ADVICE PLEASEEEEEEEE!!!

[laura0771]

I'm a 19 yr old female and a week ago i was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder after a few months of the anxiety building up (mainly due to recreational drug use (mainly pot) and overhausting myself with working and university work). I've cut out the drugs and hav been clean for a week- This hasn't been a problem as i don't get cravings and i don't think about it at all.

so when i finally went to the doctor a week ago he prescribed me with Valium 5mg . After my most recent panic attack which was 2 days before i went to the doctor it seems that i suddenly developed insomnia? The last week i have had the most horrible and restless nights of sleep (if i get to sleep) so when i found out i was getting Valium i thought it would be great to help both of these issues. (anxiety and insomnia)

I wanted to start off slow because i know valium can be addictive,
First night i took only half and it seemed to take away the anxiety and stop the thoughts, i slept for a few hours but woke up at 4.00am in the morning beaming off my face and not being able to sleep anymore.
This continued for the next few nights, and i started to even take another half in the night to try and get me a few more hours. This wasn't really working so i figured i wasn't taking enough.

So the next night i took 1 whole tablet before sleep, but again i woke up at about 3.00 in the morning, i took another half but it just seems to be having the reverse effect, it helps my anxiety but it seems to be giving me energy i just cannot get to sleep at all. I try to sleep and my body is just restless, my muscles twitch and i cannot stop moving.
Last night i took 1 tablet before bed and i didn't sleep all night, at 5.30 this morning i decided to take another half, but again it just seems to be having the reverse effect. I feel WIDE awake.
I just don't know what to do anymore, all this is happening a week before i have uni exams and if i can't sleep i just don';t know what to do
I just am so sick of this? Why have i suddeny developed insomnia? The valium seems to be working for the anxiety but i just cannot relax my body, i feel like i've been taking some sort of stimulant drug, i feel like when i look in the mirror my eyes should be dilated and that i could go run a marathon. i cannot stand this i just want to get some sleep, it's making me feel crazier and more confused than i did beforehand.

(2 years ago i was on effexor xr anti depressants which i hated and stopped taking and the depression subsided and i have been absolutely happy and fine until  just recently.. i think due to my bad reaction with effexor he didn't want to prescribe me with something else.. i think my doctor is pretty crappy maybe i should go see somebody else, everyone ive told that he put me on valium thinks it is a stupid idea)

helllllllllllllllllllp !!!!!!!! (sorry for information overload- hope it all made sense)

[laura0771]

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice, it gave me a lot of clarity and direction of where to go now.
I've been given a number of a psyciatrist to call and he'll hopefully be able to help me out and keep me on the right track, until then i think i'll just keep the valium for when i'm feeling anxious or panicy. Thanks again !! :)

[studchick]

If you don't feel confident about your doctor, definately find someone else. If Valium doesn't work for you then it doesn't work for you! Try something else. What about Xanax? There are definately options out there. Try not to get too discouraged. It's all about trial and error and what works for one person may not work for another! I pray you find the right med soon! Studchick

[Paxiled]

Benzos aren't good sleep aids in general because they disrupt the normal pattern of sleep, in particular affecting REM sleep.  And for many, when the anxiety eases, they want to be awake, not asleep, to enjoy it.  They also interfere with the brain's ability to learn how to deal with stress, another reason not to use them as a sleep aid.  They're really meant to be used for anxiety, and for most of us, we don't want to be put to sleep, we want to be able to function.  Try something like melatonin or other natural sleep aids and see if they help, and use the benzos for bouts of anxiety.  If you must have sleep meds, use a sleep med like Ambien.

[hmf099]

you want to be very careful with how much valium you take, more isn't neccessarily better. i agree with the above poster about pro help. i'm also curious as to what other drugs you took? your situation almost sounds similar to opiate withdrawal (vicoden, heroin, oxy, ect) but that usually lasts less than a week. i'm no dr but i think if you're worried about yours you should find another. hope it helps.

[MMahon]

What you are experiencing may be side effects of valium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diazepam#Side-effects

However it may also be symptoms of anxiety/depression.
The same thing you mention used to happen to me during periods of anxiety and depression.
I'd take valium or otherr benzo and fall asleep only to wake up a few hours later full of panic and anxiety.
You should make an appointment with a psychiatrist and get an expert opinion.
Anti depressants resolved these issues for me, the valium was only good for the bad panic anxiety.
There are many anti-depressants out there and I think you can find one that you don't react to as you did before.  It is common to have to try a few  until you find the one that works for you.
I'm sure counseling will help you as well, especially thru the stressful times like now.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.