quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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Im going to order from an OP soon and I usually get 10mgs of Valium. I like to have them around for anxiety and for my occasional panic attacks. I also have fibro and find that the Valium really helps on those days when my muscles are so stiff I can hardly move.
But Im thinking of trying something new, Valium isn't working as well and Im worried about addiction. What is the difference between the meds? And what is the equivalent to 10mgs of Valium? I have tried Xanax in the past, but at the lowest dose. I would order the highest dose I could, you could always cut them in half. Im just not sure if they share the same muscle relaxing properties as the Valium does. Anyone have an opinion?
Thanks,
Sarah
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antique
Banned
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 215
Loc: east coast
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Ativan and Xanax are also addictive, maybe even more so than valium. I have very limited personal experience with these, but from that experience I can tell you that Xanax and Ativan were more sedating than Valium.
I have been taking Skelaxin for muscle relaxation, and it works well, can be taken during the day, and isn't addictive.
Do you take flexeril at night? Some people here recommend Zanaflex to take at night for muscle relaxation. Come to think of it, maybe you were one of the ones recommending it.
That's all I have to offer on the topic. HTH
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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They are all benzos and thus addictive.
Valium is probably best for muscle spasms.
It is used to stop convulsions.
If you are building a tolerance to Valium, and are worried about addiction, you really wouldn't be doing yourself a favor by switching to another drug in the same class.
It would be like switching from hydrocone to oxycodone.
Sarah, I don't know. Maybe a non benzo for a muscle relaxer and whatever works best for you for anxiety?
Good Luck. I'm not trying to be judgemental. Just trying to address your question.
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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howie
Member
Reged: 09/23/02
Posts: 152
Loc: T-Town
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For the panic attacks, I would recomend talking to your DR about getting Klonopin for the long run and then possiblly xanax for immediate relief in case of a severe panic attack.
All are addictive. I wouldn't use the valium for panic attacks.
Some might have to realize that you can be on a medication and be addicted to it but it is no different than somebody with heart problems being on heart medication, a diabetic taking insulin,etc.
My mother takes ativan for her anxiety. Her bottle says take 3-4 a day. She takes 2 at night every night. She was a school teacher for 30 years but needed medication.(retired about 4 yrs ago)
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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Howie, I agree. Quincy voiced concern about addiction.
I'd imagine that is a serious concern for many.
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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I don't know, Its a toss up on the addiction issue. Yes I am physically addicted to opiates, I take them for chronic pain. I have anxiety and depression issues and also take antidepressants, but my docs won't prescribe benzo's the way an OP does. I know the reason for this is addicition. But have been ordering them from Op's for about 6 months now, and when I run out or can't afford to order I don't have any noticeable withdrawls or anything. Opiates are another story-I go into withdrawls in a matter of hours. I think I will stick with the valium.
I have taken Skelakxin and Flexeril and methocarbomol and they don't work for me anymore. Within 30 minutes of taking a Valium I can feel the muscles loosen up, literally. The non-benzo muscle relaxers only work for me for a few months, then they stop working. Its the same with sleeping pills, I don't know why.
I have a consult today and I might ask the doc what he thinks is best.
Sarah
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novashok88
Banned
Reged: 12/17/01
Posts: 301
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Just my 2 cents, but considering that Valium's half-life elimination can extend to 2 weeks or even longer, it wouldn't be surprising if you didn't feel w/d if you stopped for a few days. I found that things were at their worst around days 6 to 9 of quitting Valium, and started to noticably improve after about day 14. Maybe my system is much more sensitive to benzos than the average person but having experienced both, i'd choose the mostly-physical nature of an opiate w/d over the combo mentalness and physicalness of benzo w/d, most any time. Benzo w/d is a living nightmare for me, but i've heard others say it was relatively painless for them, so it seems to vary quite a bit from individual to individual.. As to switching to a faster-acting benzo like ativan or xanax (or any other) from my personal experience, i'd highly recommend against it. It really won't help in the long-term for your tolerance anyway because valium tolerance = xanax tolerance = ativan tolerance, as it applies to the rest of the benzo family. Good luck...
NS
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