Now it is hard to ascertain if your anxiety is real or due to interdose withdrawal. Withdrawal causes severe anxiety, and severe physical symptoms which also FEEL like anxiety. Sweating, nausea, shortness of breath etc.

There are other ways to control anxiety. Perhaps a counselor could help you.

My son was almost blown to bits by a bomb in the war in Iraq. He was in fire fights and 'behind' enemy line with snipers. He has severe PTSD, and severe physical injuries, and takes no meds. Meds all made him worse. He could find no happy medium other than life long physical dependency. He is working and has a baby 10 months old. His life is full.

It helps to talk to to a counselor.

If alll that stands between you and a healthy, full life is a pill, when the you can do something about it.

If you have emotional attachment to the medication, that is an addiction issue, and again, no value judgment is implied. The approach to addictions versus physical dependence is different.

Physically dependent people who discover the drug is causing withdrawal usually want off really fast. And you should not get off too fast. Getting physically dependent people off is more of a simple withdrawal....altho it is hideous physically, they are less likely to resume using the drug.

Addicted people won't give up the drug until they admit they have an addiction issue.

You can have a disease, be prescribed a benzo and get physically dependent or addicted, either one.

Now you have the facts. I won't try to persuade you.

Benzos are not treatment or palliative for neuropathy.

I get IVIG. That is given to try to 'treat' my condition which is inflammatory. I also take an antiparkinsonian drug. That is it, and I have profound PN. Yes, I hurt, bad. I don't sleep real well. Not taking a pill is my choice. I don't blame any one for taking pills.

I did. But pain medication is different and altho some things like opiates are hard to withdraw from, it is far easier than benzos. If a person has a chronic progressive disease, you can't deny them pain meds. I made a choice to endure the pain, and the pain sucks. I don't have a choice. I don't metabolize drugs normally.

Your tests are all negative at this point, thank God. This is GOOD news. You have a possible culprit for your ills, diazepam withdrawal issues. If after 6 months of discontinuation you are still in pain and numb and tingling, further studies may show you do have neuropathy. It isn't likely, but if you do have it, a skin biopsy will show it.

I am just saying, if a pill is causing you withdrawal, you have only two choices, take more or wean off.

Again talk to your doctor and tell him or her what you are experiencing. Hopefully he/she is wise about benzodiazepines.