Valium and Drowsiness: What Users Say

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

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."

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2023

For Anxiety "Several weeks ago, I had a huge panic attack and took Valium to calm down, but noticed I still had to really talk myself out of the panic attack. The next day, I was unusually anxious, so I took another. This continued until I realized my anxiety was getting out of hand and started antidepressants. Big mistake. Antidepressants made my anxiety much worse, and I still continued taking Valium, thinking my anxiety must be so bad that even Valium can't fix it. After two weeks of this, I ended up in the hospital, having strange body panic attacks I couldn't stop, like my body was just doing its own thing and releasing adrenaline on its own. I was told to come off both medications and start with another antidepressant. I stopped the antidepressants but continued to take the Valium. I then noticed every time I took it, my anxiety would triple and leave me an anxious, quivering, sleepless mess. I stopped the Valium, and now my anxiety is more manageable. Still left with a high heart rate but no more panic attacks."

• Ele...
• July 1, 2015

For Anxiety "I used to be on Valium back in the 90s when it was easier to get for panic attacks and PTSD, and when the narcotics laws changed, I got off of them because my family doctor wouldn’t give them to me. Panic attacks started happening again when I have a thyroid disorder. Now I’m seeing a psychiatrist to get them again, and they have given me part of my life back. Before seeing a psychiatrist, my doctor tried me on multiple different SSRIs, and none of them worked. SSRIs gave me ED. Valium has only one side effect to me, and that is just being drowsy for an hour or so. Valium is a life-saver."

• Bra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2015

For Anxiety "Other than drowsiness for about 45 minutes after taking it, great medicine! Works in like 10 minutes, so if I feel a panic attack coming on, I take my dosage and before I know it I'm calm. It enables me to go into mass public places and can go into crowded restaurants with my family. Valium has given me a huge part of my life back. I know most doctors are against it because dope heads have abused this type of drug. You can only get it from a psychiatrist now, but it saved my social life so I see the shrink monthly! Thanks, Valium"

• Imi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2024

For Anxiety "I've been on Valium (diazepam) for over ten years now, and I would definitely recommend it for panic attacks, PTSD, and phobias. Before the diazepam, I was taking 400 mg of Phenobarbital daily. While I still think the Phenobarbital is stronger and better for panic, it's outdated, and no one will prescribe it for anxiety anymore (along with meprobamate and butalbital). Valium is the best benzodiazepine for me personally. It has a fast onset, especially if I am actively panicked, averaging about 15 minutes to an hour, depending on my mood. It's got a long half-life, so I don't get interdose withdrawal, and I get great coverage. After years of being on 40 mg daily, my new prescriber agreed to 60 mg/day as my PTSD is so bad and I have a tolerance, this has been a game changer, and it's working even better than before. Downsides are you cannot drive while on Valium as it is intoxicating, drowsiness and sedation, physical tolerance and withdrawal, and addiction issues."

• Imi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2024

For Anxiety "I've been on Valium (diazepam) for over ten years now, and I would definitely recommend it for panic attacks, PTSD, and phobias. Before the diazepam, I was taking 400 mg of Phenobarbital daily. While I still think the Phenobarbital is stronger and better for panic, it's outdated, and no one will prescribe it for anxiety anymore (along with meprobamate and butalbital). Valium is the best benzodiazepine for me personally. It has a fast onset, especially if I am actively panicked, averaging about 15 minutes to an hour, depending on my mood. It's got a long half-life, so I don't get interdose withdrawal, and I get great coverage. After years of being on 40 mg daily, my new prescriber agreed to 60 mg/day as my PTSD is so bad and I have a tolerance, this has been a game changer, and it's working even better than before. Downsides are you cannot drive while on Valium as it is intoxicating, drowsiness and sedation, physical tolerance and withdrawal, and addiction issues."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2012

For Anxiety "When I finally got a doctor to prescribe Valium, it was a life-changing start. I always had social anxiety and was very introverted. After being on Valium, I quickly moved up in my company because I could interact and socialize with no fears or anxiety. After a few years, I was in charge of up to 50 workers and always got good feedback from customers and professionals related to our work. I was able to focus and enjoy dealing with many different personalities. The only problem was getting very sleepy while driving."

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2016

For Anxiety "I can't eat or be around a lot of people without it or Xanax. Xanax is good but doesn't last as long. My mom even said while I was on diazepam, it's good to see a smile on your face! It may make you feel kind of goofy for a couple of days, but after that, it just helps. The sedation subsides as well. A very tolerable medication that really does help. Trust me!"

• ArI...
• December 11, 2011

For Anxiety "Valium worked wonders for me when I realized that my anxiety had been making me a shut-in with a low quality of life. Aside from developing an insatiable appetite at first, it seemed like a miracle. For example: I took a Valium before flying and could not find my luggage in baggage claim. Previously, I would have been shaking, crying, and sweating. Instead, I confidently walked over to customer service and learned that my bag will come when the next flight arrives. Self-inflicted meltdown averted. It's long half-life, however, can be a blessing and a curse. It lasts practically all day, but that also means it makes me a bit drowsy and lazy all day as well."

• gmc...
• December 17, 2009

For Muscle Spasm "The Valium really helped with the spasms from my back, which was stenosis. I took 5 mg in the day and 10 mg at night, and that will make you run for the bed. Beware if taking the 10 mg while you are up because it will knock you out."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2018

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Valium has been a godsend for my benzodiazepine taper. On it a month now as of March 22, 2018. It is very relaxing and mild now, but at first, it was very sedating for the first 5 days. I take 10 mg 2x a day. I am being tapered off of Klonopin after 12 years on that drug. K-pin is hell to get off of alone. Glad my psych doc is open-minded and dropped the K-pin immediately and switched me to Valium after I told him about the Ashton Taper Method and that I wanted off the Klonopin because it was giving me bad withdrawals if I missed a dose. If you are serious about getting off of benzos, I urge you to Google the Ashton Taper Method."

• Pet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2022

For Anxiety "Works quite well. I took 10 mg and felt drunk and drowsy. It isn't very good for OCD, but it works very well for preventing anxious physical symptoms. For the OCD, I usually take SSRIs and antipsychotics."

• DOD...
• June 7, 2021

For Anxiety "My weight is roughly 68 kg, and I started with 5 mg of this drug. I never required more than 5 mg (half a pill) because it already has a strong effect on me. It instantly relaxes me and takes away the anxiety. As an example, during a panic attack, I felt like I was going to die and that nothing would ever be okay again, and just 2 minutes after chewing (not swallowing whole, that would have taken too long, but grinding it with my teeth), I was sitting there smiling like nothing ever happened. The taste is bitter-sweet but entirely edible, very tolerable because it's so tiny. It certainly has addictive potential precisely because it is so useful. It sends me straight to sleep as well, meaning that even if I'm not that tired, it will make me very sleepy, and if I am tired, it will knock me out completely, letting me sleep deeply for at least 7 hours before waking up. The sleep quality is so-so, I feel slightly groggy afterwards, but nothing compared to a real hangover."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2011

"I work the night shift 8 PM-8 AM and would often literally stay awake for 2-3 days at a time. I had tried everything, which either didn't get me to sleep at all or would make me feel groggy and sluggish upon waking. My doctor recommended I try Valium 10 mg when I get home from work, and from day one, I have been able to sleep 6-8 hours and wake up feeling refreshed, not groggy. I literally cried that first good sleep I got after 6 months of severe insomnia, something finally worked!"

• Jet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 5, 2014

For Anxiety "Been taking diazepam for a while now, it's been helping my everyday life. Since Valium, I've been more upbeat with reality. Only side effect I have is drowsiness."

• Gol...
• August 26, 2008

For Endoscopy or Radiology Premedication "Valium helped relieve tension and anxiety prior to an endoscopic procedure and a colonoscopy. It caused no side effects other than a slight amount of drowsiness."