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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 52. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 6:05:09
I'm on 30mg (10mg 3x a day). Is that too much?
The thing is, I dumped the Zyprexa and increased me Lexapro to 20mg without any interval. The Zyprexa had been ratcheting up my anxiety to insane proportions and I've been experiencing a lot of increased anxiety on the Lexapro as well. However, I just read a post in the archives stating that Valium can increase anxiety to begin with?
So now I'm really confused. I started on 5mg, but that was either not cutting it or just making things worse; then I bumped it up to 10mg and I'm pretty drowsy but at peace for the first time in ... forever.
so is it true that Valium can increase anxiety at first and I should try ride it out at a lower dose (for the future withdrawal's sake) or stick with the 10mg? Also, can I expect the drowsiness to pass?
Posted by Brainbeard on December 6, 2011, at 8:09:31
In reply to So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 6:05:09
Posted by Brainbeard on December 6, 2011, at 8:29:44
In reply to So valium is saving my life, but .., posted by g_g_g_unit on December 6, 2011, at 6:05:09
My first Valium experiences were wonderful... But then tolerance reared its ugly head. Valium stays in the blood a LONG time. One or two doses daily should be enough. I have an interaction with my Luvox that makes Valium linger in my blood for about 5 days... Which I don't find very enjoyable.
Valium is a great drug, it does what it supposed to do and does it quick; however, loads of people have become addicted to it and eventually consider it a pain in the *ss. YMMV.
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2011, at 10:05:57
In reply to Vaaaaaaaaaaaaaalium, posted by Brainbeard on December 6, 2011, at 8:29:44
41 years on valium upping and downing at will til I read supposed to do the same daily. taking 10mg now with luvox 50mg. But I have for many years a bit of xanax also and was taking 2.5 of lexapro which I ditched last night as doesn't seem to work. Seems I feel nothing on either med. I don't feel anxious but I act severly anxious. Fears so many fears. As far as a start up of anxiety to valium this never happened to me it was an ahhh feeling in the beginning for so many years. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on December 6, 2011, at 12:31:20
In reply to Vaaaaaaaaaaaaaalium, posted by Brainbeard on December 6, 2011, at 8:29:44
I saw an old Valium advert on some website. The recommended dose was 30-40 daily, with the 40 dose including 10 at night for sleep. That's the equivalent of 2mgs Klonopin. My only concern would be that you might be getting way more sedation out of your valium dose, especially combined with Zyprexa, which can be quite sedating by itself. Then again, neuroleptics and benzos can work well together; a benzo can keep the neuroleptic dose lower and reduce side effects.
Benzos in general can cause paradoxical agitation. You can also have disinhibition, which might lead to violence or unusual behavior. You can also have sedation and cognitive problems. Obviously, physical dependence is an issue, but Valium is actually easier to taper than, say, Klonopin (and definitely easier to taper than xanax, from what I've read), so its really not a bad drug, IMHO.
I can't tell you if valium is making your anxiety worse. In my own experience, neuroleptics can make anxiety worse, even if they're sedating. That's why I'm on Abilify--that D2 partial agonism thing allows me to take a neuroleptic without developing severe anxiety, akathisia, and panic.
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?
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