how long does valium withdrawal last

[tlee75]

After over 15 years of taking 20mg of valium daily, I finally had to quit - my doctor retired and I was tired of feeling and being treated like an addict when looking for a new doctor.  I quit November 3rd, after tapering down to 2.5 mg and being on anti-siezure drugs.  Withdrawal was pretty awful but I got through it - losing my job in the process.  The problem is 4 months later, I am still not sleeping - at most 4 nights a week, and my heart rate - though it has gone down some - is 160/90 - which my normal is 90/60.  I'm confused and paranoid.  Originally, I thought I would get back to a pre-valium existence with just anxiety and pain from fybromyaliga, but am beginning to think this is the way I will be living my life.  I have pretty much lost - my job, apartment,credit,  ability to think intelligently - so I can't even see a doctor at this point, and am going from being a lecturer at a university to hoping I can find a minimum wage job where appearance and intellect doesn't matter.
Any suggestions?  Is there any hope for the future of returning to a "normal" life?
tlee

[TysonRed]

Okay I found a site that has the top 10 ranked natural sleeping aids if you want to check it out. The site is sleepingpillsreview.com and they also have some other helpful hints on how to improve your sleep. The one I was thinking about in the above post was called alteril, it was #5 on their list, but according to some consumers you dont want to order it from the info-mercial on tv because they offer a $.97 trial offer and then 2 days later charged their card $37. Anyways Ive never used the site I mentioned above but it says its an independent, non-biased review of natural sleeping aids. So do some research on the internet about other options, check out other sites and products that may be the answer. Try and stick with the natural stuff, because all the Rx sleeping pills are habit forming and end making you totally dependent upon them for sleep. Okay well I hope this helps. I hope you get some good sleep here soon, you take care.

[TysonRed]

Another option for sleep that Ive tried in the past that worked okay was l-tryptophan. Not sure if it would be strong enough for you but you could give it a try. Maybe "google" some natural sleeping aids and see what you can find, I know there are others out there. I saw one on tv that was a mix of melatonin, l-tryptophan and something else, I'll try and find out what it was a get back to you. I remember when I came off 3mgs of xanax the hardest part for me was the lack of sleep that lingered on for months, although I think after about 3months I was finally sleeping somewhat normal again. If it doesnt get better sometime in the near future it might be worth the money to go see a doctor and see if they could help you out. Our sleep is so very important to how are mind and bodies function so its something I would get checked out if it doesnt improve. I'll see what I can find as far as other natural sleeping aids, I'll get back to you. Until then you take care of yourself, congrats on kicking such a long habit, thats quite an accomplishment.

[tlee75]

Thanks for replying.  I really had no choice but to quit as fast as I did. I was just lucky I still had some anti-convulsants left over from when I had tapered down years ago.  As for sleepig - I've tried benadryl (as many as four), melatonin, and even was desparate enough one to drink a liter of wine - NONE OF WHICH WORKED.  I've never been a drinker, and in the past a couple of glasses of wine would make me sleepy.  I have tried valerian years ago with no results - melatonin seemed to work better.  But anway thanks for the reccomendation.  Good luck on your own quest.  Sounds like you are under a good doctor's care.
tlee

[SophieShine]

Hi,
Wow You tapered fast!!! I was on 200mg of oxazepam and 40 mg of tranxene. I'm tapering for 10 months now and I'm 85% down but nowhere near the end. I can't even start to imagine the wd's you must have been thru...
For the sleep the only OTC products you can find is valerian roots tea, make it super strong I use 6 bags for one cup or you can also try melatonin.
I am really sorry to hear about your job and your house but you didn't lose your ability to think intelligently, you're here with us. So keep posting, there's a lot of people much more qualified then me that are here to help. It's a little quieter on the w-e, but hang in there, help is on the way, I'm sure. xxx. sophie.