Too much diazepam?

[GuidedByVoices]

I've been taking diazepam for about 2 years now for occasional anxiety. I started off taking 10mg at a time and it worked fine. Now I take it 3-4 times a week but when I do I take 40-50mg at a time. I don't get high or tired or anything it just works to stop the anxiety like it did when I was taking 10mg when I first started taking it. Is it bad that my tolerance has increased so much and is 40-50mg at a time too much? I am a pretty big guy, around 220 pounds so my tolerance for most medication is higher but still...

Thanks

[GuidedByVoices]

I also forgot to mention that I use to use benzos recreationally with alcohol for a while but stopped because I realized it was not a fun trip. I have epilepsy too and take daily medication. I don't think this makes too much of a difference though because my doctor says diazepam helps prevent seizures.

Thanks

[kzorro]

If when you stop you have withdrawals then you're taking a bit much, but if it doesn't hurt you than I guess not...

and if you're not to the point where you get withdrawals then tread lightly and don't push it, cause withdrawals from a benzo+epilepsy=bad news. If you do get some withdrawal effects and ever want to be completely off the valium talk about a tapering schedule with your doc

[puckboy]

Originally Posted by GuidedByVoices

Is it bad that my tolerance has increased so much and is 40-50mg at a time too much?

It's not 'bad' really, tolerance for benzos spikes quite quickly, moreso then opiates and other downers. If you use benzos daily and become dependant then you'll be needing rediculous doses to feel satisfied (atleast thats what happened to me). Keep your usage to occasional and your tolerance shouldn't raise too quickly. But that sounds completely normal that you'd be needing 40-50mg rather then just 10mg if you've been using occasionally for a few years.

This is why benzos generally aren't a great long-term solution as tolerance does rise rapidly with frequent usage. Just don't use them daily like you have been which is good. A 2-4 week break every so often would help in keeping your tolerance down.

40-50mg valium isn't a dangerously high dose if your not mixing with other CNS depressants. I wouldn't go much higher though, as the higher you start dosing the faster your tolerance will increase. Take as little as possible, just enough to get rid of the anxiety.

But realise that at this rate (3-4 times per week), your tolerance will keep increasing.

[spudhed]

i did them recreationally for a time, just dont let yourself fall into taking loads at a time, days and days can be lost to you

[gsta4lyfe]

thats not very much valium bro. Just try not to go over 90mg

[SPC123]

I take valium for anxiety. I tried it a few times with alcohol for a trip, but I didn't like it much. I had 90 5mg pills that lasted me 6 months. I really only use it when my anxiety is so severe I can't sleep, and even then only if I need sleep (like if I have work or a class in the morning). Then I will take 10mg before bed. Otherwise just for severe panic attacks, which don't have frequently, so I am lucky.

I don't have as much experience with this stuff as many people here, I have never been addicted to benzos, or anything else really aside from nicotine (which I kicked). I have read a lot though, both here and from other sources. What I believe is what Puckboy said: benzo's aren't a long term solution. If you need them 3-4 times a week you probably should look at an SSRI or some other long term solution. Treat benzo's like the spare tire in your car. Use them to get you out of a jam, but don't rely on them.

[Sweet P]

That doesn't sound excessive to me. When I switch to diazepam from clonazepam (to help taper my dose down) I'll probably need to be on 80mg's a day to begin with. And I'm just a lightweight - 50kg's (110lbs!)

[phatass]

taking 50mgs aa week will probably have you addicted.. you should try a slow taper

[PillPoppingAnimal]

Originally Posted by gsta4lyfe

thats not very much valium bro. Just try not to go over 90mg

why cuz thats ur dose? 90mg?

everyones different, we can all relate to a time when 80mg of oxycodone at once was un heard of and not believable, now 4 80s gets me to get thru a day (on suboxone now) when i was taking 600mg i always thought, "its just a drug, the dose doesnt matter, its just what gets u high. cuz the pure form of it would be minscule"... i was taking 20 roxies a day and once a weeek 40 aa day

PPAs friend

[PillPoppingAnimal]

Originally Posted by phatass

taking 50mgs aa week will probably have you addicted.. you should try a slow taper

yeah, especially for two years...God dam people, if u take anything everyday ur going to get addicted!