Valium: Side-Effects

[chick]

I'm considering taking valium to help control spasms/tone, but very low dose - 2 mg. per as needed (Rx up to 3 x's a day). I didn't want to take baclofen, if there were other options, preferring something I could take only as needed, and not daily or continuous. (FYI. I had tried baclofen in the past)

I am not desirous of the side-effects of valium, such as drowsiness, light-headedness, being non-alert or otherwise loopy. What other poss. effects could be expected? Lethargy? How significant have people experienced dizziness or light-headedness and generalized weakness?

I understand that those with lower bp may be more susceptible to these side-effects. For those taking valium, particularly those with very low blood pressure, how strongly have effects been felt/experienced?

My bp (as of today) is 54/45, but tend to be variable up to ~ 90/50

I'm not too concerned, since I'll only take minimally, and only as needed, and gauge any effects to determine if worth continuing, but I am curious to see what effects people have experienced, both positive and negative.

Thanks!

[Stormycoon]

BP 54/45!!?? Thats very strange. Very low isn't it? But I can vouch for baclofen it works very quick & efficient and my cousin a RN says the same. I couldn't tell by your words if you've tried it, but valium I believe is even more potent. Not sure of side effects there but with Baclofen I only take maybe 2wice a day if that and dont see any SE. Hope that helps.

[chick]

BP 54/45!!?? Thats very strange. Very low isn't it? But I can vouch for baclofen it works very quick & efficient and my cousin a RN says the same. I couldn't tell by your words if you've tried it, but valium I believe is even more potent. Not sure of side effects there but with Baclofen I only take maybe 2wice a day if that and dont see any SE. Hope that helps.I edited that I had tried baclofen in the past, before you posted :) ...but I need to make another slight correction on bp, as it was 56/45. But yes, I tend to be on the low side, and in recent months, a bit lower than my avg. low.

Although baclofen may have the least side-effects, my reason for not preferring the baclofen, is that it needs to be taken consistently and continuously, for effects to be beneficial, and that intermittent dosing and/or abruptly stopping it could have negative effects, incl. making spasms worse.

Basically, I want to take as minimal amount of meds as possible, and when given the standard set of sci related Rx's early on (baclofen, ditropan, peri-colace, and senna), I eventually stopped all of them.

I also think a bit of tone can be good, and don't want body/muscles to be completely flaccid, so I don't plan on high dosages of any muscle relaxants.

...but uncontrollable body falling over and my ever growing scar collection is kinda gettin passee, now that I'm old :)

[Stormycoon]

Yes very low indeed, and took heed of what you said, and was thinking earlier about how the injury level experiences things differently. I dont hyave Blood Pressure issues anymore just sugar deficiancies and always need a stash of chocolate because I'll nearly pass out, but man if you want to experience the moment when sweets never tasted sooo good and practicly save your life, it is quite funn. (man what a rush)lol. Anyhow I believe Valium could be the way to go then but there is the possibility of getting hooked cause it makes you feel calm. Party people take it with booze. I think you'll be fine. And I must say since I dont post much its creul enough putting a man through SCI but a woman of your beauty is just twisted. :-?

"...but uncontrollable body falling over and as I get older, my ever growing scar collection is kinda gettin passee "
Same here luv. We should compare when we get out of this. You're not gonna be old with SCI.

[aaronykc]

valium for tone/spasms? is it effective? i thought its for anxiety attacks or somethin??
if ur spasms r causing u to fall off ur chair its quite serious. have u tried stretching more often?

[LaMemChose]

In addition to the effects you mention, I experienced a sort of cognitive slowing. It was different from being "loopy" imo. I had discussed it with my neuro and he said it can happen, but most peple don't recognize it. I detested my brain functioning on a sort of delay.

I was also told that once I began taking it to know I would be taking it for life. That was not the case for me, but anyway.

It's highly addictive, which I'm sure you know. Because you'll take only as needed it may not be an issue for you.

Don't know if that helps, but it was my experience.

Hope it works for you Chick.

[cass]

i have been taking diazepam (valium) for yrs on an as needed (prn) basis. don't take it daily, never got addicted, have 5 mg pills. have found them useful. but, not terribly useful for spasms. i use 40 mg baclofen a day for that and really don't have bad spasms.

the diazepam i resort to when the pain is so bad i need to calm down to deal. then i take 5 mg, at most 10 if i just want to sleep thru it (tho 10 hardly knocks one out). i really have not seen it impact my spasms, but, again, i don't have bad spasms, just really bad pain.

good luck, chick. i wouldn't be afraid of it. i go days w/o it after all these yrs. as opposed to baclofen....my body knows when i haven't had it :mad: and i was started on it before i had spasms. have reduced myself to 40 mg/day.

eta: when i do take diazepam, i only take it once a day so i can't speak to a 3xday dosage. except to say, i know that would affect me mentally. as i said, i use it prn, and not daily.

[SCI-Nurse]

Valium for prn is generally okay but unfortunately spasms etc.. are not usuay "prn" so that is why Bacofen & oyhers such as Tizandidine ar eused continuously.Some might experience or be bothered more by spasms at night.
That is a pretty low b/p.

CWO

[adi chicago]

to me valium 10 mg at bed time helped me and i had no side effects or addiction .chick your bp is very low ...check asap with your doc.when my bp was 70/50 six years ago in the rehab center [roswell NM]I passed out.
ps.everytime i had an uti [monthly]i take valium before i go to bed .[i sleep like a baby]and the pain and spasms are at a level 8.
good luck and all the best.

[Malibu]

Chick - that bp is low. I would take more salt to get it up. That's what i do anyways. And i did have a few moments where my bp was in the 50's. Really tiring it was and could not get a good breath.

[Lazlo]

I've got low BP too. I take valium for spasms occasionally but yes, it makes me very tired. Tizanidine does the same thing. I only take them if I'll have the opportunity to nap if necessary. Caffeine counters the lethargy, but my bladder doesn't like it!

[chick]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

I was given the script a few days ago by my physiatrist, just for a 2 month supply, to try it out. I thought about filling out the script just to trial and if works, great...if not, just stop, no biggie. But, after thinking a bit more about this, I might wait a while because I don't want to take anything that might dull my senses in any way, or make me more tired (was told that even if I take at night, effects could be felt the next day), and definitely not less coordinated and more impaired.

My physiatrist had told me not to be so stoic and take ibuprofen for pain, but I don't want to take anything that may mask any sensation or body response. I'm thinking the same, about valium, despite wanting to relax my muscles a bit. I have some pain sensation from a broken hip and a sprained ankle that's still healing, so trying to isolate and target what's being triggered and where. Spasm are also likely associated, in part, so that's another consideration in not diminishing responses too much. Seeing an internist tomorrow, so will discuss more w/him before deciding anything.

Aaron, yes, it can be used for spasms, but as you can see, there are more unwanted effects, than meds like baclofen. See here for more on Valium: Indications (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diazepam#Indications). It can be used to treat anxiety, but note that those with anxiety or other disorders, are more at risk for dependency problems. LaMem and Stormy's examples are indicated in the Dependence and At risk sections.

It's also noted that withdrawal symptoms can occur from standard dosages and also after short term use, with problems becoming greater if taken longer term. If taken only intermittently, or prn, then this may be less likely. But again, as cass and SCI nurse indicated, use this way may not be very effective in helping to manage spasms. However, it may provide temporary relief, especially on those days the body just doesn't want to behave. It doesn't seem too bad on a short-term basis. I'll see.

Zero, getting on a cycle of valium and caffine might be going down a spiraling path! I've cut my caf down from 2 pots to about half a pot, tho my bladder was actually happier with more!

Adi, they're aware of my bp. Hey, where do you think I get my bp taken! As long as I have a pulse...

Malibu, salt doesn't helps me with bp. I do need to wear binder, else I will have trouble breathing and likely pass out. Drinking a lot helps. Distending abs without binder on is uncomfortable, and not really helpful, as it doesn't help with breathing any better (so for those always nagging me to eat, it's not just a matter of being scrawny and needing to eat more!).

Heh, just realized it was after 2 a.m. Maybe I should fill script so I can get to sleep at a decent time! :)

[SCI-Nurse]

Chick, if you have a healing fracture, avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen. They can interfere with bone healing. Stick to Tylenol if possible. Neither will "mask" serious pain like an opioid could.

Valium can worsen depression, and causes physical dependence. Withdrawal from Valium can be life threatening. Some studies have shown that Valium can interfere with the emotional work of dealing with a SCI, which is a reason we avoid it in new injuries. Combining Valium with alcohol is even more dangerous than combining alcohol and baclofen. Valium should really be a last resort oral medication for spasticity management.

(KLD)

[Lazlo]

Zero, getting on a cycle of valium and caffine might be going down a spiraling path! I've cut my caf down from 2 pots to about half a pot, tho my bladder was actually happier with more!

Ok you've got a bladder of steel I think! Half a cup and I'm a Betsy-Wetsy doll, just a tube going from the mouth to the urethra.

[teena]

Chick, if you have a healing fracture, avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen. They can interfere with bone healing. Stick to Tylenol if possible. Neither will "mask" serious pain like an opioid could.

Valium can worsen depression, and causes physical dependence. Withdrawal from Valium can be life threatening. Some studies have shown that Valium can interfere with the emotional work of dealing with a SCI, which is a reason we avoid it in new injuries. Combining Valium with alcohol is even more dangerous than combining alcohol and baclofen. Valium should really be a last resort oral medication for spasticity management.

(KLD)

I have to agree with KLD here.

I have refrained from posting here until this point...but here is my personal take on this medication...

My Mom was hooked on valium for a time. She was an LPN, and could basically get whatever she wanted/needed back in THOSE days before Dr's and Pharmacists were held responsible to the utmost for what they gave people. Plus she had friends who were prescription drug company reps and could get things that way also.

I said all that to say this...

She never meant to hurt herself, or to hurt anyone emotionally, but she had symptoms very similar to what KLD described with the depression, and the dependence. She was not herself at all when she was taking the drug. A kind-hearted gastro. Dr. was sent to her while she had a hospital stay for a gastro-related problem. He himself discovered the valium addiction and helped her kick her habit. (Thank God!)... Once she did get off the drug, she was an entirely different person, and very apologetic...for all the wrong hurtful things she had done. When told of some of the things she had done, she was appalled, and had no idea she had said/done such things.

I did NOT put this here to scare anyone, but just to let you know that KLD is right...this is not a drug to be played with, and if my Mom had been under ONE doctor's care, and not abusing the drug, then the outcome might have been different and the drug might have helped...who knows?

All I know is that I would not take a valium for a million dollar bill laid in my hand, knowing the side effects...

Chick, I think you are wise to have made the decision you have made. :D

Take care, everyone!

Teena

[CapnGimp]

I take 5mg Valium on an as-needed basis for spasm/cramps in my ribcage area and the area immediately surrounding my back hardware. There are times that it gets very painful.
That said, I get one 90 count bottle per year. I tried tizanidine and it doesn't work for me. I have zero problems with valium. As you know, I am a 'natural way' kinda guy. I am not fond of throwing meds at problems.

The ONLY time I get a 'feeling' that carries over from the med upon wake-up, is if I take two or three in less than 12 hours. It is like any feeling you get when your body has strange 'impurities' put through it that you do not use normally. I have no mental clarity issues with it during or after use either. It only lasts for the first hour or so after getting up and getting active.

I think maybe some do not understand as needed/infrequent use.

I have managed to make it so far this year without a script. I have not really had the problem rear itself often enough to warrant a trip to the doc.

Methinks you would do fine, IF it works on your problem.

[LaMemChose]

Ouch Chick. I just read you are recovering from a broken hip and sprained ankle. Here's to healing quickly and well.

[alan]

Ativan (Lorazapam) has a much shorter half life than valium (stays in the body for a shorter period of time.) It might be worth trying.

Unlike opiate withdrawal, benzodiazapene withdrawal can be fatal.

[b1zzfr74]

Hi Chick, My blood pressure is 55/45 and go'es,up to 160/100. I had a heart pacemaker in Feb 08. Feel 100% better. I cut down my baclofen fron 80 mg per day to 20mg at night also 5mg valium. You will never get addicted at this dosage and it does help me sleep. The doctor is,nt worried about my low blood pressure and told me to drink a big mug of water with salt if I get dizzy. Maybe it's because I'm 72 and 53 years post injury c6/7 that they don't worry. Olly

[barondidit]

If something works for YOU..than so be it. Its easy enough to try it and see if it works, as it usually stops the spasms within fifteen 15 to 30 minutes. It works the first time you take it.(least for me) We all (should)know there is a bid differnce between addiction and dependance.
i HAD HORRIBLE spasms after my t-10 complete injury. Sometimes it would feel like someone jerked my leg as hard as they could. out of nowhere. Changing positions ie. laying down also caused alOT of spacity. In rehab they just kept amping up my baclofen. it wasnt doing much for me at all other than give me nightmares and making me jittery. This all stopped promptly after deciding not to take the baclofen any more.
I had takin valiun a few times recreationaly and was on a short script of it when an ex gf and i broke up..pre injury. It helped.
Anyway
One day after stoping the baclofen and dealing with horrible spasms...especially in my stomach(felt like i just did 500 sit ups).
A friend offered me a valium. Shit....i wasnt doin much "sure".
I was so amased and conforted when my spasms went away almost completly within 15 minutes. Also instead of the burning neuro pain i had i nice cool fealing come over my legs :)
well three years later i still take 5 -10 mg 1-3 times a day. i like that i can control when i have my spasms. As i like the fact my legs move..(amusing) and spasms help with keaping mucles goin into atrophy.
worked for me. give it a try.
yes you may feel a bit tired. your body does aclumate to it after a while(bout a month for me)
Good luck
B

[chick]

Chick, if you have a healing fracture, avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen. They can interfere with bone healing. Stick to Tylenol if possible. Neither will "mask" serious pain like an opioid could.This was good to know, thanks. I asked about ibuprofen and bone healing, and there seems to be some debate out there about this, with effects being inconclusive. Better to be aware of the possible effect/risk than not, though. I am not taking either Advil or Tylenol, but have taken in past for migranes, but rarely then either as they never seem to help anyway. I did ask about the difference between Advil and Tylenol, and the main difference I'm told was the anti-inflamatory aspect of Advil.

My hip is not fractured, per se, but the acetabulum of hips are damaged, with the left side significantly deteriorated (pretty non-existent), leaving left femur severely dislocated, with no socket to position into.

Given that ibuprofen can interfere with bone healing, what implication, if any, with presence of diffuse osteopenia, osteoarthritis, HO, and any interaction with calcium supplements (eg. TUMS) for bone health/maintenance?

[chick]

Thanks again, everyone, for sharing your experiences RE. valium.

Wanting something to use only as needed, there doesn't seem to be other options but Valium. I'm not too concerned, since it's only taking as needed, and mostly like very intermittently, if much at all. I was told to try as little as 1 mg, if feeling any unwanted effects.

CapnGimp and barondidit, it seems this has worked ok for you and has helped some, with spasms as well as pain, so that's good to know.

I understand some of the concerns expressed, but given my history and what my purpose/use is for, there's no worry. I did want to see if those with very low bp, in particular, were more likely to experience certain effects, so thanks to those for sharing.

b1zzfr74 (Olly), I think docs don't worry much with our bp's, since we tend to be lower than avg. anyway, so much of it is expected. 53 yrs post, wow. I'm 20 yrs post. Maybe, also, we've just been dealing with this stuff long enough to not get too worried ourselves and know to take care of things when we need to. Glad to hear you're heart feels better.

teena, seems effects could be pretty bad, especially if not careful and not considering one's complete medical history and situation. Like KLD, LaMem and others have described, it can be pretty addictive and withdrawals pretty terrible.

Mem and alan, I hope you guys found something that has helped, and especially for your pains Alan.

[Hunker]

I take 10mg 4 times a day. I started 24 years ago. I started at 2mg but I tell my doctors each year I am getting used to it and to up the dosage. I am not addicted to it I really use it for recreational use but it does relax my legs before I get off work so I can transfer. I drink wine because 2 pills plus two drink gives you 6 times the effect. I sleep good at night but I do not take it on the weekend because it does effect my viagra (info for the guys). It is cheap also I pay $20.00 for 120 10mg. per month. It makes my back hurt if i take it right because it relaxes the muscle I take four 200 mg of Advil for when needed like today is friday and i sit at this computer goofing off at work all day. I take all four at 4:00 pm to give them time to loosen up my legs before I go home.

[SCI-Nurse]

I have not seen any evidence that the use of either Tylenol or NSAIDs has any effect on osteoporosis.

It sounds like you have a Charcot joint at your hip. Has your physician called it that??

(KLD)

[Van Quad]

I was taking diazepam 4 times a day, 2 mg per. For years. I remembered in the olden days we used to go off our diazepam for a week as a drug holiday. So I tried it last year and only lasted 8 days. I had the jitters like nobody's business. And it didn't get any better through the latter days. The one good thing was that I was able to cut my dose in half. But it is definitely addictive.

[Cris]

I have used value to control spasms since I went up and over the rails during rehab. I have gone up to as much as 60 mg a day but now I use it as PRN. perhaps 10 mg at a time.

One of the worst side effects is after the value wears off the spasms come back with a vengeance. Other than men sometimes you might have a drug hangover in the morning, a little lethargic or "dopey".

[crppled007]

I took Valium for a long time and although it did seem to work with spasms the side effects of depression were horrible. Right now, I do take baclofen for my spasms. It's something that no one has mentioned is that Xanax works really well for my spasms, pain, stress that comes along with SCI. It only takes about 10 minutes to start feeling the effects, also have you tried smoking pot? Is that it is really good for muscle spasms! Valium is a hard drug to get off of, as is baclofen.
Cripp

[Liz321]

I just started this (valium) a few months ago at night when my legs are cramping/spasming and it works for me. 5 mg as needed. I too found nothing from baclofen as my spasms aren't bad ( at least to me).

I was careful as during my initial years valium was prescribed for spasms; made me "loony" effecting my emotions (Think PMS multiplied by the nth degree) and I readan article staing a side effect was emotional instability. I stopped it. I was back to "normal" withing a couple of days.

So I take it when it's quite bad/painful and so far it is working well.

[Sue Pendleton]

I've been taking valium for maybe 8 or 9 years now PRN. Baclofen did nothing for my spasms/tone and it masked muscle recovery. Zanaflex at 2 mg did nothing and at 4 mg turned me into a seriously dry mouthed to the point of foaming tired gimp. Worse, with no warning on my first standing transfer on 4 mg my legs turned to noodles anf about took out my spouse's back trying to catch my dead weight fall. Valium can also ease mild neuro pain.

I have a script for 5 mg X 4 but rarely ever go there. I take it on cruises of 14 days and find I might need it one day. I do drink more on cruises...LOL...barely touch it anymore at home so one umbrella drink is more. I don't notice much difference so if that's a drug holiday I guess I'm doing ok. I did get depressed when I did take the script as written when my last dog died. I curled up in bed and took my time to grieve. It was a concious decision but the spasms got worse with no exercise so I increased my dose. Good thing my best friend is a psych nurse and reminded me of how valium could turn "a perfectly good sad into a rather bad depression". Backed off over a few weeks to my normal PRN and, yea, I still cry over her at times.

I also don't like the med machine. Other than Ditropan XL I take cholestryamine off-label for IBS. I have a script for oxycodone for IBS pain and rarely take it. Oh, valuim is great before dentist appointments if you ever have face to keyboard spasms. Don't want my knee poking the doc's elbow when he's drilling away in there.

Oh, I'm a decaf person so if I really need to be on my toes in the am I'll slug back some caffinated coffee and I'm good to go. My normal bp is 90/60 but it has gone down to where yours hangs. I don't think the drug effects my bp. What may is the summer air quality here. I started to have coughing fits on orange and red days so also have a Pro-Air albuterol inhaler and I find that helps me deal with the air when outside and ups the bp. Never use it the rest of the year and only on high alert days when I need to walk Maggie or attend an outdoor function.

My physiatrist also was the one who suggested the valuim instead of a pump. BTW, I have tried Ambien and that helps knock out spasms also. Tylenol PM does also but it makes me sleepy for about 16 hours.

[PN]

This is one of the few medications I can take without side effects. It decreases nerve pain, and can help with elimination (no constipation with this med). However, if I go over 20 mg, I am unable to sleep, and my muscles will become really tight. This is the only pain medication I take.

[leschinsky]

also have you tried smoking pot? Is that it is really good for muscle spasms! Crippi noticed it eased my spasms for only about a half hour but maybe that's just me.

I take 60mg of baclofen and .01mg of clonidine -which lowers your blood pressure something I'm really struggling with in the AM now. My spasms had lessened after I read about the stretching you do in your chair chick, which really helped me. I was thinking of tapering off my meds but then I got the mitro and stopped laying down during the day to cath which has made my legs jumpier than ever. I've had some close calls with a full urinal. I need to start sleeping prone but I feel claustrophobic when I do, I'm thinking as my arms get stronger [from my uppertone] maybe that will get easier. So many issues we have to deal with! hope you find something that works.

[divin'darren]

Last week I heard Artie Lange say on Howard he took 15 valium in one night. Is this a good idea? Haha jk.

[SCI-Nurse]

Taking the low dose of valium may help and as long as you are taking it occasionally, my actually at least make you relax, thus being able to deal with the spasms a little better.
In the old days (I'm not telling you how old I am), valium was one of the drugs that we used to treat spasticity. The negatives were that it is addicting when used consistently and it didn't work as well as some of the newer medications.
My advice is that trying it won't hurt and may just give you the relief that you need.CKF

[tippyx]

without reading entire post, i had to say valium nearly did me in. i was given 10mg for spasticity and stress up to 3x's a day. valium negatively effected by balance. i lost my balance falling out of my chair numerous times until i stopped taking it. now i'm back on baclofen. be careful regarding your balance.

[joanne]

I take baclofen only as needed. When I start to have leg spasms I take it, which is typically at night. It works quickly. I'd say within 45 min or so.
Then I can sleep. I don't take it regularly, only when I feel spasms. It works and helps me sleep. I don't like to take meds either.