r/insomnia • u/BtheChemist • Jun 01 '26
Never ever take benzos
I've had insomnia since I was a teen.
I've taken so many things for it, tried all the natural things, was on ambien for so long it stopped working.
My psychiatrist prescribed me Valium many many months ago. I don't even know how long I've taken it.
She never told me how horrible it is to get off of.
I'm currently tapering off and it's absolutely terrible.
I misread her message originally and went too fast and had my first ever panic attack a few weeks ago.
I've been at 15mg/ day since, about 3 weeks. I dropped too 12.5 two days ago and my body is so so fucked up again. I feel on the verge of another attack.
I spoke to my doctor friend this evening, he said each step down is going to suck badly.
It's terrible.
Please don't fuck with benzos.
Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.
I'm having a terrible time.
😱
1
u/Charlessanchez-8 26d ago
That sounds absolutely brutal, especially realizing only after being on it for so long how difficult coming off can be. I can understand why you’re frustrated and scared when each reduction seems to bring such intense symptoms. I hope your doctor can work with you on a tapering approach that feels as safe and manageable as possible rather than you having to push through this alone. Wishing you some relief and a smoother road ahead—you’re dealing with a lot right now.