HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Valium/benzos

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/28/2008 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
We have tried workding a long time on my genreralized anxiety issue.  Last week I spent 3 days on klonopin.  about 4mg klonopin 3 tines a day.   It was helpful in the mornings bit did little in the middleof the afternoon and on,  My best time for everything has alwys been early (now that a my sleeping meds a lets me feel like I sleep.  So med work best the the am .

Next we tried Valium.  I took 10ng in morning and 10 mid at 1:00.  This the only made where I felt norm, sleepy.  Unfortuatly and on day two, I started expressing diorganized skeking from time time..  It would be like my husband would ask me something and my answer would sart of correct (in content, not correctness).  Then I would end up taklking about some something totally idfferent, memories, dreams, mostly.  I never know day, month and so on.  Sometimes after a stroke people will have problems  with word recognation too.  For me it ttransient.   I confuse red/blue alot.  I also "know"  what red light is and what your supposed todo.  I put te car in park because, I coouldn't stop my brain telling me to go (no else was there either time)  Today my husdband me not say anything where will take our daughter to school (she changed schools today.)  I stopped the Valium and am getting a little better.  I am back to klonopim 2mg the am,  4mg. at about noontime, and my last dose only 1 mg 6:oo.  If the symptoms stay the same, I will be happy- if it doesn't I don't trink I can take benxo's .  about five year ago I tried so manyand had no bad reactions and the doses were much higher.

Are there others out there who had lost cognitive functioning that continud past goiug stopping the drug.  If I stay on klonopin we will increase dose.  Since dosing varies so much, how low/high shough I be expectiong him raiese it?

quietpain

 

Posted 4/28/2008 5:38 PM (GMT 0)

quietpain,

Oral doses of benzodiazepines in the dosage range used for insomnia or anxiety may  also cause memory impairment. Hopefully that is what has happened and your body has become more sensitive to the use of benzos since you used them before.

Please talk with your PCP about this problem and make sure you stay safe.

I a sure others will have input too. Bless you sweetie.
Kitt

Posted 4/28/2008 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi quietpain

I have just started taking Xanax plus an anti-depressant (1 mg before bed) for the first time this past 5 days and it is definately affecting my functioning and memory. Don't know whether this is just the initial side effects but I have found that I am feeling particularly drowsy on a morning with the feeling staying to some degree during the day (although at the moment I would rather have this than the anxiety) but I was struggling to remember what I did yesterday and the day before at the weekend. At work yesterday I really had to think about things and also where I had parked the car etc. so you are not alone.

Hopefully this will pass but as Kitt said I would be talking to your doc about these effects.


Honey Bee :-)
Posted 4/29/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Quietpain,

It sounds like you are having quite a few side-effects there. I've been on benzo's on and off for many years and sometimes my speech would get a little disorganised too.  I think Kitt is right..keep on talking with your doc about this and keep us posted about how you are doing okay?! Take care, and be gentle with yourself.

Posted 4/29/2008 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
yeah, same here. And it sounds like you're on a pretty high dose of Klonopin -- 7MG a day seems high, but i'm no doctor... Also, specially on xanax and Ativan (2 shorter half-life benzo's) I experience short term memory lose. I find writing things down very important. Just a thought, if you're finding it hard to remember somethings...

Good luck, i dont think your doctor should raise the dose anymore. Maybe you need a different type (class) of drug to help you.

hang in there!
dan
Posted 4/29/2008 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on 4mgs of clonazepam a day and handle it well. Starting on 7mgs would knock you around a bit, the same with the valium you were started on a larger dose so some side effects are to be expected. Contact your pdoc, a good one should return your call and discuss the symptoms with them.
Posted 4/29/2008 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have a dosage of up to 2 /10 mg valium and a 5 mg valium to be taken together in the am and at pm
I am also allowed to take another 10 mg if needed


I have taken valium for yrs I have come off with doc's knowledge but due to severe family issues I was put back on them...I am able to function just fine with them and my pain meds for DD...

Ativan seemed to cause me some major memory loss.........but each of us are different and need to have Doc and self discuss course and type of meds to be taken ..........

I wish you all the best quietpian and do let us know what goes on will ya

LYN
Posted 4/29/2008 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I had go off the Valium (40mg/day).   My eyes bloodhot,all sqinty, my speech was slurred.  SI was alsobecoming spychotic in the way that I had lots of conversations with nobody.  I should take two days to go off it, but I stayed on the klonopin.  Now I am taking just klonopin 1mg. at breakfast, 1mg, noon, 2 around 2:00(total is only4.)  Siince the doses are so low I don't feel so bad.  I think I cannot take benzos anymore.  I am going to try lyrica - it is a nerve drug,  we will see.  I also need a something for when I in situations that things get crazy.  Now I am on klonopin and I still having these trance-like issues.  I see my doctor on Thursday. 

I want off benzo.   Ihated them so mauch after what heppened ten years ago.  FIrst after two years they had me doing well. I totally living at home. I had my son with me.  I peice of my puzzle had always benzos.  Ativan, xanax, klononpin, valium.  I was always swithching them around so as too avoid addiction.  When that wasn't and we to increase we went back to normal prescribing, until it got high then we add a low of the second one, over.  I was always on xanax at about 15mg a day along with klonopin at 4m day.  Then I got help in woemn's meantal health hospiiral designed just simply for women trauma, and their addiction to detox.  Now I feel a failure.

quietpain

 

Posted 4/29/2008 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
oh man, i totally know the feeling and am going through some of those same ones. Like others have reminded me, you're not a failure. This isnt a contest and you certainly didnt want to join some sorta mental challenge. I cant fail at this, even though we have those feeling. I think we need to change the way we see ourselves. It not only is the logical way but it also takes some power away from our anxiety and panic. Labeling yourself "failure" is in a sense giving up or feeling you did something wrong! Its not you, its bigger than you. Its something that we have and are all gonna make it through.

You're not a failure. You're trying new things, you're seeing your doctor on thursday. You're brave, and an explorer! And i know what you me by having break though stuff even while on benzos. Thats why i think its a great idea to see your doc.

breathe easy_
dan
Posted 4/29/2008 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
So true, Dan!

Quietpain, you are definitely not a failure for seeking help, whether it's from the clinic or from your medications or from any other source. Fighting anxiety is tough, and we can't always do it alone. That's okay. If you ask me, seeking help is a symbol of success because it's your spirit showing that it wants to overcome this condition. Be gentle and patient with yourself, and know that each baby step is a step in the right direction, even when you slide back sometimes.

Hugs,
percycat
Posted 5/11/2008 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
VERY well said as usual Percy

YOU are not a failure quietpain

We all know that you have got to know this as well

Luvs
LYN
Posted 5/12/2008 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have experienced short term memory loss on benzos. But strangely enough it seems like my long term memory improves especially in my dreams. I have only tried one benzo, ativan and have had excellent results from it. I do play with the dosage. I have taken it daily at 1mg, .5 mg, and .25 mg depending on my state at the time. I also go weeks to months without taking it at all. Everyone is so different in their reactions to these meds. It's a real crap shoot to find the right individual mix. Stay proactive in your treatment. No matter how well you explain your feelings to a dr or therapist, you truly are the only one that knows how you feel. Do not settle for anything less than wellness and peace of mind.

Take Care,

Soul
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply