I was prescribed Valium at the ER a few months ago for severe vertigo. I ended up taking 15 mg. a day for a few days then just as needed for vestibular neuritis. My GP was totally against refilling it (smart man) but I got my neurologist to refill it (I have vestibular migraine as well with debilitating vertigo and it was getting worse because of the vestibular neuritis I got after having the flu).
The first go of it, I was fine. Then I was using maybe 5 to 10 mg. a day maybe once or twice a week, then every 2 weeks, then I just went a month with none. I had to take one 2 days ago.
Last few times I have taken it, I'm fine when I take it. It helps my vertigo and I couldn't get by without it. The following day I start having upper stomach pain. It feels like someone punched me in the gut. I actually went to a GI doctor thinking something was really wrong not putting 2 and 2 together that it only happened after taking the Valium. The day after taking it, I will also get very anxious, severely nauseated, have trouble sleeping, very restless, agitated like I feel angry and I snap at people. This lasts maybe 2 to 3 weeks. Then I'm fine. I'm wondering if what I'm experiencing is adverse affects or withdrawal? I'm afraid to ask my doctor because he might say don't use them anymore, and honestly my vertigo gets so severe I can't make it by without the Valium now.
I don't understand how I just went 3 to 4 weeks without taking any, then I just took a 5 mg. pill, then had this happen again. I wonder if it's just adverse affects, because I really doubt after using it only as needed and not every day that I could be having dependence or withdrawal issues? I'm just confused as to what is going on and why my stomach is killing me like this. The anxiety and nausea spikes up and down but gets less every day, it's the stomach pain that seems to last the longest along with loss of appetite and some nausea.
How much Valium would you have to take and for how long to become addicted? I wonder if a shorter acting benzo would be better for vertigo attacks rather than Valium or if that would cause even more issues? I have no idea how this works...
All I know is I do NOT want to become dependent on them and I'm praying to God my attacks don't become so frequent that I am using it too much... I have heart problems I am on medicine for and other health issues and I don't want them flaring up from having to withdraw from this med.
Thanks for any help you can give me.