Diazepam and Tremors: What Users Say

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

For Anxiety "My GP reluctantly prescribed me 2mg diazepam to help with heightened anxiety due to starting sertraline 50mg. The side effects from sertraline were horrendous and still are at times. I have bad days and suffer the anxiety, sweating, shaking, panic, then I think to myself, why am I doing this to myself? My GP has told me they are very addictive and after this course of 14, he will not give me anymore. They relax me and help the anxiety while waiting for sertraline to kick in, which I have been on for 2 and a half weeks. I'm so scared to be without them. I've even searched the Internet to buy them myself. I only take half of 2mg or a full one when needed. GP should be more sympathetic."

• hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2024

For Anxiety "As a 19-year-old young man, ever since I was 12, I have been having panic attacks and anxiety episodes that would last hours and make me feel like my chest was imploding, causing dizziness, full-body sweating, shaking, etc. I was hospitalized for panic attacks a few times, thinking I was dying. My schooling took a nosedive as anxiety destroyed my functioning, and I dropped out of school. I was tried on hydroxyzine, which did not work. I was tried on sertraline, which did work for my depression and maybe some social anxiety, but not my panic attacks. I lost hope and stopped visiting doctors. Eventually, I got referred to a psychiatrist. I was tried on Buspar with no success, propranolol with some success with physical symptoms, Ativan, which did not last long enough and made me dizzy, and finally Valium, which was perfect. I only take it as needed, and I have now finally graduated and applied for college. I don't like having to take anything habit-forming, but it literally saved my life."

• Mon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 8, 2020

For Anxiety "Unfortunately, I was put on Valium 48 years ago as I was told by my GP I had a nervous stomach. After 3 years, I had an ovarian cyst that burst, so I had the cyst and ovary removed. Heyho, after the operation, I didn't have stomach ache, so I stopped taking Valium. But then I had panic attacks, shakes, and agoraphobia. I went to my GP, who told me you must always take Valium or you will end up in a mental health facility. I have tried on occasions to cut down and stop them. Side effects: shaking, tight band around head, throat, huge weight loss, bedridden. For a long time, I have taken 25mg daily. I wouldn't want anyone to take them regularly, I don't want others to suffer. After having osteoporosis, spine fractures x 3, etc., I have needed opioids, but only had 1 when desperate as I know how addictive they are."

• jhu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 24, 2015

Diazepam for Anxiety "I have been taking Valium for 15 years for sleep and anxiety, 15-30mg. This drug has worked well through the years but I have begun to notice memory and balance issues, so I decided to get off of it. The first time, I quickly tapered off and one night, I awoke to a racing heartbeat, tremors, and an intense feeling like my head, face, and back were on fire. I had to go back on because of this. Now I'm doing a slow taper, so far, I have gone from 15mg to 7.5mg over 4 months. Going from 15-10mg was easy, but going under 10mg has been very difficult at times. For years I was very positive about this drug, but I do not think you should take it for more than a month unless you absolutely have to. Just be careful, as withdrawals can be severe."

• Mel...
• August 14, 2016

Diazepam for Anxiety "I've been on Valium for about 6 months now and have severe social anxiety and separation anxiety. But it definitely helps. It allows me to not feel as claustrophobic and not to get as shaky or frozen in anxiety-producing situations. If I have an anxiety attack or feel like I'm going to have one, then I will take a Valium, and it helps me get through the day."

• 321...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2022

Diazepam for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "TMD is a horrible condition that robbed me of my life. Caused trigeminal neuralgia. GP referred me to a maxillofacial specialist who prescribed diazepam. It’s the only medication that works, but GP refuses to prescribe it despite the specialist doctor writing a letter stating that they are prescribing it. So, I can’t get any relief because nothing else works. Now I live with horrendous pain in my jaw, neck, head, shoulders, back, and the spasms roll down into my legs. I shake constantly and have a million trapped nerves. No life and confined to a bed because mobility is affected. Go to bed crying in pain and wake up crying in pain. Now on oxycodone, and it barely touches it. Been prescribed lots of medications, but only diazepam helps. My life has been taken from me. I’ve lost everything because of this evil condition and doctors that have condemned me to a life of pain and misery."

• Jea...
• June 20, 2020

Diazepam for Muscle Spasm "My doctor prescribed Valium after I had two lung surgeries. It was to treat the pain and muscle spasms. Thankful it was only 5 mgs per night. I couldn’t get a refill in time, and I’d been on it for about two years. I just felt it was time to get off of the Valium. I think I’m doing better pain-wise. And I take Tramadol for that pain during the day. I have been experiencing withdrawals. I am taking natural supplements in place to wean me off. I shake a little, rapid anxious thoughts, digestive upset, irritability, panic. It’s not good to take it long term. I rated Valium high because it did its job, relaxed me, and the only side effects for me were dry mouth and being more tired in the morning. The con is clearly the addictive properties of it. Your body starts to need it just to go to sleep or feel normal. I’m hoping this will end soon. I read it can take months or years to come off Valium. I was on a low dose, so I hope it won’t last that long."

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 24, 2017

Diazepam for Anxiety "Suffering 16 years ago from PTSD after being told in the hospital that I only had 30 mins before I would die, I was a wreck when I came home and lived in fear and terror, shortness of breath, uncontrollable shaking, extreme nausea, body aching all over, doctor and specialist visits - had every test known to the medical world, all came back normal. Finally, a friend suggested I try Zoloft, and after a week I felt myself starting to feel normal again, and after six months I gave it up, but since then I periodically have PTSD symptoms and 5 mg of Valium (don't buy generic diazepam) on those days has been my lifesaver. God bless you, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals!"

• mj1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2022

For Anxiety "Diazepam is the best benzo there is. It saved me from taking Xanax all the time. My Dr. gave me the 10 mg tablets to be taken 3 times a day, and I couldn't be better! I don't wake up shaking anymore, I feel less depressed, and overall my mood is in a great place! I can't thank this drug enough because I have Tourette syndrome, and it works 10 times better than Xanax ever did at keeping me calm and collected! Thank God for Valium, or I would not be writing this!"

• bec...
• January 20, 2010

Diazepam for Anxiety "I have suffered from anxiety, muscle spasms, nightmares, tremors, restless legs, and mood swings. I have taken 5 mg of Valium, sometimes 10 mg on and off since an extremely stressful nightmare of a divorce my ex dragged on for 3 years. My attorney suggested Valium, and my regular doctor had no trouble prescribing this. 30 tablets will often last 3 months - I've had refills expire, as I only take as needed (since 1995). This medication has been a lifesaver for me, and when I had PMDD (when it was just BAD PMS in the '90s), I have taken Xanax in the past, and the forgetfulness was unbearable, I couldn't drive, and withdrawal was immediate and awful. No problem with Valium! My pain doctor and regular doctor won't prescribe Valium to anyone anymore - long half-life? Ativan and Buspar didn't help at all."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I was first given diazepam during a crisis in the hospital when I wanted to end my life because of severe anxiety and agitation caused by traumatic early life experiences. They gave me 10 mg, and it made me so relaxed that the shaking and sweating stopped, and I fell asleep really easily, it was like pouring water on a fire. I now take it on an as-needed basis because it does build up in the body, so often I still feel it working 24 hours after my last dosage. I've not noticed any bad withdrawal by doing this."

• Top...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2016

For Anxiety "I've tried every drug going for anxiety and panic attacks. I will stutter, start shaking, I can't think straight, and if I'm in a room with someone, I just need to get out, it's like being totally paranoid. Then I got prescribed diazepam 5 mg, and wow, a drug that's finally worked. I only use it if I'm going into a place where I'm going to have an attack, like a manager's office, etc., or if I can't sleep as tiredness triggers my anxiety. If I could take it every day, I would, but as it's so addictive, I only take it 2 or 3 times a week. I just need to not go over the limit. This is a wonder drug, but don't take it daily."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2021

For Anxiety "At first: Good sleep... later... ok sleep... later... not much sleep... later... insomnia... Helps with anxiety, feeling fine... later... it's less helpful... later... even less now... later... no help at all. What's left now: Anxiety, insomnia, tremors, panic attacks, fatigue/tiredness, inability to resolve simple tasks, unable to concentrate, gain weight, agoraphobia, social anxiety, health anxiety, and so on... tolerance to it is the worst thing that happened to me. Withdrawal: painful and long. In the end: it helps to not help me at all, it helps me to feel much worse than I was before. It lies, it's a false and dangerous pill. Wish I never had been prescribed to it... Stay away from this nightmare..."

• Sul...
• May 2, 2020

For Anxiety "Teva diazepam doesn't work. Teva took over the diazepam market, it doesn't work. My headaches, anxiety attacks, and panic attacks are back. It is like taking nothing, and an ingredient that makes me sick. I feel like suing, no active ingredient in it. I can prove that. God, my head hurts, and dizziness will return tomorrow, this I know. I hope the FDA takes this garbage off the market. There are others out there. Maybe I have been taking, but for some reason, the hospital pharmacy, it's like no active ingredient. I miss Mylan, it worked for many years. I haven't slept in 2 days. Now, I have to attempt to see my doctor for a change in medications because of Teva. Now I know why I have been having horrible head pain and panic, not real diazepam. Any brand is better than this. No sleep this month for me, shaking badly. Teva is not diazepam."

• Cla...
• August 30, 2021

Diazepam for Alcohol Withdrawal "I’ve struggled with alcohol addiction for years, as it progressed to 750 ml of hard liquor a day. I tried stopping and got shakes, sweating, palpitations, dizziness, tingly hands, and feet. So far, I’m on 5 mg Valium 2x daily, and no withdrawal symptoms! Definitely tired, in a I worked all day kinda way, even if I didn’t."

• Tin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 15, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been on diazepam for 15 years, and I am now going through hell. I'm on 14 mg a day, and they are killing me slowly, making my anxiety a million times worse. I have irritable, aggressive moods, shaking, chest pains, vomiting, numb, restless feet, the most painful experience of my life. I am going insane. DO NOT TOUCH THESE DRUGS."

• Sem...
• January 10, 2018

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Went cold turkey coming off alcohol, and I had to go to the hospital for withdrawal. They gave me Valium there, and it helped a great deal. Relapsed again last month and decided to stop again as it's ruining my life. Tried to cut down on alcohol slowly, but it wasn't working, so I stopped drinking one day and started getting the shakes, and my heart rate went right up. I had to have wine, and it went back to normal. Went to the doctor and explained I wanted to stop drinking. He gave me Valium to take so I could stop right then. What a godsend. Took two last night and slept through the night without waking up with the sweats or shakes. Not needed to take any throughout today, but will probably have one tonight to be safe from seizures."

• Vom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 19, 2024

"I am a long-term user of benzos. Recently, things have been very stressful. Police involved. I have trouble eating as it is. After the big fight last night, I didn't sleep. I am constantly going #2 because of stress. I am not eating. I threw up my morning dose, instantly. (Stress) I am going through W/Ds. I took my evening dose. I also could not keep that down. I tried. It was inside me for an hour. I couldn't function without the medication. But I feel very, very sick right now. It's all stress. Fight or flight. Careful taking these. My hands are shaking. I won't sleep tonight. They help most of the time. The turmoil at home is worse than it's ever been. I've not thrown up from anxiety. I normally have a stomach ache. I wish I had an extra tablet to replace the one I couldn't keep down."

• R M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2018

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Had to go to an inpatient hospital stay because of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. After 10 days of treatment, coupled with vitamin B-complex for repairing the damage alcoholism caused, I was released completely 'cured'; no shakes, no sweating, and I was thinking more clearly. It was as effective as an antiviral medicine for the flu. A problem might be with taking the medication properly. Because I was inpatient, I didn't have to worry about dosing, remembering when to take it, etc. Treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome has to be with the help of someone else because a patient is very disoriented and confused."

• Tra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 12, 2024

"I take 60mg of Diazepam daily. I used to take 4mg of Clonazepam. I am tolerant but stable. I have chronic diarrhea. I barely sleep and high adrenaline causes the issue. I have already done blood work, contrast CT scan, scope/biopsy. Nothing but inflammation from using the toilet too frequently. Trying all OTC meds I can. Nothing that coats insides. I tried Loperamide, good for 2 weeks. I drank lots of water. Loperamide is a 1st pass metabolism reducer. I started having withdrawals after 1 week. I thought I was sick. Week 2 I knew I was not absorbing properly. My hands shook and I was dizzy with hot flashes. I stopped Loperamide. I had to take an extra 10mg for a day. After 3 days the Loperamide is gone and I am fine. Sublingual was not enough. Diazepam interacts with so many things. Be careful. I still need/want Diazepam for my mental issues. Would I ever sleep?"

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2022

For Endoscopy or Radiology Premedication "Been attempting to get an MRI done on my neck. I told my doctor I'm claustrophobic, so my first attempt at getting the MRI without anything failed miserably. The doctor then prescribed diazepam 5 mg to take 1/2 hour before my next MRI. Took as directed, checked into my appointment still feeling nervous, got to the MRI machine still feeling nervous, got in the MRI machine, and after the first image, I asked to be pulled out so I could try and stop shaking uncontrollably. Ended up crying, shaking, and couldn't complete the MRI. This stuff is garbage, and now my day is shot from not only still having a panic attack but because now I have a migraine from the MRI machine giving me muscle spasms. I don't take any other medication except my pain meds as directed, so you'd think this stuff would work. Am I the only one this stuff doesn't work on??"

• AJa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "I’ve been taking diazepam for 6 years, 10 ml. I wish I never put it in my mouth. 6 years later, I now wake up with the shakes, sometimes can’t sleep because I’m in so much pain in my lower back. I can’t focus when someone is trying to talk to me. I get the sweats bad, but when I get the diazepam and take 80 ml, that will hold me from 9 in the morning to around 3 in the afternoon, then will need another 80 ml just to feel normal and be able to function. I don’t know what else I can do????"

• SJH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2018

Diazepam for Alcohol Withdrawal "This medication reduced my withdrawal symptoms significantly, although I still had some anxiety. Valium reduced tremors, sweating, insomnia, and agitation."