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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by n_shrimpie on April 7, 2013, at 3:41:41
I've been taking 5mg/Valium per day 3 or 4 times a week for about 4 months as a sleep aid to counteract Emsam induced insomnia. I've found that I'm not as quick with word retrieval, my creativity is somewhat impaired,and I'm not writing or articulating myself as succinctly. I suspect it's the Valium, so I'm going to find another sleep aid and hope my cognitive faculties return, but I've read that benzos can cause permanent brain damage and I'm terrified. Is this true?
Posted by tensor on April 7, 2013, at 4:46:09
In reply to valium, cognitive issues, posted by n_shrimpie on April 7, 2013, at 3:41:41
> I've been taking 5mg/Valium per day 3 or 4 times a week for about 4 months as a sleep aid to counteract Emsam induced insomnia. I've found that I'm not as quick with word retrieval, my creativity is somewhat impaired,and I'm not writing or articulating myself as succinctly. I suspect it's the Valium, so I'm going to find another sleep aid and hope my cognitive faculties return, but I've read that benzos can cause permanent brain damage and I'm terrified. Is this true?
I don't think you need to worry about any brain damage. If you had skipped Valium for the last four months, the insomnia itself is likely more damaging if anything. Your acuity will return when Valium is discontinued. You may or may not have discontinuation symptoms, if you have, you need to gradually decrease the dose before quitting.
Valium is a poor choice for a sleep aid. Its halflife is too long. There are non-BZD options like Trazodone./tensor
Posted by tensor on April 7, 2013, at 5:07:20
In reply to Re: valium, cognitive issues » n_shrimpie, posted by tensor on April 7, 2013, at 4:46:09
> There are non-BZD options like Trazodone.
Since you are on Emsam, probably best to stick with zopiclone or zolpidem.
/tensor
Posted by Phillipa on April 7, 2013, at 9:42:58
In reply to valium, cognitive issues, posted by n_shrimpie on April 7, 2013, at 3:41:41
44 years on benzos and never once have they impaired my cognitive facilities and just recently medicaire began paying for benzos through their medical plans as it was found that the atypical antipsychotics were causing many metabolic problems and falls in the elderly. I wouldn't worry. Personally I'd suspect it's the accompanying anxiety to the ENSAM. Sleep is important. But why not take the valium at night only. This is what I do and sleep fine. Phillipa
Posted by sigismund on April 7, 2013, at 14:06:03
In reply to valium, cognitive issues, posted by n_shrimpie on April 7, 2013, at 3:41:41
I'd go with my gut if I were you.
There are better options than Valium as a sleep aid, though finding one without a downside is the trick.
Ambien is better for sleep than Valium but those same anxieties may still be appropriate, and Ambien is so short acting.
Trimipramine is good for sleep but may not be appropriate with Emsam and anyway is genotoxic. I take it though, on the general assumption that it is too late to matter.
Trazodone sounds toxic. Never tried it myself. Then there is low dose mirtazepine, probably a bad idea with Emsam? Lasts too long, otherwise good until you wake up.
Anyway, some ideas. Do you have Ambien XR where you are? I'd go with that myself.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on April 7, 2013, at 21:21:49
In reply to Re: valium, cognitive issues, posted by sigismund on April 7, 2013, at 14:06:03
Xanax XR would be a good choice, for reason, I don't know this for a fact, but diazepam is a bit more depressing than alprazolam, I have no sources to back that up, but really extended alprazolam release would help with both anxiety and sleep.
Another good option is Lunesta...
r
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on April 7, 2013, at 22:21:00
In reply to valium, cognitive issues, posted by n_shrimpie on April 7, 2013, at 3:41:41
The chances of 5mg of diazepam 3-4 times a week causing permament anything are excedingly remote.
It might not even be the diazepam that is causing your symptoms. Stop it and see if the symptoms abate - if not, it might be the Emasem causing them
Posted by Hugh on April 8, 2013, at 12:40:42
In reply to valium, cognitive issues, posted by n_shrimpie on April 7, 2013, at 3:41:41
An orexin receptor antagonist is a new sleep aid that has a completely different mechanism of action than benzos or Ambien. Merck applied for FDA approval, and it should be available next year, if all goes well. I know this doesn't help you much right now, but at least a better sleep aid is on the way (knock on wood).
Orexin Receptor Antagonists Differ from Standard Sleep Drugs by Promoting Sleep at Doses That Do Not Disrupt Cognition
Posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2013, at 20:49:17
In reply to Re: valium, cognitive issues, posted by Hugh on April 8, 2013, at 12:40:42
There is that word "might" again. So it's not proven yet? Phillipa
Posted by Hugh on April 9, 2013, at 11:36:05
In reply to Re: valium, cognitive issues » Hugh, posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2013, at 20:49:17
> There is that word "might" again. So it's not proven yet? Phillipa
It did well in clinical trials and Merck applied for FDA approval last year. It will probably be approved by early next year, but these things aren't a certainty.
This is the end of the thread.
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