Doc suggested 2mg of Valium to help with severe anxiety/agitation

[[Jo...]]

I am in my sixth month of being off clonazepam.  It was done as pretty much cold turkey.  It has been a rough time.  I just want to feel that I can take part in life, leave the house, etc.  The past couple months have been hard due to increased anxiety and OCD (intrusive thoughts).  I've had OCD for years, but it is getting worse - I was hoping it would lessen, I've read that it can spike during withdrawal.  It has gotten worse in that the anxiety get so bad that I'm getting angry - don't know why - and very agitated.  I don't want to life like this.  I have a new doctor who is pretty upset about how I was taken off the benzo.  I'm on other drugs for depression - also take gabapentin.  Anyway, she is suggesting, only if I agree, cause I don't want the bad depression and suicidal thoughts that I had with benzos (I was formerly on xanax - 6 mg a day) that I could take 2 mg of valium on an as needed basis once per day.  I'm very torn - I don't know what to do, I don't want the anxiety and agitation and anger, but don't know if the valium could hurt me.  She is very hesitant and only prescribes a benzo as a very short term med and is upset at how I was not tapered properly.  I will not have physical access to the valium, I don't live alone and it would be locked away.  She says it may help me but only on a short term basis as she works with me to get through this.  Has anyone tried this successfully?  Or a bad idea?  I just want some normalcy.  Thank you.

[[Li...]]

I'm also a cold turkey withdrawal from Clonazepam. I've been off for about 4 and a half months thus far and I am experiencing the very same thing you are. I've done a lot of research and I would strongly advise against taking another Benzo. Your brain is still healing and it will take time for everything to return to normal. Experiencing constant severe anxiety and OCD intrusive thoughts is INCREDIBLY common during withdrawal. It does last much longer than we would like, but from every testimonial I have read, everyone heals. It WILL happens, it's only a matter of when. You risk completely resetting the entirety of your withdrawal if you ingest another Benzo and begin messing with your GABA receptors. Please try to hang in there and avoid medication, both prescription and over the counter.

 

I hope things get easier for you.