diazepam

[Valleyheath]

am taking 2 mg diazepam every 3 days to cope with side effects of changing antidepressants. Has been over 3 week period. Still suffering badly. Should I continue use or will I risk becoming addicted/dependent

[Dolphin14]

3 weeks isn't a very long time. What does your Dr say?

🐬

[Valleyheath in reply to Dolphin14]

she just gives me more! If you read how quickly you can get addicted it’s scary. Anyway, I’ve decided to taper off Sertraline now. Tried 23 days on 25mg and lost almost a stone in weight with constant nausea! Will tell doctor tomorrow

[Dolphin14 in reply to Valleyheath]

I'm sorry things are so bad. Be mindful that you can advocate for yourself. If the Dr is giving you more and it's not helping you it's ok to speak up.

There is a lot of info out there regarding benzos. Years ago they were prescribed frequently and over many years research has shown the down side. But quality of life is important also.

I hope you begin to feel better soon

[Valleyheath]

I think she was being helpful but didn’t realise side effects would last this long. I could see me getting addicted to them if I continue for much longer. The problem is they act so quickly and relieve all the nasties immediately!

[Valleyheath]

yes when you put it like that it seems silly! I’m still wondering whether I should give Sertraline longer than 23days?? Perhaps I’ll mention it to my doctor.

[Valleyheath]

I always write my diazepam in my diary. 8 off 2 mg over past month!

[Valleyheath]

you must be a lot younger than me! I also put my moods down!! My CBT course told me to do that!

[designguy]

I was on klonopin which is similar and also a benzo and had no issues with becoming addicted. The benefit of it for me was that for the first time i could feel and function without constant anxiety and feel what "normal" was like. So you might want to quit focusing on worrying about becoming addicted, which is just adding to your anxiety continue with it and focus on stabilizing and healing. I also found that meds helped but did not eliminate my anxiety/depression, that required educating myself about it, learning what I really needed in order to heal and the right kind of therapy for me.

[Valleyheath]

day 28. Didn’t give up on Sertraline and for last 3 days upped to 50Mg. Have had two brilliant days though interspersed with bad days but finally think it’s working. It’s been so so hard with the continual side effects. I’m taking Diazepan occasionally as and when.