Had my medication changed today

[smurfychris]

OK recently I had started to become more and more panicky/anxious more frequently, and I was on 30mg mirtazapine, but after a long chat with the doctor, I actually said I felt better when I was on 15mg, as the reason the dose was increased in the first place was because I was actually sleeping long(I hardly sleep atm), so he changed it back down to 15mg

Now he prescribed me 2mg of something called Diazepam, and when i asked about when to take it he said, when I'm anxious, I said at the moment I'm anxious probably 20/7 everyday, so he went slightly more specific to say take it when I feel like I may have a panic attack.

Now just wondered what peoples experience with the drug are? Is it safe etc, like when someone says take something only when xyz alarm bell rings that it's dangerous or something, so I guess I'm just after some kind of reassurance.

Anyway I went in there and pretty much said I've had enough of this, and want it sorted, I know I have to help myself to and I'll try my best. I have a Councillor appointment to which I can not wait for!

[jamus75]

Diazepam is Valium. It's in the Benzo class of drugs which are controlled substances. They are great for " spot on " treatment of panic attacks. A lot of us are on or have been on either Valium, Ativan, or Xanax. They all do the same thing. Some last longer or work faster. I currently take Ativan for over a year now. I take it before bed to keep me asleep and to take the edge off my daily anxiety. I also use them for panic attacks every once in a while to help chill them out. I don't take any other class of anxiety drug though as most people take an " ssri ". Benzo's can become habit forming so just try to stay on the same dose and don't increase it unless you have to. Also try not to become dependent on them to stop every panic attack.

[Lin]

I have been in 8 x 2 mg of diazapam for over 2 years now. It us addictive and hard to come off but it does keep my anxiety calmer than without it. My psychiatrist told me not to worry about taking it as I don't have an addictive personality but know it is going to be hard to reduce it eventually. One of NY friends her psychiatrist will only give her 3 x 2 mg a week! She gets criss because wants more but he won't let her. So she saves them up so can take more when really need them.

[smurfychris]

Ah that's good to know and thanks for the replies, I take my mirtazapine before bed, so would it be ok to take that at the same time? or should I space it out? I get paranoid about such things, but I guess if anyone will understand that it's people on here :)

[Lin]

I don't think you should mix diazapam and mitazapine. I was on mitazapine before diazapam and they took me off it. Apparently mitazapine gives you a quick fix so feel better straightaway but does not last. Diazapam is meant to keep you more stable so not quick fix but keeps you level for longer during the day. They never in hospital allowed me to mix, I had to come off one before went on to the other. (Sorry probably spelt tablet names wrong!) Hope this helps. I must admit I miss mitazapine as it used to make me sleep straightaway so calmed me down immediately, but i just never felt as level all day as when on regular diazapam so think they were right to change our for me.

[smurfychris]

Hmm why would the doc give it to me without saying to take them separately etc? now I'm confused :D

See I take my Mirtazapine before bed, well attempting to sleep, and this is when I was going to take the 2mg Diazapam as well, has anyone ever taken them at the same time?

[jbevis]

Hmm why would the doc give it to me without saying to take them separately etc? now I'm confused :D

See I take my Mirtazapine before bed, well attempting to sleep, and this is when I was going to take the 2mg Diazapam as well, has anyone ever taken them at the same time?

You should call your doc or speak to your local pharmacist and ask them about taking both.

[smurfychris]

You should call your doc or speak to your local pharmacist and ask them about taking both.

The old dear is collecting them for me, shes going to ask the Pharmacist :D , also checked mr google, someone said they have taken them together, but their dose of mirt is 45mg, few!

[alankay]

You can take the valium with the Mirtazapine. Period. Jamus already gave a good answer on this. I take valium when needed. There's a reason it's been on the market for 50 years. Don't buy into any fearmongering out on the web. Most patients wont have a problem if taken properly. Listen to your doc. IMHO. If you are really that concerned.....don't take it. Folks can say what they want but as person with anxiety.......I am very, very, very thanful for these meds. They work quckly and reduce anxiety/panic for most. BTW I do hate the fact I need them but that's another story. Alankay

[smurfychris]

You can take the valium with the Mirtazapine. Period. Jamus already gave a good answer on this. I take valium when needed. There's a reason it's been on the market for 50 years. Don't buy into any fearmongering out on the web. Most patients wont have a problem if taken properly. Listen to your doc. IMHO. If you are really that concerned.....don't take it. Folks can say what they want but as person with anxiety.......I am very, very, very thanful for these meds. They work quckly and reduce anxiety/panic for most. BTW I do hate the fact I need them but that's another story. Alankay

Thank you Alan :D , yeah my GP pretty much said take it as when needed, I'm anxious 24 7 though so aha, want to try them both tonight ^_^

EDIT - Spoke to the Pharmacist as well and he confirmed it's fine to take them at the same time, I always take the mirtazapine about 10ish, and he said to take the Diazepam about 30 minutes before I want to sleep.

[Lin]

Sorry, I was definitely told not to take both diazapam and mirtazapine but perhaps it depends on dose you are given of each, and also what other tablets you are on. Sorry if I confused you, and if your Dr said take both then it must be right for you.

[smurfychris]

Sorry, I was definitely told not to take both diazapam and mirtazapine but perhaps it depends on dose you are given of each, and also what other tablets you are on. Sorry if I confused you, and if your Dr said take both then it must be right for you.

Don't be sorry mate I'm glad for the feedback, and well I'm not going to be taking this everyday, and I've been moved down to only 15mg Mirtazapine maybe that is something to do with it.

[Lin]

Thank you for making me feel better and hope last night went OK with you. When they change my drugs I always get the psychiatrist to write down exactly how I am taking them with my old tablets so that I can't forget by the time I get home. He never seems to mind. You could always ask your GP to write all your tablets down for you and how take them, then you will be certain and take away the worry.

[smurfychris]

Thank you for making me feel better and hope last night went OK with you. When they change my drugs I always get the psychiatrist to write down exactly how I am taking them with my old tablets so that I can't forget by the time I get home. He never seems to mind. You could always ask your GP to write all your tablets down for you and how take them, then you will be certain and take away the worry.

Hehe well I took the 15mg mirt at about half 10 last night, and went to try and sleep, was still a little anxious and hadn't fallen asleep in an hour, always restless, thinking etc, so I took the 2m Diazepam, and I don't remember falling asleep lol, it was amazing! Considering that night time is when my Anxiety is the highest so glad about it :) .

[Lin]

Well done sounds like you worked it out well last night. Hope tonight goes as well.
Messed my medication up today - forgot to take it this morning and lunchtime, don't know how, so had an anxious day and had to retime all my tablets!
Have put an alarm on my phone now so can't forget as ruins day when anxious all time. My bedtime tablets tonight are now an hour later than usual so hope work OK and also that i can wake up OK tomorrow!