physical symptoms of longing for a lost partner, Valium?

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I have never done brain-altering drugs of any kind, either for depression or other issues... I'm seeking experience from any straight-laced non-drug users who has taken Valium for short-term (one week) to reset feelings you can't let go? I really want some feedback on the experience before I go visit a doctor and express my situation.

Thank you.

First, anyone who has taken enough Valium to be able to advise you on it's effects, is not and can never again call themselves a 'non-drug user.' An ex-user, perhaps.

Second, Valium's effects on the body and cognitive functions are virtually identical to a small amount of THC (marijuana). Legal issues aside, if you feel you need a relaxant, Valium even over fairly short periods is chemically addictive, while weed is not (although you might just get to like it).

Third, asking a chemical to 'reset' your brain and remove or alter memories and their connected emotions is a pretty tall order. In spite of what you see in the movies, I'm not certain any drug can do that - maybe LSD, combined with some bizarre sort of brainwashing therapy, ala The Manchurian Candidate. Good luck with that, but I don't recommend the attempt in any case. The best cure for heartache is time. Unfortunately it works verrry sloowly.

It might be helpful if you could express the feelings, getting them out in some way, either writing them down, painting them, talking about them, crying/shouting/ whatever it takes to release them. Sometimes listening to music helps. As Willard says, the best cure for heartache is time. Hang in there.

I've been doing it for 8 weeks, not helping. The circumstances were unusual, like a death without a funeral but the person still alive (but has declared themselves dead to me, no goodbye, unexpected to me). This was after together (monogamous) 12 years. I've never been stuck with "longing" for more than a few hours or maybe at worst in my life a day or two. And drinking / sobbing to friends would help.

I mean I suspect if I go to the doctor, they are going to prescribe Zoloft or whatever they give for first-time anti-depressants these days. But I've read about these drugs enough the last thing I want is to deal with NEW problems.

Reading, as the other posted said. it seems THC is a good option. I've never once done it. - but I'm unwilling to do that (live in USA, I guess a trip to Amsterdam - but i have stress-related health issues that make travel a big stress, fun feedback loop).

I'm trying to cope with social means, but the stress makes me erratic / moody (talking to people is it's own form of stress for me).

This is helping, SLIGHTLY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVcb1Hl46Ds

Thanks for the feedback so far, it's painful, I'm working through it.

No point in being on valium for more then a week or so, you'll get resistant to it by then. Then you will need it just to sleep. Then you will need it just to fight down the anxiety being caused by withdrawl, then you'll start mixing it with booze

If you can't handle your drugs stay away from valium.

THC is never a good option. It is proven to induce psychosis in people who are prone to psychiatric disorders. I have worked with people suffering from drug induced psychosis and it isn't something I would wish on anyone so I get pretty angry when people are happy to bag legitimate theraputic drugs and in the same breath say smoking dope is OK. Yes, you MAY be OK but if you are sensitive to THC you can end up in locked ward looking for all the world as if you have schizophrenia.

It sounds to me that you are suffering from grief. It may not be the death of a person but it is the death of a relationship. Grief is a process and drugs are not the answer. Time is a great healer provided your grief runs through the normal progression. If you get stuck in part of the grief process then therapy is called for but please avoid self medicating. It's dangerous.

I was given beta blocker Propranolol for PTSD which brings about an awful amount of physcial symptoms.

The beta blocker really helps. It stop the physcial symptoms.

You can look into it. It blocks the adrenalen. I had a terrible problem with that.

I've used Valium and other benzos on occasion over the years, but I would never recommend anyone to take them every day. They're best used on an "as needed" basis like if you occasionally can't sleep or during stressful situations like air travel. Consider that it isn't hard to get physically addicted to sedatives, and the withdrawal can kill you or give you grand mal seizures.

Like Willard said, there isn't a drug in existance strong enough to erase memories. Even if there was, it would likely come with so many negative side effects or brain damage that it wouldn't be worth it.

You didn't specify your situation, but my biggest concern is that you're going through a situation like losing a family member or a relationship ending. The major problem with benzos is that they cause depression as a side effect. Many mentally stable people that take Valium feel sort of down as a result of it, and people that are already down can get severely depressed and then need even more drugs to deal with it. You would be way better off learning to accept bad memories without drugs. Have you considered talk therapy?

how about counseling and emdr and biofeedback?