Diazepam Medication

Some benzodiazepines are widely and successfully used as short-term treatment in certain settings such as in hospitals as pre-medication before operations, for nervous patients before a dental procedure, and in the treatment of some forms of epilepsy and movement disorders. They are also used in the management of alcohol withdrawal as they work to alleviate delirium tremens. While many doctors are aware of the dependency and withdrawal issues related to their long-term use, others are still limited in their knowledge and may consequently give substandard care, often putting their patients’ safety at risk.

The following are useful points to be considered when withdrawing a patient from a benzodiazepine:

Symptoms

When taken long-term (more than four weeks), the patient can become dependent on the drug and may experience withdrawal symptoms when it is discontinued. This withdrawal experience is unique and symptoms vary according to individual. Common physical symptoms include: profuse sweating, headaches, nausea, dizziness, gastric disturbances, palpitations, chills, muscle pain, twitches, spasms and tremors. Psychological symptoms such as feelings of depersonalisation, derealisation, anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares and distorted perception are also common.

There are doctors who are very aware of this and are able to reassure their patients that the symptoms are indeed withdrawal-related and will disappear once withdrawal is over. Sadly, this is not always the case and many patients with no pre-existing psychological problems end up being misdiagnosed and treated for schizophrenia, bipolar and other mental health disorders.

Cold-Turkey

A patient should never be advised to discontinue taking a benzodiazepine abruptly. "Then stop taking it" was the reply of a well-intentioned doctor when I expressed my concern that the drug had lost its efficacy. Fortunately, I found information online which recommended a slow taper using diazepam (because of its longer elimination half-life) and was able to successfully wean off. It is surprising that many doctors still give this advice and our Helpline often receives frantic emails from people experiencing extremely distressing symptoms as a result. Quitting cold-turkey is dangerous and can cause serious problems including seizures and psychosis.

Tapering

The decision to withdraw should be the patient’s and she or he must be allowed to taper off the drug at a comfortable pace using the most appropriate weaning process. The more common methods are: substituting with diazepam, titration by crushing the tablet into a powder and mixing it with water, and the direct method where the dosage is very slowly reduced. Factors to be considered include personal circumstances, overall general health, the stressors in the patient’s life, stamina, support available and previous experience with drugs. It is most important that the patient feels in control of the process. Apart from the usual withdrawal challenges, being pressured into tapering too quickly can cause additional anxiety and hinder recovery.

Duration

The conflicting reports regarding the duration of withdrawal and whether or not protracted withdrawal exists poses one of the biggest problems for patients. Withdrawal can last as short as between 5 and 28 days for those with mild dependencies. However, there are many cases where symptoms persist for longer and these patients are told the withdrawal period has ended and the problems are "all in the head". Furthermore, as alternative diagnoses are queried additional emotional energy is expended awaiting diagnostic tests results which are usually negative. When every test is exhausted, the suggestion that the problems are psychogenic in origin and nothing to do with withdrawal is inevitably made. This misinformation does not augur well for the unfortunate patients who then become concerned about the implied possibility of psychological disorders only to find that the symptoms disappear once the protracted period ends.

Benzo-wise doctors will agree that while many people recover within a six to eighteen-month period, it is not uncommon for a percentage of patients to experience symptoms (often interspersed with windows of normality) for two to three years or longer in rare cases.

Pre-existing Anxiety Myth

Because many patients are prescribed benzodiazepines for anxiety-related issues, the consensus is usually that the post-withdrawal syndrome or any protracted symptoms are in fact due to a resurgence of the pre-existing anxiety. I was prescribed a benzodiazepine for a neuromuscular condition and had no history of anxiety, depression or any other psychological problem. The anxiety I experienced especially during acute withdrawal was inconceivable. I have also communicated with others who were prescribed benzos for medical problems and experienced intense organic fear and numerous anxiety-related symptoms. Pre-existing anxiety or not, a nervous system in a hyper-excitable state due to the down-regulation of GABA receptors can reduce the most grounded and stable person to literally a ‘quivering wreck’.

It is the responsibility of every doctor who prescribes a benzodiazepine to give the patient information on which the decision to take or not take the drug can be based. When treating 1ff8 patients for anxiety, insomnia or other related conditions, a doctor might understandably be hesitant and conclude that imparting too much information will only make matters worse. However, keeping patients ignorant of the addictive properties of a drug is not in their best interest and this is the reason for the ‘unpleasant surprise factor’ that presents in the form of withdrawal.

These are only the basics from an ex-patient’s perspective. The most comprehensive guide is the Ashton Manual - Benzodiazepines: How They Work & How To Withdraw which should be compulsory reading for every healthcare professional. It has additional information on symptoms, tapering schedules, Z drugs which are similar to benzos, effects of other medication such as quinolones, and everything required to ensure that a patient withdrawing from a benzodiazepine is given the best possible care.

By: V Baylissa Frederick

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Emails poured in from people all over the world dealing with withdrawal from Ativan, Xanax and other benzodiazepines. Some of their stories sounded eerily similar to mine, but others had it even worse. Benzodiazepine Drug Abuse Benzodiazepines are a type of anti-anxiety drugs. While anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations, some people have unusually high levels of anxiety that can interfere with everyday life. Benzodiazepine Addiction Need for Rehab In a recent article from Medicare Finance entitled, Health Matters: What is Drug Withdrawal?” further evidence of the dangers of benzodiazepine addiction are published.

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Many people experience some fear and some anxiety at various times in their lives. Those with anxiety disorders are affected by fear to such a degree that they can’t function or live a normal live without the help of drugs. One of the most effective and prevalent drugs for anxiety disorder is diazepam.
 

Over 10% of Americans are on some type of anti-anxiety drug. The most popular one today is Xanax but diazepam is not very far behind.

Diazepam, or Valium as most people commonly know it, is an anti-anxiety or anti-panic agent. It works by effecting the release of the amino acid GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) into the brain. GABA acts to suppresses the nerve impulses leading to a feeling of relaxation.

Although a very useful and positive drug in the treatment of anxiety disorders - as well as insomnia, muscle spasms, and seizures - anyone taking it for anxiety should be aware of its negatives also.

Valium is habit forming and very addictive. Self medicating yourself with diazepam is a bad idea. because you can easily develop a dependency on it, especially if you take it in large doses over an extended period of time. Diazepam should only be taken under a doctor’s care and never take more than the prescribed dosage. Because of its addictive properties, you may suffer withdrawal symptoms when your doctor eventually weans you off of the drug.

Valium is hard on the kidneys and liver. If you have cirrhosis of the liver, any type of abnormal kidney function, or any other medical problems with your liver you should inform your doctor. Your dosage may have to be severely cut or dropped altogether. It may be taken with or without food and is metabolized by the liver and excreted mainly by the kidney. Dosages of Valium may need to be lowered in patients with abnormal kidney function.

Valium may also cause drowsiness and dizziness in some people. Until you are sure how your body will react to it, you should avoid driving, sports, or strenuous activities while taking it. One very striking effect of this drug is that it accumulates in the body. So even if you haven’t taken it for the while, you may still find yourself tired or sluggish with not apparent reason why. It very well may be the build up of the drug in your body.

Be aware that if you take antacids while taking Valium, the antacids will act to neutralize the drug, making it less effective. Thus you may find it not having the desired calming effect on your nervous system.

Even though diazepam is sometimes used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms, this should only be done under a doctor’s care. Normally, alcohol should not be taken by anyone on diazepam. Mixing the two could possibly trigger an epileptic attack. Don’t take it if you are pregnant or are breast feeding your baby unless directed to by your doctor. There is strong evidence that it can harm the fetus. In the case of breast feeding, diazepam is retained in the breast milk, which means that it will be passed to the baby possibly causing addiction.

Diazepam is an extremely helpful drug and many suffering from anxiety would have a much tougher time without it. Just be careful when taking it.

By: Karen L Larsen

Treating Anxiety Attacks  Anxiety and one of its key symptoms - panic attacks ? need treatment. The most obvious reason to seek treatment for anxiety is to eliminate the often crippling impact it has on sufferers? lives.  Cure Anxiety And Panic Attack Anyone who has ever suffered from anxiety and panic attacks knows that they can effect your life in a very serious way. I’m going to share 3 powerful tips below that will help you cure anxiety attacks, and take your life back. Anxiety Attack Symptoms Anxiety can be a crippling problem for many adults, teens, and young children. It’s not a disease that’s contagious so you can’t confine it to any country with quarantine. 

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Panic attacks can seriously impact the quality of someone’s life. It can happen to anyone, at anytime (even during sleep), and anywhere with little or no warning at all. These attacks are described to be one of the most terrifying and disturbing experiences there is. It can leave someone with more anxiety and fear of another attack, which can turn into a vicious cycle lasting years.

These days however, effective treatments for this disorder are readily available for everyone. This includes taking certain prescription drugs and other medications. Listed below are some of the most widely utilized panic attack medications today:

Benzodiazepine - Such as Xanax, Valium, diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam. These fast-acting drugs to alleviate the symptoms of attacks. However, long-term use can lead to physical dependence.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - Such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) - Venlafaxine, Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Milnacipran, Tramadol, Sibutramine, or Bicifadine.

Other types of medication used to treat panic disorder in general:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) - These types of medication includes: Nardil, Parnate, and Marplan.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) - This would include: Anafranil, Norpramin, Tofranil, Venlafaxine, Doxepin, Amitriptyline, and Nortriptyline.

Panic attack medications are not the only way to alleviate and treat panic disorders. Alternative treatment options are available to help people cope and recover from panic disorders. Some of the most effective treatment methods include:

Coping Mechanisms - This includes works to mitigate the impact of an immediate attack. This includes: breathing mechanisms, staying in the present, utilizing positive affirmations and using logic in order to overcome the overwhelming effects of a attack.

Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy - Psychotherapy, specifically altering the thinking behaviors of people suffering from panic and anxiety disorders. The aim is to uncover and resolve the underlying triggers and reasons behind panic disorder. This treatment approach can prove very effective in treating panic disorders in the long run.

Combining both panic attack medications and other treatment options, if combined effectively, can lead to curing panic disorders for the long-run. However, consulting a doctor is highly recommended. The type of treatment to be used will still vary depending on the individual.

By: Marco Forster

Cure Anxiety And Panic Attacks  Anyone who has ever suffered from anxiety and panic attacks knows that they can effect your life in a very serious way. Overcoming Panic Attacks Naturally  If you suffer from panic attacks, I can safely bet that you’d like nothing more than to take your life back and end those panic attacks starting right away. How To Calm Panic Attacks In order to understand this, it’s important to understand how the cycle of fear during a panic attack works. Usually, it starts with a small anxious thought.

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