Is Two Weeks Long Enough to Become Addicted to Valium (Diazepam)?

[Liam_Cairns]

So I had an exposure to a balloon pop which caused hearing loss so I took Prednisone and to mitigate the side effects I was prescribed Valium.

I took both for two weeks.

I was on 5 mg of Valium a day.

I have stopped it now and I have a huge headache and my tinnitus has really ramped up.

Is this just Prednisone withdrawal or is this Valium dependence? Should I taper it?

The effects started about three days after my last Valium dose.

 

[Chinmoku]

So I had an exposure to a balloon pop which caused hearing loss so I took Prednisone and to mitigate the side effects I was prescribed Valium.

I took both for two weeks.

I was on 5 mg of Valium a day.

I have stopped it now and I have a huge headache and my tinnitus has really ramped up.

Is this just Prednisone withdrawal or is this Valium dependence? Should I taper it?

The effects started about three days after my last Valium dose.

Possible but unlikely. Two weeks is a short period even for Valium. However tapering it is never a bad idea. Perhaps you could do a short taper? That would protect you a little longer from the effects ceasing prednisone.
But I'd ask a doctor actually.

How have you been otherwise? Has your tinnitus improved after the post-valdoxan increases?

 

[TheDanishGirl]

Yes, one can get addicted to benzos in as little as two weeks. I would suggest you taper of.

 

[David S]

@Liam_Cairns

This is very individual. Also some benzos seams to be more addictive.

I used Zopiclone (sleep) and Oxazepam on and off for many years in periods up to 12 month without feeling any addiction. Once I got my tinnitus under control it was easy to just stop or taper out. My dose was quite low and I never over consumed. I think most people realize once something goes from use to abuse. To me benzos were essential once my tinnitus was life threatening. Just be careful and ask you doctor to keep an eye on you!

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/...PACE-83838b80407711959274ba222b2948cf-mMEtF68

 

[Liam_Cairns]

Possible but unlikely. Two weeks is a short period even for Valium. However tapering it is never a bad idea. Perhaps you could do a short taper? That would protect you a little longer from the effects ceasing prednisone.
But I'd ask a doctor actually.

How have you been otherwise? Has your tinnitus improved after the post-valdoxan increases?

Yes, one can get addicted to benzos in as little as two weeks. I would suggest you taper of.

Would you guys have any recommendations for how I should do it? Just like keep halving every day till there is nothing left?

 

[MRItechssuck]

May I ask... what effects from the Prednisone was the Valium helping with?

No offense to anyone, but I'm amazed at how many people take Benzos, in general.

 

[Capstan]

May I ask... what effects from the Prednisone was the Valium helping with?

No offense to anyone, but I'm amazed at how many people take Benzos, in general.

I have a similar story. I was in a pannick state recently dealing with T and Xanax really helped take the edge off (bad thoughts). The benzo did not help my sleep while on Prednisone (insomnia) at all. Xanax also caused constipation which isn't a good tradeoff for me. As I've came off Prednisone my T has gotten louder like @Liam_Cairns. I can't explain why Prednisone seems to silence T (maybe I got inflammation) but I can't be on it forever. I'm not planning to take any more of either.

 

[Liam_Cairns]

May I ask... what effects from the Prednisone was the Valium helping with?

No offense to anyone, but I'm amazed at how many people take Benzos, in general.

Basically, because prednisone is just an artificial form of the stress hormone cortisol it can make you emotionally all over the place, it can really ramp you up, most people on high doses experience symptoms of hypomania, it also causes insomnia and just kinda just makes you feel like shit in general, so by taking valium I am able to kinda stay level headed and still go to work and like function. Yeah, benzos are not to be messed with but I didn't realize that a physiological dependence to develop this quickly.

 

[Chinmoku]

Would you guys have any recommendations for how I should do it? Just like keep halving every day till there is nothing left?

Ashton recommends 10% reduction or less of current dosage per week. But given that you have been only two weeks maybe you can reduce faster. Maybe 25% or 50% per week. It varies by individual.

 

[Digital Doc]

Ashton recommends 10% reduction or less of current dosage per week. But given that you have been only two weeks maybe you can reduce faster. Maybe 25% or 50% per week. It varies by individual.

Yes, two weeks is long enough for a benzo withdrawal.

 

[MRItechssuck]

Basically, because prednisone is just an artificial form of the stress hormone cortisol it can make you emotionally all over the place, it can really ramp you up, most people on high doses experience symptoms of hypomania, it also causes insomnia and just kinda just makes you feel like shit in general, so by taking valium I am able to kinda stay level headed and still go to work and like function. Yeah, benzos are not to be messed with but I didn't realize that a physiological dependence to develop this quickly.

"most people?"

What was your dosage? I was on 60mg for over a week and I was fine... do you have underlying mental health or anxiety issues?

Insomnia... just take it in the morning... not a big deal.... IMO taking one drug to combat another isn't the way.

 

[Backpacker]

I have stopped it now and I have a huge headache and my tinnitus has really ramped up.

Is it like a normal headache just stronger or more like a weird head pressure?

 

[MRItechssuck]

I think you did a good thing being assertive to get the Prednisone, and there can be side effects... but for a short term course it is usually not a problem. Btw, even the FAA allows flight crew to fly/work with up to 20mg of Prednisone.

We are all affected by, well everything... differently... I didn't have any side effects other than it did seem like my T increased when I stopped it.

In general, after orthopedics, and ENTs, IMO psychiatrists are next class of quacks and prescribe psychotropic drugs far too often.

Did you taper off the Prednisone at least?

 

[Barbara777]

@Liam_Cairns

This is very individual. Also some benzos seams to be more addictive.

I used Zopiclone (sleep) and Oxazepam on and off for many years in periods up to 12 month without feeling any addiction. Once I got my tinnitus under control it was easy to just stop or taper out. My dose was quite low and I never over consumed. I think most people realize once something goes from use to abuse. To me benzos were essential once my tinnitus was life threatening. Just be careful and ask you doctor to keep an eye on you!

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/...PACE-83838b80407711959274ba222b2948cf-mMEtF68

I concur with David, most people can do what he did with benzos.

David do you take any sleep meds anymore?

 

[Liam_Cairns]

"most people?"

What was your dosage? I was on 60mg for over a week and I was fine... do you have underlying mental health or anxiety issues?

Insomnia... just take it in the morning... not a big deal.... IMO taking one drug to combat another isn't the way.

No I don't, it is a stress hormone, it's normal for it to cause those kinds of symptoms. Some people just react differently to drugs.

 

[Liam_Cairns]

I think you did a good thing being assertive to get the Prednisone, and there can be side effects... but for a short term course it is usually not a problem. Btw, even the FAA allows flight crew to fly/work with up to 20mg of Prednisone.

We are all affected by, well everything... differently... I didn't have any side effects other than it did seem like my T increased when I stopped it.

In general, after orthopedics, and ENTs, IMO psychiatrists are next class of quacks and prescribe psychotropic drugs far too often.

Did you taper off the Prednisone at least?

Yeah like there was a measurable drop in my hearing so it made sense to give it a go, and yeah it's probably just rebound neuroinflammation when you stopped taking it that caused the tinnitus to ramp up, and yeah I tapered but honestly I have just stopped cold turkey in the past and I have been fine, updated literature suggests that under 3 weeks you don't have to taper prednisone even when on high doses.

 

[Bobbette]

I used Zopiclone (sleep)

My doctor prescribed this for me. Starting tomorrow, fingers crossed. Are you still taking it?