valium suppositories and addiction??

Hi Everyone,

I have serached the forum and haven't been able to find the answer to this question. I know that valium in tablet form is extremely addictive and is only given for short time periods. But is this also the case when it is used in the form of a suppository and put directly into the bladder??? I'm assuming it still enters the blood system somehow, or am I wrong? What I'm wondering is, can suppositories be used longer term, or do the same rules apply concerning addiction etc??? I'm currently taking valium daily for anxiety and it is really helping my bladder, but I am only allowed it for a month (which I totally understand and accept.) Please can anyone provide the answer? Knowing that I will have to give it up makes me feel like Robert De Niro in the film 'Awakenings'. Haha.

Thanks so much.

Jem x

[sailawaygrl]

I use the valium suppositories and have been for over 2 years. They are not addicting at all. I was out of town without them and fine. I don't think even the tablets taken at a low dose is very addicting. I took ativan for a while for my nerves and to me that is more addicting than the valium but when it is time to stop I can stop them just fine. To me that is an antiquated thought on the valium addiction, just because a bunch of women in the 60s went nuts with them!! Just like our good pain meds, the abusers make it so difficult for the rest of us that need them long term.

[Jem]

Thank you

That's great news that you are able to use them long term. Are the suppositories only used to help the bladder, or do they help with your anxiety too? Can you tell me if they enter your bloodstream and do you get any side effects? What dose are you on? Any more info you could give me would be fab. Thanks Sailawaygrl.

Jem x

[nyeema]

Valium Suppositories Tx?

I don't know anything about comparing the addictiveness of one to the other. but i am curious about this treatment. could someone please tell me more about this? the suppository goes in the bladder? what dose? how often? relief of symptoms?
Thanks
ny

[Jem]

You are absolutely 100% correct Bri. I am very much aware that whoever you are, valium is proven to be a highly addictive drug. After a few days on a 2mg dose, I had to up the dose to 4mg, then a few days later 6mg to get the same effect. The body becomes dependent and builds up a tolernace, meaning that you have to increase the dose to get the same effect. It is just as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
I have talked with my doctor about this and although I like the calm feeling it gives me, I have no intention or desire to take them long term. (I just wish there was a drug with the same effect which didn't have the same addictiveness.) That is why I was so keen to find out about the suppositories. I am really glad that they do not have the same dangers. Now I know that, I am def going to ask my doctor to start me on them.

Thanks.

Sailawaygirl - Perhaps you mistakenely assumed that valium is not addictive because you have only ever used it in suppository form?? I am very glad you have not had any problems with using it.

Jem x

[ICNDonna]

I took 2 mg valium for muscle spasms in my neck and arms before my cervical fusion. I was on it for several months. After the surgery when the spasms were gone, I no longer needed the valium and I simply stopped taking it with no problem.

Yes, our bodies can become dependent on some medications, but just as I can't imagine how awful my life would have been for the six months before my surgery, I know there are some people who need meds in order to live some semblance of a normal life.

My doctor would have helped me wean away from valium had I needed the help, just as other doctors help their patients who no longer need a medication to which their bodies have become dependent. I will never discourage anyone from working with their medical professionals to enable them to function.

Donna

[Jem]

Donna, no-one on this thread is trying to 'discourage people'.
I am actually on valium myself at the moment and am well aware of how helpful it can be! However, there is no escaping the fact it IS a highly addictive drug, and that is why it is not a safe long term option. In Britain, doctors never prescribe oral valium anymore except in small doses, for very short periods, when absolutely neccessary. Just last week I was told this by 2 doctors, who warned me in no uncertain terms of how addictive it is if you are on it long term. That is why in it's side effects leaflet it states clearly it should not be used for more than 2-4 weeks.

Because of this, I was wondering about the suppositary form of the drug, and whether it would be a safer long term option. Sailawaygirl clearly states that she is using the drug in suppositary form, and that is obviously why she has no issues with addiction. Bri backed this statement up. Therefore I have a satisfactory answer to my question.

Bri's clarification on the issue of addiction was extremely helpful and sensible, as it is very misleading to other forum users to say that valium is not addictive.

Some additional info - In Britain it is categorized as 'a Class C drug, and you will get 'Up to 2 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine (or both) if it is possessed without a prescription, and up to 14 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine if you are involved in it's production or supply.' It is a commonly abused street drug which causes users to get hooked. In an area near where I live, doctors were stopped from prescribing it because so many patients were getting hooked, or selling it. But I feel all of this is perhaps a differrent topic, for a differrent thread!

Jem x

[sshannon74074]

Valium is stupid. Absolutely does nothing for me. I could eat it like candy and never want it again.

[maryla]

Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in. I used valuim supps for about 3 yrs before having my bladder removed, 10 mg mixed with boric acid for yeast.

While in the ICU my blood pressure and everything was really wacky and I guess finally one of my nurses asked my husband what meds I had used at home and convinced my surgeon that I was in withdrawl from the valuim and the drs then prescribed the valuim as well and everything straightened out.

I thought that I had thought of everything there was to do before hand, but I did not think to let the drs know that this may happen.

Actually the medical field does not know much about withdrawals at all. They will tell you that it only takes about 7 days for the med to get out of your system, but ask sometone who has withdrawn from them and it sometimes takes yrs.

One of my closest friends who is in recovery, valuim was her drug of choice, she will tell you that it took her 2 yrs to actually go through withdrawls.

I am not here to say that valuim in any form should not be used. Knowing what I know, I would still use them. I'm just saying they are addictive and one needs to be aware of the symptoms of withdrawal when there comes a time to go off of them.

many hugs and blessings

[maryla]

[QUOTE=Briza;563993]Hi Mary
Are you saying that you were experiencing withdrawal from the valium suppositories?

Briza,

Yes, Indeed it was the valium suppositories. That was the only way I had taken them. They do go through the blood stream that way as well.

I pray your symptom subside soon!! I know they are not soon enough. I know I'm still showing signs of withdrawal even though my PCP says no?

Many hugs and blessings

[Jem]

Have just been catching up with the latest responses on this thread. Thanks so much Mary (and Bri) for helping me out with all this info. I was going to push for valium suppositories next time I saw my Uro, but in the light of this new info, I think it might be a wise idea to leave it, and only use it as a last resort. Mary - Thanks for clarifying that they DO enter the bloodstream.
I hope you are both getting back to normal now and that the worst of the cold turkey is over.

Hugs,

Jem x

[ICNDonna]

Please do talk with your doctor about medications.

Donna

[Goodnightmoon]

This is a very interesting thread indeed!!

I take the suppositories on a daily basis with 10 mg, which is considered quite a high dosage for a long time (over a year now) EVERY DAY.

However, when I stop them for a week or so, I have absolutely NO side effects or withdrawl issues.

They do, however, enter the bloodstream but much less than taken orally. They will definitely make you sleepy and therefore all docs recommend to take them at bedtime.

I live parttime in Europe and have had a very interesting discussion with the docs there who absolutely refuse to give me a RX for the suppositories because of the high risk of addiciton. However, being back in the Us and checking with my IC specialist here she told me that she prescribes them for her patients for more than 5 years and never had a significant case of addicition - she believes the benefits are much bigger than the downsides.

As I can only speak for myself: I am doing very well with them - no addiciton what so ever, however, I would strongly recommend the version MIxED with boric acid, because the plain verison leads to yeast infections.

[Jem]

Thanks for you input Goodnightmoon,

But now I am totally confused!! (Just when I thought I had got a handle on the whole debate!)
I guess I will just have to leave it in the hands of my Urologist and see what he says. I'm living in Europe too, so there's probably not much chance of me being allowed it anyway?

Jem x

[maryla]

Have just been catching up with the latest responses on this thread. Thanks so much Mary (and Bri) for helping me out with all this info. I was going to push for valium suppositories next time I saw my Uro, but in the light of this new info, I think it might be a wise idea to leave it, and only use it as a last resort. Mary - Thanks for clarifying that they DO enter the bloodstream.
I hope you are both getting back to normal now and that the worst of the cold turkey is over.

Hugs,

Jem x

Jem,

In light of the withdrawls, I would still use them. They helped so much with my spasms. They really were a God send for me. I had bladder and colon spasms really bad. I wouldn't tell anyone not to use them. I just wanted to say that yes, using them vaginally does go throught the blood and your body could become addicted, at least mine did.

Bri,

Besides my reaction in the hospital, I had bad palpitations and anxiety. It has subsided some, but I still am experincing some to a degree.

Lets pray for a great New Year!!!

Many hugs and blessings