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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sigismund on December 6, 2011, at 12:38:59
In reply to So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 6:05:09
>so is it true that Valium can increase anxiety at first
My take on this is that Valium can increase unsatisfactoriness (amnesia, depressiveness) in smaller doses but in larger doses the calmingness takes over.
>and I should try ride it out at a lower dose (for the future withdrawal's sake)
Yes
>or stick with the 10mg?
Take the lowest dose you can get by on.
>Also, can I expect the drowsiness to pass?
Yes, when/if you become addicted (in the 1970s sense) of course.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 18:00:00
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by sigismund on December 6, 2011, at 12:38:59
I've tapered off the Zyprexa, Christ-Empowered.
I work two days a week for my dad. He gets me up at 8am and due to delayed-sleep phase syndrome I'm forced to drink coffee to remain awake. 5mg and 7.5mg of Valium wasn't making a dent in the coffee-induced anxiety, so I increased to 10mg with my psychiatrist's permission. I understand that technically I shouldn't be drinking coffee at all in these circumstances - and certainly not be using valium simply so I can tolerate coffee - but the 10mg is really giving me the 'breathing space' I need.
The reason I'm taking it 3x a day is because my psychiatrist said it has a 6-hour half-life .. is that incorrect?
And for those concerned about addiction, my psychiatrist has said he's only going to keep me on valium until I'm settled on an AD.
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2011, at 18:53:39
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 18:00:00
ggg yes incorrect it lasts for days in the body and builds up the longer you take it. Phillipa
Posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 18:53:53
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 18:00:00
my pdoc said the active half-life of the drug is 6 hours, which is why i'm taking it 3 times per day (last dose at bed-time) .. is that correct? or could i get away with 2x a day?
also, when does the sedation wear off?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 6, 2011, at 23:43:44
In reply to couple more q's, posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 18:53:53
30mg per day isnt excessive for severe anxiety - the data sheet says between 4 and 40mg perr day, and thats conservative compared to the newer benzos like Xanax
Diazepam is an interesting drug, in that it has a biphasic half life, where it has a half life of about 6 hours in the serum, then about 100 hours in the body fat...... so when you first start taking it, it has a short half life, which gets gradualy longer, until after a couple of weeks, the half life excedes 24 hours, and its possible to take the entire dose at bedtime, so, after a week or two, switching to twice daily dosing shouldnt be an issue
Posted by g_g_g_unit on December 7, 2011, at 0:10:37
In reply to Re: couple more q's, posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 6, 2011, at 23:43:44
Thanks for the info. I really liked the effect 10mg at a time was having, but unfortunately it was also putting me so sleep, so I've eased back to 5mg in the meantime, which still manages to take the edge off.
> 30mg per day isnt excessive for severe anxiety - the data sheet says between 4 and 40mg perr day, and thats conservative compared to the newer benzos like Xanax
>
> Diazepam is an interesting drug, in that it has a biphasic half life, where it has a half life of about 6 hours in the serum, then about 100 hours in the body fat...... so when you first start taking it, it has a short half life, which gets gradualy longer, until after a couple of weeks, the half life excedes 24 hours, and its possible to take the entire dose at bedtime, so, after a week or two, switching to twice daily dosing shouldnt be an issue
Posted by sigismund on December 7, 2011, at 0:29:26
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 18:00:00
> my psychiatrist said it has a 6-hour half-life .. is that incorrect?
Yes
Posted by Phidippus on December 7, 2011, at 15:37:09
In reply to So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 6:05:09
First off, increases in doses of antidepressants can cause anxiety. This will dissipate over the next couple weeks. However, I do have to question your ability to detect any increase in anxiety with the amount of Valium you're on.
I think your anxiety is increasing because you're anxious about the drugs you are taking. You're mistaking your symptoms for side effects. There's a clear cut pattern where you start or change a medication and you have an increase in anxiety.
You really need to get control of that anxiety. Stay on the Lexapro and the Valium for a month. Valium IS NOT causing you initial anxiety.
Also, I have to ask...Why are you so afraid of anxiety?
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2011, at 20:51:29
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » g_g_g_unit, posted by Phidippus on December 7, 2011, at 15:37:09
Eric anxiety can be debilitating. I fear even the phone. Now that is anxiety. Phillipa
Posted by Phidippus on December 8, 2011, at 14:26:37
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2011, at 20:51:29
I understand anxiety. I also have to remember its only anxiety.
Eric
Posted by gadchik on December 8, 2011, at 16:14:49
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » Phillipa, posted by Phidippus on December 8, 2011, at 14:26:37
I wish I could laugh at anxiety,spit on it,stomp it into the ground,cant.My thing w/anxiety is that unchecked,it leads to panic,as in attack,and then it's off to the races for my mind...
Posted by Phillipa on December 8, 2011, at 17:58:40
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » Phillipa, posted by Phidippus on December 8, 2011, at 14:26:37
But can't function and now will have to get a divorce as invited to NYEve party and can't go. Too scared. Phillipa
Posted by Agomelatinehope on December 9, 2011, at 1:00:13
In reply to So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 6:05:09
That's a very high dose of Valium
You must've developed tolerance. If I were you I would try to withdraw from it slowly with the help of an SSRI
Posted by g_g_g_unit on December 10, 2011, at 7:25:05
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by Agomelatinehope on December 9, 2011, at 1:00:13
I've dropped my dose back to 5mg three times a day because I would instantly fall asleep after taking 10mg. I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety though due to recently increasing my Lexapro dose, so maybe once things settle down, I won't need the Valium at all.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on December 10, 2011, at 9:51:19
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 10, 2011, at 7:25:05
> I've dropped my dose back to 5mg three times a day because I would instantly fall asleep after taking 10mg. I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety though due to recently increasing my Lexapro dose, so maybe once things settle down, I won't need the Valium at all.
Diazepam accumulates due to its long half life. You may have needed a high dose initially but you should be able to keep reducing now.
Isolated, occasional doses of diazepam often have a very short duration of action because it is rapidly redistributed to fat and muscle. In an acute crisis, diazepam may need to be given every few hours. After regular dosing, the duration of action is long due to the long elimination half life and active metabolites, it can then be given once or twice a day.
Posted by Phidippus on December 10, 2011, at 18:03:25
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by Agomelatinehope on December 9, 2011, at 1:00:13
Just a tidbit...Clonazepam has been shown inn some studies to reduce OCD.
Eric
Posted by Phidippus on December 10, 2011, at 18:15:03
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » Phidippus, posted by Phillipa on December 8, 2011, at 17:58:40
Have you ever tried Gabitril?
Eric
Posted by gadchik on December 10, 2011, at 19:59:43
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » Phillipa, posted by Phidippus on December 10, 2011, at 18:15:03
my pdoc told me that klonopin is good for racing thoughts,and is a mild mood stabilizer.
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2011, at 21:01:49
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by gadchik on December 10, 2011, at 19:59:43
Any idea why experienced that one time of taking klonopin while reducing xanax and felt suicidal but wasn't? Was it xanax withdrawal even though dose was low? Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on December 11, 2011, at 8:03:37
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2011, at 21:01:49
thats too complicated for me.I know some do experience klonopin as a downer.yet it would seem that klonopin wouldve helped you coming off of the xanax.I wonder if you were substituting the correct amt of klonopin?I know valium depressed me, but i wasnt on an antidepressant and I was heading that direction anyway.Were you already depressed and not taking an ssri when you tried k?
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2011, at 17:33:47
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on December 11, 2011, at 8:03:37
I don't think so so long ago? But I've taken klonopin years after this and didn't depress me. Given to me by someone felt guilty and switched back at the time to valium. Which depresses you? Phillipa
Posted by Phidippus on December 11, 2011, at 17:37:49
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2011, at 21:01:49
Klonopin antagonizes seratonin receptors and can cause depression.
Eric
Posted by Phidippus on December 11, 2011, at 17:39:27
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by gadchik on December 10, 2011, at 19:59:43
Most benzzodiazapines have some mood stabilizing effect, but Klonopin is is especially useful as a mild anti-manic.
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2011, at 19:23:25
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » gadchik, posted by Phidippus on December 11, 2011, at 17:39:27
Well not manic for sure so it won't allow serotonin into the synases to stay a while. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on December 12, 2011, at 7:34:38
In reply to Re: So valium is saving my life, but .. » Phidippus, posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2011, at 19:23:25
valium depressed me,but i was already getting depressed,and i believe if id been properly taking an antidepressant w/it,that wouldnt have happened.I tried it at night,it calmed me,but next day,depression loomed.But it would have anyway.Im curious about klonopin and serotonin.Ive heard that anxious people have too much serotonin.I wonder if for me,the klonopin deals w/that? I didnt feel depressed i guess because i had treated it w/zoloft.but i went off zoloft february 2011,havent felt depressed,but still on klonopin.
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