posted
Hi everyone...I am dealing with lots of vertigo and muscle spasms and all kinds of neuro and gastro stuff lately. My GP is encouraging me to take Valium everyday to ease symptoms. The Valium does help enormously when I take it, but I always took only half or less of a "normal" dose. I fear getting addicted and also withdrawl.
Has anyone here taken 2 to 5 mg of Valium on a consistent basis to ease symptoms without major consequences? I am shocked at how much the valium helps, but like I said I don't want to be doing the "wrong thing" for my body by taking it on a daily basis. Thanks in advance. Jess.
Posts: 870 | From ct | Registered: Nov 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Valium is ototoxic so it may add to vertigo. It can also cause hearing damage.
Be sure your liver support is on board as that MAY help offset the ototoxicity but
it would not be my first choice.
How many milligrams of GINGER CAPSULES have you been taking (I recall that suggested before for the vertigo) -- and how much magnesium have you been able to manage to help calm the spasms?
Ginger CAPSULES, at the therapeutic dose, on schedule several times a day need to be achieved for the full effect. Much safer than valium.
As you are on TPN and eating very little, you may need more food to lessen the vertigo, too. And Ginger Capsules are better than raw ginger on a stomach that gets as little food as yours. Raw Ginger can burn. Still, take the capsules WITH FOOD. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
It definitely helped cover up my symptoms during the time I took it, but then I had to do incrementally more,
and so I went 4x through the cycle of covering with valium followed by a couple weeks of withdrawal, during which I did not have good symptom coverage.
I'd suggest you find other ways to treat and cover symptoms. Maybe there are multiple management solutions, like Lyme meds, upping magnesium for the muscle spasms, treating your gut, etc.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
. . . Valerian in capsule or tincture form, can be helpful to some folks with vertigo. . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Keebler-the valium actually HELPS my vertigo so much...I have tried valerian and ginger capsules and vertigoheel for my dizziness to no avail...UGH...you might be right about the very little food not helping with the vertigo though. Thanks. Jess.
Posts: 870 | From ct | Registered: Nov 2012
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
You are going through so much right now and if the valium helps relieve your suffering, and your doctor is okay with it as a temporary relief, then I would go with it.
It might also help calm your stomach as well. I was taking valium, and at other times xanax during my worst symptoms. It also helped my fatigue.
I just tapered off gradually when my symptoms improved. Natural tx is preferred, but if that doesn't work, then you have to do what you have to do.
I am sure others will disagree, but sometimes the stress on the body from some of these symptoms is worse than the meds.
Feel better Jess,
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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I take ativan to cover up my dizziness symptoms and i too was very worried about becoming addicted but my dr reassured me that now is not the time to worry about that. That its more important for symptom relief at this point in time Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
I take Ativan and Antivert 3x daily for vertigo. I also have to take zofran with that combo 4x daily. This is what they sent me home from the hospital with a couple weeks ago.
I'd rather not have to take it all but when i try to stop one med then I start falling again and vomiting. So I have to keep taking the combo for awhile more until my vertigo gets better.
I was hesitant to start the Ativan but honestly, I didn't feel any different once I took it. I didn't feel any different when I missed a dose and then took a pill the next day. Besides helping with the vertigo, it is like a sugar pill. I honestly don't know what all the hype is about this class of meds. Maybe they just don't effect me like they do others.
Jess, it sounds like you need the valium right now for a better quality of life. If you end up taking it for a long time your body may become dependent on it. Dependent means your body needs it to feel well. You can't stop taking it abruptly or else you will develop sickness/withdraw symptoms.
You should not become addicted. Addicted means that you are not satisfied with your prescribed dose so you continuously seek more. How you seek more can vary like getting other RXs, taking from friends and family, buying on the street... you get the idea. Not going to happen.
You taking your prescribed valium as it is prescribed is not going to lead to addiction!
When you are better and no longer need the valium your doctor can help you step down off the dosage slowly so you don't feel sick. It may take a few months if you are dependent.
I never thought I'd have to take Ativan but if it keeps me safe, keeps me from falling and fracturing more vertebrae, keeps me from vomiting and becoming dehydrated again, keeps me from being readmitted to the hospital, then this is something that I need to go ahead and take.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Sammy-thank you so much! It is literally the only medicine that I have taken in over a year that helps me even a little.
I am in unrelenting physical misery all day, and this makes it just a wee bit more bearable to be stuck in this sick body. My vertigo at full blast leaves me completely incapacitated- and incidentally also increases my vomiting - and the valium at least keeps me from being bedridden by arresting the worst of "the spins" when they hit.
Thanks again. Jess.
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
I agree with Gael, Jackie and Sammy. You have to do what you have to do. And if a little Valium everyday is what is helping, then continue it. Your doc can help you come off it in due time.
I have Valium on-hand. I take it every so often when I know I will be dealing with an extremely stressful situation. It has helped me tremendously during those particular times.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Thanks again everyone-I have decided that I am going to take the daily dose of valium to help get me through this rough patch right now. I appreciate the support. Jess.
Posts: 870 | From ct | Registered: Nov 2012
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Jess, I am not taking Valium but I do take Xanax up to 3 times a day when needed.
I have these spells where my body will be so overwhelmed with anxiety that I have the shakes inside and outside of my body. I can't tell you where I am coming on going.
It normally hits me in the mid morning and mid afternoon. I also have to use it to sleep or my mind will race all night long and I can't sleep.
I have had the shakes inside and out for some time now but not as bad as since I started the antibiotic treatment.
I was getting by with taking one Xanax at night before bed but with the pain I am going through right now, I need the Xanax in the morning and afternoon also.
I know I will need help getting off of it when the time comes but right now it is what is working.
Good luck to you.
Posts: 27 | From Jacksonville, Florida, USA | Registered: Nov 2012
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