how long does valium withdrawal last?

[swivelhed]

I've been using valium for at least ten years on a daily basis. Two months ago I reduced dosage from 10mg a day to 5, and three of weeks ago went down to 2.5mg. Two weeks ago, stopped taking it altogether.

Now, I've got a strange metallic taste in my mouth, fast heartbeat and the world seems to be kind of swimmy, if that makes any sense. A couple of nights ago I was having full on visual and auditory hallucinations.

It is my intention to walk away from this drug, but I'm not sure if I'm going about it the right way. I have no insurance and no Doctor. I understand this may take a while and am willing to suffer through, but am curious if anyone out there might know the real taper off formula? I am 50 years old and in good shape, 5'8, 160 lbs.

Thanks in advance
Swiv

[gj32]

I guess I should feel fortunate ...

I take 2.5mg of diazepam twice a day for anxiety. Been taking it for YEARS. I rarely (maybe once or twice a year) feel the need to take any more - and on those rare occasions, I might take 5mg between doses if I know in advance that I'm going to be walking into an extremely stressful situation.

It works like a champ to control my anxiety, and I've never felt the need to increase my dosage, meaning, that I don't feel like I've developed a tolerance to it. But, I guess 2.5mg twice a day really isn't a hell of a lot Valium. Sometimes, I forget to take the second dose, and I've never felt any adverse effects from that.

So, because its working, and I don't feel the need to increase my dosage, I also don't feel the need to stop taking it either. I'll probably take it for the rest of my life as long as its doing the job.

A long time ago, I used to take Xanax to stop panic attacks. That works really well and pretty quickly to kill a PA. But this low dose of Valium prevents them from happening, so I'd rather take a total of 5mg of diazepam a day and not have a panic attack in the first place.

I know some people that take 25mg of Valium or more a day to control anxiety and muscle issues. I would just be too terrified to take that much of that drug even once. I don't like taking drugs to begin with, so the least amount I can take to solve the problem that I have, is what I'm gonna do :)

I'm very grateful that I can take this stuff, and its effective, and I don't feel the need to take more. But that's me, your mileage may vary.

[Nancy004]

The Ashton Manual is the benzo bible. Print it out and read every word. I did this and it keeps me from using valium now.

I tapered very, very, slowly. By .25mgs every 3 weeks. What's the hurry if you really want to taper off completely and safely? It probably took you years to get to this point, so take it easy and taper slowly. I even took powdered fragments towards the end. As a result, I did not get sick, I felt very little difference the whole time. But I knew I was making progress so that helped calm my mind. Keep a very accurate journal/log. Go slow!

It has been just under 1 year for me since my last pill. There are occasions when my body is soooo stressed that I feel that old "need a pill" feeling. But, if you rest alot, distract yourself it will go away, make sure you eat and keep your blood sugar level. Prayers to everyone. Hang in there!! I do think some medications are necessary, but valium and similar drugs will just keep you from being free. There is a better way.

[face722]

Try the benzodiazapine support group on facebook there's a lot of help and support there I myself have tapered from 150mg valium and 40mg temazepam from july 2011 I'm on 8mg now it's not easy but you can do it  also      non-benzodiaziepines.org.uk is a very useful site good luck

[dusty2012]

Yeah this is true.  At first you 'think' you have it aced!  It does come on a few weeks after the 'drug' is stopped but the actual 'time' that the drug is really in your system is not that long after that.  It is cause of the half life.  Once you reach the point of true withdrawl, it is really hard & you think maybe you won't make it.  It doesn't last that long though.  Once over the detox then it is all about the 'mind'!  Conditioning oneself to 'get along with out it'.  That seems to be the hardest thing.  For so many years, we are dependent on it.  Take it away & wow!  What a difference.  Everything is intense.  I believe a lot of that is b/c the Valium DULLS everything & we just get used to that.  After awhile we realize how potent it really was & wow we did not need that!  :)

[dusty2012]

I went off of them about 5 weeks ago from taking them for 11 years.  At first, it seemed easy.  After about 2 weeks it got really bad!  I just hung in there & now able to function a little bit! I believe a lot of it is mind over matter.  I have been doing research on this.  Psycho Somatic is what it is.  You are so used to taking the 'drug' that you are not 'used to life' w/o it.  I believe once that hurdle is crossed & the desire to take the drug is gone is when you start to heal.  I am still feeling the affect BUT when I tell myself that is all they are, they dissapate.  After 5 weeks, the 'drug' is probably out of your system.  I was sproatic with the doses. Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little.  At the end there, I was taking 10 mills a day until I ran out & did not get a refill.  I was sick & tire of being sick & tired.  I have come this far & had a major breakthough when I conditioned my 'mind' to the fact that I was DONE!  I think a lot of the withdrawl is because of that very reason... I'll be back........

[Kyle1910]

I have been taking diazepam for years I am on 20mg now I really want to come off them. I have stopped taking them and it seems like the world is not real cant concentrate and everything is brighter how long will this last for?