The benefits of valuum

Thanks Alladin. I'm guessing I probably shouldn't introduce anything new - including valarian, until I discuss it with my doctor and/or specialist ... don't know how certain things might react with the drugs I'm taking etc. Also, last time I went to see my doctor, she was concerned that my blood pressure is up. But I will get some chamomile tea ... to help relax a bit. In fact, I'll buy some for my upcoming trip to Greece in October.

 

I am new to this disease, as I had it diagnosed yesterday, but have been seeing doctor's since it started about 5 weeks ago. I can tell you that they injected me with Valium, after Meclazine did not work in the ER, at my 3rd episode, and the Valium knocked it right out within 10 minutes. Although, it was given using an IV. However, they gave me 2mg tablets after that. I had two attacks, and I took the valium immediately upon the onset, and I dodge the vertigo, naseau/vomiting, and fell to sleep. One time, I did not have it with me, while driving home from work, and it was awful. I have yet to drive to work since then, it has been 2 weeks. So, I can only speak for what I went through so far, with limited knowledge or time with this disease so far, and that is the Valium at 2MG did work for me. I fear what lurks ahead. I just went through a kidney transplant in 2006, then severe episodes of gout, got through that, then incredible cluster headaches, got through that, and now this Meniere's. This one scares me, especially with it's unexpected episodes, and reading what some others are going through. I am trying to cope with being hit with one thing after another. But, if Valium works, I say go for it. Only 2 MG was needed for me.

 

VALIUM has been a lifesaver for me! I don't "do" meds...don't like to take pills and fought taking the prescribed valium for almost 6 years.
I had no quality of life...just sat on my sofa and hoped for the best.
I was housebound and depressed. My family finally convinced me to take the 2.5mg valium and I felt different immediately. I tested the "waters" so to speak, I walked to the kitchen, then I walked to the bathroom and lo and behold I didn't spin and fall.
Now, I take 2.5mg each morning and 2.5mg each evening and I can walk around my house...mop the kitchen...vacuum...WAIT A MINUTE, maybe I should have just stayed on the sofa...NOT!
If I were a diabetic and had to take insulin, I would...well, I have MM and MAv and I have to take valium...so be it! Blessings all.

 

Valium helps me

 

Hello,

I've been on Clonazepam for 3 years (.5mg/day) and recently felt I could not get out of bed anymore. I think I built up a tolerance to it and since it didn't really help with my dizziness I've opted to taper off of it at a pace of 10% over every 14 days. I tried to cut 25% in one day and three days later felt like I was going to lose my mind. I quickly re-instated to my normal dose and began the more gentler taper rate of 10% every 14 days.

My feelings on the use of benzos is that maybe they should only be used if you are having a serious attack or severe dizziness. They should probably not be used every day, long term as you could become physically dependent and eventually develop a tolerance and you could start to suffer from withdrawal tolerance (I think this is what was causing me to be so lethargic that I couldn't get out of bed). Also, benzos are very very difficult to get off of once addicted.

My plan is to get off of the benzos and see what happens. I think they might be retarding my brain from compensating but I could be wrong.

But if I start to have severe vertigo you can bet I'll be calling my doc asking for ANYTHING that can make it stop-probably valium-but I will only take it when I need it, not every day.

My $.02

 

Very nicely said lockenvar. I agree with you. But then again I'm the kind of person that will take meds only when absolutely necessary. The less the amount of chemicals, esp, ones that should be used with caution, the better.

 

Yep. That's why I'm exploring energy medicine and crystal therapy right now. I actually got out of the house and went to the drug store today. The pharmacist was thrilled to see me because it had been so long!

Jim had the best response to the 'dangers' aspect of Valium. Addiction and dependence are not the same thing. Addiction is psychological and dependence is physical.

So far, no one (read: nassman) has posted ONE BIT of the guidance available free of charge on the internet. So, I will. Here's the link for the full prescribing information for Valium from Roche Pharmaceuticals:

http://www.rocheusa.com/products/valium/tabspi.pdf

Quote from the full prescribing information:

Lines 192-198.

Valium is my lifeline. I don't take it every day or even every week now. Nothing, but NOTHING works like Valium and an anti-nausea med to stop my Meniere's symptoms. I have no vestibular damage so my neurotologist told me I'm a very good candidate for the relief that Valium provides. There is nothing in my vestibular system for my brain to "compensate" for or learn to overcome; therefore, a masking drug like Valium doesn't 'mask' anything in my Meniere's treatment nor hold me back from progressing. It DOES give me relief, blessed relief.

nassman, until you stop dropping troll comments into threads with no substantiation that will stand up to scrutiny, you'll always be considered a bulletin board 'drive-by shooter'.

 

I found this to be true...Above. I was given a dose of this in the ER and I was worst off, depressed, groggy, just felt like my world was over. And for me, it didn't get rid of the attack. That was the 1st and Last time I will ever take it. I would rather change my lifestyle, foods, natural stuff... even emotional stuff.

 

I have a script for Xanax. It is very helpful for when I get a vertigo attack. However, I consider myself to have an addictive personality. I've been researching a lot about benzos and I'm really glad I did. It has given me some insight into difficulties some people have experienced with benzo addiction.

I have read at least five former heroin addicts say they would, in a heartbeat, go through the withdrawal of heroin before they would ever go through a benzo withdrawal again.

What really opened my eyes was in reading the benzo dot org dot uk forum. There are stories there from people who suffered from anxiety or panic attacks who followed the doctors orders and became terribly addicted to benzos. Many lost years of their lives not knowing was was making them so sick. It turns out, they were following the prescribed dosage but were in habitual benzo withdrawal. Some of the dosages were not as high as what some of us on this site are taking. The addiction level seems to vary greatly depending on the person.

I am so glad I read this information. I was taking .5 mg of Xanax when I would feel vertigo start. I'm cutting back to .25 mg and I am also using more meclizine instead of reaching for the Xanax, especially when I feel dizzy as opposed to a vertigo attack. The problem is I sometimes have very brief periods of vertigo, other times I'm flat out for several hours with a waste can by my bed.

Vertigo is horrible, but withdrawing from benzo addiction sounds even worse. I'm not saying I won't take anymore Xanax, but I'm really glad I read what I did. I am going to be very cautious with this medication.

I would urge everyone with a script for a benzo read the benzo dot org dot uk website (I'm not affiliated with the website) or google benzo addiction. It's best to be educated.

Edited to add: on the particular website, scroll down to 'stories' on the left menu.

 

I take 2.5 mg Valium 2-3 times a day during bad periods to as a preventive measure to prevent dizzy spells. It has been a lifesaver for me. I like to exercise and alway make sure the Valium is in my system. One time I was over a mile from the finish of a 6 mile run and got dizzy before I started taking Valium and staggered like an old drunk back to the house, it was awful. It was a good thing I wasn't further from the house or I would have had to ask for help. Also I have had some spells without the use of Valium during driving and have had to pull off the road stick 5 mg of Valium under my tongue to get relief in 15-20 minutes. I will never stop taking Valium as long as there is a risk of dizzy spells. Perhaps after this beast burns out I will no longer have to take it but for now I have no issues taking it as a preventive measure and nobody can change my mind on this!!

 

I did glance at the stories. Wonder what is up in the UK that makes you all so susceptible to dependence and addiction to benzodiazepines?

Did your medical field over-prescribe them maybe, or prescribe them for conditions they're not designed for perhaps?

Weird that a heroin prescription is legal in the UK but benzos aren't.

 

Agreed on all accounts.

 

Once you understand the concept of free thought you will then, perhaps, understand the fact that not all people will have the same opinion on an issue and forums such as this one will consist of people expressing various ideas, thoughts, beliefs, etc.

Hopefully, one day, you will understand that just becuase a person has a different viewpoint does not mean that they are out to cause harm and they should not be considered a troll as you have labelled me. As far as I am concerned, I am here to help people as much as you are. When I look through the 5 or so pages of this topic I see many people who are in agreement with my viewpoint.

Should I call you a troll for claiming that UK society is susceptible to dependence and addiction to benzodiazepines? How dare you? You live in the USA, right? Do you know how many "generalizations" we non-Americans can make about you?

Take a time out and think about that.

Peace.

 

Cheryl, the way I look at valium is this: If I had diabetes, I would take insulin, without question, in order to live my life. Well, I have MM and MAV, daily, so I take valium in order to live my life. For me there is no difference...I can't get either without a prescription and without the 2.5mg valium, I am confined to setting on the sofa all day or laying in bed, as I am afraid of falling when no one is home. Valium has been and is a "life" saver for me. Blessings.

 

I asked much the same question on the board in June this year I went to my doc who precribed them for me and I have felt they have helped a lot ..I had one drop attack since and it has helped stop the vertigo in its tracks many times its good to know I have a little hope in something to make my life better .
Good Luck

 

hey all. I have read all the pros and cons of using valium for "assisting" with a vertigo attack through med board, books, internet, and many discussions with my dx. i try not to use drugs to heal or aid in the fighting in diseases due to the bodys ability to heal itself (in most cases) and the body ability to become dependant or imune to the effects of drugs. nassman and others all have valid points as to the esearch that i have come across. yes valium can be an addictive drug as it is one that is highly used on the streets with various slang names like roofies or blue devils. on the flip side of this many drugs have their pros and conns. some of the pros outweigh the conns, and others it seems that th conns aoutweight the pros, but in either case they all have their benifit. going back to the beginning of this post, i have used meclyzine to try to curb the vertigo episodde and over a short time the effects were not there and did not feel that mec was the right drug for my situation. on my last dx visit i asked about going to valium and he agreed that that meay be a better approach. so far with keeping in mind what can happen usingthis drug i take it sparingly when i feel that i am going to have a vertigo episode and it has helped thus far. i will not say that this will be the same for everyone and as mentioned everyone has there beleives and valid points. we are all supposed to be in this togethr as an extended family trying to help each other through the rough times and give advice to those needing the added information

 

Does anyone know about Meclizine and how effective is it?

 

It works for some people. The only way to know is to try.

 

I've been using Meclinzine all week since I'm having this flare up. I honestly can't tell if it's helping or not. I think it might help a tiny bit but nothing noticable really. I'm curious to see if it helps anyone else.

As for the valium, I've had to take valium off and on for about 2 years as a muscle relaxer or for stress. I've never become addicted to it, I take it once in awhile (maybe one or two tablets a month) and it helps with a few things. I've never taken it for Meniere's although I might try it later today and will report back. I truly don't believe that meds are addictive if you don't need them. I'm on morphine for the last 2 months for a severe back injury and I can't wait to get off of it. It helps the pain but I dont' want to be doped up forever. My point being, if you need a medication for a reason and you're not an addictive personality, then you won't become addicted to it. As others here have said, sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks and if you follow your doctors orders for taking something and use it only when needed you won't become addicted. That's just my two cents.

 

i had been on mec forthe ast month. it helped me a little. it would take the edge off of a vertigo episode coming on. i would have to take another in about 20 minutes or so to get the vertigo to totally subside. all depends on the person and how they react to the meds