I thought it was just me.

[livingloving999]

Oh yikes.  Just reading through some of the horror stories re coming off of valium, and I am feeling a LOT of anxiety, heart palpitations, nightmares, and similar symptoms as others here.
The good old doc decided that "they" were watching him, and he needed to stop my valium, 10m x 2 per day, and at the same time my pain med, tridural.
So, I thought ok maybe it's a good thing to get off these heavy drugs.
I just found this site while scrolling around for some natural way to help the crazy anxiety, and now in a month have tapered down to nothing.
The heart fluttering and bumping is the scariest thing, as I'm also on heart meds for palpitations.
Let's see if this site is still up and running- I started reading posts from 2010.

[VICourageous]

Hi how are you other then the anxiety...Are you off any of the meds?? Tell us whats been going on for the last 2- weeks OK...
vickie

[livingloving999]

I'm on my second Scotch w/honey, and can report that it doesn't help at all.
I hardly ever drink, just now out of desperation to calm down. Maybe I'll try some cardio.

[livingloving999]

Hi. I'm back again, it's been a few weeks of the same symptoms and right now I'm worse than ever.  Tried to work with the doc, but he seems fed up with me so wondering how this horror will ever end.
It's late Sunday night PST, so most people have signed out for the day.
Oh Lord help me.

[VICourageous]

Hi I was on clonazepam and the methedone for 12 yrs. I went c/t and it was just like u r saying. Now after reading this post it is not good to do a benzo c/t it is like alcohol you can have sez. My heart pumped bad I thought I was having a heart attack and the anxiety went to the moon. I know they use Lorazepam for drinkers and use it to taper off other stonger benzo. Maybe check it out. You then can do a easy taper from that.
vickie

[livingloving999]

Wow, thanks again! I was just going to ask if I am in the right group, as I have had anxiety forever, and unrelenting pain for about 20 yrs.  I don't want to be addicted to anything, but wonder about the wisdom of getting some kind of relief through legal meds... ok, going off now. thanks

[OpenMind24hours]

I agree, what you describe for your taper is almostas good as cold turkey for Valium. It has a super long half-life and requires MONTHS of reductions and stabilizing, not a month. It stays in your system for quite awhile. I also see your age, 63. I'm 66 and I don't go through sickness and the like very easily anymore. I went through a taper off of 10mg of Ambien 2 years ago and I took 4 months to do it. Ambien has a short half-life.

Meanwhile, try hot epsom salt sits-baths to help produce a calming effect. As many as you can stand to take. With the heart palpitations, you probably need something to help you along as far as a prescription from a doctor. I hesitate to recommend the natural OTC items some of us have had good luck with for calming effect because of what you're going through right now.

We have a couple of great RNs writing on here. I hope they get in on this also.      

[clean_in_ks]

First, you can relax about the "report" triangle....that's there in case a particular question is posted in error, in duplicate, should be posted in another forum, or in case someone abuses the intentions of MedHelp.....like asking for advice on how to USE drugs, or tips on how to break the law, etc.
You're in the right place....and we're glad you are here.
I can see why you are having "wrong" feelings about your doc.  But, since he knows your heart history, etc. I'd at least START with him.  Call him and talk to him about your symptoms.  If he is tapering you too fast, or cutting you off the tramadol w/o any explanation....you may want to opt for the walk in clinic.  Tramadol is a synthetic opiate AND an anti-depressant and a booger to get off of cold turkey.....but MANY on this forum are successful oing it.  Since you have underlying medical conditions going on, getting off any of this medication should be discussed with a dr so you can do it safely for your heart, etc.
When you have the time, reading other's questions and comments can really, really help you.  You can type in tramadol or valium in the search bar here on this forum and pull up lots of posts (both current and older ones) and read those, too.
Let us know how you are doing......and good on ya for asking questions~

[livingloving999]

Oh, I see. That's there to report spammers and such. I'm going to go and eat something.  Thanks to you, and I will be back.

[livingloving999]

Why does it say "REPORT"  in a pink triangle at top right of my post?  I know am paranoid right now.

[livingloving999]

Thanks so much for answering. I'm feeling quite panicky. So, the Valium, about ten years! and the Tridural - that HE prescribed- about 2 yrs.  I'm thinking to call him in the morning and tell him the symptoms, but he seems very paranoid about people watching what he's prescribing. Very hard to find a new doctor where I live. I could go to a walk in clinic and maybe get something to get over this horrible hump. We did a tapering program, but only for a month. It was down to 1mg Valium, twice a day, then STOP.... and the Tridural, just stop... it sure seems all wrong as I'm writing this.. he's not behaving like a doctor at all.

[clean_in_ks]

Yep, we're still here on this forum....and welcome!
You said you tapered over the last month?  Off the valium AND the tramadol?  Did you get any help w/taper meds, suggested taper, or advise
since you are still on meds for your heart?

[OpenMind24hours]

How long have you been taking these meds? You have my complete sympathy, and I'm completely baffled at your doctor's methods, especially if you've been on them for quite awhile. I sure wish your doctor had given you a heads-up so you could have done at least some sort of a taper program. Life would much easier for you right now. Valium is not easy to go cold turkey with, and then add opiate WD on top of that?? I hope you have the option of going back to your doctor and asking if he/she could work with you on this to make you a bit more comfortable?