Valium - A warning Sign?

[Pamito]

Hi all,

I've been on Valium intermittently for years. I take it once or twice a week.

I recently went through a phase where I took it almost every day for a month. My usual dose is 5mg.

Now I need to take 7.5 mg for the same result.

Is this a warning sign, or am I worrying too much?

Will I ever feel the same on 5mg again? Is this a danger sign for addiction / tolerance?

Thanks in advance for replies.

[bpladybug]

a warning sign for what exactly?

I think it shows how developing tolerance works

I would not worry about it but I WOULD discuss it with my doctor

[crtclms]

BPladybug covers it. There is no telling. It could just be tolerance, which is not the same as addiction. But your pdoc will want to know about it for sure.

[notfred]

5 and 7.5 are very very small doses of Valium. It is normal and natural to develop some tolerance with daily dosing, for some people. It is best handled by talking to your doc.

[Pamito]

Thanks guys, it is a pretty low dose. I will tell my Pdoc.

I was just freaking out that tolerance = addiction, but I guess it isn't, so thanks, feel much calmer, and am less likely to pop a valium!

[Eden]

The only thing I would want you to be aware of is that if and when returning to a once or twice a week regimen be aware that rebound anxiety is normal, if you take it daily for some time weaning back down needs to be done slowly. It's not a good idea to just say hey look.. not so stressed, I'll just cut my consumption down to a third, take as little as you can without putting yourself through unnecessary anguish, if you need them take them.

You show the worry of a responsible patient, being self aware is 90% of the battle.

[water]

Hi all,

I've been on Valium intermittently for years. I take it once or twice a week.

I recently went through a phase where I took it almost every day for a month. My usual dose is 5mg.

Now I need to take 7.5 mg for the same result.

This is me exactly. Dose is 5 mg, take it as needed, sometimes stress is so high I take almost one a day for a week or so. I love my little yellow pill with the cutout heart.

When I saw your 7.5 mg. dose I was a bit confused. I believe there is no dosage in the US. (only Australia?) It goes from 5 mg. to 10 mg, generics included. Upping to 7.5 sounds like a good idea actually, wish I could do that! So, to sum up, I agree with everyone else. 7.5 is still a very small dose. You are aware of the addiction possibilities already and are cautious. I never take valium if I am depressed. All it does push me deeper. Any rising anxiety tide is stopped dead. Great for social anxiety, raising a teenager, and all around nerves.

[Wooster]

Water, if you take 1.5 x 5mg pills, you get 7.5 mg.

[water]

Water, if you take 1.5 x 5mg pills, you get 7.5 mg.

I can't cut my pill in half! It is too cute. :-}

[Wooster]

Hehe... The little heart in the middle got you, didn't it.

[Pamito]

Haha yep i split the pill in half.

Also, Water, I also don't take it if I am depressed, it just makes me a lot worse. But it does the trick so well for anxiety.