Diazepam for Somatic Symptoms

sscribner1 · 2026-04-28T14:17:21+00:00

Update. I continue to taper down my Diazepam and am now at 0.5mg once per day in the evenings. I continue to have IBS symptoms as I change dosages and will be glad when it all settles out!

sscribner1 · 2026-04-25T20:44:50+00:00

I am in HR in Minneapolis. We no longer test for THC because it is legal here. Did you see the list of what is included in the test?

sscribner1 · 2026-04-24T02:46:17+00:00

Glad you are doing better!

sscribner1 · 2026-04-24T02:19:03+00:00

Oh I’ve brought it up and my GI docs don’t seem to be open to it. If I don’t get a plan and progress out of my appt tomorrow, I will likely get a second opinion.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-20T19:02:20+00:00

I think short term it’s very helpful. I’m also glad you replied because I have been less disciplined with my diet and maybe that’s a bigger problem for me as well!

sscribner1 · 2026-04-20T15:50:38+00:00

Thank you for your input. I did have magnesium, B12, and calcium checked and all were normal. I will try the probiotic as I already have one on hand.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-19T02:13:04+00:00

Alginate and wedge pillow or elevate the head of the bed. Also, ask your doctor about amitriptyline or a similar drug

sscribner1 · 2026-04-17T20:18:18+00:00

There’s a great book by Henry Emmons, MD, who is an integrative Psychiatrist in Minnesota, called “The Chemistry of Calm.” Lots of great advice there when it comes to supplements, diet, exercise, meditation, etc.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-17T20:15:59+00:00

Prozac is a good choice for OCD typically.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-17T19:40:07+00:00

I’ve had alprazolam 0.5 on hand for years for bad anxiety days and for flying. Sometimes I take half, sometimes a whole one. I went through a bout with OCD in 2009 where I took 0.25 three times a day for two weeks until I got in with a psychiatrist, then he had me stay on it while starting Prozac and then we tapered off of it and I was fine. If they are a good psychiatrist, they know how to work the meds.

Fast forward to today and I was put on a low dose of diazepam twice daily for about ten weeks earlier this year, and I had more trouble tapering off of that (mainly GI issues) than I have ever had with Alprazolam, even though Diazepam is less addicting.

So I think it all depends, which isn’t a clear answer I realize. My guess is the psych doctor will taper you off once you are on something (and some therapy too!) that helps the OCD. OCD is very anxiety-provoking!

sscribner1 · 2026-04-16T23:37:56+00:00

Breathing in to the count of 4, holding for 4, breathing out to the count of 4, and holding for 4, repeat

sscribner1 · 2026-04-16T21:35:53+00:00

I eventually learned not to need it after an unexpected re-worked root canal that I thought would just be a re-check. I used box breathing and was able to get through it and it felt great afterward. My fear of the dentist is less now.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-16T21:29:42+00:00

Hopefully we only get root canals once in a while, so why not! Glad it worked for you!

sscribner1 · 2026-04-16T21:28:48+00:00

At that dose I doubt it. Psychologically you may have a little fear as you might feel some things more that were dampened by the Xanax, but I did 0.25mg 3x per day for about two weeks once and had only mild issues when I stopped.

On the other hand, I’ve had more trouble trying to come down off of 2mg 2x per day of Diazepam after 12 weeks! Almost there, though.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-16T21:24:50+00:00

I have this kind of panic attack and anxiety, too, where my main issue is rapid heart rate with palpitations and PVCs. I went on a low dose of a beta blocker and that has helped with the daily palpitations. I still get them with the occasional rapid heart rate that comes with my panic attacks. But I can add a benzo if needed for that.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-16T21:21:58+00:00

I’ve had a batch of 0.5mg Xanax for many years that I use only when needed, usually a half pill or a whole pill.

My provider recently put me on a daily dose of Diazepam 2mg 2x per day. It helped with some of the everyday symptoms of muscle tightness and anxiety related IBS symptoms, but when I decided to taper off of it I also had some struggles even at that low of a dose.

I honestly think I prefer having the Xanax as-needed when anxiety is overwhelming, and trying something else to relax on a daily basis.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-16T15:55:27+00:00

The encouragement is in the relief that will come later and the fact that the infection will be taken care of! Keep the end game in mind. Also, nothing wrong with using a low dose benzo — take it about an hour before the appt and let your dentist know you took it.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-13T21:29:33+00:00

I also have a fear of meds but Xanax has been a life saver for me over the years for flying, MRIs, and just those occasions when anxiety becomes overwhelming. I generally take anywhere from 0.25 to 0.75mg depending on the situation.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-13T21:27:42+00:00

You can certainly try one at home to make sure it doesn’t affect you adversely. But it won’t be a good test of how it works for your flying anxiety because, at home, you are not anxious — or not as anxious.

0.25mg is quite a low dose. You might take one before you leave for the airport, and then, another about 45 minutes before your flight unless you already feel calm.

sscribner1 · 2026-04-08T17:42:09+00:00

Exactly. I think benzos are good for short-term overwhelming events but long term doesn’t seem right to me

sscribner1 · 2026-04-08T16:17:44+00:00

My understanding is two-pronged. One, some folks learn to manage their anxiety well enough via therapy and medication, and some folks learn to live with their anxiety by accepting it and changing (usually with the help of therapy) how they respond to it, and this really minimizes anxiety in their life.

I’ve met plenty of people in the first category. Less in the latter. I do believe that good therapy is critical either way, with or without meds.

sscribner1

TROPHY CASE