How long is ok to be taking diazepam and what are withdrawals

[Pinkparis]

I've lived with my anxiety about 20years I've have had the love of my life die in the most horrific way and to make it so much worse he left behind three daughter's who adored him. My list of horrors goes on I had severe cancer all this before i was 39yrs old So im on diazepam for 20years Also had bad horse riding rode accident And now what with sciatic nerve pain ect.

My new doctors have randomly decided to take me of it I received a letter during lockdown and the next week they had reduced it without talking to me and not asking why i am on them I have not been told what withdrawals to expect Is this the norm and i have had my blood pressure done by nurse today as my neighbour was concerned as ive got ulcers on my legs which are infected and they have given me antibiotics for.Regards x

[Dogdoo]

You need to wean down your dose very slowly, especially after 20 years.

Stopping suddenly can cause sometimes fatal withdrawal so a doctor shouldn't cut them off cold turkey.

While reducing dose you'll need something for anxiety that may resurface or as a result of dropping dose.

This can be other long acting medications and/or antidepressants, therapy or combination.

The process to come off them totally will take months, not weeks to be done safely and correctly.

[Pinkparis in reply to Dogdoo]

Thank you for that. I now have to deal with a close friend who died on Saturday She went quickly However im still in shock and it's hit my mental health hard X

[Sasical in reply to Pinkparis]

I strongly recommend you to take notice of what Dogdoo says and to ask your doctor to do it veeeery slowly and to be covered with other meds where necessary, if you don't do it like this Diazepam withdrawal can be brutal. I don't mean to scare you I just want to be very aware of how to do it in order to save yourself a very bad time.

Good luck x

[Pinkparis in reply to Sasical]

Thank you everyone X I will be really careful x