Today im going to the doc and requesting valium while i transition into new antidepressants. i was wondering if anyone who has used valium (or another long half life benzo) twice a week has NOT built up a dependancy (incorperating tolerance). Iv been told that if you take a narcotic pretty much at all regularly then its likely that you will build up a tolerance and i want to know how fast this progressed for an individual (i know everyone is different) or if it started at all.
Thank you everyone who answers
Looking for valium experiances... twice weekly users?
Question posted by Psychmajor on 4 Dec 2009
Last updated on 12 May 2012 by Anonymous
Added 4 Dec 2009:
p.s. time for a new doc... and his ocd is bothering me too
4 Answers
Inactive
12 May 2012
Hello Psychmajor. I took Valium close to five years. Fantastic drug as far as the benzodiazepines are concerned but addictive as the dickens. Worked wonders for my anxiety. Initially began taking it for muscle pain. Regards, pledge
midwestma
21 Jan 2010
I've been taking Valium for about two years now, I am prescribed 10mg. three times a day as needed for severe muscle spasms, and anxiety. I seldom take more than one at night time. I've had days where I needed to take three tabs. However, I've had many weeks where I haven't taken one simply because I'm having a good day, By that I mean, I have spasms and some anxiety, but nothing I feel the need to medicate, I know this can be an addictive drug for many people. I didn't like the feeling it gave me in the beginning. I felt dizzy, often I cut the tabs in half too when I'm not as anxious.
My Doctor said this can be an addictive drug, however, I've never had a problem with any sort of drugs. I take the precibed amount of pain meds. and as far as Valium goes, I have never had a problem, in fact I have refills, left, from two months ago. If you're of the "addictive" nature. You need to be careful, I would hate to see anybody develop a problem with this medication. All of these drugs can be "addictive", pain meds, and Benzodiazapines too. It is the nature of the beast that we build up a tolerence to them. So that is the reason I do not take it unless it is really necessary. I am on pain meds also, this whole process is scary, but in my case I cannot move some days without medication, I would be bedridden for sure.
I wish you luck, ask a lot of questions, it does help to make a better decision, and then talking to your doctor also, but you need to feel comfortable with your dr.
Bless you.
beckisu92
20 Jan 2010
I've taken valium on & off 5-10mgs for 15 years. Never took the prescribed amount (2-3/day), often would cut a 5mg. in 1/2 to stave off anxiety-esp. while going thru early menopause. One side effect-constipation if I took 10 mgs 2 days in a row. I have not found this med to be addicting-hydrocodone-very addicting,hydrocodone tolerance easily built up. If you only take valium 2x week, depending on the dosage level, my personal experience has been-no tolerance (have had refills expire) I have been on the same dosage (5-10mgs) for 15 years-no need to increase. Talk to your Dr. about your concerns-or your pharmacist. Everyone has a different metabolism/physiology/psch reaction to different meds. My Docs. have recently decided they no longer will write valium prescriptions (for anyone) so you may want to look into that.
(don't ask me-I think it's a wonder drug.) Good luck with your new anti-depressant (I can't tolerate most of them.) Remember, this is my own personal experience; having a good relationship with your pharmacist (one pharmacy is best-they'll have your med history) can really help in a situation like yours. Also consulting with your Doc., or PA, main nurse at Drs. office if you are extremely unsure. (Of course, you may get several different opinions.) Several experiences are better than none. I hope this helped.
oktoday
10 Jan 2010
Hi
I used valium about 25 years ago and I loved the way it made me feel. I have a very addicted personality. You know yourself and if addictions not in your family and you never had a problem then u should be ok. im 43 years old and i have calmed down alot. i know my brain is lacking but now i try to take the lowest dose posible and only get weekly prescriptions.i know people who still take valium once a week for years and im like i wish i could be like that but like u said everyones diffrent, i read your answers alot and u have a good head on your shoulders. i hope eveything works for u, just curios what are u switching to and from what. i dont have luck with anti depressants and i get too jittery. I take xanax for my depression and it works well, my level has never been above 8mg, im at 4mgxr.. it was originally tested as an antidepresaant in the 70s and does have properties for that but its not for everyone, its a trialo-benzodizapine and itts diffrent from the others. take care and good luck.
Psychmajor
21 Jan 2010
the only med im on is Zoloft 200mg (i refuesed to take Effexor cuz the zoloft works so well for my depression with no side effects so im not going to chance messing up my depression and chancing withdrawal effects or side effects) so iv talked to 3 pharmacists, 2 psychiatrists <- (just some online) and they said taking this med a few times a week shows almost no signs you will be dependant and that a benzo is usualy prescribed with zoloft for panic disorder w/ agoraphobia. i also have an addictive personality but if i do start to abuse it i have my parents who can hold onto the med and only give it to me a few times a week.
thank you to everyone who has responded by the way
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ativan, klonopin, valium, xanax, zoloft, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, lorazepam, addiction, anxiety and stress
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