Diazepam the culprit...?

[swimmer]

Post Script to earlier post - I take diazepam 2 - 4 mg per night - does anyone know if this might affect/worsen breathing problems?

Best wishes

Swimmer

[Badbessie]

Diazepam can suppress lung function in some people. Best advice would be to have a word with your GP or pharmacist.

[swimmer in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks so much Badbessie. Will have a word with pharmacist a.s.a.p.

[Robin77 in reply to Badbessie]

That's very interesting. Another thing I had no idea about.

[Stephend]

Morning they relaxe you body to help you sleep I’ve had them myself there good but very addictive so he should not keep you on for a long time but he wouldn’t give you them if there was any chance it was good for you I had for severe authtits of the lumbar part of the spine and I’ve got emphysema and Asthma hope this helps

Take care

[swimmer in reply to Stephend]

It does help, many thanks Stephend

[micox]

Diazpam is notoriously addictive and absolute hell to come off if you've taken them for a couple/few months. They also gradually lose effectiveness when your nervous system loses tolerence for a particular dosage so to prevent withdrawal you have to increase the dosage from time to time. I say this as a retired drugs counsellor with experience of Benzodiazepine withdrawal groups, some of which had the same attendees for two or more years.

[swimmer in reply to micox]

hi micox

I have been taking this amount for years - together with 20mg of amitriptyline, both at night, to help with pain and anxiety. At the age of 64 - I pay be 'at the point of no return'. I would love to NOT have to take it, though, as I know it is addictive - any advice you can spare would be much appreciated.

Kind regards

swimmer

[micox]

Hi Swimmer. If you've been taking it for that long I'd suggest you get a referral (via GP) to your nearest drugs unit. Your breathing problems could be part of a withdrawal syndrome because of your increased tolerance to the drug.

[swimmer in reply to micox]

Hi again micox. Wow! I have never heard of breathing difficulties/shortness of breath being attributed to a dependence on any drug, or is it just benzodiazapines that cause the breathing problems?

[jackdup]

It is unfortunate that doctors ignore the warnings for benzos. Any information I have read has said for short term use only 7-10 days, and warn not to prescribe to anyone with a history of alcoholism or an addictive personality, or those know to abuse medications. They do lose their effectiveness the longer they are taken so the natural response is to take more and many people do. As stated above it is difficult to get off of them, but am sure it will be easier for you as you have no been abusing them or increasing the amount taken. They generally reduce the dosage over time rather than just stopping them completely, I believe similar to taking someone off of steroids that has been on them for a while. Benzos can definitely suppress your breathing. I believe another medication which has all the same aspects of benzos is Zopicline. There are likely other medications that can also effect breathing.

[swimmer in reply to jackdup]

Thanks jackdup

I am fairly sure it isn't the diazapam that is affecting my breathing as I have been taking the same very small dose (2 - 3 mg nightly) for years - well before I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. I just wondered if it might be contributing, a bit, as the breathlessness is getting worse especially when my lungs are compressed during certain activities such as putting on shoes, etc.

[Hidden]

I take diazepam.its good for your breathing when both anxious or breathing probs with copd or asthma.it is also a benzo .sorry bad Bessie has given you sound advice.see your medical team.