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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety While On Valium
I am 67 years old and am diagnosed with anxiety and before I moved to Sand Springs Oklahoma my Dr s had on Valium. I moved here and my new Dr says he doesn t believein prescribing them..I have become extremely anxious and don t know what to do. Can you refer me to a Dr in my area who is not so biased? Please help me however you can. Thank you for your time Respectfully. Larry Long
Wed, 6 Feb 2019
Hello,
When it comes to the attitude towards medication like Valium (Diazepam) I am afraid I agree with your new doctor.
Benzodiazepines like Diazepam are not preferred for long term treatment, only for short periods of time. That is because they develop tolerance and dependence with time.
Furthermore, they affect cognitive functions, so the older you get the less recommended to use them.
Of course, if you have chronic anxiety that doesn't mean that you shouldn't receive treatment, but another class of medication should be used.
Generally SSRI medication like Citalopram are the preferred class as they have few side effects.
So you should discuss with your new doctor what alternatives he proposes, do not think that someone else prescribing valium would be helping you.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Olsi Taka, Neurologist
When it comes to the attitude towards medication like Valium (Diazepam) I am afraid I agree with your new doctor.
Benzodiazepines like Diazepam are not preferred for long term treatment, only for short periods of time. That is because they develop tolerance and dependence with time.
Furthermore, they affect cognitive functions, so the older you get the less recommended to use them.
Of course, if you have chronic anxiety that doesn't mean that you shouldn't receive treatment, but another class of medication should be used.
Generally SSRI medication like Citalopram are the preferred class as they have few side effects.
So you should discuss with your new doctor what alternatives he proposes, do not think that someone else prescribing valium would be helping you.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Olsi Taka, Neurologist
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