Everything You Know About Diazepam (Valium)
Every man knows about diazepam. How? By its common brand name: Valium! Men, this is a powerful benzodiazepine. So powerful. This benzo's not meant for you long-term, men. It's a controlled substance, after all! Your doc will help you make the best plan for taking it, and the plan that comes after! Yes, this means how you wean off it too. You'll need your doc in your corner on this one!
Yes, this benzo's a strong, strong med for muscle spasms. It's so great as a short-term anxiety treatment too. But there's more! Men, emergency detox centers use this med for alcohol withdrawal. Yes! Supervision makes that possible! Many, many men even take this med with other epilepsy treatments. It's great as a seizure medication here. That's why docs use it!
How It Works
Diazepam's a huge, huge one. It acts just like other sedatives and benzos for muscle issues and anxiety! It'll make some things in your body run slower. It calms you down with this! Men, you won't panic as much, you know. It'll also put a stop to the brain issues that make your muscles spasm. Amazing!
It works on epilepsy too. Men, it's great, so great, at this because it keeps the electricity in your brain under its control. That means no more of those pulses flooding everything in your brain. You won't have as many seizures that way! This med's also great for giving your brain more GABA. That's the chemical that keeps you calm! It'll keep you ready for rational thought and memory. Men, you'll have the sedation you need. There's also the benefit of more control over your emotions!
The Best Uses
Men, this med's powerful. So powerful! It works against many, many things that bother you. Yes, it does! Your docs will give you diazepam for muscle spasms, seizures, and anxiety. They'll even use it before a medical procedure if you don't need general anesthesia. Yes, you already know why. It's a sedative! It's great for anxiety because it keeps you calm. So calm! It'll stop those nasty thought spirals and lock them up! Those thought spirals are so common in OCD. So common! But they don't stand a chance against this med. Not a chance! Men, this one also works for alcohol withdrawal.
But hold your horses, this is a short-term solution! You'll need to talk to your doc about the best long-term solutions. You need to cope in other ways!
Side Effects
Yes, you've got to be careful with this one, men! You need to prep for side effects! The best thing, the very best, for side effects is to keep your dose low and only take it for a short period. A short period! Allergic reactions are a huge side effect with this one. Watch for hives and swelling in your throat. See them? Men, call you doc and get treatment now! You've got to watch your breathing with diazepam too. Yes. It affects your brain and breathing! Keep your eye on the ball here, men. Watch for blue lips and long pauses between your breaths. Are you hard to wake up? All of them are breathing side effects. They're emergencies too!
Your doc needs to know about other side effects right away too. That means drowsiness, suicidal thoughts, new seizures, and mood shifts! Yes, men, you're right. More anxiety and agitation count with your mood! And when you're older? You'll be sedated for longer. Men, you know this means you're more likely to fall! Yes, you are! It's thanks to the muscle weakness and drowsiness. You're less coordinated!
Precautions
It's time to get your safety gear on! Men, you already know what's coming. This isn't a long-term med. You've only got a short time with it! It's because there's a huge, huge physical dependence that comes with it. Yes, even if you're not prone to addiction! It's because of the effects on your brain. Your solution is clear: you've only got a short time with this med. While you're taking it, men, it's clear. You can't drink alcohol! That'll only make your breathing side effect more likely!
You remember how this med gives your brain more GABA. Yes, you do! Men, your brain won't make as much of it on its own because of this! That's why you've got to talk to your doc about stopping this med slowly. You can't do it all at once! Go slow, go very, very slow. Your doc will stop the withdrawal problems that way!
Medication Interactions
Men, there's one more thing. Write down the meds you take! This list is so, so important. Your doc needs it to help you. Yes, diazepam's got many, many medication interactions. So many! The only way to avoid them? Your list of meds! You'll need supplements and vitamins on this list too. Don't forget! Diazepam's going to interact with many stimulants, opioids, hydrocodone, and sodium oxybate. Some of these make it less effective. Others? Watch out for breathing problems!
Men, these are just examples. You know that! There are so many more meds and supplements that interact with diazepam. St. John's wort and valerian root are huge ones. Yes, these herbal remedies interact with diazepam too. Men, you've got the power here. You'll save your life with your list!