorry, I don't mean to be snippy, it is very important for me to know. In 10 days I take the test and if anything shows up - my doc made it clear he will kick me out. Just like that total cold turkey and I am a very ill 60 year old woman. Docs are famous for not caring what happens if they cut you off at the knees. Please can someone give me an answer that isn't a guess but from their own experience, and hopefully similar to mine? Thanks.
How long does Valium stay in your system that will show up in a urine test?
Question posted by arcover on 30 May 2012
Last updated on 17 December 2018 by Carol1937
9 Answers
Find anew doctor and be straight with him.
My experience with valium it can take up to 30 days depending on usage which is strange because it is a benzo it just has a longer shelf life because you can depending on usage once again Alprazolam AKA Xanax can be out of your system in 3 days it also can fluctuate due to a person's body fat , water intake ,weight, etc... I am not a physician or nurse I have just educated myself on these things
dear arcover, am so sorry to hear of your discomfort,,valuim is a very dangerous drug,i am glad you are trying to get off of it,unfortunately the withdrawal is horrendous,,you might ask your doc for clonadine,it will lower your blood pressure and lessen your withdrawal,,, i just noticed the date on your post,i will leave my answer anyway,maybe someone else can benefit.good luck,hope you are ok now.
I hadn't taken valium in 1 mos. but it still came up positive in my drug screen,why?,and what can I do to clean it out of my system, please.
If it stays in your fat cells ,will flushes c water EVERY DAY AT LEAST HELP, WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Hi Susann, This is an old thread. But I seen your question and thought I would answer - It can store in the fat cells for a very long time and there is nothing you can really do, but wait it out. It's always good to drink plenty of water and healthy juices and eat healthy, like lots of veggies, fruit and lean prot
Answer got cut off. The last word is protein.. lean protein
Listen, I really hope you would consider eventually getting off this ride and taking on recovery. I can't speak for anyone else here, but I know many of us have gone through what you are doing, and many of us have a hard time because Dr's are jaded from their experience with this sort of thing.
So, coming from a fellow addict, I would plant the seed that says "Life is so short and too precious to be spending all our energy on early refills and overlapping scripts."
There is a very bright light at the end of this dark tunnel, and trust me this is a tunnel and it is dark.
Best to you!
Fellow ADDICT??? Excuse me, I never did drugs in my life, nor abused my medications. This is the assumptions and stigma that people have without getting the facts when there is a mention of any kind of opiate or even pain.
I have chonic pain for years and need to be on pain medications for the rest of my life. Years ago I tried the herbal, natural, homeopathic, eastern meditation and yoga, proper diet, over the counter meds, non narcotics, acupuncture, shots of crap in my spine, TINS units, therapy, etc, etc, ad nauseum. I have permanent nerve damage and I can NOT tell you enough what kind of h*** that is. My type of nerve damage is I have contant state of burning in my legs like someone poured lighter fluid on them and set it on fire. I have stabs or "misfires: that feel like lightning is striking me,or being stabbed with knitting needles.
And of course the old hammering a rairoad spike through my ankles.This is just ONE of the FOUR conditions that cause permanent (will NEVER get better) chronic pain (so you will know what chronic is - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months... get it?) Yes I am very disgusted with your response, I am not in a very good place to have been labeled as a fellow addict. How dare you. I pray, you get some compassion, and learn about people who suffer everyday of their lives, have extreme difficulties getting proper or ANY help or care from doctors and do you know why? BECAUSE the doctors are afraid to help or prescribe the opiates needed for pain patients due to the regulations and laws made because of ... let the drum rolll... because of the addicts the abused medications. Now on to the medication Methadone - It originally was used for cancer patients, until the drug clinics were invented. Still today, methdone pills are used to treat pain. Now, because it in not unusual now a days, that out of desperation and unbearable pain, if a patient does not get care from doctors that are afraid to prescribe, or are not allowed to, or don't know you, cut the patients meds off suddenly with out slowly and humanely weaning down, and they have no where to turn, people are figuring out that they can temporarily get into a methadone clinic for help with their withdrawals if (not weaned of from doctor) or can not take the pain any more and have gone to emergency rooms a skillion times. At least they have the liquid that is perfect for chronic long term pain. I was resorted to do that till I found a doctor after a few years actually, that was willing to help and refer me to a hospital pain clinic. It is a very difficult process and takes time. So, the minute someone knows a person was using a methadone clinic for pain, either they don't believe it, or ASSUME they are an addict, and even if they really do have pain, too bad. Live with it. you are and addict. AGAIN, HOW DARE YOU
Or... do you think people with legitimate pain don't have withdrawals? That it is a term when heard or read, for addicts? I don't know where you are coming from, but after this, do you still think you know enough to call me a fellow addict?
It's a river in Egypt.
Really??? Denial? I read your profile and I do feel your pain, you have been through alot. Here this though, we are both seniors , so we have been through much in our lives. I am not in denial. Really now! river in Egypt! lol, there is a difference between addiction and DEPENDENCE. You abused drugs AND you have also been on prescriptions due to your chronic pain. I understand and applaud YOU for not being in denial. Just because there are people that have to depend on medications and never abused or used any for recreation, etc. does not label them as addicts. Forget opiates. There are many other drugs that can not be stopped suddenly without harm or withdrawals and people have to be dependent on those. Do you call them addicts? What about people who have to take steroid treatments for lung and kidney issues long term or the rest of their lives? .They are dependent on the drug. Do you call them addicts? Yet, there are people in sports that abuse steroids. Hmmmmm.
Try calling an Emphysema patient a fellow addict because he is cut off medications and asking on a forum should I take this or that? But I might have problems with this doctor. Is he an addict and in denial?
My point here, fellow senior is just because you are an addict and have chronic pain, and on opiates many years and if you can live with that kind of pain without any meds, then that is your choice to live with your suffering but please do not couple someone else with you. They do not have the same experience with drugs or any, so please be careful how you respond to people on the forum .
I asked about the valium, because it helps with the anxiety. I still have almost a full bottle from last year October. If I were an addict, I would not even bother to ask how long it stays in your system. I would just take it. If I were an addict, I would not gather other peoples opinions and experiences and weigh out the suggestions and then decide on what I need to do. It is called support. Below is a copy of a post you responded to and the results. I just wonder why you didn't label them as an addict or in denial:
balbanese
First off, YOU are in control. If you want off you can find a competent physician who will put your well-being first. A lot of this comes from how you present yourself to the medical community. If you go in adamant about being clean and having peace of mind, the right Dr will help you reach that goal, otherwise they may try to accommodate what they feel you are steering them towards. You may need to change Dr.s and stop letting them drive the bus. Hope this helps.
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backinthesaddle37 13 days ago
This does not answer my question. It isnt about being clean either, I have no issues w/that. I have 3 docs working on this and have just added a 4th. I am sorry but as I said brfore Just an answer to my question. No recommendations for treatments etc. I a only wondering about the subutex. I added extra details to avoid comments and suggestions. I am getting very frustrated. I know you guys are trying to offer your suggestions etc. But it isnt hekping. I know Im in charge. Again i just had a wuestion about the subutex. My cat is the only thing ive ever known who had it and she cant tell me. Thats why i am here asking. Perhaps this is the wrong site to ask as I seem to be getting nowhere.
balbanese 13 days ago
Sorry I offended you, it was not my intention. I know it's frustrating when everyone has an opinion except the one you're after, I can be more specific to your needs but I think I've done enough damage.
As side, I taught my cat how to sign, but she's ADHD and confused and somehow thinks I have an interest in fish products. She insists on answering my questions about Xanax as if they have something to do with cataracts. Talk about frustrating! Best of luck to you. Meow!
I am sorry you've had such an adverse reaction to the term I used. Look, I saw a pattern in your post. I was wrong. I am the addict and not your fellow. Once in a while I get it wrong. Sorry.
It's alright. I DO get passionate for something I believe in. I am an advocate for chronic pain patients rights. Sorry for going on a tangent and I do apologize for being brutal in response. Timing was not good at all. You meant well. Thank you.
listen people who take meds for pain mangament are not addictis some are but this lady is an elderly woman!!! i how ever am a 31 yeah old peds hospic nurse and i was hit by a drunk driver 14 years ago and i am still in severe pain daily i lost my bff in that accidnet and nearly lost my own life i spent 22 months in the hosp... how dare u call this woman an addict... just cause u and ur buddies go and buy the same meds she gets written by an md or Pa that makes u an addict hunnie she seems to be a sweet older woman who prob is a mother and a grandma... and just an fyi for u older people do not break medicine down like us younger people do so it works diff on them... u should prob look up some info on the elderly and pain mang before u run off ur pie ole and hurt peoples feeling...
a DR or nurse not even u can tell someone they dont have pain leagly even if they cant find anything worong they are not allowed to brush u off its illigal and could looses there licence to practive meds but the pourpus of pain mang is not go keep giving pills out they try to find the best therputic dose along with other things like inkections or epidurals as a suplement... its peoole like u who have no clue who judge people u need to research that topci then make an smart option... dont be so harsh u wouldnt like someone talking to ur grandma or mom like that at all... if she saiys shes in pain then who are u or I to say she is not???
lthats like u going to ER saying ur in so much pain from a near infection or a broken foot and saying ur in so much pain and the nurses and drs saying it u that ur full of crap everyones difff and everyone tolerates things diffrent..i could see if she was abuseing them but i highly doubt it... so just be nice cause u NEVER know when it cant happen to u or my mom or grandma... i hope u think about what u said and eventually say ur sory ... its the respectuf and nice careing thing to do as a human beaing... not eveyone becomes an addict i been on pain mang since i was 18 an i am 31 now and i am in severe pain daily and i do not wish that on anyone EVER
yea i hope you take these answers seriously, cause they are all right on the money.
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Wow, I can't believe this string is still going. Who are you calling elderly? I'm OLDER than she is, and what's so bad about the term addict? I happen to be proud of being an addict, even after getting my 7 1/2 year chip last night, I still wear the label cuz it's what I be. It makes you human if anything, cuz anyone ANYONE who says they are not addicted to something is addicted to lying.
Anyway, I'm off the Gibraltar now, gonna visit my cousin at his kangaroo sanctuary. We'll eat corn and fibbets while singing Aldo Lang Manny (or is that Johnny Lang)?
Call it addition call it dependence which ever suits you best. The bottom line is if you have felt that monkey on your back you are hooked on your medicine. Not trying to be mean but it is what it is. I was once on very strong patches my self 150 three times stronger and was hitched from Oxy and per . At some point you have to ask your self if you hurt bc of what they tell you is wrong with you or bc the lack of med maybe the wrong strength not the correct pill/patch . I know with all the problems I have if I can stop t as kind narc any one can and trust me I have a lot of physical disabilities syringomyeli is just to mention one I feel for you i do but plz try to come off it all you just maybe surprise to see how much you don't need it as bad as you think. Again not being mean
I just ran across this article. I deeply hope that the original author is okay. I currently have medication for pain and anxiety. I had my first mri in 1998, which confirmed L5S1disk herniation. Since then, 2 other disk herniations, multiple bulging disks, spinal radiculopathy everywhere... I am infuriated by the insulting responses to this cry for a listening ear. To those sympathetic and kind; thank you. To the rest-- simply put, YOU HAVE NEVER TRULY FELT PAIN, AND I PRAY YOU NEVER WILL. Best to all, Ben
If you can't speak for anyone here, then why are you trying? This lady is asking a very legitimate question and just because you're a junkie it's not at all helpful or appreciated when you assume everyone else is. If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem. And you, my friend, are part of the problem.
Benzodiazepines like valium are stored in fat and can stay in your system a long time, sometimes even up to a month. Dont take the valium without his permission. If you were told not to take it, you'd better not because it is likely to be in your system when you go back and he will drop you.
It is not a question of them "not caring". these Drs are scrutinized very closely and if it looks like they are knowingly providing medication to a patient who has problems then the DEA can come in and take all of their assets away and treat them just like a drug dealer off the street. They can lose their license and all their assets-their home, their savings etc. Would you want to risk your livelihood and savings for someone who doesnt follow instructions? If you dont follow your contract, then it proves to them that you cant follow instructions and that is crucial to pain management.
Sorry all for this really long post, I am not in very good shape now and need to vent and explain to all who are so kind to respond to very little information. It's only fair to have more to go on.
I made a mistake on the first visit, details are in my posts I mentioned in my reply earlier in this thread. It is too much to explain again, that is why I gave the post name and my name for anyone to read and could help here. I post on several forums and that one has the whole recent pain management journey.
I chose being honest as soon as possible and to answer the valium thing, I decided to NOT take it. Current update: I have not gotten a call back today regarding my bloodpressure from my pm, and I went ahead and called my primary anyway. I explained all of it to him and he said it was ok to take 2 blood pressure meds a day, and some other "home" remedy type tricks to relax and bring down the bp. My primary even said that pain docs are famous for looking to kick people out. Unfortunately, my primary was prescribing the oxycodone with the request of my vascular specialist temporarily till my first appt. at the hospital pain center. Funny, I just remembered what else my primary said after his instructions for lowering my bp: he said he can not understand why on earth my pain doc would have me suffer like this, not bother to call back (at this point of conversation 3 hours), but fortunately, legal issues or not, he did make the choice to keep me and not kick me out for being honest at second visit, so why the cut off? To punish me? I said maybe he is trying to get a baseline on me without the methadone and oxycodone? My primary said he doubted that, and he said it is far too common for Anesthesiologists, doctor assistants to have power issues and are known to hold on to stigmas - expecially methadone. Just a few minutes ago I got the call back from my pm assistant. He was not polite at all, asked me "So what do you want? What is it you are looking for?" I said I just wanted to let him know what my situation is before I call my doctor, but I went ahead and did so anyway since you guys were really busy? He said" So your blood pressure is 203 over what?" I told him.He said go to the emergency room and then see us tomorrow." I told him only if I have to, cause I ended up calling my primary anyway and told me to take 2 of my bp meds and see how that works in the next few days and only go in if it is really bad, and the assistant interrupted me when I said "take 2 of my bp meds". He snapped at me saying "what? 2 of what are you getting?" I said blood pressure meds to take 2 instead of one. Then he asked me "Why are you calling about a blood pressure problem?" I said I am going through withdrawals and explained all the symptoms and reminded him I just finished the oxycodone the other night and having problems with the patches. He said " No you are NOT having withdrawals and you are not having them from stopping oxycodone. The fentanyl you are on is a very powerful drug and no way I will have w/d using that. I asked him if I can still come in tomorrow morning if I don't go to the hospital , he asked my why? I said that I wanted to "straighten out" what's going on with me. He said "OK come in at 9am tomorrow and OH we WILL "straighten it out". His tone of voice and how he answered me scared the &$%#$ out of me. So, this is where I am at. I have a bad feeling that my primary might be right and they are looking to find a reason to kick me out. The assistants attitude and tone with me had me believe he thinks I am either a druggie or unstable and he's fed up with my calls. Well I just started and I know it takes time to get on the right level of pain relief. I call them, even if it was 2 days in a row, to look to them for help, or inform them or get their OK, to deal with my primary doc over one of the symptoms of a condition related to their pain management. What is so wrong about that? In the contract I signed it lists for the patient to do JUST what I have done. So I get attitude from the assistant? I am ssssssooooo sorry to bother him. Yes I WILL be a pain in the ass for I and this goes for all chronic pain sufferers have the right to appropriate assessment and treatment for pain. We have the right to be treated with respect.
hi arcover,both post before mine are correct. you need to get honest with all your doctors.the reason their like this is that they pay big malpratice insurance premiumns.and want to make sure that they know what youe on.its not personal with them,its a matter of doing busines and they cant work with you if you want to take a benzo from an old scrip or a diffrent doctor.you signed a contract with him,right? now because of anxiety you need to amend that contract.All doctors these days need to cover their asses. my last doctor paid 20,000 dollors every 3 months,think about that bill showing in your mail? Belive me,I cant belive i'm defending doctors right now,its so not me. but you have to come clean with your pain management doc,or start looking for one that you will be honest with from the start... ok now to answer your question benzo's can show up for.up to7- 14 days.sorry
Thanks, I do agree with you. I was in really bad shape yesterday and needed to desperately take valium for the anxiety to bring down my blood pressure that was very dangerously high. I was torn about not telling them because I was being treated poorly in the first place. That's why I asked about the time of it in my system. They are trying to kick my out anyway, therefore I really was at a point of not giving a rats $%%#%, but, a part of me did care. I believe in honesty too, even many times, it has made things worse. There are times in life when honesty can cause damage and sometimes best to keep one's mouth shut and not give too much info. This is no excuse especially with pain management. Anyway, I ended up going in this morning for an emergency visit with the pain doc. One, he insulted my intelligence (with me yawning, sweating, runny nose, shaking legs, obviously in terrible pain, etc etc.
), by telling me that I am not going through withdrawals from stopping the oxycodone a few days ago. Wow... I said Reallly??? You are kidding right? He said "Well... you know the 50mcg is a very powerful drug and you DO not have withdrawals or any pain with that in you. He said all I am feeling is because I have a blood pressure problem. I did not know whether to cry, laugh, go off on him, or slap the snot out of him. I am old enough to be his mother or pushing it grandmother and gosh I was so insulted and disrespected. Does he really think I am an idiot? OMG. Actually I am laughing now. He said he can not continue to keep me there if the patch is not working for me and find another doc. I said I am not going to accept you throwing me out. I am in no way asking you for a stronger patch, or other meds, just needed some advice from you what could be done with the w/d's and permission from you to take valium for the anxiety that is causing the high bp. You made it painfully clear the first visit that if he finds out (I guess by ua - which still they haven't given me one) any other drug
shows up, I am out. So, DO I have permission to take valium? He said yes, and will see me on the 8th and if I am doing better with the fentanyl patch, then he will treat me. Unbelievable. Docs claim patients are unstable, well here is a really good example of my suspicion of something not right with the doc. He has told me conflicting things since first visit. He told me he will take over the prescription for oxycodone from my primary, and next time told me finish what I have, and he will not prescribe me anything for breakthrough pain. Asking why? Then I was told the fentanyl will take care of all your pain. Really??? I thing I am going to start shopping AGAIN for a pain specialist. Personally, I am starting to suspect that my doc and his assistant might not be on drugs themselves. and believe me I know quite alot of doctors and nurses (including in my own family) that have addictions. And they treat us like that? Anyway, thanks everyone for your responses, I do believe in being honest, I just did not trust the pain doc and his assistant and as I said in the beginning of this post, I have been treated poorly and am loosing trust. Correction, lost it after this morning.
Pray for my patience to hang in there with the pain doc till I can transition to a new one and that he doesn't change his mind and pull me from the program anyway next week.
Hello arcover & welcome to the site. First I would ask you why you didn't disclose all your prescription meds to the pain mamgement doctor when you first saw him. I know it's a very important step so they can treat you properly. Anytime you go to a new doctor, You should have a list of your meds with you. Since you have a legal script it shouldn't be a problem unles you have lied about it to the pain mangement doctor. Honesty is always the best policy. Why don't you give them a call, & tell them about your anxiety, & that you don't fee the patch at it's current dose is not helpin you. You maybe surprised & get a stronger dose. Also mention that you have the valium & would it be ok to take one for your anxiety. This would go a lot further if you notify them first before taking it. If they say you can't, then you must abide by their rules or you will not have a new pain management doc for long.
This also will label you, & finding another pain mamgement doctor will be difficul I can relate to you chrontic pain, & understand completely how you feel, but if it were me, I would call their office & explain all of this to them before just taking the valium. Hope this helps in your decision, & hope you get to feeling better soon... Mary
Hi Arcover,
Well I am no expert and am not in the medical field but I can tell you what happened with me. I had Valium show up on a drug screen 2 weeks after taking it. I thought it was like other meds that were out of your system in a few days but that was not the case for me.
I'm sorry that you are suffering. I am also on the Fentanyl Patch 50 mcg but my pain mgmt doc gives me breakthrough (bt) meds for when the pain is really bad. This really helped when I first got on the patch because it took a while to get fully into my system. Did your doc give you anything for bt pain?
I guess what I'm saying is it's a risk especially if you're already on thin ice. I wish I had a better answer for you. Maybe someone else has had a different outcome and I'm sure you will get more responses. Good luck to you and I hope you get some relief. My thoughts and prayers are with you sweetie.
Your friend -Terri-
Thank you so much. I went ahead and decided to NOT take a valium. My blood pressure is SO high - 216 over 101 and even with an extra bp pill, it's not going down. I have hypertension and suffer from angina. This is serious. Before I call my primary doc regarding my blood pressure, I did leave a detailed message for a call back with my pain doc. Just needed to discuss my condition and get an ok to go ahead and get my primary to help. Since it is related to pain my pain management, I think I am supposed to inform my pain doc before I do anything else. The answer to your question about bt pain? NO, he refuses. That is why I am going through hell and in danger with my heart. When I had probs with my patches lasting only 2 days and not staying on very well, I got a call back within the hour yesterday. After contact with the pain doc, that is when the wd really hit hard. So here I am calling again a day later - today.
It's been over 2 hours and no call back even with the urgent message option. They better be busy, because if there is any other reason why I am sitting here NOT doing anything about my blood pressure, wait. OK, this all may have a lot of ??? for you. Terri - if you have the time and feel like reading my posts on pharmer.org, you can find it under my name there as arcover, you will know my situation much better and equip to better help. My journey in this chapter of my life is very conflicting and very hard on me. I desperately need support, cause I can not go through all this alone.
Hello Arcover, I know this thread is almost 3 yrs old, but I read your story and wanted to see how you are today Jan 22, 2015 ? My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you.. May God bless you and be with you..
I feel yur pain--- for real I have sciatic to the point I want to chop my back in half--
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