Valium (diazepam) Taper

This year I have completed tapered off Adderall, Seroquel, Lamictal, and Lyrica as well. My brain is fried! It’s been a couple of years since I’ve taken any SSRI meds so just trying to get some help on if they’d help me or not at this point. I’m also taking ketamine nasal spray every other day which does give some relief (although I suspect my doctor is a rare breed that a lot of his research has been on ketamine). I took Ativan then Xanax prior to the Valium switch.

Hi @hopeful123 tapering off several drugs must have been a grueling process.

I am tagging @rascal1 @littlecroissant @aarniek @iwillbok and @hopeful33250 as well as @ainsleigh and @gailb, as they may have some thoughts on tapering off medications.

You mentioned that you are looking to take an SSRI as you taper and have asked your doctor for this. Has your doctor given you a response? If so, what was it?

Hi, @hopeful123. I'd like to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We have had a variety of members post about taking a bridge medication, or treatment for withdrawal symptoms, during the process of tapering off of an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication — just as you have proposed a potential bridge medication in the citalopram (Celexa) while tapering off of Diazepam (Valium).

I'd like to mention a couple additional resources that may be useful:

- Mayo Clinic information on diazepam (Valium) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/diazepam-oral-route/description/drg-20072333

- A broader discussion, which I believe you have found, on Connect about withdrawal from benzodiazepines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/protracted-benzo-withdrawal.

I'm not merging this discussion with the larger one on benzodiazepines, @hopeful123, so that members can zero in more on tapering off of diazepam (Valium) specifically with you. I believe that @brit @texasduchess @cdcc @mrhappy and @parus may also have some input for you with the terrible agoraphobia and depression you are experiencing during your taper, and also looking at whether a bridge medication may help.

I'd echo what my colleague @ethanmcconkey inquired about, @hopeful123: What was your doctor's thought on your taking citalopram (Celexa) while tapering off of Diazepam (Valium) to help with the symptoms?

Hello everyone and thank you for the response so far! I did begin 10mg of Celexa today which my doctor recommended. I simply couldn’t handle the depression and panic I was experiencing from tapering. It’s ridiculous almost to say an anti depressant works in a day but I do think something positive is happening. I hope it keeps up! I have no side effects so far. I face a ton of harsh judgment from my family unfortunately for making this decision but in the end I had to decide to try for better health as the agoraphobia isn’t a way to live! I’d still love to hear from others and happy to share my experience coming off the other stuff as well!

@hopeful123 Can understand how scary making changes can be. I am sad your family is not being more supportive. It hurts when those you need the most abandon and judge. There comes a time when we need support from loved ones and it hurts way down deep when it strays. In time we can hope they will come to see you need to spread your wings and be able to accept your choices.

Thank you SO much! I have had very little support through all this from anyone close to me. Thrilled I found this website.

We have often had members who have tapered off benzo medications by using antidepressants. If that works for you, that is great. As @parus said, it is good if you can get the support of family members but if not, spreading your own wings and taking care of yourself is important. Antidepressants are not addictive as are benzo type medications, so they are safer to take. You can have withdrawal effects if you go off of them, but if they help, I'm glad for you.

I’m just overwhelmed to see the support here! Thank you all again. I’m starting to wonder if my suffering and story had to be the way it is so I too can help someone else one day. :).

@hopeful123 Hi hopeful
When I first became ill with depression and anxiety my family doctor put me on Valium. It knocked me out so much that all I wanted to do was sleep which I did every possible moment I could. I believe it made me much worse. When I finally got to a Psychiatrist she took me off the Valium and put me on an antidepressant and Ativan. That was the beginning of getting my mental health back on track. I don't know if that is of any help to you but don't give up.
There are lots of good meds out there (after all I have read here- NOT EFFEXOR) and lots of us here to offer support and encouragement!
Best wishes
Aiinsleigh

Thank you! I’ve taken Ativan and Xanax and the inner dose withdrawal is too strong for me to taper those medications. Sleep is a huge problem for me so I actually am now taking most of my Valium dose at bedtime because you’re right it makes you very tired. I’m glad to hear you had success with an antidepressant as I think it’s worth a shot. I felt like I was completely falling apart not like myself at all! Effexor (and Paxil) was a really bad one for me due to the withdrawal. I researched it a lot and decided Celexa would be the best to ask for.