FYI - Valium reduces cortisol

I did not know this. Checking the threads I can tell it has been 2 weeks tomorrow or thursday since I went to prednisone 0.00, however I have been leaning on valium to ensure quality sleep. I cut back all the way to a quarter pill then switched to lightweight Restoral which has no grogginess in the morning. It wears off in the middle of the night in fact.

Then I read this :

This drug is also used for its ability to reduce the level of cortisol in the blood.

That is a terrible combo with tapering off pred when you want MORE cortisol not REDUCED. Somehow it did not mess me up.

"Bodybuilders (some anyway) are attracted to Valium for two specific reasons. Most use it as a basic sleep aid when strong stimulants like ephedrine, clenbuterol or thyroid hormones are being utilized. In many instances these drugs can give the user periodic bouts of insomnia, obviously an unwanted effect when he/she is scheduled for a morning workout. This drug is also used for its ability to reduce the level of cortisol in the blood. This hormone, as you know, has a catabolic (muscle breakdown) effect. Since Valium (and benzodiazepines) can lower cortisol secretion, they may theoretically produce an anti catabolic effect, equating to new muscle growth/muscle retention as the action of cortisol is diminished. Many however, find the lethargy that Valium may produce is too much trouble for it to be taken regularly as a performance enhancement. Instead the user will make a trade-off, not taking the drug while training intensely, but taking Valium on a rest day when training is a little more relaxed (basically equating to recreational use)."