I am currently tapering off of valium. I have taken valium every night for the last few years so I decided to go under the care of a private psych doctor to do the taper as I tried by myself and just couldn't.

I started in January (10mg) and am now down to 4mg, but I expect I will be off it completely by the end of the summer.

The first 5 months I was very strict about dosing, remained completely sober (alcohol) and just went through the withdrawals. I had some severe dissociation episodes and anxiety and insomnia, complete loss of appetite (not good as I border a malnourished state from a physical illness). About 2 months ago I noticed I was not having anxiety nearly as much nor have I had any sort of dissociative / derealization states at all.

I feel much better about getting off the drug now than I did in January. It seemed impossible then considering the intense withdrawals that seem to go on for weeks. But you just have to grin and bear, unfortunately. It is well-worth it. I never believed I would feel this way - I can live without the drug and I can live without having to worry about how I will ever sleep. That needs to be dealt with without the use of tranqs. I was originally rx'ed valium for insomnia. I've never been dx'ed with an anxiety disorder - nor do I believe I have one.

Interestingly enough, my lifetime of poor sleep and insomnia is in fact due to something completely separate from a psych illness. However, S*%t rolls downhill, and insomnia of course causes depression. Insomnia and stress cause depression. Depression causes stress and insomnia.

I wish you well and keep the determination through-out. Benzo-buddies is a great website for help withdrawing from benzos.