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Valium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Valium has an average rating of 8.6 out of 10 from a total of 342 reviews on Drugs.com. 85% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 8% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Valium

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Boy...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 17, 2021

For Anxiety "I don’t understand why this wonderful drug is now being demonized. This drug and other benzos have helped me no end. These drugs are super important to lots of people, especially in these COVID times. If a drug helps me have a better, more normal life, it should be my right to have this drug, as it’s my body. Just like if someone wants to lend their body to science or donate, that’s fine, why should this be any different? Doctors took an oath, anxiety is at an all-time high due to the pandemic. I feel it’s needed more than ever. Not just mother’s little helper anymore, but fathers, sons, and daughters alike."

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • Mel...
  • February 23, 2016

For Anxiety "Used for 17 years, worked well at first but needed increased doses as I became tolerant. Held the same dose for the past 7 years then suddenly became acutely anxious and agoraphobic, dose was increased again but the only result was awful unsteadiness on my feet. Finally, I was told that some people get withdrawal symptoms even while taking the same dose, and it seems that is the problem I have. Never been this ill in my life and now I face having to taper off it which scares me. My experience and opinion is it was fine short term but long term caused me more problems than it ever solved."

1 / 10
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96 Report
  • Jer...
  • January 17, 2016

For Anxiety "I had pain in my stomach that no one could diagnose for three months. I was put on an SSRI that made things worse, and I lost 35 pounds with no appetite. One day the pain released and I became extremely anxious. By taking a small dose of Valium in the morning and evening, I am so much better. I was also given Dr. Claire Week's book which helped. I never thought I would recover, but hang in there."

10 / 10
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80 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Be ...
  • July 8, 2016

For Anxiety "Date: 07-08-2016...Re Valium: I have been taking Valium for the past three years as I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I very seldom take Valium. Like, 4 mg a week or 4 mg twice a week or I can go a month without taking it. It is very subtle, it will start working after 20 minutes which has been my experience. Valium does melt my anxiety and panicky feelings away even at 4 mg. After taking it, I would feel like my old self. I tried to score it by 2 mg, however, it is not effective. I think those who try it the first time should go 4 mg or 5 mg. I am also taking an SSRI for my anxiety condition. SSRI is not perfect. Some days are tough so I tough it out by not taking a Valium. If you don't abuse it, you can take it for life."

10 / 10
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  • Cha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 19, 2014

For Anxiety "I reacted harshly to this medicine. It turns out that I am someone who is sensitive to this medicine and was best prescribed it at the pediatric level of 1mg. Now that we have found the correct dose, it does wonders for large overwhelming panic attacks."

8 / 10
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93 Report

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  • jk3...
  • January 23, 2009

For Muscle Spasm "This medicine has helped me very much. I get very bad spasms in my neck and shoulder. It helps 100% and I also have a much better time sleeping. It keeps my mind from wandering while I try to sleep. It also makes me feel more refreshed when I wake up. I have fewer mood swings. I used to pace back and forth all day, and it put a stop to that as well. It has improved my life very much."

10 / 10
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  • MyL...
  • January 28, 2016

For Meniere's Disease "I have been dealing with symptoms of Meniere's Disease for 30 years, and until three years ago, no doctor could properly diagnose the issue. When I was 5 years old, I suffered a concussion. When I was 13 years old, I suffered another concussion from a 90 mph fastball to the head. Shortly after the incident at 13 years old, I started having intermittent and recurring symptoms of vertigo and hearing loss in my left ear (same side as both injuries). My parents thought I was a typical stubborn teen until they took me to have my hearing tested and found I had 30 dB of hearing loss. Two years ago, I started experiencing unexplained falls and roaring in my ear. The doctor found 60 dB and said it is Meniere's. The doctor prescribed a low dose of Valium. It changed my life!"

10 / 10
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  • rod...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 3, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "Valium has helped my spasms in my back better than any other muscle relaxers. I have been taking it for 10+ years, and after that long of use, I really never get the sedation that I did when I started taking it. I take 10mg 3 times daily and have not found anything yet that works well for me."

8 / 10
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74 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 3, 2009

For Anxiety "I've found that for my sleep problems after trying many and all sleep aids, this has had the least amount of side effects and I wake up feeling great, not sluggish or with a hangover sensation. 10mg dose has worked wonders with my racing thoughts keeping me awake and to provide a relaxed feeling for a great night's sleep."

10 / 10
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110 Report
  • jhu...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 24, 2015

For Anxiety "I have been taking Valium for 15 years for sleep and anxiety, 15-30mg. This drug has worked well through the years but I have begun to notice memory and balance issues, so I decided to get off of it. The first time, I quickly tapered off and one night, I awoke to a racing heartbeat, tremors, and an intense feeling like my head, face, and back were on fire. I had to go back on because of this. Now I'm doing a slow taper, so far, I have gone from 15mg to 7.5mg over 4 months. Going from 15-10mg was easy, but going under 10mg has been very difficult at times. For years I was very positive about this drug, but I do not think you should take it for more than a month unless you absolutely have to. Just be careful, as withdrawals can be severe."

6 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 5, 2009

For Meniere's Disease "This medication is a lifesaver for me. I have suffered with Meniere's Disease for 22 years, which causes episodes of loss of equilibrium that can totally knock you flat or just make your life hell for days at a time. The episodes are usually not predictable but seem to come to life every year or so. Short-term use of Valium is the only thing that helps so I can continue my normal activities until my ear settles down again."

10 / 10
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109 Report
  • 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!"

10 / 10
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75 Report
  • Gol...
  • July 2, 2015

For Anxiety "I have fibro and stenosis and take Cymbalta, Flexeril, Elavil, and a few others. My doctor said I have adjustment disorder and sent me to a psychiatrist. He prescribed 5 mg twice a day and 10 mg at bedtime, and it's worked wonders. I'm sleeping 7 to 8 hours a night for the first time in over five years. My mind and body feel relaxed. I'm so thankful that I saw this doctor, this med has been the only thing that's helped me."

10 / 10
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  • Mel...
  • August 14, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been on Valium for about 6 months now and have severe social anxiety and separation anxiety. But it definitely helps. It allows me to not feel as claustrophobic and not to get as shaky or frozen in anxiety-producing situations. If I have an anxiety attack or feel like I'm going to have one, then I will take a Valium, and it helps me get through the day."

10 / 10
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70 Report
  • Bat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 19, 2014

For Anxiety "Recently began suffering generalized anxiety disorder, which took me to the point of suicide. I was prescribed diazepam. The first time I took it, I felt aggressive and annoyed easily. However, after a few days, I can safely say it has greatly reduced my anxiety. For now, however, my doctor has said he will not let me stay on it due to the body's ability to easily build a tolerance to the medicine over time, requiring greater doses, etc. I desperately do not want to try antidepressants again (due to a previous severe reaction). We shall see."

8 / 10
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  • All...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • February 24, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "Been on diazepam for several years for restless leg syndrome (RLS). It has been the only drug that works. 2.5 mg at night, sometimes 5 mg, but not often. No problems with it and never any withdrawal on the rare occasions I can do without it."

10 / 10
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53 Report
  • fet...
  • June 29, 2011

For Light Sedation "For instant light sedation, Valium is the number one choice. It is fast-acting even in small dosages like 10mg, but for full effect, 20mg is preferred. Though it can lead to unwanted dependency after a few weeks, so beware."

9 / 10
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90 Report
  • Lis...
  • August 1, 2015

For Anxiety "After taking Chantix for smoking cessation, I fell into a spiral of severe depression. I didn't feel like leaving my home other than going to work. I gained 25 pounds and felt my life was hopeless. I had always felt like an extrovert trapped in an introvert's body. I stumbled upon Valium when my husband gave me one for muscle cramps. The effects were amazing! I no longer felt trapped in my prison of isolation and misery. A word of caution, though: this drug is addictive and should be taken in small amounts, and withdrawal should be done slowly and under medical supervision. It is a shame Valium has such a bad rap."

9 / 10
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  • 321...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 26, 2022

For Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "TMD is a horrible condition that robbed me of my life. Caused trigeminal neuralgia. GP referred me to a maxillofacial specialist who prescribed diazepam. It’s the only medication that works, but GP refuses to prescribe it despite the specialist doctor writing a letter stating that they are prescribing it. So, I can’t get any relief because nothing else works. Now I live with horrendous pain in my jaw, neck, head, shoulders, back, and the spasms roll down into my legs. I shake constantly and have a million trapped nerves. No life and confined to a bed because mobility is affected. Go to bed crying in pain and wake up crying in pain. Now on oxycodone, and it barely touches it. Been prescribed lots of medications, but only diazepam helps. My life has been taken from me. I’ve lost everything because of this evil condition and doctors that have condemned me to a life of pain and misery."

10 / 10
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23 Report
  • lon...
  • September 2, 2011

For Anxiety "The best anxiety medicine I have taken, and I have taken them all. Works very fast, about 20 minutes, and keeps working. Also, for me, it is basically non-addictive. I can take it when I like and then stop for long periods if I want to. In fact, I used Valium to get off Klonopin, which was a nightmare to get off until Valium was substituted."

10 / 10
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85 Report
  • Kai...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 3, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "I have CP on my right side and down my back, along with scoliosis and a bad pars defect. For the pain and spasms, I take methadone and diclofenac for the pain, Lyrica for the neuropathy, and Valium, Soma, and cannabis for the spasms. I've been on the Valium the longest. It's a double-edged sword in that I use it for anxiety and spasms. Before it, I was on all the other standard benzodiazepines. Pound for pound, it is the safest benzo to be on. It lasts the longest in your system and self-tapers, meaning that withdrawal from it is easier than, say, Xanax or Klonopin. I've been on Valium for almost 10 years, and it has helped tremendously. With it, I can get out of bed every day and have quality of life. Recently, I switched from generic to name brand."

7 / 10
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  • 476...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 6, 2013

For Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "Starting taking Valium for nightmares. Yes, it stopped the nightmares, but the next morning was the first time I didn't wake up with a headache in 36 years. I clench my teeth at night, so they pulled ALL my top teeth out and all but 9 bottom teeth out 12 years ago. I still woke up with a headache every day. Now, to learn that all I needed was a little Valium for 36 years! I have 9 teeth left! The Valium works wonders, take my word for it."

10 / 10
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78 Report
  • Ged...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I took Valium for almost 3 years, and it helped my anxiety. I started on 5 mg three times a day, then, that increased to 4 times a day. I started waking in the early morning, thinking I had bad pills because they weren't working. I found out I was in tolerance and started having tolerance withdrawal. It's very hard to come off. I tried to stop cold turkey, and on day 3, it felt like I had been shocked with a cattle prod. I went back to 15 mg and started a slow taper. I added Remeron for sleep while tapering. I would steer clear of benzos and find something else for anxiety, these should not be taken for long periods of time. It makes your world a better place to be and forget life's problems for a short time, but you will face consequences later."

2 / 10
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  • lee...
  • August 27, 2015

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I'm on a low dose of Valium. I'm not complaining as it's helping me stay off booze. I just try as well not to drink because I don't want to take more Valium than what is recommended for me, and it's really great. It's also helping with drug cravings. I started exercising as well, so I'm hoping to get off Valium soon and replace it with the gym, but meanwhile, it's really helping."

6 / 10
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67 Report
  • TyH...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 18, 2015

For Anxiety "Take 7.5 mg twice a day, and it prevents my anxiety from getting out of control and stops my frequent panic attacks. The only medication that has worked for me so far. Hopefully, my doctor will be okay with this medication long-term and not going back to trying SSRI after SSRI."

10 / 10
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73 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.