Valium and Temazepam - safe?

[Light]

I finally got something to help with anxiety for the mean time, i told the Doc that AP is'nt working yet - need to give new dosage more time - and waiting for pdoc - i need something bad.

He gave me Valium 5mg twice a day as needed.

I have taken one today when i got home and at first i felt really weird and kinda dizzy - it was rather strange - it's been over 5 hours later - i don't feel it's amazing as i thought it would be. Maybe i had high hopes. Maybe it's too soon.

I just had been told Valium will knock people off their feet, The chemist said it might make you drowsy for a day or too. I'm fine.

I have the feeling the doc does'nt understand how severe my anxiety and such, really are.

 

Maybe i'm asking too much of medication to be a 'magic pill'. I just felt Valium has helped other's greatly : 

 

Anyways leads me to my long winded question - can i still take Temazepam when taking Valium? I checked my medications on the drug interaction site and it came up as a warning thingy.

This Doc is the one who gave me 25 Temazepam AND said i can't be on Valium too long as it can be drug dependent or something alone the lines of ( i find that a bit hypocritical as he gave me 25 sleeping tablets yet is worried about the Valium, and this visit was going to give me MORE Temazepam - Wth?? ) 

So if it's not safe why did he give me Valium and not say anything about it?

 

Also is it just me, but after taking the Valium - first dosage hours later i've gone into depression for no reason ? I've had a pretty okay day considering - maybe it's just me. I'm unsure.

 

Thank you 

[water]

Hi,

 

I read quickly so I hope this makes sense:

 

It is NOT recommended to take them together, however, I was taking Temazepam for a sleep aide.  Once or twice I did take a valium during the day. But I only take valium as needed.  My mdoc does not like Valium because it stays in the system a long time which may be why some benzo;s are ok with your doc and some not.

 

Coincidently I just got back from my doctor appointment. We have an argument about benzo's. Specifically Valium. And i take the lowest dosage and barely use it. She even suggested ativan without even ASKING me if I tried it before. She had NO idea that some people react differently to different benzo's.

 

Also, Valium can TRIGGER depression.  Be very careful with this med.  It does that for me, only when I am already heading down that slippery. slope. I never ever take valium for any other reason than performance anxiety or major bloody social anxiety.

 

Just to be contrary, my mdoc suggested a few months ago (I forgot this!) when I stopped ambien and had no idea what to do, to take a few valiuym at night for a sleep aide. It worked!  But I prefer Xanax. It makes me less drowsy the next day.

[bpladybug]

I too use Xanax on a regular basis, and then sometimes take a Temazepam for bedtime.

I have a pretty tolerance.......I think my brain burns fast.

 

Valium I save for a stressful occasion such as dental procedures, MRI's, etc.

 

Do be careful with Valium.  I wouldn't stay on it long.

And DO NOT add alcohol to this mix.  That could be very dangerous.

[Foobi]

I withdrew from Valium about 30 years ago. What a nightmare! "Back in the day" ( the seventies), doctors prescribed them like candy. Yes, they worked beautifully for a short time but my tolerance increased very quickly. Definitely a short term med. SSRI's are better for chronic anxiety. They don't take it all away like Valium did, but they make it more manageable. Anyway, I hope you find something safe that works for you. Best of luck!

[Light]

Thank you for your replys...

 

 

Valium is often used as a short term med in crises. It is very habit forming and is not designed for long term use

 

I'm not clear on what you are currently taking, an AP anti psychotic and a course of temazepam? Are you on an AD (vanlafaxine) and how long have you been on it?

 

I'm aware of this - as i said my doc told me this

Sorry that's my fault - I mean AD = Venlafaxine = Effexor

I've been on Effexor for a month on 37 ish mg-s then went up to 75mg - been on that for 12 days.

 

 

 

In your sig, you list your temazepam 'as needed' but that you take double the dose at times. You also say that your expectations of what Valium would do for you were based on hearing what did for others and that you hoped to feel 'amazing'. That's not the kind of words and behaviour of someone who is using these meds safely, it indicates that maybe you are not educated about what these meds do, or you may seeking a comfort from them that they are not designed to give. If I am reading right, a dose adjustment of an anti depressant like venlafaxine will take time and any short term benzo is supposed to help you get through those weeks, not make you feel 'amazing' or take away your anxiety. 

 

Yes - i take sleeping tablets when i REALLY need it. Once a week if that - Have only taken ' double ' dose once.

Yes to feel the amazing lift of depression/anxiety and my mind not torturing me from racing shit and such - Such as what a sleeping aid helps with.

I dont understand why Valium is'nt working like that. I got the impression it helps like that? I was expecting Valium to make me feel more relaxed? Will it? I've only taken it once so far.

 

I never have claimed to know about medication, or educated, I have come here for help and advice.

 

I'm seeking comfit in knowing it's going to help me with what's going on till i can see a pdoc. I'm on the line here.

I thought Valium is designed to help with anxiety ??? Em i that uneducated that i'm wrong here? 

 

I know it's spose to help while waiting, i know it's not a magic pill to take it ALL away, i'm wanting relief  - i'm sorry you have the wrong impression of me and my use and reason of medication, i'm using medication safely, hence why im asking for more advice on this.

 

I'm trying to find something to help - i also have made this thread http://www.crazyboards.org/forums/index.php/topic/70801-beta-blockers/

Trying to find something that fits nicely into my bag tools.

I'm trying to educate myself on meds and tools so i can get better, not to abuse

 

 

 

 

the doctor didn't mean for you to combine.  Adding Valium to that without clarifying it with your doctor can lead to unconsciousness and death. 

 

The why did he give me both? I did explain to him.

 

 

It is NOT recommended to take them together, however, I was taking Temazepam for a sleep aide.  Once or twice I did take a valium during the day. But I only take valium as needed.  My mdoc does not like Valium because it stays in the system a long time which may be why some benzo;s are ok with your doc and some not.

 

Also, Valium can TRIGGER depression.  Be very careful with this med.  It does that for me, only when I am already heading down that slippery. slope. I never ever take valium for any other reason than performance anxiety or major bloody social anxiety.

 

Just to be contrary, my mdoc suggested a few months ago (I forgot this!) when I stopped ambien and had no idea what to do, to take a few valiuym at night for a sleep aide. It worked!  .

 

Thank you I think i'll wait till i can talk to a pdoc(hoping thing's don't go down again) - in the mean time i'll take Valium with caution and not everytime i get a panic attack, that's the last thing i need is to become addicted to medication.

 

I too use Xanax on a regular basis, and then sometimes take a Temazepam for bedtime.

 

Do be careful with Valium.  I wouldn't stay on it long.

And DO NOT add alcohol to this mix.  That could be very dangerous.

 

Thank you! - I won't touch alcohol on AD's. I've never been much a drinker anyways

[MiaB]

FWIW, valium has been my prn benzo for a few years now.  I have never had any trouble stopping it (from levels of 5 or 10mg prn) during periods when my pdoc has wanted to rejig my cocktail or try something else.  I am not some special snowflake who is unaffected by medication dependence issues, but I wanted to post this because in my experience, it is NOT the devil drug that some posters have alluded to it being.

 

Light, I can't speak to how valium works scientifically or how it's going to work for you.  I typically take it when I'm wound up and agitated at the end of a working day or stressful occasion. I don't end up feeling "amazing" - what does happen is that I feel as if the edge has been taken off so that I can function without bouncing off the walls.  I am not dopey in any way; it has no discernible effect whatsoever on my sleeping patterns.  I do think that you can't make any judgement on its personal effect on you on the basis of one dose, and also that you need to lower your expectations on its being a miracle worker.

 

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Temazepam, but given your uncertainty about the intentions of your pdoc, I would speak to him before going down the route of doubling it up with the valium.

 

Good luck!

Edited May 20, 2014 by miab

[water]

 

 

Thank you I think i'll wait till i can talk to a pdoc(hoping thing's don't go down again) - in the mean time i'll take Valium with caution and not everytime i get a panic attack, that's the last thing i need is to become addicted to medication.

 

 

 

 

Take the valium if you get a panic attack. That is what it is for.  THat is when it works BEST.

 

Do you have the 5mg. pills?  The brand is so cute, a little yellow pill with a cutout heart.

 

Only take ONE pill.  And take it as soon as you know the attack is coming. 

It kicks the panic right to the floor. The issue I have is taking the pill. I wait too long.

[saveyoursanity]

Light, I find it hard to differentiate with the words you're using whether you mean "amazing" like euphoria, 'high', totally relaxed and happy-- OR whether you mean "amazing" like 'more myself', calmer, 'taking the edge off', 'my brain finally relaxing a little bit'.

 

If you could explain more in depth what you mean, that would be great.

[peacelizard]

You're on a pretty low dose of Effexor. I'd suggest trying to max out that medication and trying non-habit forming meds for anxiety like beta blockers before using multiple benzos. That way you can decide whether you need to augment the max dose med with something like a benzo or perhaps another standing med entirely. Also, working with a therapist to develop some coping skills to combat the panic might be a helpful alternative. 

 

Benzos can be a great and safe tool when used knowledgeably and appropriately but based on how you describe using them now, I feel like you could get into trouble down the road and not even realize it.

Edited May 21, 2014 by peacelizard

[crtclms]

Great, so you are all saying that Valium has a higher rate of addiction? Because my PRN wants to switch me from Xanax to valium. Even though the Xanax works well. I really don't like her.

[MiaB]

Great, so you are all saying that Valium has a higher rate of addiction? Because my PRN wants to switch me from Xanax to valium. Even though the Xanax works well. I really don't like her.

 

I for one am not saying that, and I'm frustrated and irritated by the alarmist thinking around this and other benzo's.  Used properly, they can make a major difference to the quality of one's life, and Valium certainly has to mine. I have been periodically taken off it when my pdoc gets it in her head to mess with my cocktail, and honestly, any withdrawal I've felt has been so minimal as to be negligible. I briefly tried Xanax earlier this year and prefer Valium, though you are an individual and it might prove to be the other way round for you.  I hope your PRN gives you the option to try the Valium, and switch back if it doesn't do the trick for you.

 

Thank you Titania for giving some context to all of this.

[water]

Great, so you are all saying that Valium has a higher rate of addiction? Because my PRN wants to switch me from Xanax to valium. Even though the Xanax works well. I really don't like her.

According to my mdoc valium stays in the body longer.  THat is why she prefers other benzos.

 

I want to dump my pdoc and spoke to my modc on monday about my meds. We almost got into a fight about benzo's.  I confronted her and accused her of having a benzo-prejudice. She did not disagree.  But she really has NO idea about the differences.  She suggested ativan and I told her it sent me screaming into a closet. Not sure if she believed me or even understood.

[San]

Valium has a longer halflife than Xanax and is often used to taper off other benzos because of this reason, the withdrawl isn't as bad.

Short half-life: Bad withdrawal or discontinuation syndrome as its cutting itself in half more frequently, so you get more symptoms.

Long half-life: Easier withdrawal or discontinuation syndrome

 

I used to take clonazepam during the day and temazepam at night for sleep. The temazepam didn't help much.. I went up to 30mg pretty fast, and then my doc had my taper off it and switched AAP's. Now I just take OTC melatonin (docs know about it).

 

It should be safe if you had it filled at the same pharmacy. The pharmacy should have spoken to you about it. If you have major concerns, speak to your pharmacist. They can answer the questions about safety for you.

[HAL9000]

When I took Valium (As needed) I found that low doses didn't do anything.  I wound up with a prescription that said something to the effect of 2.5 to 10mg As needed and got lots of talking to about using as little as possible.  At 10mg it clearly was working but probably too much.  I think its a drug thats kind of subtle.  Well Xanax as needed has one nive feature.  Short half life so its out of your system faster.  I think taking it daily is the main problem.

[Chickenlips]

I take both every night....