I've been on Diazepam for almost 2 years. I've gotten down to 5mg. 3X daily.
How quickly can I safely titrate completely off? I have no history of seizures.
Even if uncomfortable--I want to be drug free.
Been breaking my mid-day dose in half... then end up taking the other half an hour later.
I want to cold turkey it--but don't believe I can or should.
I'd love to be completely off within 4-5 weeks...
actually I'd love to be quit already so this is behind me instead of ahead of me!
What foods help build GABA in the brain? Should I be eating those foods while coming off? Would that help?
Would a cleansing fast help? I just don't know... just want to be free from this drug.
Was thinking to ask that my next refill be 2.5 mg. pills...
and again I say ACK! (whimper) ;) seriously though~help!

Try NOT taking the other half of the pill and just sticking to half your rx and reduce from there. Valium is an antiexiety drug. If you have eliminated the exiety from your life then you don't need this drug and it is just now a psychological crutch for you.

I don't know any foods that would help you other than eating a balanced diet. Try some mild exercise like walking for an hour a day also as this helps with keeping a good mood.

I've been on Diazepam for almost 2 years. I've gotten down to 5mg. 3X daily

Truly...

A little more information would be helpful, in particular:

Why were you originally prescribed Valium?

What was the dosage that you reduced from?

Do you dislike the affect of the drug, how it makes you feel?

Previously, you reported a problem with CSP. Is that still evident?

Hi Dr. Bill~
I was originally prescribed the Valium for panic and anxiety disorder. I sought therapy/treatment after a major trauma because I knew it was too much for me to handle on my own. I knew I needed help.
I don't dislike the drug's affects~I quite enjoy them. Just don't want to be dependant/addicted anymore.
I don't need it anymore. I did then, but not now. Now it's time to let it go--along with cigarettes.
Hate the cigarettes, love the Valium... both got to go though. And the sooner the better. The anticipation of the discomfort has got me a little nervous. Would Valerian root tea help or would it be counterproductive?
What is CSP?
Thank you! :)

OH--CSP--compulsive skin picking? Yes~still doing that. :P
My legs, and scalp (easier to hide it). REALLY want to stop that.
It comes and goes, right now I have active spots but not too long ago I had NONE! :)
I know it's possible--It felt wonderful to be bare legged with no scabs. I want that again.

Hi Dr. Bill~
I was originally prescribed the Valium for panic and anxiety disorder.
I don't need it anymore. I did then, but not now. Now it's time to let it go--along with cigarettes.....Hate the cigarettes, love the Valium...both gotta go though. And the sooner the better. The anticipation of the discomfort has got me a little has got me a little nervous. :)

I understand your desire to quit smoking and to cease the Valium and the CSP. Previously you noted gradual withdrawal from the Valium and wonder if that wouldn't be a good idea with the cigarettes and CSP as well.

By that, I mean not attempting to address these problems all at once, particularly not the smoking and Valium. A component of cigarette smoking is 1) distraction, often used to displace anxiety, and 2) cigarette smoking has an antidepressant effect (Valium is a CNS depressant). The early stages of quitting smoking are anxiety provoking.

Since you are already taking Valium, why not consider quitting smoking first, the Valium should actually assist to that end, and once you feel stable and completely withdrawn from the cigarettes you would be in a better position to tackle the Valium withdrawal.

My background and interest is in addictions and have found that tackling multiple problems en bloc generally isn't a good idea.

Unfortunately I am in the herd of unknowledgeable psychologists when it comes to CSP or other self injurious (NSSI) behaviors. I believe however that NSSIs are induced, at least in part, or at the very least accompanied by anxiety. If so, and I assume your doctor considered that in prescribing, you have 2 behaviors that would benefit from the continuation of the Valium as you stage, one at a time, your withdrawal from each of the other.

Just viewing the characteristics of your individual complaints it would concern me that you might be piling too much wood on the wagon for one trip. That could sabotage your efforts.

What do you think?

As to the Valerian tea my first thought is not to intermix even mildly psychoactive substances (in general). I'm including a link to the FDA sheet on Valium, click here (http://www.drugs.com/pro/valium.html), for your review although you should consult with the prescribing physician.

Your pharmacist is also a good resource and the most overlooked is the Poison Control Centers, they are there 24 hours a day and have the most thorough database in the country on pharmaceutical interactions. Their number is

Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222

I agree. Cigarettes first--this week. I found that as I have decreased the number of smokes a day in preparation for the final quit--I have had less anxiety. The cigarettes are a stimulant that make me feel anxious (increased heart rate etc.)and then I want a pill. The three days this week that I really cut down the smokes (down to three a day) I didn't feel the need for the valium as much... picked more though. Ugh. Okay--this week the tobacco... next week start with breaking that mid day dose in half for a total of 2.5 less mg. a day. I'll do that until I'm comfortable, then I'll knock out that mid day dose altogether. If my head pops off my body I'll be sure to let you know! ;) Thanks so much you guys. Oxox True.

Yesterday and today dropped down 2.5 mg for a total of 12.5 mg. a day (vs. 15).
And only 1 "rollie" cigarette so far today. (That's the roll it yourself kind of tobacco~not the other stuff one might roll) :)
Still a lot of hours left in the day though. We'll see. (it's 1pm).

yesterday and today dropped down 2.5 mg for a total of 12.5 mg. a day (vs. 15).
and only 1 "rollie" cigarette so far today. (That's the roll it yourself kind of tobacco~not the other stuff one might roll) :)
still a lot of hours left in the day though. We'll see. (it's 1pm).

Keep track, by note, of when you smoke.

How many cigarettes per day did you smoke previously and were they of the roll your own type?

Okay--been at 12.5 (down from 15mg.)a day for 10 days. Dropping down another 2.5 a day starting today for a total of 10mg. A day. Feeling okay~quite good actually for the fact that I am really DOING it! Really getting off these meds. Going to stay at 10mg. For 10--14 days (depending on how I feel) then I plan to take it down another notch. Been doing well with minimal smoking--it's amazing how much anxiety the cigarettes were causing! The less I smoke the more comfortable I am and don't feel the need for the valium. Thank you guys for walking me through this. It's going well and I look forward to telling you when I'm completely clean! :) thanks again!

Keep track, by note, of when you smoke.

How many cigarettes per day did you smoke previously and were they of the roll your own type?

Hey Dr.Bill~
Thanks for reminding me to keep track--that helped me to see the times that I would need to be prepared with a back up plan...
Bringing oranges to peel and eat at those trigger times.
Works well. Also juggling oranges helps too! Really! :)

If I smoke the prerolled ones--it was about 10-12 a day.
Rollies--5-7 a day. Today I only had 2 rollies, and didn't finish them. This is soooo GREAT! I'm overcoming~and it's wonderful.
Ps... letting my legs heal. :D

Great news. Glad you're doing well.

The oranges are a great idea including the juggling. Cigarette smoking has a lot to do with muscle memory and peeling addresses fine motor movement, juggling gross motor. Great idea.

:D been down at 10mg. A day for 13 days. I'll drop down another 2.5 mg. starting Saturday.
My goal is to be ready to drop to 5mg. A day by the 28th. I can feel it for sure--but it's tolerable.
I know this is a very fast titration, but I am determined and willing to "feel" it.
It's not unbearable~just uncomfortable. YAY!! I'll be drug free within 6 weeks! :D

:D been down at 10mg. a day for 13 days. I'll drop down another 2.5 mg. starting Saturday.
My goal is to be ready to drop to 5mg. a day by the 28th. I can feel it for sure--but it's tolerable.
I know this is a very fast titration, but I am determined and willing to "feel" it.
It's not unbearable~just uncomfortable. YAY!!! I'll be drug free within 6 weeks! :D

Sounds like you are coming right along and at a steady pace. That's quite an accomplishment. You should be gaining confidence and an increasing sense of self control each day.

How is the smoking reduction working?

Smoking staying level at about 3 rollies a day--taking a few drags to take the edge off but not smoking the whole thing. I'll be off smoking before I'm all the way off the valium. Thanks for keeping me company though this. I'm really feeling it right now (the benzos). Ugh. :P

smoking staying level at about 3 rollies a day--taking a few drags to take the edge off but not smoking the whole thing. i'll be off of smoking before i'm all the way off the valium. thanks for keeping me company though this. im really feeling it right now (the benzos). ugh. :P

You make very good adjustments. By smoking less and smoking only enough to satisfy your urge you are breaking the cycle, automatic nature, of the smoking habit. Will make quitting easier when the time comes.

You are doing great! (Easy for me to say, huh)

Day 4 AT 7.5 mg.
Feeling it. Ugh.

Day 4 AT 7.5 mg.
Feeling it. ugh.

"I can feel it for sure--but it's tolerable.....I know this is a very fast titration, but I am determined and willing to "feel" it.....It's not unbearable~just uncomfortable." from 9-15 above.

Are you staying at about the same level of "feeling it" through these levels of reduction? Just curious. I think about how you're doing every time I log on.

Pulling for you.

Been holding steady at 7.5 for about 18 days now. Going to drop to 5mg. Starting tomorrow.
Nervous anticipation of the discomfort~but I want to be freeeeee! *sigh* Wish me luck! :)
(smoking has stayed the same and even increased a bit... that'll have to be next).

Special Hello to Dr.Bill. :)

Been holding steady at 7.5 for about 18 days now. Going to drop to 5mg. starting tomorrow.
Nervous anticipation of the discomfort~but I want to be freeeeee! *sigh* Wish me luck! :)
(smoking has stayed the same and even increased a bit...that'll have to be next).

Special Hello to Dr.Bill. :)

You are doing great..

Are you still smoking the rollies (as opposed to regular)? That will make
Quitting easier. Even if smoking increases a little that isn't terribly significant at this point.

Holding steady at 6mg. A day. Using 2mg. Tablets now. My doctor slowed me down on the titration... she said I was doing great and there is no reason for me to suffer through it so much. I'll be practicing eliminating the mid-day dose... can't wait to be done with it, but I'm almost there. : )

Holding steady at 6mg. a day. using 2mg. tablets now. my doctor slowed me down on the titration...she said I was doing great and there is no reason for me to suffer through it so much. i'll be practicing eliminating the mid-day dose...can't wait to be done with it, but i'm almost there. : )

This post slipped by me some how. Looks like your plan is moving right along and, as you say, you're almost there. Quite an accomplishment.

Go to www.pointofreturn.com. They will help you. Not fast solution, but safe and supportive. Best of all... not expensive. They are a non- profit dedicated to helping people free themselves of gese horrible drugs.

Back to 15-20 mg. per day. My 27 year old--my youngest daughter died 8 weeks ago.
She had a fatal asthma attack. I miss her so.
Still and ever more,
Truly trying

back to 15-20 mg. per day. my 27 year old--my youngest daughter died 8 weeks ago.
she had a fatal asthma attack. i miss her so.
still and ever more,
truly trying

I'm so sorry. That is an absolutely devastating loss, I know from experience. Always here regardless of your need.

hi. Holding steady at 5 mg. 3x daily. Seeing a grief therapist. So much more I want to say. That's all for now though. Thank you dr. B. you're sweet and I appreciate you. :) love 2 all.

hi. holding steady at 5 mg. 3x daily. seeing a grief therapist. so much more i want to say. that's all for now though. thank you dr. B. you're sweet and I appreciate you. :) luv 2 all.

So glad to hear from you. Take care of yourself.