Symptoms of a Drug Prescription
Medication ♥ Nikki’s Story
Journey through Valium
February 1, 2024 by Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ Nikki’s Story: Journey through Valium
This week we continue our journey through Nikki’s healthcare treatment discussing the prescription drug, Valium. Even though this journey lasted a very short time, the knowledge we provide you is significant to your wellness journey.
Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following journey through Nikki’s eyes.
Nikki’s Story:
Journey through Valium
By the time I was prescribed Valium, I already was prescribed two other drugs in the benzodiazepines class.
One drug, Xanax, by my former healthcare prescriber and the other, Klonopin, by my current provider.
Both of these drugs previously caused negative effects as serious as breathing problems.
When Valium, a controlled substance, was prescribed to me it was known by my healthcare provider that I was an alcoholic and also had asthma.
Even with this knowledge, Valium was prescribed by my healthcare provider with the instructions to cut an 1/8 of the pill and take as needed.
I have to admit it made me feel good. I felt high as a kite, but somehow I knew this wasn’t a good thing. Because every time I got this high, I came shooting down to an extreme low.
Going against the advice of my healthcare prescriber, I made a conscious decision not to take the prescribed Valium, and informed my healthcare provider of my decision.
With my wellness rapidly declining both mentally and physically, my healthcare provider began suggesting I see someone else. In fact, he rescheduled me with someone in his office without officially informing me.
Shortly after, I made the decision to seek help elsewhere.
Some individuals are able to take Valium or any other benzodiazepines without consequences.
Unfortunately, with my proven addicted nature, I am unable to.
When taking benzodiazepines, you should be aware of the following:
Number 1, DISCUSS:
- All the pros and cons of taking any benzodiazepines.
- Any past or present excessive use of drugs (legal or not legal) and alcohol with your healthcare provider.
- Health conditions you have with your healthcare provider.
- Alcohol use.
- Obsessive behaviors.
Number 2, REALIZE*:
- The recommendation to limit the use of benzodiazepines to the short term is largely based on the issues of tolerance and dependence.
- Use beyond the short term can lead to dose escalation.
- Dependence can be considered in physiological and psychological terms.
- Withdrawal symptoms on stopping the drug can range from minor to serious.
- Dependence is more likely in patients who have a history of alcohol or drug misuse.
- Dependence is also likely in patients with a history of personality disorder.
* National Library of Medicine, Kennedy KM, O’Riordan J. Prescribing benzodiazepines in general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2019 Mar;69(680):152-153. doi: 10.3399/bjgp19X701753. PMID: 30819759; PMCID: PMC6400612.
Number 3, AWARENESS:
- Recognize any changes in your symptoms after taking a prescribed drug both positive and negative.
- Are you experiencing more positive or negative results from the prescribed drug?
- Understand everyone is different.
- There are no quick fixes.
- Living a happy and healthy lifestyle may be a lifelong commitment, but not necessarily life consuming.
For more helpful tips about taking a prescription drug, read: Nikki’s Story Journey to Klononpin.
Knowledge is key to wellness!
The goal is to live a happy and healthier lifestyle!
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt –
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Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
Medical Disclaimer:
We share informational resources that are intended to help you with your self-care plan. We are not professionals. We write based on personal experience and personal research.
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