According to the DDO xanax is more addictive than Heroin. Yet we were unwittingly prescribed this drug. I had no idea, DB learned I was taking it in 2012 and told me. To this day, I believe my cessation of xanax and the CSF leak caused the grand mal seizure in August 2012. The day I broke 4 vertebrae and 2 ribs when they did CPR.

No one told me how dangerous the drug was /is. I was prescribed it in 2010 to aid with my PTSD. No one told me not to stop taking it over night, in fact nobody told me anything until DB told me it's as addictive as heroin and I thought holy crap I need to stop this stuff I don't want to be addicted to anything. So I went from 2x 2mg a day to zero on August 3rd, I had a rhyzotomy on that day and took 1mg in the evening, none after that. The headache started on the Saturday, by Friday I was in hospital and on Monday night 60 minutes after I saw the Neurosurgeon I had the seizure. I recall nothing from 7pm to 10pm. Around 10pm I asked to speak with DB on the phone, the nurse told him nothing to worry about she's just had a panic attack. I was restarted on it 3 weeks later when they realised I'd fractured T3,4,5&6 and ribs 8&9. My anxiety was out of control, I couldn't believe they discharged me from hospital with all those fractures and the nurse on discharge viciously stating I'm nothing but a drug addict wanting attention.

Benzo's who knew...

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I guess I didn't give much thought to the use of Benzo's until now. One of the meds I have been taking daily for years, dealing with mostly the muscle spasms rather than anxiety, is Valium.

Since I started taking it, the muscle spasms on the side of neck and shoulder has improved. For years I wasn't able to sleep on my left side because of the muscle pain. Now I can.

Am now a bit concerned because Valium is part of the benzo family.....Hymmmm ...




Gerry

I feel for you Gerry, I know your thoughts, it's why in other posts along the years I've agonised over the times I've been told insistently by the GP or surgeon with firm instruction to take xanax, I know what I went through. Only last month in hospital going for the Gallium scan they gave me 1mg Xanax but as I was on so many other drugs along with Valium I was unaware of the effects it usually gives me.

Yes Valium is a part of the Benzo group, it is known for forming body dependence but I'm told it is not like xanax which is significantly addictive. If you were to ever drop your Valium take be sure to do so with GP supervision and an open mind to GP's sometimes are not as all knowing as we wish they were. They are generalised for a reason, not specialised. So if you feel your GP is not on board with your concerns, talk to your PM. Ironically there are drugs available to help you titrate off of these drugs with little angst. But you have to ask for them, and given you only take them for a short time to aid getting off the original drug, dependence doesn't form.

I'm not talking in your case Gerry, your PM will be the only one for you to ask is the amount of Valium you take still required to manage your many ailments. So no thinking cold turkey, or I'll have a go and cutting down on my own xx

This is correct and vital: the danger is not so much in taking it (except when mixing with alcohol), but in getting off them without tapering. You really need a couple of weeks, do it very gradually, and pay attention to your body/brain.

Fortunately, valium is nowhere near as dangerous as Xanax, and if it helps you sleep (and nothing else will), and you are not upping the dose constantly, you might even consider staying with it. Talk to a doctor to make sure (I surely am not one!). No reason for panic or worry, just something you need to be aware of.

My experience of benzodiazepines is limited compared to the others so I am not sure how general it is.

I spent a bit over a month as a patient in a private psychiatric hospital, taking the first steps in dealing with my alcohol abuse and clinical depression. Initially I was a bit agitated so one of the psychiatric nurses suggested Valium, taken once a day, in front of her (same procedure as for any other prescription drug) - they were rightly very strict about this. It worked for me so after a while I told her that I didn't need it any more - she just smiled and agreed.

Another patient was less fortunate. From what he said in our regular morning check-in session, run by a clinical psychologist, he was severely addicted to alcohol and Xanax. From cryptic comments from the clinical psychologist (their medical ethics were impeccable), he was monitored 24/7 including being on suicide watch.

When I left he was still there but I think had shown some signs of improvement.

I know a woman who just lost her son to heroin. It all started about 8 years ago when he was prescribed opiods after his car crash. He was only 28.

I had to run out for 2 quick errands. Unfortunately one was right next door to a liquor store. Oh wow, I was white knuckled getting to my car and staying outta trouble. I did it but that was quite a challenge. I remembered Icehouse saying "accountability" keeps him sober. I did not want to come here and tell you I failed and in the same breath complain that my legs hurt. You all saved me.

It's ok if they prescribe them for a very short term, unfortunately a lot of GP's just continue to script issue when the patient runs up every 2 or so weeks. Then suddenly it's in the news and the GP says nope, no more, and they fail to offer anything to help the person titrate down, they frequently will make the patient go cold turkey because they just don't know enough about dependence forming drugs. All they know of is addiction and how they can be penalised or struck off of the registrar for over prescribing, sadly their need to cover their own *** provides little assistance to the patient.

I'm so sorry your friends son turned to Heroin, it's an all too common story. But Heroin where I am is fast becoming a drug of the ages. Meth has taken over everything and is significantly cheaper. My nieces first partner and father to her first child is/was a heroin addict. He has been to rehab many times. I'm lead to believe he is straight at present, but it's a fluid change on any given month. Drug users are not just the poor or middle class, this boy comes from a very well to do, affluent & influential family. Drug addiction doesn't differentiate, it will take anyone sadly.

Im so sorry for your friends loss. It saddens me greatly when I learn of incidents where people have turned to illicit drugs following genuine GP prescription need. I truly believe there needs to be more education and accountability with GP's.

Because of my job I go to many GP surgeries and I see the current answer to this problem in my city in many, many surgeries is signage "we won't prescribe this drug so don't bother asking. Go elsewhere else". I wonder of the patients who truly do need it what they are offered instead. Perhaps Panamax as the ED doctor stated repeatedly when she discharged me on July 7th & then there we were less than 3 weeks later knowing major surgery is instead required and offers the only fix, and then at significant risk. Panamax / equivalent to Tylenol, I wonder why I didn't think to take it before the ambualance was called ...lmao (if only)

Thanks Wide-O. Appreciate the reassurance.
Both Primary and PM are aware as well as prescribing the Valium. The scrip reads take, as needed, up to a max of 4 per day.

I have a mild case of Cervical Dystonia. Was given Botox injections (prior to my taking Valium) which did nothing for me so I stopped with the injections. Valium is prescribed not only for anxiety; but Muscle spasms. When I started taking Valium a few years ago, neck/shoulder spasms were greatly reduced. Have not taken more than 2 1/2 a day for the past several years even tho there are enough tablets to take up to 4. Since I accumulate extra tablets, I usually don't refill as often. I do agree should I ever lower or stop, will do so with doctor's approval and guidance.

Gerry.