Valium The wonder drug

...When I was researching the Benzos after my wife started taking them, I came across a study that was done on test subjects that had nothing wrong with them. They were given valium, daily for a period of time and none of them had any withdrawal symptoms when they stopped. Again it makes me wonder if those who have withdrawal are just seeing their original symptoms reappear but possibly much worse since there was nothing done to alleviate the symptoms. In other words, a person starts taking a drug because their symptoms are worsening and if the drug it only treating the symptoms then the condition will continue to worsen so that the symptoms will be a lot worse than when they started taking the drug.
Rick

 

Many years ago when I was newly diagnosed and not yet controlling my symptoms, I told my specialist that I was afraid that I wasn't going to get through my son's wedding without an attack. He gave me a weeks's worth of valium and guaranteed me I wouldn't have an attack.
After I got throught the wedding unscathed, I didn't finish the week's worth.

A few months later at my next visit with specialist, I asked him if the valium worked so well to keep me vertigo free for the wedding, why couldn't I take it daily as a preventative. He told me that it would become ineffective, that it would not be good for my health to take valium daily.

So Geroge, when you say never the twain shall meet, I sort of disagree. I believe in the efficacy of valium when used sparingly. I don't believe in the use of valium as a preventative. So I'm for it and I'm against it.

 

I set up...I stagger to the bathroom...I, then, stagger to the kitchen...hold on to the counter so I can make some toast...I hold on and eat the toast...then stagger to the microwave to make my blood pressure tea...I add ice cubes to the tea...holding on to the wall...I make it to the sofa...I take my valium and wait. Finally, I feel I can walk to the kitchen again to make my husband's coffee (he has just had surgery) and I pop a slice of toast in for him. I walk to wake him and then on to getting dressed for the day. On days that I have decided NOT to take the valium, I spin...I am sick to my stomach...I find my walker or my rollator and I try to make it around the house without falling...etc. I fought taking the valium for the first 3 years...now I see it as a method of allowing me to "live" rather than to "exist". If some find this offensive, I am sorry, but I do what I have to do to survive MM and MAV, accompanied by degenerative disc, bone spurs and an aortic valve leak!! Blessings, twinkle

 

It is interesting to me that most of the people here who protest the use of valium do not use it. They have read of the dangers of benzos and it scares them. Maybe you have to use it to understand how it works. For me, using valium does not cut off my anxiety thus cutting off the attack. It cuts off the attack. I really don't have anxiety problems. But I can only speak to how it works for me. Some here use it daily, some as needed, a few times a month, I have actually done both depending on my symptoms. I have always been able to flip flop between the two uses with no problems at all. I think it is important to listen to your doctor, as they are the only one who really knows the state of your menieres and its symptoms. And, for the record, I think sex should always be tried first before any other treatment, and even if it's just for relaxation, i personally think that that's okay. Just my opinion. I know that sex can be addictive for some, but I just enjoy it the right amount, I believe. Lisa

 

Valium works for me. I use it only when I have symptoms. In fact I would rather not use it as I am afraid of the addictive factor. But I have seen many doctor's who tell me to take the valium. I use one half of a 2mg pill if I am sick and sometimes not at all ( for days at a time)and have never gone through withdrawal. My doctors tell me this is dosage is very low and won't hurt me. Their advice..take it if it helps..don't if it doesn't. We all respond to the drugs in different ways just as mm presents in different ways. I have gone through some pretty tough times and I was very thankful to get some relief using valium. Donna

 

Donna, it's great that the PERIODIC use of valium has helped you. That is how this drug should be when attempting to supress ACTIVE meniere's symptoms.

What I, and many other caring people on here are worried about, is the CONTINUOUS daily, weekly, monthly, yearly use of this drug and others like it.

 

I don't have Meniers's disease but I take valium and have for a few years. It has helped so much with my anxiety and sleep issues. I always was a very nervous person, getting freaked out by the smallest stress. While I know there are ways to deal with it I have researched it and been with doctors about it and it really has been a lifesaver for me. I also know the dangers of stopping it cold turkey when you have been taking it daiily for a while and know about the taper program to get off of benzo's, I guess I am kinda an expert. Now that my wife has Minears, they have her taking Valium 2mg doses. She has just started taking some type of steroid also, or will be in the next day. Being Diabetic, she has talked to her endochronologist and gotten his advice since it apperantly really freaks out your bloodsugers, I sure hope the steroids help the meniers. We are just starting with it as she was just diagnosed with it but if there is anyone in need of advice on benzo's and getting off of them I would be happy to offer my advice.

 

I respectfully disagree with you Nassman. Docs do prescribe daily use for some. It helps some people tremendously to do this. Since you have never taken valium before (I think this is what you have stated in the past, sorry if I'm wrong) it may be hard for you to understand how it helps this way, and that in low doses it acts in an amazing way with no addiction pull at all. Lisa

 

Yes, some people do use low doses of Benzos everyday...
Also - it takes a while, but yes you can over time develop a chemical dependency on it, to the point where, it sure can cause real withdrawal symptoms if use is suddenly discontinued (But like most things, that experience is going to be different for everyone [or even the same person at different times]) One may not even think it is withdrawal at all, because the symptoms are so mild and insignificant, others it's so terrible right away, there is no way to think it could be anything else.

 

I agree 100%.

I recently had raging sinus infection for 3 weeks, 2 courses of antibotic and steroids. I was getting daily vertigo even with the meniet pump. When I went in for the 2nd course of antibotics I asked for valium. She wrote me a prescription for it....I took it that night. It took me almost 36 hours to get out of the stupor of taking it. I couldn't function and was in brain fog hell....I would rather have a slam bam vertigo attack and be done with it then go through that again.

 

I have my choice of which "Hell" to live in I choose to take Valium over Vertigo anyday!!!!!!!

Piggy

 

Nothing wrong with that at all.....
(Not Anti-Benzos, or any other drug by a long shot! - Just as long as the users know all the facts, both good and bad.)

 

I agree!!!

Julie

 

just started taking it two weeks ago. i was at my 4th ear specialist and he perscribed it. i've had "gent" and the like , but the relief i get from valium is unbelievable. its the only thing thats come close to touching my problem. i get the dizzies so bad i can't move at times. i'm mad it took almost took 3 years for someone to give me it ! if you've experienced vertigo like me, i say, damn the conscequences, i need to live what time i have and not to suffer !

 

Results of a (flawed) poll I conducted on our board several months ago. Valium had a very high response rate.

http://www.menieres.org/forum/index.php?topic=7268.msg146658#msg146658

 

Excellent advice nichols! Sounds like you have control of your valium use and only use it when absolutely necessary...

 

I dont worry about addiction. Whatever urge Valium has in using it, there is a much more powerful urge of Vertigo avoidance. In other words, I would never use it unless I had an attack. It is much to valuable to waste it. It helps when I get Vertigo, doesnt eliminate , but helps. I have no brain fog on it, and feel much better and able to function, on 5mg. I only took one once this week, when I had an attack at work. OF course, I am well aware this is not a solution, only relief. I am going in for more tests soon. I am learning so much from this website, about Meniere's, and its many causes.

 

I have said it before and I will say it again I LOVE MY VALIUM. I used about 30 5 mg pills in 6 months so I don't think that is overuse. But if I needed it every day I would take it everyday.

 

My usage is EXACTLY the same as yours.

 

wow your lucky if I take valium, I sleep for 4 weeks straight!