Diazepam

[JOEYGREEN]

My sis has asked me to find out about this. I just searched it but too much bumf came up. Can anyone give me any information about this without too many long words please cuz I don't want to have to get the dictionary out. Many thanks in advance.

[Cetti]

What did you want to know about it? Side effects etc?

Diazepam is the generic term for Valium and is a supposed relaxant. It was once used as a cure-all during the 1960's and 70's from back pain to nervous disorders.

[Dizzieblonde]

It's a sedative. It had to be prescribed by a doctor, and can be addictive - psychologically rather than physically - if taken for too long, so they try not to keep anyone on it for too long. It makes you drowsy if you take too much, but - if taken properly - gives a mellow kind of feeling. Hard to explain unless you take it, but it just takes the edge off things - it's given for anxiety usually.

[JOEYGREEN]

My sis is worried about her friend. There was an "incident" and now her friend is quite stressed/depressed/anxious and she has gone to the doctors and he has prescriped diazepam for her. We don't really know much about it and so she asked me to find out. Thanks

[Dizzieblonde]

She'll be okay with it Joey, but he might advise her not to drive, work machinery etc. As long as she doesn't keep taking it long term or feel like she *needs* it, it might help - hope she sorts out her probs

[JOEYGREEN]

Thanks ever so much to both of you. I'm sure she'll keep an eye on her.

Thanks

[Cetti]

Make sure she takes a low dose (2mg) for a very short time as it is one of the the most addictive drugs known.

It doesn't cure anxiety, just suppresses it which shows how powerful it is. Taken too long it will lead to physical as well as psychological addiction as the brain will constantly crave larger doses.

I'm speaking from personal experience over a 25 year period of been given this drug for back pain. It can develop into other areas, so keep an eye on your friend. She's very fortunate to have such caring people around her.

[JOEYGREEN]

Thanks again to both of you

[Robinia]

I totally agree with Cetti, it most certainly is addictive - it stole yrs of my life too.
However it does have it's place &, years after coming off it, it helped me through the early phase of a serious illness until I was calm enough to cope.
All the best.

[WendyS]

Diazepam is a tranquiliser which also acts as a very effective muscle relaxant. It has been prescibed to me on one or two occasions for severe back pain when my back muscles have gone into acute spasm and I've been unable to move. But it can be very addictive so try and ensure that your sister's friend tries to adopt some other de-stressing capabilities and means of coping so that she doesn't need to stay on it for very long. It can make you very sleepy, so she shouldn't drive, and should also avoid alcohol while on this medication.