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Hello I Have An Anxiety And Depression Diagnosis So I've

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Posted on Fri, 13 Sep 2019
Question: Hello I have an anxiety and depression diagnosis so I've been prescribed 5mg Diazepam. I take the medication as needed. 4-5 x a month maximum. The last 3 days I've had trouble sleeping, which brought on a bit of anxiety I took one 5mg pill to help me get to sleep. I ended up sleeping 17 hours ( woke up once for 10 minutes) and am now having a hard time staying awake 4 hours later. Not sure if this is from getting too much sleep or if valium is playing a factor. I've read it can last in the system up to 50 hours and still be detectable in the body weeks later. Is there anyway to shake this perpetual grogginess off? Eating, drinking and walking about have seemed to only make it worse. thank you for your time
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Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Benzodiazepines- hangover.

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

Diazepam is a long active benzodiazepine drug which may remain in the body for up to 10 days.
In majority of population,it is excreted out of the system in a period of 24 to 48 hrs.
Rate of excretion depends on age,weight,body mass index,inborn metabolizing capacity and addiction history.

You can hasten the flushing out of it by keeping yourself well hydrated.

I would advise you to see your psychiatrist because the treatment of anxiety and depression is very tricky and only a qualified clinician can titrate the drug doses finely according to your clinical condition.
You can be switched to other Benzos with shorter half lives like Etizolam which have a shorter duration of action and is devoid of gogginess and lingering sedation.

Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. AJEET SINGH

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 2151 Questions

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Hello I Have An Anxiety And Depression Diagnosis So I've

Brief Answer: Benzodiazepines- hangover. Detailed Answer: Hi... Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service. I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX I have gone through your query and here is my opinion. Diazepam is a long active benzodiazepine drug which may remain in the body for up to 10 days. In majority of population,it is excreted out of the system in a period of 24 to 48 hrs. Rate of excretion depends on age,weight,body mass index,inborn metabolizing capacity and addiction history. You can hasten the flushing out of it by keeping yourself well hydrated. I would advise you to see your psychiatrist because the treatment of anxiety and depression is very tricky and only a qualified clinician can titrate the drug doses finely according to your clinical condition. You can be switched to other Benzos with shorter half lives like Etizolam which have a shorter duration of action and is devoid of gogginess and lingering sedation. Hope that I have answered your query. Stay healthy and stay blessed. Regards.