JeanneLynn
Member
Reged: 05/16/04
Posts: 116
Loc: The Bible Belt
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I've been taking Valium for my TMJ and clenching problems. I have to say that although it does help the clenching at night, I really don't like the way it makes me feel, really out of it and loopy. I know most people really seem to like valium, but I feel very strange on it. Is this how valium is supposed to make you feel or is it just me? And I'm taking a relatively small dose, I break a 10mg Valium in half, so dosage is only 5mg.
I'm wondering if there is an alternative to valium, something that would relax the muscles of my jaw, but not make me feel that out of it? I'm thinking Soma, but years ago, I threw my back out of place, and a friend gave me some muscle relaxing pills, and I took one of them, and it didn't help. So I took a second one (even though it was against my better judgement, but I was in serious pain!) and I got seriously out of it, and fell asleep for about 12 hours straight. He doesn't remember if these pills were Soma or not. This was about 8 or 9 years ago.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
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treefrog
Stranger
Reged: 11/02/03
Posts: 3
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I have had similar problems with clenching at night and mild TMJ, I would ask your dentist about other non-medication things you can try. My dentist recommended a device that is worn at night so that the clenching is not as uncomfortable and it does actually work. Unfortunately for me Valium doesnt affect me like that, the few times Ive taken it Im asleep within about 20 min., but wake frequently during the night, anyway, hope this helps, the device I use definately helps me, so couldnt hurt to check into it.
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tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 554
Loc: Chicago
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pretty amazing how people actually like to take benzos. people have the expression 'get high' that they use for certain drugs. well the oppisite is true also, you can 'get low' on certain drugs and benzos like valium are one of them. they are very depressing drugs. some alternatives that might work for what you have are neurontin, muscle relaxers and very low dose risperdal. also if this is for night/sleeping jaw clentch only, perhapes benzos with a super short half life so that they wear completely off by the morning. Valium has a half life of 40 or more hours. it stays in your system for so very long. it makes no sense to take that for a night time/sleeping jaw problem
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ITSMEE12
Newbie
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 38
Loc: way up north
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I thought it was just me. I hate to take valium or muscle relaxers etc!!! They make me feel like I just cant do anything my body needs to do!! If I ever need to be "out of it" where I cant move - I know what to take!  Til then I stay away from those!
Good luck to you finding something that works. I have heard alot about xanax - is that an option? A friend told me it only makes her a little relaxed - not sleepy and "out of it". Perhaps that would be enough to help you. Just a thought - I have never taken it.
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rivotril
Newbie
Reged: 05/05/04
Posts: 36
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Hi! sorry about your situation! Anyway, lots of people dislike benzos or certain benzos. I, for instance, hate Valium but like Klonopin. Anyway, the med(s) you replace the valium with really depends upon your needs. Benzos are great for TMJ because they cause sedation AND are mild muscle relaxers. So if you want all of that in one pill, you may want to try another benzo....perhaps one designed SPECIFICALLY for sleep, like Restoril, ProSom, Doral, or Halcion. You could also try any number of other benzos...as I said, I dig Klonopin, but that lasts a long time; Xanax and Ativan have shorter half-lives and may be more appropriate for you. If you just need a sedative, you have lots of options. There's benadryl, trazadone, ambien, sonata, neurontin, sedating anti-psychotics (I know it sounds weird, but lots of docs use them for insomniacs.....seroquel in particular works well for sleep). One drug that came to my mind for you was Miltown/Equanil: it was one of the first non-barbiturate sedative/tranquilizers developed. Anyway, even though its not a barbiturate, it does relax the muscles (one of soma's active metabolites is Miltown) and cause sleep and ease anxiety. Added bonus: its cheap and easier to withdraw from than benzos (or so I've heard, anyway). Good luck!
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flippie
Member
Reged: 06/13/04
Posts: 105
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Yeah, I think that the like / dislike thing for benzos is no different than taste in music or food, really.
Some people have neurochemical makeups that find benzos pleasant. Some people like lima beans, but I can't stand putting one of the disgusting things into my mouth.
Some people like rap. Some of us prefer music. It's all relative.
I myself cannot stand narcotics. Demerol is the only one that I can take without getting physically sick, I mean dizzy and itchy-faced to the point of puking. The DISpleasure far outweights the slightly pleasant electrical feeling that a decent oxy can give me.
I really think that it is just a relative thing. Some men like other men. Some of us prefer farm animals, and there are even some who prefer human females.
I think you see where I'm going. I don't.
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salstar
Journeyman
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 77
Loc: Cool Britannia
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I used to take valium for anxiety. It certainly stopped the anxiety but made me really grouchy & in the words of my boyfriend 'a life draining acidic bitch!' 
Like you, I only have to have a tiny amount & it makes me feel like I just can't be bothered with anything or anyone and that even the slightest little activity (like standing up) is just 'too much'. In short... I become a tired, moody little princess. I haven't tried an alternative but I know from taking other drugs from a particular 'group' that just because one doesn't agree with you it doesn't mean that all drugs from that group won't. It's just a case of trial and error. I now take xanax for my ever persistant and ongoing chronic insomnia (and it works) but I tried taking it during the day for anxiety & I couldn't even stand up! For me, it can only be used as a sleeping pill as it knocks me out completely. I'd be interested to know how you get on if you decide to try another benzo as I'm thinking of exploring them further too.
Good luck!
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Sally
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Anthgonz41
Journeyman
Reged: 07/15/04
Posts: 58
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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salstar
Im prescribed temazepam and it has the shortest half-life of all the benzos. Meaning 50% of the drug is eliminated from the body the fastest, leaving less subtle after effects and sluggishness after use.
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