Medication Question - Valium - withdrawal affects?

[Snow White.]

Hello!

I was on valium for quite a few weeks before I went into hospital. The dosage was 2mg and I had one in the morning and two at night.

I was then admitted to hospital for three weeks, where my dosage of valium was upped to 5mg, and I was given two of this almost every night. (along with Tamazipan)

After being discharged from hospital, I was given the 5mg tablets. My doctor disagreed with this and was then going to lower me down to the 2mg dosage again. However, due to confusing circumstances I left his office without a perscription for valium.

All I have is about 20 tablets left of the 5mg valium, and the doctor does not want to perscribe me any more. Is this wise? I was always under the impression that valium was an addictive drug, and to simply take me off it would be unwise without "weaning" me off it first.

I do still have the tablets, so if I need them there are some spares there, but otherwise I'm wondering if I should be worried about withdrawal affects, and what I should look out for?

Thank you, sorry this was so long!
Love Aimee xoxo

[Aidee]

Hmmm, your doctor shouldn't just take you off the Valium cold turkey, as you are right, you can have withdrawl symptoms.

You should speak with your doctor and explain that you are worried about withdrawl from the Valium you are taking.

Symptoms you should look for a headaches, shakyness, feeling "strange", blurred vision, racing heart, anxiety, and in extreme cases seizure.


AD

[SugarKane]

Hmm maybe this is why I've been feeling strange and shaky today, as today's the first day in a good while I've not taken any amount of valium at all. Funny how the dependence creeps up on you like that - s'ok though, nothing too bad. I guess because valium is a CNS depressant, coming off it cold turkey is bound to make your body play up a little!

[sillystring]

I'd talk to him about your concerns. If he won't give you any more, is there some way you can go see a different doctor? The other option may be to start slowing weaning yourself off of it now, while you still have enough to do so.

What are you on it for, if you don't mind me asking? If it's being used to control anxiety, that's one thing, but if it's for seizures or anything like that then you DEFINITELY need to go back and talk to him. I take meds for seizures too (tegretol- cuz it comes in yummy cherry flavored chewables which I actually like taking!), I've been on and off a few, and just coming off of those is EXTREMELY dangerous if you just come off cold turkey.