Hoping to find some answers .....

[[Ki...]]

Hi everyone, I have come to this forum hoping to find some helpful information about possible effects after having stopped taking diazepam .  In the last 5 years I have taken Diazepam 'as needed' , usually twice a week ( sometimes less, sometimes more ). Dose varied between 2 to 5 mg., but usually 2.5 mg.

Before I used Diazepam , I took  ( Ambien) Zolpidem ( 3-8 mg ) for 10 years , but only once or twice a week, and have stopped it 5 years ago.

I have me/cfs since 19 years , which means that I have( among many other symptoms ) trouble sleeping so that's how I once started with the above mentioned pills.

 

In all those years I have never felt the urge to raise  the dose of diazepam  ,so I didn't think the medication was a problem for me .  But I want to get off anyway as I don't believe it brings me much good either.

So 25 days ago I took my last 2 mg pill of Diazepam .  After one  week I got more tired than I usually am,  I am more dizzy/ 'weird'  in my head, my tinnitus ( which I have since 5 or 6 years) has become louder and my vision is blurred ( on and off) .

I wonder what will happen next.

 

(My English is a bit simple, as I am not a native :-)  )

[[be...]]

Hi  Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am glad you found us today. Your English is fine. All of your symptoms are classic withdrawal symptoms.  My guess is that you did not do a gradual taper to get off. Symptoms can be pretty rough and at times severe when stopped suddenly or too rapidly.

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field. 

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

Members discuss their symptoms on the Post withdrawal recovery support.

 

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! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

 

[[Ki...]]

Thank you for the welcome message !

 

Yes, I realise that it is usually not advisable to stop taking benzo's without tapering, but I thought I could get away with it because I was taking Diazepam  only twice a week , and the dose was only 2mg .

I wouldn't call my withdrawal symptoms rough or severe, but I feel definitely different than I used to. It's a bit hard to tell as ME/CFs symptoms are overlapping the withdrawal symptoms.  Up till now my sleeping is not worse and that is something I am grateful for as sleeplessness makes it so much harder to cope .

 

I have been reading a bit here and there on the forum and I am in awe of the courage and perseverance of the members ! What a journey! I hope that the saying is right : "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger " . Wishing everybody so well!!