Hi.
As always: I'm really sorry to hear about what you're going through. Been there and done that (as the saying goes).
I don't know you or your history (obviously i.e. first post of your's I've seen) but how long have you been taking Valium and what dosage were you on before deciding to taper?
Bearing in mind I'm no doctor: you could try something like Zopiclone or Zolpidem (commonly referred to as "z-drugs") until things calm down a bit. They're not benzos. but rather "benzo. like" in their action. They too can be addictive but may get you through this difficult period and maybe used sparingly (believe me: the aftertaste both when taking and the next morning of Zopiclone is enough to put you off for life anyway).
Obviously as yet I don't have your answers (and it's up to you if you want to share the information or not of course). But something just occurred to me as I was replying to you and after my previous reply above to
@Yacking:
Are you people sure there's not something else wrong that's as yet not been diagnosed? I ask this for two reasons: one of my "good forum friends" (I hope
@Atelier3 doesn't mind my calling him a "good forum friend" but I have much respect for him and his experiences) posted something interesting the other day that basically went along the lines of the meds. that he was taking and had been taking for years were actually CAUSING his symptoms not solving the real problem i.e. a misdiagnosis. Is it not possible that it's not JUST benzo. withdrawal that's causing all of this misery? That's the first reason. The second reason is because (as some will know) I was on anywhere between 6mg - 8mg Alprozalam (Xanax) per day for a few years. I tapered in 0.25mg increments (simply by cutting 1mg tablets into the required size) biweekly. And I don't remember having any issues at all. On one or two occasions I remember having to stay on whatever dosage I was currently on for an extra week or two because I could start feeling uncomfortable and rather put myself through unnecessary discomfort I delayed the taper (but never went backwards). The only time I remember "hell on earth" is when I had run out of a prescription, could not get more until two days later, which in effect was "cold turkey" for those two days or so (that was indeed frightening and "hell on earth"). All I'm saying is why are these horrendous effects coming on so suddenly (for the both of you)? I mean to say (and I just checked my usual tables again for the umpteenth time): 1.25mg of Valium is the equivalent of 0.06mg of Xanax. Dunno if you see my point. Also and one thing I do remember: the anxiety of wondering what life was going to be like NOT being on Alprozalam (Xanax) "in my head" or psychologically was far worse than any anxiety resulting from actual withdrawal from the drug. Just an anecdote is all.
Of course: we could always have yet another discussion about the half-lives of these different benzos. (which has a profound effect on the type and amount of taper). But maybe the above is food for thought enough for now.