Benzos Diazepam/valium 'Paradoxical Reaction' (Benzo 'PR')

[doppelganga196]

Captain heroin recently illuminated me on the term 'pr'- short for paradoxical reaction, this phenomenon can occur supposedly with long term use of Benzodiazepines. Also research has shown that Clonazepam can bring about paradoxical, adverse effects such as rebound insomnia, increased frequency of episodes of anxiety, be it mild, moderate or so called panic attack syndrome, after short term usage.

My quandary lies with Diazepam. A classic drug & fantastically versatile, I’ve used this Drug 'as prescribed' & as needed if obtained via means illicit.

My gripe is with an unusual effect I experienced Tuesday night; after no sleep all Monday night I obtained a few 5 mg Valiums; taking 20 mg @ 7pm. I felt considerable relief & a heavy relaxant effect. Yet by 10pm I knew another 10 mg was needed to help me get to bed quicker & cleaner. (some of us know, after 24, 36 hrs without sleep, the harder it is to actually rest)

From 10pm onwards i experienced a highly productive state. I'd sat down to watch some t.v & read but found myself vigorously sketching & taking over an hour to make a fine denver omelette. By 2 am I decided on another 5 mg, taking a hot shower & brushing my teeth in an attempt to 'come down'!
After I actually put down my book & shut my damn eyes I was out pretty quick & up by 10 am for work...#

So I thought I'd share my side effect & see how may people share this. Be it any benzo but particularly diazepam.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

That's an interesting reaction. I have heard of it though, but not specifically with diazepam. However, I personally have PR's with clonazepam. I heard of another BL'er who posted a thread in OD about having a PR with temazepam (AND drinking! they stayed up a long time - I couldn't believe it!), and other people get PR's with lorazepam (why some people say it sucks - I kind of like lorazepam but it's by far not a favorite).

When I've taken diazepam in the past, I get tired more likely than not. I don't have a lot of experience with diazepam and I have not taken 20mg, just 5mg at a time.

 

[flacky]

GABA receptors are interesting.

I recently went out drinking with a few friends, got home at 2:30 AM exhausted and between buzzed and drunk (leaning on the drunk side). I suffer from anxiety and occasionally use Xanax to control panic attacks and insomnia. I hadn't used any that night and I usually don't use them that often, either way. Of course, I'm always delighted with the wonderful sleep that I get after a night of drinking. So, I lie down thinking I'm going to fall asleep. Next thing I know, it's 3:30 AM and I'm still awake. Eventually 8:00 AM rolls around and I'm wondering what the fuck is happening. Pretty much sober at this point, I find half a 0.5 mg tab of Xanax (I left my meds back in LA because I was just briefly visiting), which is not enough to do anything at all for me, but it can't hurt. I take it, eventually get to sleep at around 9:00 AM and get a meager hour of sleep.

I've never had a paradoxical reaction with benzos, though. I'd imagine that it would be pretty catastrophic because I only take them when I have a panic attack or insomnia. The thought, alone, of it doing the exact opposite frightens me.

 

[doppelganga196]

Sheepish update

That's an interesting reaction. I have heard of it though, but not specifically with diazepam. However, I personally have PR's with clonazepam. I heard of another BL'er who posted a thread in OD about having a PR with temazepam (AND drinking!

Now I think of it during tues afternoon/early evening, perhaps 2 hours before the first dose I had consumed 3 7&7's (whiskey+7UP) at a pub then had steadily stoked 1 gram of bogus weed (these folk always save the best herb 4 xmas week) . I'm pretty sure the whiskey, late/large dinner coupled with some qustionable marrijuana had a whacky synergy. Not to worry though the Valium came though in the end & i slept very deep & felt pretty great the next day. i may give the sketchy herb away...

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I've never had a paradoxical reaction with benzos, though. I'd imagine that it would be pretty catastrophic because I only take them when I have a panic attack or insomnia. The thought, alone, of it doing the exact opposite frightens me.

From my understanding, PR's are more likely to happen with children and the elderly. I have also personally found that it's more likely to be a specific benzo that gives you as an individual PR's. IE I have tried a handful of benzos (midazolam, flurazepam, triazolam, alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam), and only clonazepam has given me PR's. It's happened every time I take clonazepam too, so I'm not surprised.

If you are familiar with how the benzos you take now effect you, you shouldn't have to worry about PR's even though they do suck.

If you're trying a *new* benzo, try a mild/moderate dose of it first and see how it effects you.

I also remember reading somewhere that side effects & PR's are most likely with triazolam which is why it isn't widely prescribed in the states.

Hope that info helped clear some stuff up for people.

 

[doppelganga196]

It happened again; i took 5 mg on top of the 20 i'd taken earlier & i would up feeling totally wired!

 

[BananasAndOranges]

God switch me. ill give you my klonopin. doctors wont even help me anymore i dont know what the fuck or where to go im not gonna let me suffer

 

[Jabberwocky]

It happened again; i took 5 mg on top of the 20 i'd taken earlier & i would up feeling totally wired!

if you're getting them legitimately, ie - your dr, then i'd consult them about the problem, especially if it is interfering with your life. try a different route.

or you could always stop taking the diazepam and voila, problem solved!

 

[robatussin]

I may be having this reaction as we speak. I had been using phenazepam and doing fairly well with that however circumstances found me at a doc that gave me a xanax script that was about half the usual dose I am used to with alprazolam. I usually take it at night and sip wine. When I do this, I end up staying awake very late into the night and even have trouble getting to sleep when i try (4:00 am-ish) I think of it more as my mind wants the feeling of the benzo and does not want to waste that feeling on sleep until after the halflife has passed. Would this be considered a PR? It does reduce my anxiety but stimulates me in a similar way dope/suboxone does. Makes me more awake than I am usually during the day.

 

[doppelganga196]

I may be having this reaction as we speak. I had been using phenazepam and doing fairly well with that however circumstances found me at a doc that gave me a xanax script that was about half the usual dose I am used to with alprazolam. I usually take it at night and sip wine. When I do this, I end up staying awake very late into the night and even have trouble getting to sleep when i try (4:00 am-ish) I think of it more as my mind wants the feeling of the benzo and does not want to waste that feeling on sleep until after the halflife has passed. Would this be considered a PR? It does reduce my anxiety but stimulates me in a similar way dope/suboxone does. Makes me more awake than I am usually during the day.

Yeah dude it's a pr. If you took a lower dose of the xanax without the wine i doubt you'd be sthe same way; just like i've found out i cant dose above 20mg with diazepam without getting paradoxical reactions.

In summary i think as always the lowest possible dose is best.

 

[Regenesis2]

GABA receptors are interesting.

I recently went out drinking with a few friends, got home at 2:30 AM exhausted and between buzzed and drunk (leaning on the drunk side). I suffer from anxiety and occasionally use Xanax to control panic attacks and insomnia. I hadn't used any that night and I usually don't use them that often, either way. Of course, I'm always delighted with the wonderful sleep that I get after a night of drinking. So, I lie down thinking I'm going to fall asleep. Next thing I know, it's 3:30 AM and I'm still awake. Eventually 8:00 AM rolls around and I'm wondering what the fuck is happening. Pretty much sober at this point, I find half a 0.5 mg tab of Xanax (I left my meds back in LA because I was just briefly visiting), which is not enough to do anything at all for me, but it can't hurt. I take it, eventually get to sleep at around 9:00 AM and get a meager hour of sleep.

I've never had a paradoxical reaction with benzos, though. I'd imagine that it would be pretty catastrophic because I only take them when I have a panic attack or insomnia. The thought, alone, of it doing the exact opposite frightens me.

GABA receptors are complex and are "paradoxical" in and of themselves. I think that in certain reptiles GABA is mainly a stimulating system as opposed to mammals. Bzd's are very crude compared to our complex neuronetworks, but I don't think feeling energized and productive qualifies as a PR. My PRs were some messed up experiences.

 

[revned04]

I'm sorry, but what are these "paradoxical reactions" ? It souunds interesting esspecially when its concerning one of my favorite/hated drugs

 

[Regenesis2]

I'm sorry, but what are these "paradoxical reactions" ? It souunds interesting esspecially when its concerning one of my favorite/hated drugs

Imagine the total opposite of what the desired effects are.
rage instead of calm
insomnia instead of sleep
convulsions instead of relaxation
and a mind trip to hell.
I suddenly had a deep desire to plunge a steak knife into my belly as if something else was controlling my mind, but I didn't.
this was out of nowhere, had a good day earlier, was in a happy mood before this reaction took place.
May any decent person never live through this experience.
I think I'd rather be beaten and shot.

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

PRs are no good, but as CH said, it depends a lot on the person. Benzos seem to be the most finicky class of drugs around, some people love certain ones, other people get PRs from common ones (like diazepam)....

As has been said, if you're getting them scripted, talk to your doctor ASAP, either about getting off diazepam or switching to another benzo.

 

[hydrochron]

That's a interesting reaction to valium. I actually liked valium when I was quiting, because it didn't give any paradoxial effects like xanax/klonopin. I know that I used to take xanax and stay up late at night. They wire you. Especially after along time.

Another instanse I can think of is when I tryed to knock my self out during opiate withdrawal with klonopin. Took about 8mg's and felt like I was on speed. It doesn't always happen, however it can become more common the longer your on benzo's and eventually is un-avoidable.

 

[doppelganga196]

Anybody get p.r's from lorazepam? I was up all night on 3 mg...