Diazepam and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Anx...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 8, 2014

Diazepam for Anxiety "I've been on just about every benzodiazepine there is, and Valium (diazepam) is all around the best for combating debilitating anxiety symptoms. It may not be the most potent benzo, but it has wide and equal benzo effects, including sedation, muscle relaxation, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and can be used for insomnia. Now, the main reason why Valium is the best is its extra-long half-life. Its effects can linger for days, which is helpful if you have chronic anxiety. It also prevents those ups and downs short-acting benzos cause like Xanax and Ativan. Another thing to note is withdrawal from Valium is by far the most mild out of all the benzos. This wonderful medication is an oldie but goodie."

• anx...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 14, 2015

Diazepam for Anxiety "I took Valium for nearly 20 years for anxiety and functioned just great. My doctor retired, and I had to find another. He is weaning me off, now down to 2.5mg twice a day. I am miserable! I'm stuck in my home, can't sleep, and my heart and stomach are going wild. I don't know how much more of this I can stand! I feel I'm going to have a heart attack. I've lost so much weight, I look terrible. And my doctor doesn't seem to notice or even care. He says he cannot be prescribing it. I am not a dope head. I am a 53-year-old grandma who needs help. My children worry about me all the time. What is a person to do? Go to the street? I don't know that kind of life and don't want to. I can't afford a psychiatrist, just a doctor that cares!"

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2021

For Light Sedation "After being the personal caretaker of my wife for longer than a year, I developed an obsessive-compulsive disorder by checking every few hours upon her, 24/7 and at night, which led to insomnia for me now, even after her passing away almost 5 months ago! Well, here I am, Valium makes me sleep, 10 mg. But I am afraid that I will not be capable of going to work this coming Monday! I am drowsy like I never ever was before! I have to work to survive! Anyone had some tips for me? Don't get me wrong, it's a blessing to finally sleep! Valium is the only thing that works for me! Blessings!"

• Sul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2020

For Anxiety "Teva diazepam is not a generic equivalent. Reported to the FDA. All pharmacists said other patients said the same thing. Tell the FDA they want to hear it. A brand I used to get worked. Only sold to hospitals now. I found an old bottle from another brand that had 2 in it. And it was over a year old. I slept with one tablet."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2021

For Anxiety "At first: Good sleep... later... ok sleep... later... not much sleep... later... insomnia... Helps with anxiety, feeling fine... later... it's less helpful... later... even less now... later... no help at all. What's left now: Anxiety, insomnia, tremors, panic attacks, fatigue/tiredness, inability to resolve simple tasks, unable to concentrate, gain weight, agoraphobia, social anxiety, health anxiety, and so on... tolerance to it is the worst thing that happened to me. Withdrawal: painful and long. In the end: it helps to not help me at all, it helps me to feel much worse than I was before. It lies, it's a false and dangerous pill. Wish I never had been prescribed to it... Stay away from this nightmare..."

• jl2...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 22, 2022

For Anxiety "I’m in the UK. Had a breakdown when my husband left me with two babies. Also suffered severe anxiety most of my adult life. This drug is a lifesaver for me. Have taken 5 mg when needed (not every day) for over 20 years. Helps my insomnia. I’m lucky; my GP prescribes it to me. Makes me so angry that it gets such bad press and many GPs won’t prescribe it. Anxiety is a 20th-century plague; no wonder people go on to self-medicate/potentially harm themselves when denied a real solution like this drug."

• DDD...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 20, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this 3 years ago after struggling my whole life with debilitating anxiety, depression, insomnia, and intrusive thoughts. I'd regularly have to go to the hospital for IBS-type symptoms due to the anxiety manifesting itself as a physical illness. I was unable to meet friends or socialize without feeling terrified. I was unable to hold down a job. Finally, a doctor prescribed me this. Within a month of taking up to 15 mg a day spread over 3 doses, my life improved drastically. I did not take it every day and rarely took the full 15 mg, usually just taking 5 mg before work. I was finally able to function and received praise from employers who offered me work contracts and higher pay. In 3 years, I never abused the drug or developed a tolerance. I was also able to have a functioning social life for the first time ever. 2 months ago, I had to change GP. They have now ruined my life by suddenly taking me off my medication. Nobody will listen. My life has become a living nightmare."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2008

For Anxiety "One of the best anti-anxiety medications ever made. Also very good for insomnia and muscle cramps or spasms. The minimal withdrawal effects, due in part to the medicine's long half-life, make diazepam one of the kindest benzodiazepines."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2014

Diazepam for Anxiety "I was given a sample pack, but it has the opposite effects for me, as I had an increase in fear of danger and worrying. I was extremely focused and unable to sleep. My doctor has had me test a few anti-anxiety meds-Ativan, antidepressants-and the only one that works for me is Xanax at a low dose. I would make sure you consult your doctor first on this one."

• nam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 6, 2018

For Anxiety "At first, this medication saved my life (literally), but as time went on, things slowly but surely started to get worse: feelings of unreality, sometimes severe insomnia, increased anxiety, and actually led to feelings of depression. I started off at 5 mg for one year, then a year later 10 mg, and now, in my third year taking this medication, I am now on 15 mg, as you can see, going up 5 mg each year. What I wasn't told before I took this medication is how addictive it was, and as an ex-drug addict, they still gave me this medication. I am only 25, but this medication has ruined my life. It is okay for very short periods, but do NOT take it long-term. If you want my advice, it is do NOT take this medication, it will ruin your life."

• Ank...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

For Anxiety "I experienced anxiety for an entire week, and I couldn’t sleep due to anxiety and insomnia. I used to sleep two hours a night, and in the two hours, I feel my brain is still working and not shutting off. I decided to take diazepam to help me sleep 8 to 12 hours, as I heard of its duration of action. However, the drug did not help me, and I only slept five hours and struggled to get to sleep for about two hours."

• Anonymous
• February 8, 2009

For Endoscopy or Radiology Premedication "I was given the generic equivalent of Valium prior to a closed MRI, as I am claustrophobic. It did not completely relax me during the protracted procedure; however, it did help to some degree. I only took a 5mg dose; if I were to have to undergo this procedure in the future, I would take a 10mg dose. One 5mg pill, however, does help me greatly when I experience bouts of insomnia."

• Ins...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2024

For Light Sedation "I have atomic head noise tinnitus resulting in insomnia and high blood pressure. I have a cabinet full of drugs that haven't helped. Diazepam works better than Ambien or any of the other bad boy meds as they knock you out, whereas diazepam allows you to sleep. Plus, a lot less side effects. I'm still not 100% but at least I'm sleeping some."

• San...
• February 23, 2016

For Anxiety "I've always had problems with persistent depression since I was 14 (I'm now 25), but I've never been suicidal. It took me a couple of weeks to realize it, but this medication made me suicidal! I was prescribed it for anxiety and restless legs at night, it did get me to sleep, but I woke up several times throughout the night. I was originally prescribed half a 5 mg tablet but had no effect until I took 2 tablets (10 mg). Because I didn't become suicidal immediately after taking the tablets, I didn't realize this was what was causing it, but after becoming suspicious I googled 'can diazepam cause suicidal thoughts' and sure enough, there were plenty of similar complaints. I've stopped taking it and I'm doing much better."

• via...
• June 17, 2014

For Anxiety "I started having panic attacks, anxiety, which all led me to insomnia for 4 days. I was not able to sleep for more than 1.5 hours. I went to my GP, and he prescribed me a dose of 7.5 mg of zopiclone, and this tablet acted very fast but only kept me asleep for 3 hours. My GP prescribed me 5 mg of diazepam for three days, and when I took the first dose of 5 mg, I waited and waited, it just didn't do anything, and I had even more panic attacks and anxiety. So I decided to take all of them, which makes 15 mg of diazepam, and nothing happened, I just felt really confused and heavy-headed. After 6 hours, I managed to have some sleep for 8 hours. I don't think this is the right medicine for me, but the next day it did make me feel calm and kind of relaxed."

• Tra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 12, 2024

"I take 60mg of Diazepam daily. I used to take 4mg of Clonazepam. I am tolerant but stable. I have chronic diarrhea. I barely sleep and high adrenaline causes the issue. I have already done blood work, contrast CT scan, scope/biopsy. Nothing but inflammation from using the toilet too frequently. Trying all OTC meds I can. Nothing that coats insides. I tried Loperamide, good for 2 weeks. I drank lots of water. Loperamide is a 1st pass metabolism reducer. I started having withdrawals after 1 week. I thought I was sick. Week 2 I knew I was not absorbing properly. My hands shook and I was dizzy with hot flashes. I stopped Loperamide. I had to take an extra 10mg for a day. After 3 days the Loperamide is gone and I am fine. Sublingual was not enough. Diazepam interacts with so many things. Be careful. I still need/want Diazepam for my mental issues. Would I ever sleep?"

• AJa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "I’ve been taking diazepam for 6 years, 10 ml. I wish I never put it in my mouth. 6 years later, I now wake up with the shakes, sometimes can’t sleep because I’m in so much pain in my lower back. I can’t focus when someone is trying to talk to me. I get the sweats bad, but when I get the diazepam and take 80 ml, that will hold me from 9 in the morning to around 3 in the afternoon, then will need another 80 ml just to feel normal and be able to function. I don’t know what else I can do????"

• SJH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2018

Diazepam for Alcohol Withdrawal "This medication reduced my withdrawal symptoms significantly, although I still had some anxiety. Valium reduced tremors, sweating, insomnia, and agitation."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2018

Diazepam for Night Terrors "This was for my heroin addiction, insomnia, night terrors. It helped me with sleeping, eating, irritability, and the major depression."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 1, 2021

For Night Terrors "I have been taking this drug for 21 years. It is a lifesaver. I always sleep well. No more insomnia or night terrors."