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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by n_shrimpie on February 2, 2013, at 17:25:14
I have been suffering from debilitating derealization (which has destroyed my cognitive functions- i can't even read( for the past 2 years. currently on emsam 12 mg and lamictal 250 mg. the ONLY thing that helps is valium, which i take in 2.5 increments throughout the day. it takes about 3 hours to kick in (after a nap) but it kills my derealization and allows me to function. however i'm terrified of addiction. i'm taking between 5 mg and 7 mg a day, i take it kind of sporadically in 2.5 mg increments when the derealization (which is much better in the morning for about an hour) becomes unbearable. is this going to cause inevitable addiction and make my derealization worse in the long run? i simply don't know what else to do.. the derealization is so bad that i'm numb, i can't read or process information, i just sit in bed in a daze or go to asleep to avoid the horrible feeling of it. the valium is the only thing i've found that makes me feel human.
Posted by brynb on February 2, 2013, at 18:13:35
In reply to valium for derealization, potential addiction, posted by n_shrimpie on February 2, 2013, at 17:25:14
Valium is one of the "better" benzos; it's not super potent, has an extremely long half-life, and works well as a muscle relaxant.
Your current dose is very low. As long as you're taking what's prescribed, you should be ok. If and when you decide to taper, Valium is the best benzo to use as well. you can go slowly and it allows for super precise dosing.
Hope that was helpful...
b
Posted by schleprock on February 2, 2013, at 18:35:44
In reply to valium for derealization, potential addiction, posted by n_shrimpie on February 2, 2013, at 17:25:14
> I have been suffering from debilitating derealization (which has destroyed my cognitive functions- i can't even read( for the past 2 years. currently on emsam 12 mg and lamictal 250 mg. the ONLY thing that helps is valium, which i take in 2.5 increments throughout the day. it takes about 3 hours to kick in (after a nap) but it kills my derealization and allows me to function. however i'm terrified of addiction. i'm taking between 5 mg and 7 mg a day, i take it kind of sporadically in 2.5 mg increments when the derealization (which is much better in the morning for about an hour) becomes unbearable. is this going to cause inevitable addiction and make my derealization worse in the long run? i simply don't know what else to do.. the derealization is so bad that i'm numb, i can't read or process information, i just sit in bed in a daze or go to asleep to avoid the horrible feeling of it. the valium is the only thing i've found that makes me feel human.
Had you discontinued/reduced a prior medication, or added a new medication within a year or so of the onset of your derealization?
Posted by Laney on February 2, 2013, at 19:39:50
In reply to Re: valium for derealization, potential addiction, posted by schleprock on February 2, 2013, at 18:35:44
I'm sorry you are going through this. That sounds awful. I'm on .5 mg. once a day of klonopin and valium's equivalency is 20mg. so that's not high dosing. I've never needed to increase the klonopin in 19 years but I understand that's rare. The biggest thing is I hope your working with a doc in regards to getting over your realization.
Best wishes,
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on February 2, 2013, at 23:30:12
In reply to Re: valium for derealization, potential addiction, posted by Laney on February 2, 2013, at 19:39:50
Very low dose of valium. Seriously I'd up the valium to 5mg at least twice a day. Laney is so right klonopin is much strong and with the long half life of valium it's usually used to taper off other benzos as well. Phillipa
Posted by n_shrimpie on February 3, 2013, at 8:41:46
In reply to Re: valium for derealization, potential addiction, posted by schleprock on February 2, 2013, at 18:35:44
i'd been on nardil and lamictal with bad derealization, then cut the nardil out and was on lamictal alone then the derealization disappeared but months later it returned out of nowhere. There is no rhyme or reason to it. The only thing i know is that it must be anxiety related if the valium helps, but I don't actually feel anxious. But maybe I've been anxious my whole life and when it's a constant state of mind you don't realize there's something wrong.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 3, 2013, at 16:56:41
In reply to Re: valium for derealization, potential addiction, posted by n_shrimpie on February 3, 2013, at 8:41:46
The addiction potential of diazepam (Valium) has been overstated in the popular press, at 5-7.5mg per day you would at worst develop a mild dependence, which could easily be overcome by a slow tapered withdrawl over 4-6 weeks.
Tolorance can be a problem, but if Valium is all thats working for you, I think that its a risk worth taking, atleast while you try and sort out somthing else.
This is the end of the thread.
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