advice needed

[[so...]]

Hi I've been taking diazepam for about 2/3 months. Started at 5mg daily then 7.5 and last 5days its been 10. My doctor has agreed to help with a taper and wants me to drop to 8mg for a week. See how I'm feeling then drop again. I'm wondering if my withdrawals will be severe as I've only been on them a short period. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks for reading

[[me...]]

Hello sonia1991, and welcome to the forum!

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

 

[[Ju...]]

Hello;

8mg for a week sounds reasonable to me. You may have to slow down a bit towards the end, but you have a lot going for you; low dose, short time on Valium, I think you will be fine. If you feel like you need to slow down the taper, do't be afraid to let your doc know.

Good communication with a knowledgeable Doc is important, and will lessen the stress in your life!

Good luck,

-Justaman

[[so...]]

Thank you justaman. I went four days without a few days ago and started sweating and ny face kept twitching.especially my eye, doesn't usually happen during an anxiety episode. My boyfriend was so worried as I just didn't look right, so he rang my doc and said he thinks I'm having withdrawals. My doctor reassured us it was just ny anxiety and guess what? You guessed it prescribed more pills which I couldn't get down my throat fast enough. I knew as soon as I started to feel better I had developed a physical dependence. Spoke to two different people from my doctor surgery who told me I was being ridiculous and that I couldn't possibly be addicted in such a short space of time. So I seen another doctor today who seemed pretty clued up and agreed I could well be addicted and suggested a taper. Also it wasn't written in my notes that id mentions I felt I had become dependant.

[[me...]]

Hi again,

 

One can become dependent on benzos in as little as a few weeks, which is why they are supposed to be prescribed for short periods only.

[[so...]]

Yeah Megan I had to figure that out for myself as my doctor was treating me like I was bonkers so I started reading through this forum. Twice I told them it wasn't just anxiety. The feeling was different, anxiety on a whole new level. The sweating and twitching has never happened before. I've also been experiencing burning sensations in my feet and hands when I've missed a dose, could that be related too?

[[me...]]

Yes, burning sensations and pain are common in withdrawal, and can affect any part of the body.  Feet and leg symptoms of all types are common, also.