Diazepam and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• ASB...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 14, 2022

For Anxiety "I was cycling between 400 mg of phenobarbital and 6 mg of Klonopin (clonazepam) daily for years for PTSD and panic disorder/anxiety. I quickly built up a terrible tolerance. Before this, I was addicted to barbiturates and meprobamate (Equanil) for years and finally sought help where I was cut down to 3 mg of Klonopin a day. Fast forward, I'm still on 3 mg of Klonopin a day but running out early on a consistent basis, having to go to the ER to get early refills to stave off the withdrawal. My psychiatrist suggested we switch to 40 mg of Valium (diazepam) a day and I acquiesced, having used Valium before and having good reactions. It has strong muscle relaxant qualities as well, which feel very good after a long day at work. It's been about 4.5 years now, and the Valium still helps with preventing flashbacks, knocking out panic attacks, and just calming me in general. I find Valium to be the best benzo for me and recommend it to anyone for PTSD or panic issues."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

Diazepam for Alcohol Withdrawal "I used Valium 10 mg about 6 times to get off alcohol, but I know it’s just as bad to get off benzos, so I’d stop taking it after a month or so. I relapsed about 8 times and now have the beginning stages of cirrhosis. That’s what it took for me to stop. Valium is good for the withdrawal symptoms, but I wouldn’t recommend long-term use."

• Spu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 10, 2016

For Anxiety "This medication worked well for me to relieve anxiety. It is only intended for short-term use, 4-6 weeks max. Valium is a benzodiazepine, and as such, is highly addictive. I took it for 3 months, 30 mg a day. When I tried to stop, the withdrawals were so severe I stayed on it. I stayed on it for 3 years, eventually getting my dose down to 10-15 mg a day. But even this was up and down. I was eventually sent to rehab to try and get off of it. While there, I had two grand mal seizures and almost died. Benzodiazepines are known as the worst detox in the world, heroin is a cake walk compared to them. The detox can last for months, and they are one of the few drugs that can cause death during detox. You got to taper really slowly, or you can die."

• LMa...
• March 14, 2022

For Muscle Spasm "I am prescribed diazepam long term for chronic muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders. Without diazepam, my muscles are completely rigid, and any movement causes crepitus and loud cracking. Diazepam does not relieve the nerve pain of my condition, and people should be aware of this. It may take pressure off the nerves through reduced tension but will not treat nerve pain. I rate this medicine highly for what it does, it's a muscle relaxant, not a pain reliever, and it does what it says. However, and this is the downpoint, tolerance develops very quickly on this medication. So much so that after just a few weeks, the only relief in consumption is relieving withdrawal. This is why many people ask to be prescribed higher and higher doses of benzodiazepines. I refuse to take any more than 5 mg a day. When I build up a tolerance, I go cold turkey for 8 weeks, and I'm prescribed an alternative, baclofen. I switch between the two medicines to prevent tolerance and increasing dosage."

• tia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 4, 2016

For Anxiety "Avoid this medication, it has stolen my life. I wasn't told the risks of addiction and withdrawal. And believe me, when you're going through withdrawal, you're on your own, as doctors are in denial about the consequences of this drug, which I can only describe as horrific. Run for the hills if you're prescribed benzos."

• Drh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 20, 2021

For Meniere's Disease "I came across this site and wanted to share my experience. I was prescribed 2 mg diazepam as needed over 4 years ago for Meniere's. Yes, it works for vertigo and vomiting, however, the side effects of becoming physically dependent on Valium are far worse. I was caught up in the Valium withdrawal nightmare, which took me a year of tapering to wean off the drug. Keep in mind, I was taking the drug as prescribed by my physician and on a very low dose of 2 mg. Do the research on the risks of taking Valium long-term before going down this awful road."

• Dia...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 24, 2022

For Anxiety "Being on diazepam 10 mg for over two decades, also experience with alprazolam 2 mg and clonazepam 2 mg, 3-4 tablets per day for anxiety. Around November/December 2021, I began to notice a decrease in effectiveness, and it continued to the present. Belief led to tolerance, or perhaps ineffectiveness caused by outside factors. After switching from diazepam (TEVA) (7/10 score) to clonazepam 2 mg (TEVA) with the same and zero effectiveness, I gave the one benzo I never enjoyed a try again: lorazepam (something Sun pharm.), same experience - mild to no effect/sugar-type taste with a need or want to take more - which don't do anything. I switched to 1 mg alprazolam - after taking 2 mg and nothing/something became clear - all of these have lost effectiveness - the medication has changed - and I'm not the only one finding blog after reviews. Decrease effectiveness, withdrawal symptoms, no active effects known. I found a 3-year-old bottle of TEVA 10 mg diazepam and Xanax - one made me normal."

• Gan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2017

For Anxiety "Never tried diazepam for anxiety or any other medication. I also tried it for RLS. It's really effective, but hard to stop, and withdrawals are hell. I'm also acting like a zombie, have risky sexual behavior with this."

• 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?"

• emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2021

For Anxiety "There are two types of diazepam brands I tend to take for my anxiety, ‘Kern diazepam Valium’ and ‘Activist diazepam Valium.’ From my personal experience, Kern Valium tends to be stronger and is normally packaged in Spanish boxes as it’s written “Diazepan Comprimidos” on them. I highly recommend this brand for sleepless nights and dealing with social anxiety in general. Depending on the severity of your anxiety, the time of taking this medication should vary - I’m not a healthcare professional, but I’ve had a lot of experience with benzodiazepines and have made the mistake of withdrawing from these medications."

• Mad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I had Valium for 4 years for anxiety and panic attacks. It works in the beginning, but the last 2 years had been a hard struggle with withdrawal symptoms, and it is a drug that is really powerful and will make you addicted to it. It is so hard to stop with Valium, and the taper had taken almost 2 years! I had 40 mg in the beginning and am now on 11.25 mg. Will continue ten more weeks. The withdrawal is the worst thing I ever felt. It makes me so sick. And I don't wish my worst enemy this. Never start with a benzo if you don't want to destroy your life forever. In Sweden, the smallest amount is 2.5 mg, we don't have fluid, so I made my own titration. Valium has stolen 2 years of my life..."

• ant...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 16, 2025

Diazepam for Anxiety "Beware of long-term benzo withdrawal neurological damage, it is not worth the risk. Do not go near this drug if you’re not prepared to deal with harsh and permanent consequences that will last for years. And yes, I’m being serious-years!"

• mar...
• August 4, 2017

Diazepam for Muscle Spasm "You know perfectly well this drug is hell, and the withdrawal of it is obscene if you even make it. How dare doctors not let patients know this up front. It is criminal. For years this withdrawal issue has been known and hidden from patients and even doctors. It has ruined my life and many others, millions of others. Speak up."

• smj...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 19, 2016

For Anxiety "This drug will ultimately ruin your life. The withdrawal has been described as worse than heroin."