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[debbyx]

Has any one taken Valium to help with extreme anxiety / depression post menopause. 

I am not on HRT and never have been. 

[CLKD]

I've taken it years ago and it saved my Life.  Under GP supervision - in that he saw me weekly to check that I was taking it as instructed, it was helpful for easing anxiety.  After taking it to find out how it 'worked' 4 me, I was able to use 1 5mg tablet the evening B4 events that I was unable to get out of, i.e. visiting family.  Knowing that I could take an extra 5mg the next lunch time which I never required, helped.  Mother in Law hated that I dropped off to sleep in the afternoon though 

Propranolol also helped, recently my GP gave me this 3 times a day to help .  My intense anxiety is worse in the early hours through to mid-afternoon without medication. 

Depression 4 me is a different issue so needs different medication.

[fiftyplus]

After asking my GP for it - I was prescribed it but only for a few days after my father died (and when I asked for more she wouldn't give me it) also another time was before a medical procedure - again I was only given it short term.  Is it just my GP who is not keen to prescribe it or do they not prescribe it long term nowadays, does anyone know? as I know of other older people who were on it long term years ago

[debbyx]

Thank you. 

My daughter was given it by the GP as she has severe mental Health conditions
The difference in her was unbelievable while she was taking it , but then of course just as she was making a good recovery the GP stopped it and she went down hill again as they do not like you to get dependent on it.   I researched and found I could buy it on line and have been for a long time now for my daughter. Her GP has checked them and knows she is taking them but still won’t prescribe them.   Totally Mad.   Any way to cut along story short because I have been so bad recently and the anxiety is crippling me to the point I can not do any thing I thought I would try a Valium , I could not believe how calmer they made me feel.

I told my GP and she said the same that she wouldn’t prescribe them to me but advised that I shouldn’t just take them if and when I would need to take them on a regular basis to get the full effect.  I am only taking a very small dose each day twice and even though the anxiety hasn’t gone it is better than it was , I have been taking them for a week now. 

My Gp is phoning me next to see how it’s going. 

Not sure why they are so against prescribing them .  I just want a little bit of normality as I have been struggling for months now.   

Is this wrong of me to be talking them.

some people  on anti depressants stay on them forever so why not Valium

[sheila99]

They don't want to responsible for giving you something you're very likely to get addicted to. Given how addictive it is I strongly recommend you try the hrt route instead. Whatever hrt might or might do at least you won't be addicted to it.
  Fiftyplus the reason people aren't put on it long term now is because of the number of people who ended up with bigger problems because they became addicted to it, unknowingly at the time. I think they reckon 2 weeks max now?

[CLKD]

Your GP should B more flexible in that once stable, it can be used 'as necessary ' depending on what the triggers might be. It also depends on the dose that is prescribed, it is after all used as a pre-med. I had 5mg ........ and because I knew that it took away the anxiety and that I didn't need any more, I was OK.  I believe, as some1 who has had benefit from it, that your GP is incorrect. 

The problem is that when some1 takes it or any similar relaxant but it fails to work immediately, they think that taking another 1mg/5mg/10mg is OK.  Instead of allowing the drug to do what it is designed for.

It can be highly addictive so difficult to wean off. However, it can be a life saver.  Does your DD require it every day? 

ADs are different in that they target a different part of the brain.  Some have difficulties withdrawing, it took me 9 weeks to come off 1 - can't remember the name. 

HRT can help but don't work quickly.  It mayB that several types of HRT are tried without relief of anxiety in that it can take several weeks to release any benefit. 

Sadly many GPs are scared that patients may become addicted but as a sufferer, it's better to try Valium rather than jump off a bridge!

[debbyx]

Hi CLKD

My Daughter now just takes them if and when.

I am taking 2mg morning  7am and again
At Midday.

I have only been doing that for a week , my anxiety has been a bit better , but today has been a nightmare again even with the Valium.     Actually woke up feeling okay today and was fine until 11ish and then panic hit me , then I get angry with myself , Maybe I need to give it a bit longer and review after two weeks if that what most GPs recommend.  Or do I just take if and when needed. 

I just want some relief from constant Anxiety day in and day out it is wearing me out. 

My anxiety is so bad first thing and continues till early afternoon I always feel calmer in the evening.   

[jillydoll]

My OH hurt his back quite badly, he was given it, but they won’t give anymore due to how addictive it is.
He even asked a doctor on 111, but because he’d already had it from his GP, he wouldn’t give it either.

I remember my friends mom was on it for years back in the 70s/80s.
But I suppose nowadays they know how addictive it can be. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Cassie]

Good grief, my mom took half a valium from when I was 10 which would have made her early 40s until the day she died in her 90s 

[CLKD]

Don't get angry debbyx - U don't get angry when you need a wee ? ;-).

2mg is nowt to worry about unless a patient swallows them like sweeties.  How is your diet overall?  Low blood sugar can cause anxiety surges and think about how many tots are seen, crying and irritable around lunch time .......... = hunger.

Do U sleep?  When anxious I wake up to see whether I have slept  . 

[Nick34]

When I had severe anxiety depression I was given 2mg diazepam to take as needed.
I am very bad at taking anything to do with mh medication probably because I’m too scared of how it will make me feel (no control?)
Because I was so bad I really thought I was going mad loosing my mind etc
This was back in 2011 it’s still on my repeat prescription (😱) but I have been asked a few times how many I’m taking etc.
I have boxes in stock as I know I’d probably never get them like this ever again .
I don’t take them anymore except when I’m really really can’t cope (even then I a dither wreck)
I probably out order in 3 times a year 30x2mg

[CLKD]

U get 30 x 2mg Valium at a time 

[Nick34]

100% true

I only put a prescription in 2-3 times a year, I might only use 10-20 in that time
But if I do t get them they will stop them

[CLKD]

Where about s in the UK R U living?

My GP was very good by giving me enough for a week then discussion face2face.