20 Days cold turkey off Valium 10mg

[[Ro...]]

I am on day 20 of cold turkey, 10 mg valium. Taking Valium 20 plus years. This is the hardest time quitting  benzos, have previously taken  5mg valium, would stop clean my self up for a year or more then start again due to stress, anxiety and panic attacks. Today has been the worse, no sleep at all. Slept 3 hours yesterday, not deep sleep, ears ringing in both, nervous, scared, appreciate the forum. I am able to  fight through and drive the car, working 3 days per week. Please pray for me as I do not want to go back on valiums. I have tried CBD vape oil, not helping, kava capsules, nothing seems to help. I did not know that valiums would cause this much trouble. I work out or go for long walks in the park with the wife who is very supportive as she stays awake trying to help me until she get exhausted and pass out. Help, I need all of the support I can get.                                     

[[pi...]]

Hello Roscoe B,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies!  Is there a reason that you decided to stop taking valium suddenly, cold turkey? Normally a slow taper is recommended to help minimize withdrawal symptoms.  However, you are off valium now and the recovery process will continue. Right now, at 20 days off, you are still in what is called the acute phase of withdrawal, where the symptoms can be the strongest. With time, these symptoms, including insomnia will ease up.

 

I see you have tried a few supplements. In my opinion there is no supplement that can help with benzo withdrawal.  Your central nervous system needs time to adjust to being without the 'calming' medication.  The walks in the park are good and I'm glad your wife is very supportive.  I hope she also takes time for herself, this process can be draining on the entire family.  The good thing is that it is temporary.

 

We have a dedicated board for those who have done a cold turkey, detox or rapid withdrawal. I'll give you a link to that board and you can communicate with others in the same situation as yourself.

 

I'll also give you a link to the Ashton Manual. Although it discusses tapering in detail, it also gives good information about the withdrawal process in general. The manual was written by Dr. Heather Ashton , an expert in the field.

 

I know things are tough right now, benzo withdrawal can be very challenging. I'm glad you've joined the forum. You'll get a lot of good support and information from people who understand what you are going through. Please do ask questions, we're here to help.

 

Cold Turkey, Detox & Rapid Withdrawal 

 

The Ashton Manual

 

pianogirl 

[[Fo...]]

Oh course I will pray for you, you join the Faith based support group if it would help

Dickie

[[Ro...]]

Thank you Dickie.

 

I am having a hard time sleeping,  2 hours sleep in the last 48 hours, not taking any supplements of any sort, going into 4th week ct. I appreciate this group as reading numerous post help me with feeling and believe that it will eventually get better.

 

I just stopped taking valium, not thinking I would do cold Turkey, did alot of reading about taper it seemed that they were going through as difficult time as I am. I do not do well tapering as I fear that it would lead me back into depending on valiums for everything that caused me some uncomfortableness. I hope I made the right decision. Be that as it may,  I am almost into 4 weeks, can't turn back. Please keep me in your prayer. Roscoe

 

[[go...]]

Roscoe

 

I did a rapid taper then jumped off at 2.5 mg.  I felt the taper was very easy when in hindsight I had a lot of WD symptoms I ignored.  I understand your decision to stay the course as I too was advised to reinstate and do a slower taper.  The inability, overall restlessness, and irritability was what stopped me in my tracks.  I believe it was right at about the 4-week mark that I finally began to get some sleep.  I was able to sleep about 3-4 hours and then it finally has extended to 5-6 hours after about 4 months.  I describe the feeling as tired but wired.  I still have waves of insomnia for a few nights, but nothing like the first few weeks.  I know once some of your brain chemistry normalizes you will get the sleep you desperately need.  What other symptoms have reared their nasty heads if any? 

 

It sounds as if you are doing many of the things that has helped me survive such as being outside.  Keep the end goal in sight and make sure that includes swearing off benzos in the future.  I can't imagine going through this more than once!  You are in my prayers and keep the faith.

[[ba...]]

You and me! I've been through this, too. I pray for you! May God bless!

[[Fo...]]

Yup

And wired and tired sums it up, esp off major tranx.  Today spectacularly bad, so much so asked church friend to come around to see if I was safe..

For me the only way to get back in the groove was to get the hoover out and attack dog hairs.

Fearful of going to bed, as awakening is usually a blind panic ! 

Good luck with your taper or jump whichever you do.

Dick

[[Br...]]

Roscoe B,

Amazing you've managed to go cold turkey.  Back in the day I tried CT from Valium and at 2 weeks, my body was craving the medication, so for me I learned the hard way I had a serious problem.  Everyone's experience is different and I admire you for getting it done.  Now that your off, the brain and body are finding it's way to stabilize.  It's definitely not easy and I empathize with your w/d.  My therapist (also a prior addiction recovery nurse) tells me it takes approx 10 weeks to totally rid the body of the Valium metabolites.  You'll find the best way which works for you.  You are very fortunate in that your wife is totally supportive .

Breck

[[Ro...]]

I thank all of you for your support, it really does help. I was able to sleep 3 hours last night and felt fair  when I awaken, going through the "waves"  that you all talk about on this site, still craving, want to treat my feelings with Valiums as I have learned to do over the last 20 plus years, but refusing to give in. Yes, my wife is a "God" sent, we have been together 56 years October 10th. She has been by my side throughout our marriage. I know, if she was not who she is, I could not do this, or it would be a lot harder. I am in my seventies, and have not had a drink of, any kind of alcohol, for 47 years, quick drinking "cold turkey" back then and attended AA religiously. I am using some the sayings AA uses, "just for today", "one moment at a time", and "this too will pass". I thank "God" that I found this groups as to have others who are going through what I am experiencing, or have gone through it and is healed, is motivating.  Once again, thanks so very much for your valued support. Roscoe B

[[ba...]]

Alcoholics anonymous is great! They saved my life.

[[An...]]

Welcome to BB Roscoe. I am just curious. What was the main reason you decided you had to stop taking the drug? Were you still having anxiety and panic still taking the drug?

[[Ro...]]

They saved my life as well.