Valium § Ambien

[Spreedo]

I have been a long time recreational user (10mg Valium + several beers at bedtime) for about 15 years, on and off.  Now I am going through a tough custody battle for my children, and the doctor has prescribed me Ambien to help me sleep (3 months worth).  Two months into it I stop taking the ambien and it seems like I am going through withdrawls.  I have not taken the valium for 6 weeks, and the ambien for 1 week.   Am I going through Ambien withdrawls or valium or a combination?  How long will it last?  Is there any need to Taper since I have already stopped?  Thanks

[WifeofAddict]

Hi there,
Are you saying that you were not withdrawing when you quit the valium?  You started withdrawing when you quit the Ambien?  
If that is the case, i would guess that it is a combination.  You went of the valium, but you had the Ambien to back it up...so you didn't withdrawal, now you have gone of the Ambien and your body is like "Ummm Hello! Where's the drugs?"  So going off the Ambien caused the withdrawals, but the Valium withdrawals were just waiting to come out.  Does that make sense?  Are you still drinking beer everynight?  
Oh and also, if you have gone a week through withdrawals, it will be over soon.  No need to go back and taper...you have been through the worst part, why go back and go through it all over again.  You still have discomfort with tapering from what I understand, just not as much.
Sorry to hear you are going through a custody battle.  I can't imagine how aweful that would be.  You will get through it though, and be a stronger person for it.
Take Care

HI to everyone who remembers me!  I used to come here in December and January, until that banning thing started (sorry to bring it up again!)  Anyways, i left, because of all the arguing and such and found another board to talk on.  It is amazing how drug boards are sooo friendly!  I mean I made friends here, and then i left and made friends just as easily on another one.  I have learned that drug addicts are some of the nicest people out there, they have seen the dark side and chose the bright side, and are happier for it.  
Just wanted to peak my head in and see how everyone was.  I see some names, but not many that i recognize.  
Oh and Thomas, you are famous!  Your recipe is on the board I frequent!  I saw it the other day!  hahaha.
Hope everyone is doing their best and take care!
Catherine

[Chezz2]

Good luck,
Take care,
Chezz

[momonhydros]

hi guys i've posted here a few times about my l5 s1 herniated disk, ive also become addicted to pain meds from codeine to oxys and lortab, im miserable ive basically withdrawn from all social things such as friends ect...im taking about 9 lortabs a day which i know isnt much compared to alot of you guys. anyways i need to tell you my story. there was a young girl murdered in my neighborhood on dec 14 2002 just down the street on the pedestrian bridge she was 16 years old and 3 boys 14, 15 and 19 attacked her and brutaly {spelling i know}killed her while she walked home. i have been literally sick about this murder ive become almost to the point where i find it hard to function. i dont know why im so upset about her murder everyone is beginning to think im nuts! but i cant stop thinking about it everyday i didnt know her but i dont know why im so upset. i cry almost everyday and visit the site where she was killed with flowers. anyways i know you guys will give me some feed back maybe youll tell me to **** off! lol, right thomas, just kidding but ive been reading everyone posts since nov 2002 and i cant tell you how suppotive you all are im so glad i found this web site

[dienikad]

I am 18 yrs old,
Fentinol, Heroin, Morphine, Hydromorphone HCl, OxyContin
4 yrs using - i need someone my age to talk to..

[theGolden1]

We ARE your age ... trust me. Most people here started using around your age and they are "forever young" (smile). Sorry to kid around, this is serious business. It is wonderful that you came here and want help. There are great people here ... what are your plans? Also, does anyone in your family know. The first step is usually detox. (medical supervision) Do you have a place in mind? Keep posting here and you will get feedback from all age groups. Every bit helps .... be strong and never give up ... Goldie (email is ***@****)

[hippy]

yo,
we are all more like 16
no matter what ager we are.
some of us grow up a little.
seperating ourselves because of
AGE, RACE , RELIGION,   is the disease, and
the disease of addiction's main goal
is to seperate us, any way it can from
the rest of the world till we are all alone
and want to die.
i remember being all alone and dying inside
and hearing the echo's in my mind , of me screaming
LEAVE ME ALONE.
well i got what i wanted , and it was not fun.
when ever we seperate ourselve from other addicts
who are trying to get better,we will find ourselves
at a sucide stop.

IT'S NOT WHAT WE USED THAT MAKES US AN ADDICT.
BUT WHY WE USED.      
peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!hippy

[momonhydros]

thanks so much for your feedback, i know this really wasnt the place to talk about that stuff, but i just needed to tell people that story. anyone that will listen. ive been taking the meds for along time and i cant just stop. the withdrawl you know. im not ready to quit this demon, i am very depressed and i just started taking effexor about a month ago, but i think the lortabs interfer and it doesnt seem to work. i dont know im tired all the time and dont want to be bothered with anything or anyone and ive read enough on this forum daily to know (HELLO) its probably the lortab making me miserable.i just needed someone to talk too, thanks again god bless love nancy

[dienikad]

Thanks for your support!

[Thomas03]

I can understand how you can be sick to your soul about that murder. Murder of children by children is a terrible thing to see, especially in your own neighborhood.

Thomas

[dancinginthedark]

Hey Ms. Sunshine - Ca va?  Sorry for the delay in responding.  I had a ***** of an inner ear infection & flu last wk.

I wrote down the name of that book by Andrew Salomon & will check it out.  Did you read "An Unquiet Mind", by Jamison?  If you haven't - do.  It is just heartbreaking in its beauty.  I just finished it & loved every word of it.  

I guess I haven't been around much.  Y'all were just getting too boring for awhile ;-) & now I feel way out of the loop.  Still hanging out over on our F thread at DA but even that is becoming a tad unwieldy.  We have so many new ppl with the same exact story that it's really quite stunning.  No wonder we blew the bandwith over here!  In all "drug" nomenclature, there is so much discussion of opiates & benzos (both which I have excelled at, thanks kindly) but when do we ever see anything on this lovely barbituate that has so many of us vassal but is "non-narcotic & non addictive"?  

I quit codeine - again ;-) 2.5 wks. ago & feel pretty great.  Thank goodness I'd only quit once before as failing at this, even once, is so discouraging.  Now, I know what they mean by, 1 is a joke and 1000 is a good start. (Oh!  That must have been Thomas!)  What the hell *is* that saying anyways?

How are ya, missy?  Write me if you want (***@****) & meantime, I'll try & stay abreast of things here.  Hope you are well & not down in the darkness...Surely, I'm the only one who knows that place! :-)

Best,

Dancin'

[theGolden1]

I understand what you are going through .... it's called obsessive thoughts (depression) and it's coming from the medication. The same thing happened to me about 2 years ago. I had surgery on my hand and was taking vicodin for a few weeks. All of a sudden there was a "brain change" ... I saw something on that animal channel that was so gross (I don't know why I looked) I was flipping through the channels .... but I just could not get the thought out of my mind! I did everything to
forget about it. I stopped the medication. Used regular tylenol. I was having obsessive thoughts .... like a tune in your head you just can't stop humming .... but this was a bad image. Definately a bout of depression ... if you stop the drugs you will return to normal in a few days ... 2 weeks the most. Just realizing what was causing it, made it easier. It was a horrible event that happened in your neighborhood ... pray for her soul and try to focus on pleasant things .... take care, ***@****

[theGolden1]

Boy are you lucky! Most people don't walk away from long term valium habit so easily. I don't know what to think about ambien. I have been told over and over that it is NOT habit forming and my rheumatologist highly recommends it for fibromyalgia, but I switched to sonata last week because I read some scary stuff about it here. Last night I fell asleep without anything .... and slept like a rock.  Now I don't know what to do. Should I take ambien or sonata or nothing? hmmm ... tough choice

[peaz]

Ms. Sunshine??  LOL   I am much more used to "Yo, Wench!!"  I'm fine, thanks.  
   I don't know which one of us made the typo, but it's SOLOMON not Salomon, and lest you think I'm being anal, I am just trying to insure that you have the author's name correct  for your book search. :-)  We are forming a Book Club Babes(heretofor referred to as BCB) network in some threads down below;  a new book was mentioned there, also, and discussion will commence tomorrow. So feel free to join in that  soiree....No dues yet, that I know of, but if we meet at perc's hot tub as planned, he may want to pass the hat to defray expenses.....LOL You never can tell about those CANUCKS..(I couldn't resist...)  Anyway--that book is "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey, which came highly recommended by rodewc, whom I believe is an acquaintance of yours?
    By the by--these are books about addiction, so not to worry, fellow forum members, that I am using valuable space for drivel.  I hope everyone reads them.
     Way to go on the codeine monster.....Except for the ear and flu maladies, are things perking up?    Hang in there.  Aren't you an F fan, too?  How goes that particular battle? Ah, yes, I see your reference to DA>COM and that drug as I speak.  May the force be w/ you.
  I am well and my demeanor seems amiable enough...I'm making my husband call me Ms Sunshine from now on..LOL  Kinda kinky, ain't it???     Keep in touch--Peazy

[dancinginthedark]

Alright, whadya want, huh?  Sleazy Peazy?  Yo, wench? Ms. Sunshine?  Really, some assistance would be much appreciated. :-)

I saw some mention below of your proposed book club but frankly, I had 2 problems.  Firstly, I was so excited by the posts about NA that my fingers were a tremblin' & I just couldn't respond.  I mean, here I can relate.  Also, I think y'all had a typo.  It's the 2-Step.  And yes, I can ascribe to both steps...specially Texas style...sorry, but have done that one too!

Step 1:  Get some coffee
Step 2:  Find a seat

But most of all, I need advise you, under advisement, that *I* started up the "Barbi Babes" & we have enough participants now, including Thomas' cameo, to begin filming, "Beach Blanket Butalbital."  Sigh.  Now I must contact my lawyers re: copyright infringement....!

I think rodewc is a complete delight & hoot tho I do wish she'd get another handle as I just can't keep that one anywhere btwn my ears!  She & many others, some who might have hearkened from DA, have spoke of Frey's book.  But hey!  I live in Cda & while Vcr is the 3rd largest city in our fair land, if the book was just recently released, we won't see it in hardback until after Barnes & Nobles & Amazon have marked their paperbacks down to 1/20th their original retail price.  Shhheeeeeeeiiiiiiit.  Plus, I'm massively (there's an understatement) uh, in cash flow crisis at present, thus, unless someone sends me a copy to borrow, I'll never be able to afford it, not to mention passage & patience to the US border to buy one down them thar parts.  

Nonetheless, I would love to join y'all & am a complete bookworm so I'll call the library & ask which mellinnium they expect to receive it in.  (Could be this one!)

Am I a F fan?  Well, now, wouldn't that be the understatement du jour?  All I know is, it's a looooonnnnnng road to fioriNOTdodom, mostly because of the seizure, uh, DEATH side effects, but tarry on I go.  

Am I perking up?  Peazy, did you commit a faux pas?  I believe, you meant perc'ing up?  No, thankfully not.  Did that 3 yrs. ago for about 8 mos., about 8-9 a day & then quit c/t & never looked back again.  Explaining why I feel so perky ;-)

I'm so glad the soiree is at percs.  Since he lives in the next big town, why, he's like spittin' distance from ma fernt poach, specially if therz a wind a blowin thataway. And, I'z iz thinkin', t'aint moa thun 'bout 1000 miles.  Piece a cake!

Alright, back to work I go.  Take care, grand to hear from ya, keep in touch & what the heck other thread are y'all hangin' 'bout on.  (BTW:  I'm quite allowed to do my US accents as I spent the 10 best yrs. of my life there & over 15 traveling the country about 30 wks. a yr.!  And yes, I want to go back!)

Best,
Dancin' Judes

[rodewc]

Dancin',

Inadverdently, w/o my 4 pots of cawfee, I left the reply to the above^ post of yers in another thread.

I was cereal @ the Frey book (see post below).

God, pls put this Monday on FF.. fast forward..

Later,
rwc~

[rodewc]

damn I cant spell either
rwc~

[momonhydros]

thanks for being sympathetic, love ya! friend,nancy

[dancinginthedark]

Ladies!  Before I forget.  I saw a promo about John Stossel's  a special tonight on ABC about addiction.  The (or 1 of the) books profiled is a new one called, "Addiction is a Choice."  Apparently, the premise of the show is that in all addictions, we have more choice than we've been lead to believe.

Thought you might be interested.  More food for thought.  Yeah, John Boy can be insufferable at times but I must admit, I like the way he puts the piffle on the table.  I just wish he could do it w/out whining in that nasal voice!!!

Best,
Judy

[peaz]

Joody: I will try and watch the special, or at least tape it.  Stossel DOES tend to get a little whiny w/ that special brand of nasal overtones...especially in his "Gimme a Break!" segment...But, all in all, uunbiased reporting, in my view.  Now let's see if anybody knows more about addiction that an ADDICT!!!!     Toodles----peazy

[pammy0690]

John Stossle does a great job on his stories.  I saw one about a year ago about the drug war and how it has created way more problems than it solved.  It was great!  He covered how the American goverment poisions the rain forest in Columbia because we do not want them to grow cocoa plants.  Destroying other vegatation and wildlife and the poor Columbians means of making a living.  Proving the point the war on drugs has been a big flop.  ANyway John Stossle is great and I think that will be an inlighting story.  Thanks for reminding us that it is going to be on.  Do you remember when?  Pammy

[peaz]

Oh My GAWD---I offer my sincerest apologies in  regard to infringing on the "Barbie Babes" logo........My bad!! But, don't you think the names are distinct enough so as to eliminate confusion?  And, their  prospecti( ??) are considerably different. However, since your group was formed FIRST, I shall defer to your  wishes.  I can come up w/ a million other names for the book thang..... peazy

[dancinginthedark]

OK, as far as the name of the group, I was being entirely FACETIOUS!  I hope you were too.  We throw Barbi Babes around all the time, largely because the F gang is all women, except for our 1 & only token dude.

Besides, the world can never have enough of us babes!

Judes

P.S.  I maintain the book rights tho!

[peaz]

Yes, dear--i was pullin'  your chain......:-0

[AmberHunter]

way up in the thread someone asked about one of the many NA slogans and i think what she was asking about was the "ONE IS TOO MANY AND A THOUSAND NEVER ENOUGH"

i plan of getting that book by james frey this week so i will be ready for this book club that is starting (LOL)!!! whatever its name is!!!

amber

[NEW ORLEANS LADY]

Please tell me the John Stossell special is tonight--April 28! I thought I had missed it last week!--The promos for it were shown last weekend and I thought It was on  last Mon Night April 21. I am halfway through a book by Jack Trimpey called Rational Recovery and I will tell you I have NEVER been SOOO encouraged!
I guess ABC thinks we're a little "slow" down here in THE BIG EASY and felt the need to advertise a week ahead of time-Anyway I hope everyone is doing well Peace & Prayers N.O. Lady

[Lostgirl]

I looked at ABC quide tonight and all I find is ABC Bloopers and Charlies' angels.  Some one please give me some insight.  I am in NM.  Also, so I don't screw things up, would someone please tell me what on personal was talking about when they talked about "banning" on this website.  It would be just my luck!  If it is safer just email mail me!  ***@****

LostGirl

[dancinginthedark]

Alright, already!  Someone had to be highly original & go to abcnews.com & check it out.  Frankly, I only did a quick scan  but it says the segment aired April 21. On the bright side, there is an entire transcript & related data at the URL below so check it out.  I plan to read it thru later, espec. all the comments from viewers.

I remember when I was watching 20/20 Fri., one of the segments was about the Fri. before, when Laci Peterson's body was found in the Berkley arena area.  I just figured it was 1 segment so when it was announced twice that this addiction segment was to be the following Mon., I just figured.  Hey!  What can I say?
I still think we should see if this "Addiction is a Choice" book is worth adding to out list.

URL in question:

http://boards.abcnews.go.com/cgi/abcnews/request.dll?LIST&room=tr_addiction

Look fwd to hearing your feedback!

Best,
Joods

[Lostgirl]

I never said I was orignal, just blonde!  And the Tabs, make it really easy! LOL  Tho I do think the book idea would be good.  You could get a short story (or longer one for some of us!) put them altogether in a book with a great intro from you!  I even thought of a title:  "Read All Directions Before USE!"  Yeah, you're right it needs some work, But what did you expect from a blonde!

Still working on my tapering, but it is HARD!  I hate all of you!!! LOL You are so strong and I feel like a bubble!  One tiny movement and it is blown.  Where do you find all of this strength.  I have mananged to stay very close to my daily dose.  Only two extra.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  I keep telling myself now is not the time to quit.  But who am I fooling?  There is never a good time to quit!  There is always going to be something.  Whatever!  Go Barb Babes!

Lost Girlie

[pammy0690]

Hang in there, and keep busy!  Pamela -----