withdraw while still on the drug (Valium)

[troyxx]

I have been taking valuim for 6 years...started taking only 6mg and now only taking 8mg per day. It was prescribed to me 6 years ago by a neuro because I had a slipped disc in my lower back and was having muscle spasms.

Now I know I am addicted to it, and I have brought the matter up to my PCP and he told me that the dose is low and that I should stay on it because I some musclular-skelatal (spelling) problems in my whole back and neck, BUT if I want to stop taking it, I should slowly wean myself off of it. I have no other know medical problems besides what is stated above.

Now....I get periods of tremors and shakes that last for a few hours and cause me to get into a state of anxiety. They start usually just before I retire...I will be reading a book and I suddenly feel 'off' and can't read anymore and by time I get to bed, I feel like I am about to explode into shakes, yet I do not feel cold and my heart rate is stable and my breathing (though I become very aware of my breathing) is normal. This is not an anxiety attack, because I use to have them when I was young and they are very different. Is this a symptom of withdraw from the valium though I am taking it still?

[med closet mom]

Thanks for your response.  I probably should be in the Vicodan forum instead of this one but did not realize how the forums work, I just began reading stories like mine.  Spent most of today under an electric blanket trying to get rid of the chills. Husband had to bring home carry out, again....I don't know how much longer he is going to buy this "I feel like I'm coming down with the flu." thng.  The irony is when I began Vicoprofen last year it was the first time after living with 9 years of lupus/fibro that I had no pain. It was like a miracle drug. Can something that improved the quality of my life that much be so bad? I guess the guilt comes from not being able to stop when I want.  And to top it all off I have had three dental procedures in the last 4 months and everytime they send me home with a prescription for a narcotic. I am waiting for my insurance company to send me a letter about my drug habits.  I will look forward to talking with you more and thanks again for responding.

med closet mom

[g.g.]

It does get better in time!Thats the key word TIME!I know what you mean about not letting people know!But if you can find just one person it helps alot!I have to go to work now but will respond more when I come home at 4:00pm.Just wanted to welcome you!!           g.g.

[med closet mom]

Hi I am a 40 something Mom with a wonderful life.  Loving husband who is an engineer and also holds public office in our small county,  I have 4 great children and am also blessed to be a stay at home mom.  I live productive life in a small town busy volunteering in schools and church and have struggled with lupus and fibromyalgia for 10 years.  I now fear I am addicted to vicoprofen given to me by neurologist for headaches stemming from fibro.  I also take valium 15 mg. nightly for help sleeping and muscle spasams.  I have not had problems if I don't take valium for days.  But vicoprofen is another problem.  I have been taking 200 mg. w/7.5 mg of vicodin 2-3 x a day for about a year.  Now I need to take two at a time 2-3x a day to receive relief from pain and miss the euphoric feeling I used to have at just taking one.  I have decided to quit on my own by tapering off.  I can't talk to anyone or seek professional help because my friends and family would be shocked to find out about my addiction and I am afraid I would lose their love and trust.  I am on day two of cutting pills in half-Taking one half in the morning and the other at night and supplementing with 800 mg of motrin for the incessent aching of muscles and joints.  I feel like I want to sleep all the time and have trouble just doing dishes and laundry much less being a great mom and wife.  I used to enjoy going to the gym, playing the piano, reading and now I feel so hopeless.  I guess it is depression. Will this feeling pass?  I am NOT suicidal, just wish I could enjoy life.  I would appreciated your help.

[dancinginthedark]

Hey Thomas,

Well, I can speak English! And rite it reel good two.  :)  One grandfather was the last immigrant from the big isle, everyone else came ageneration before, or sooner.  Lots of British, and a hodgepogdgemishmash of Scottish, Irish, French & Norwegian.  Oh, and American of course.  My grandfather was from Georgia, came up to Montreal to get away from the family & married my gradmother.  So, am I English?  You tell me!  Oh, my passport indicates I'm Canadian.

Whilst residing  in the great ol; U.S. of A, I was in Silicon Valley (Ca) for 8 yrs. During that time, my work enabled me to tvl all over the U.S. & spend enormous amts. of time in all the popular convention cities, like Boston (my absolute fave #1 choice) NY, Chicago, New Orleans, everywhere in Fla., Calif., etc. etc.  Spent 2 yrs. in the San Juan Islands of Washington State playing Henry David Thoreau.  Wee country cottage, 2 cats, a houseful of books and a heart full of pain.

No wonder I was chowing down Fiorinal!  

I'd intended to get my Green Card & attorney said I was a "shoo in" but a bad car accident & home on the other side of the border was the only option.  I could probably still go back but methinks the INS has bigger fish to fry than me!

We've all jumped ship to ****.  Its' great, you should try it!  You can write me at ***@**** & tell me *your* lineage, suh!

Ciao for now,

Dancing in the Dark

[Thomas03]

Restoril is a benzodiazepine sleeping pill. Your doc might see Sonata as an improvement over using a benzo, but you may need to wean off the Restoril because it's a benzo and you've been using it for so many years. I have no direct experience with sleeper benzos. I always used benzos for detox or just getting ****** up (usually the latter purpose). Good luck. Feel better.

Thomas

[cannedheels]

What about restoril? I've been taking it since 1985. It doesn't really work anymore for me.Do you think Sonata would be better for me?
Thanks,
cannedheels