Help........am in crisis.

[Starlight Impress Forever]

Please, can any of you advise me what you would do if you were in my shoes?????

Off of diazepam/valium 10 days now.........cold turkey with G.P.`s blessing, as had only been on relatively small doses for 10 weeks and hadn`t taken any on some days.

I cannot understand how I could have been so foolish to take a drug in the first place as I am so anti-drugs for me personally. But I didn`t see any other option at the time........G.P. prescribed it for panic attacks and my newly `acquired` agoraphobia.......only been agoraphobic for 12 weeks.

Have had no physical withdrawal symptoms that I`ve noticed, but rebound anxiety is horrific..........worse than my initial anxiety before I was idiot enough to pop pills.

Was all but hysterical last night with panic.........even had to phone NHS 24 and a locum from my G.P.`s surgery phoned me this morning for me to update her. She advised me to take the `occasional` 5 mg tablet of the drug if I am finding I can`t cope until such times as I try to get myself along to CBT in New Year.

I don`t want to weaken and go back on the drug, as eventually I would likely become physically addicted to it.

Should I tough it out and stay off it, as I wish, even though I am in such a state?????

Please advise.

Star x

[greeneyes]

Help........am in crisis.

Star I don't know the dynamics of agrophobia and thus the anxiety and panic associated with it. I just want you to know I hear you. I'm sure you know to take a warm bath and to do some 'therapeutic" breathing. I'm sorry you're going through this.

[stirly-girly]

Help........am in crisis.

Star, we've got a member who knows all about herbal remedies and such. I've sent her a PM asking if she can offer some help. She probably knows of something other than medications that will help you calm down. Hope she can be of help to you. A warm bath is a good idea as Greenie suggested. Sounds like you're having a really bad time. Best of luck in finding something that will help. Stirly

[Starlight Impress Forever]

Help........am in crisis.

Cheers greenie,
Was looking at your signature...........is the key to being free from panic etc...........I`ve read much on the subject and really do know that I have the ability to control my own thoughts and overcome both panic and agoraphobia.

It`s just such a huge step from knowing that the only way to recover from this is to face my fears and actually facing them.

Am trying to think positive to calm down. Please God the panic doesn`t reach the huge crescendo it did last night.

So, am holding tight and............sticking to my guns and staying off that evil drug.

I have beaten the drink...........says I can beat this too, right???????????? RIGHT!!!!!!!!

Star x

[Brigitte Bardot]

Help........am in crisis.

Hi Star, I was on Diazepam for a while, I was getting a 30 day refill at a time. I personally did not go through any withdrawl when going off of it, and I didn't go through any dependency issues either while I was on it. But, I am not familiar with your condition and took it when I was going through anxiety to calm me down. I would talk to your doctor again, I was advised that it was not a long term solution...

[Starlight Impress Forever]

Help........am in crisis.

Thank you, Stirly.

Another kind member recommended GABA Calm, which I know boosts the actual gaba levels in the brain, unlike the diazepam/valium I was taking, which only mimics gaba, so.............asked locum G.P. this morning if it would now be safe for me to take this, only..........she said she hadn`t a clue...........N.H.S only train G.P.`s in prescription drugs............I ask you!!!!..........am doing all in my power to help myself here and.........my doc couldn`t advise..........too busy promoting drugs..........system stinks!!!!!!

Star x

[Starlight Impress Forever]

Help........am in crisis.

Thank you Brigitte,
Could you tell me how long you were on it and if you took it every day and dose(s) used?

Thanks,

Star x

[one2many]

Help........am in crisis.

Hey Star,

I have no clue about meds etc, I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and I hope this passes for you soon, you are so brave and a wonderful person.

You can SO beat this too!"!

[Brigitte Bardot]

Help........am in crisis.

Starlight Impress Forever;1026354 wrote: Thank you Brigitte,
Could you tell me how long you were on it and if you took it every day and dose(s) used?

Thanks,

Star x

Hi there,

I had two 30 days prescriptions filled. I took 1 when I felt stressed out and needed some calming down before I went into a full anxiety attack and they worked really well. I believe they were 5mg tablets, and I also used another anxiety med to help me sleep, they were 15mg tablets. I only used either one of them when they were needed, I didn't have to take them everyday. Sometimes the prescription lasted longer then the 30 days since some days were better then others. They did help me, and I haven't had to use anything for quite a while now. I knew my doctor was not going to keep renewing the prescription so I had to slowly learn how to cope without them and now I'm at the point where I don't need them or anything else, but it didn't happen over night for me.

I hope you can find something which works for you.. :l

[Ringing Cedars]

Help........am in crisis.

Hi Starlight, Gaba is certainly a good choice. Siberian Ginseng has a great tonic affect on the nervous system, supports the adrenals and provides a bit of a lift. There are a lot of natural remedies for anxiety. Valerian is nature's valium. If you can find the extract that will produce more quickly. Same with the Ginseng. Try any of these or combination of: Rhodiola rosea; Ashwagandha; Schisandra extract; L-Tyrosine. Pure lavender essential oil: drop 3 drops onto each wrist and rub in a gentle circular motion. You can apply it to the temples and back of the neck as well. Hope that helps. Put some epsom salts and lavender in the bath too.

[Starlight Impress Forever]

Help........am in crisis.

Thanks for caring, oney and Zen. Is so heartening to see people still here for me, despite my being gone from the site for so long.

MWO is such a loving community and I feel humbled that you are all offering me such comforting support.........sincere thanks.

Brigitte......thanks for clarifying.........seems I only used the diazepam a little more than you for a little longer than you, so........that gives me a little more confidence that I can stay off this drug right enough and never be fool enough to ever take a benzo again.

Am feeling slightly less panicky, so can only hope tonight is easier than last night.

Ringing Cedars........thank you. You`ve just made me reconsider the homeopathic hospital here.........programme on BBC recently with woman who had overcome panic and agoraphobia even. through treatment at one.

This, I believe is one of only 2 cities in UK to have NHS Homeopathic Hospital........I am going to phone doc in morning and ask her to refer me..........waiting time is approx. 6 weeks, which is good for NHS here.........short wait as most people are `encouraged` to stop wasting the doc`s time and just take the first thing available, i.e. drugs.

Star x

[JackieClaire]

Help........am in crisis.

Hi Star,
Don't think we've met but hello.

My daughter (she's 24) has been suffering from massive panic attacks and anxiety lately. So much so we had to take her to A and E as she thought she was having a heart attack. She's about to start counselling on the 4th January and also joined the 'No Panic Forum. It should just pop up straight away if you google it.
It's very like this forum and like this forum she's getting masses of help.

J x
:l

[Starlight Impress Forever]

Help........am in crisis.

Thank you JackieC,
Would that be ...: No Panic Homepage :...

Huge coincidence if it is........was looking at that this afternoon........am going to join. It looks amazing.

Star x

[JackieClaire]

Help........am in crisis.

It's this one. Trouble is I know her user name and I have to desperately try not to lurk there.

No More Panic - Powered by vBulletin

Actually Star, I'll give her the link to yours as well. Thank you.

[greeneyes]

Help........am in crisis.

Star, there are accupressure points on your arms you can press on for about 30 seconds to gain some relief. They are called the valium points. They are... on your upper arm just above the elbow on the inside part (the part by the bony joint ) Take three of your fingers (the first three - index, middle, ring) and place them at the side of the elbow joint horizontal, not lengthwise. Feel for a tender spot there. Press on it (both arms) for about 30 seconds. Often as you like, but with time inbetween.