Deciding to stop years of daily Diazepam use..

Hi,

I have joined this forum to seek how other people have succeeded to get off this evil drug and to offer help from my experience if I ever can.

I have been taking it for over 7 years. During this time I would try periods of abstinence which would be followed by a quick relapse due nasty psychological withdrawal symptoms and cravings to sooth anxiety and numb my overactive mind.

I am now down to 10mg per day and have got myself down to this over the last year.  During this year though, under stressful situations I have developed a twitch in my eye and sometimes in my arm. This only happens when I am thinking of it or feeling my own irrational fear mostly in social situations.

The twitch will go or subside if I take the Diazepam, so there seems to be a link.

I feel headstrong enough now to tackle coming off it psychologically and in dealing with my irrational thoughts by using breathing/meditation techniques and reading books on mindset/CBT - it is just this twitch that has me now concerned and fills me with fear, which causes the twitch and then starts the vicious cycle..

I know I need to organise a better prolonged taper system but here in the UK there are not many treatment centres since it is rarely prescribed ( I have sourced these without the supervision of a doctor).  I will be seeking professional help but I anticipate this to be hard for this particular drug in my country since all doctors are fearful to get involved it seems (this being maybe just my perception since I last went to my doctor and was just bounced around addiction centres that all dont deal with benzos - leaving me to kinda give up, until now) .

Will my twitching go away once I am off this? Does anyone know the science behind why it happens? I get it most when I feel anxious in social situations as if my subconscious feels threatened and the stress response is activated. I try to attempt the situation without diazepam but then need a small dose to stop it so feel trapped by this twitch =[.

Thanks and I hope this isnt too long for a first post.

Hello arielorion Welcome to Benzobuddies!

We are glad you joined our community,  you will get plenty of support here.  Try not to worry, muscle twitching is common in withdrawal.  I am sure it will resolve with time once you have safely tapered off, if not before as mine did.  I do hope you can find a doctor who will prescribe and support a taper.

Benzodiazepines should be tapered slowly. The rule of thumb is to reduce the daily dose by somewhere between 5% and 10% every 10 - 14 days.  You can go slower, whatever feels comfortable, the aim is to try to keep symptoms manageable.

I would suggest that you familiarise yourself with the Ashton Manual, It is a great resource for understanding the effect benzo’s have on our body.  It provides tapering and withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms 

You will find some very valuable support and information on the forum.  Our members are happy to share their personal experiences with you and support you.. Please feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

I'll leave you a few links:

The Ashton Manual. 

Withdrawal Support

General Taper Plans

Please take time to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice.  Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

Welcome aboard

Magrita

Thank you Margrita - it really means a lot being able to talk to people who understand what this is like..

I have just got in from seeing my doctor who has prescribed a taper program for me - I am so relieved I can now do this professionally and not by myself 

I will read thoroughly all the information I can on how to do this correctly that you provided. My doctor is just a GP so having this forum/information is a life saver as a GP is not really a specialist when it comes to benzo's (thats my guess, I could be wrong but it certainly feels that way here in the UK..)

Thanks again,

Ariel

Congratulations Ariel on having a taper plan and a doctor who is on board.

I am doing a DLMT - a daily liquid micro taper - for Valium. I am reducing 5% (from my pervious dose) every 2 weeks. If you go to the Titration board and post: " I need detailed help with a DLMT from Valium", there are people who will help you plan and prepare.

Slow and steady and listening to your body and s/x is VERY important as you taper.

You WILL heal.