hi I have recently had a baby two weeks ago and my doctor has put me on antidepressants which I have been on now for 12 days however I was still having real bad anxiety of a morning and night so he prescribed me Diazepam 5mg twice daily for a week which seems t be working ok I feel less anxious than what I did and I am able to look after my baby! Also I want to know is whether after this weeks course of diazepam is up will I be craving more? I am scared as I just want the antidepressants to work now so I can start feeling myself again thanks advice would be great
Hello Charlotte Diazepam is a very addictive drug and will take the edge of things However your doctor will not keep you on them long as it is a drug thats highly addictive, Paroxetine is a very good drug i have been on it for 5 yrs however recently had it changed as it was no longer working for me, I must stress to you if you ever come of paroxetine you must come of it slowly as it has some very bad side effects, I speak from experience with this drug i am on a low doze now and also take mirtzaphine which is working so well for me i feel like a new person. The antidepressant will take time to work everyone is different on meds i hope this has been a help and that you start to feel good soon . Ross
I found diazepam to help with anxiety recently. It is possible that the anxiety will return when you stop taking them as you have not been taking the paroxetine for long. Your GP will probably give you another prescription or two for diazepam, but maybe not any more after that.
I was advised to only take them when needed by my GP, that way it is less likely to become dependant on them (which takes a least a couple of months continuous use), and if you take only when needed the prescription lasts longer and you have some spare when needed.
Apparently it takes a couple of days for diazepam to be eliminated from the body and if taking every day the effects build over a few days. Some days it made me tired and a bit spaced out, which is great for the anxiety but not the desired effect so is a sign to take less often. Unless dependant on it, diazepam is a drug you can stop and start and has rapid effect, unlike the paroxetine which needs to be taken every day and not stopped suddenly.
However it is always best to ask your GP for advice, and it may be best for you to take the diazepam twice a day at the moment, but you know best how they are working and if it would be helpful to have some more.
Hi Charlotte
I'm pleased the Diazepam is working and has brought your anxiety under control. It is a remarkable and effective drug except for the darker side which is its ability to make a person dependent on it.
However, it is not instantly addictive. Your 10mg dose per 24 hours is not high, and although your brain will note the difference after a week, it is highly unlikely to induce craving.
Remember too, that everyone reacts differently. I know some people that have been on Diazepam for years and although they have reduced their dosage, they are unable to give up entirely. In contrast I know of people that have taken incredibly high doses for years, and with tapering, have come off them completely with no problems whatsoever.
Don't worry about this. You are creating unecessary anxiety for yourself. The Diazepam is helping you. Don't fight it by worrying about the Diazepam. :-)