Switching From Xanax To Valium (Page 3)

PLEASE HELP! For the past 7yrs I've been on 1mg Xanax (3x) per day for anxiety and panic attacks. I take my dosage of Xanax as prescribed by my Dr unless I have a severe panic attack, then I may take an additional (1-2) 1mg xanax when I'm actually having a severe full blown panic attack to stop it. I've been on other Benzos before but Xanax seems to be the only thing that stops the panic attacks when I'm having them.
Recently my Dr decided to switch me from 1mg Xanax (3x) per day to 10mg of Valium (2x) per day because he says Valium is "stronger" and has a longer half life than Xanax. He says the Xanax isn't working for my anxiety anymore. From what I've read on the Internet about Xanax vs Valium is that Xanax works better than Valium for panic attacks. I like to mention I have a phobia of taking new medications. I stressed my concerns to my Dr that my anxiety isn't as much of issue for me as my Panic Attacks. He said not to worry cause the Valium is stronger. Then I asked him what if while I'm taking the Valium I suffer a sever panic attack? What do I do to stop the panic attack? His responce was that I could take a 1/2 of a 10mg Valium tablet to stop the panic attack. I wanted to tell him that from what I knew, Valium is slower acting and that I didn't agree 1/2 of a 10mg is going to stop my panic attacks but I didn't want to question his professional expertise over my Internet findings. I know he's the Dr and the Dr knows best right? So I guess to finally get to my point is I'm terrified to start the Valium because im afraid that when I have a panic attack and I say WHEN and not IF cause it's only a matter of when I will have a full blown sever panic attack what would I do to stop it? From reading up on Valium I know it wont help stop my panic attack like the Xanax will. I asked my Dr before I left his office that while I'm on the Valium and I have an attack could I take a Xanax to stop the attack? He said absolutely not! He said if I have a panic attack while on valium I can take a 1/2 of my 10mg Valium. I didnt say this to my Dr but I know from what I read about Valium is that it won't stop an attack as fast as Xanax will. I dont know what to do? Im so scared and I feel helpless cause I feel like my Dr isn't getting what im saying. My panic attacks can last as long as 2 hours or more. I know because my longest panic attack was while I was driving through the desert and realized I forgot to pack my Xanax. 2 hours in to my attack after trying breathing techniques and what not I had to taken to a hospital by ambulance cause my heart rate went up way to high and so did my blood pressure. My panic attacks can lead to an ambulance ride to the hospital. I feel like my Dr is focusing on treating my anxiety more than my panic attacks which are of greater concern to me at this time. I read on line that other people have been prescribed both Xanax and Valium to be taken as needed. Valium for anxiety and Xanax for panic attacked. I spoken to 3 pharmacists who tell me that I can take the Valium and if I should have a major panic attack I could take a Xanax no problem because they're both Benzos but only on the occassions when I'm having a bad panic attack. Why couldn't my Dr just say that? I know some of you may read this and say that I just have an addiction to Xanax. Honestly that would be further from the truth. If I knew that Valium would stop my sever panic attacks I would switch in a heart beat but from what I'm reading I know Valium won't help with an attack as fast as Xanax will. I'm not looking for the Xanax "kick" some people love to feel or to have a feeling of Ephoria. I just want a reliable medication to treat my disorder. I want to trust that my Dr knows what's best for me but only I know what my body and mind is going through and I somehow can't get him to understand! If anyone has had the same problem as me or can offer any support or advise I'd love to hear what you have to say. Has anyone ever taken both medications in the same manner im suggesting or together at the Sametime? How did it make you feel? We're you able to cope and how? Please anything will help. I know there has to be other people out there experiencing or have experienced the same thing. Thanks.

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DON'T DO IT! !! YOU'LL REGRET IT as valium does have longer halfkife, it just won't work for anxiety after so long on xanax. I'd try klonopin first if your doc is wanting longer half life. Thing is, youll probably (we r all diff) need 20mg at once to just feel calm and not anxious. Klonopin 2mg is like xanax 1mg in eqivalence but different feeling. Not as hardcore but not nearly as wek as Vals. If you have very little tolrrance or can wean down for 2 weeks, then 20mg of Valium is awesome. It's mainly used to get prople off xanax and evrntually off otherwise you'd have Breeden on valium first. I'd hold onto the xanax if possible or up the dose to 2mg pills. I took 2mg 3 times a day before switching to valium (didn't last, had to use my refill of xanax). Most fr's are starting to dhy away as they see little value to xanax now as altetnatives r better fir anxiety. It's more for break through anxiety like for attacjs. God I miss rohyohnol, worked the best, just half a milligram and anxiety free. Too bad you can't find in mexico anymote. (I live in cali so the occasional trip is nice. Roofies were easy to find 8 years ago but that's when they quit hookin up whitey unlrss anyone can tell diff. Sorry for the side question.

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i was dogged off xanaxes and loraratabs and somas and klonipon all at 1 time was on xanaxes for 12yrs been of now for 6 months my dr now gives me valiume 10 mg 2 a day but scared to take i no what i have been thru but have panic and anxiety attacks bad dont no what to do i am on low dose libirum 1 a day at bedtime only thinking of putten a case suit on my other dr had to go to detox and rehab over that

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Wow I really hope you are still watching this thread - I have ALL of your problems plus severe pain and joint issues in all cervical places plus neck muscles which is made much worse with any stress and yes valium will definitely help you. The only issue is unfortunately eating food- any food will stop this medicine from working. up to 5 hours after eating. I had to restrict my food for my other pain med. You will find that valium will stop future issues due to the long acting. It is a much better muscle relaxant and is also better for seizures. If u r able to get it I prefer valium over xanax for panic, pain, and migraines Any day. Good luck. And I wish I had your Dr.!

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Great Awesome Advice and Real Truth! God Bless You!
Amen

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Valium is good for panic attacks and anxiety. I've had panic attacks since 1987 or so (got so bad at one point that I had to stop driving). I've been on various things like Xanax, Klonopin, Librium, Ativan, on and on. I'm a working professional who doesn't care to live on disability, get wacked out on pills and just feel sorry for myself.

First, I'd like to address the benefits of Valium. Then I'll get to the issue of switching from Xanax to another drug.

Valium simply makes one 'less worried', in the event of a panic attack. And that's the whole point: the more you worry the worse your panic attacks get. It's very important to know what you're going through -- and still be relaxed about it! Valium also has a *strong* muscle-relaxant effect, which is helpful in times of severe tension.

By contrast, Xanax literally slathers over the panic attack completely -- and keeps going beyond that, giving you an 'I am superman' feeling. That is dangerous in the real world. So, you're walking around with a cocky grin on your face, slurring your words slightly. People *know* you're on something. Not good in the work world. Especially the professional work world.

Not to mention that Xanax (which is very potent) has an amnesic effect. Things you'd normally remember/recall very easily -- such as your boss asking you about the project they'd given you -- you'll look like a dope trying to pull out the answer.

Valium keeps you calm. Not goofy.

Klonopin is even worse than Xanax, with regard to people noticing that you're wacked on something. Klonopin gives you glassy eyes -- VERY glassy eyes. It also disinhibits you. You'll tell someone off in a hearbeat. You'll regret the consequences. But yes, it can prevent panic attacks.

Part 2.

Yes, if you're used to gobbling Xanax but suddenly switch to Valium it won't feel exactly the same. At least not for the first few days it won't. You'll have some minor withdrawal from the Xanax. Nothing serious, it's purely psychological. Because you are a crybaby and you want your Xanax. But in reality the Valium's got you covered. (Try switching from Xanax to *nothing* and then you'll see what I mean).

Xanax to Klonopin is a bad switch. You'll actually have some 'real' physical withdrawal. When I did it I went into drenching sweats. Water was pouring out of my body -- and it was freezing outside. I looked like a just crawled out of lake, the sweating was so bad. I'll never, ever forget that.

I currently just have Valium for panic attacks. I take it if & when I need to. Usually once every few days or so. That's it. It's got me covered just fine, and I don't feel like I'm a slave to it.

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I empathize with all the struggles here. It seems that people switching from one benzo or GABA drug to another will often cause discomfort, because few of them are exactly the same with regards to what cell receptors they act upon. Then there is the issue of onset and half-life which has been discussed. Objectively speaking, it seems that because this is to be expected, it is in a way "nothing to worry about."

Having had some feelings of anxiety before also, another thing that worries me (some people say everything worries me :), is how someone can function with most of these medications: How a person drive or work, especially if there job has some dangers or requires a level of judgement?

From this idea it occurs to me that tapering oneself down and relying more on psychotherapy might be a good goal. If someone is one a fairly high dose of a potent benzo or GABA medicaton, there is always the real fear of running out. That in itself must produce some real anxiety. I would bet that anyone who has taken them for any length of time has run up against running out. Again, that would be very worrisome!

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Hi Syrus! I am a 63-year-old woman who has suffered from severe anxiety & panic disorder since I was 18 (1968). In those early days, I was given Paxil along with almost every benzodiazepine including Valium, Librium, Tranxene (sequentially, not at the same time). Nothing worked. For years I thought I was losing my mind, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think, I couldn't drive, I couldn't leave the house, I was at ER at least twice a week, hysterical & having a "heart attack." Finally, in 1983, my therapist told me about Xanax, a new benzo designed specifically for severe anxiety & panic. It not only changed my life -- it saved my life!!! For many years, I took 1 mg 3-4 times a day & 2 mg at bedtime. Recently, I felt I was becoming tolerant to it so my current therapist put me on clonazepam, a longer-acting benzo. I take 2 mg twice a day. In addition, I continue to take 2 mg Xanax at bedtime (for insomnia) & my doctor provides extra Xanax in case I feel I need to take one in addition to the clonazepam. I feel great! I don't (nor have I ever) gotten "high" from these meds. I've never experienced any "bad" side effects. I just feel "normal". Of course, this is only MY experience but I think you would do well to ask your provider about clonazepam. It has really worked well for me. Good luck!

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Hello,
I'm an australian citizen and have been taking Zanax since 06/07/2013, I was reducing off my dose and my head thought it was a brillant idea. Don't get me wrong I'm on suboxne been on it 28 maths changed my life don't use needles. But I knew I was addicted when I experienced my first withdrawl on October 22 2014. I had not ran out, I tried to see how long I could hold off, at this time I was off suboxne for 3 weeks in 3 weeks I had had some H 2 days in a row FULLY sTOPPED after that. Recommended opiated replacme t program my dose 32 mg as I have done lot s of reading of people's views thoughts possibilities and reality and fact.

Since NOV 2013 till now I have decreased a full 2 mg and in 30 days I informed my doctor I wished to reduce, on ever occasion he has been very direct and helpful and nice, When I went in there today for my consultation I encountered a Dr that appreaed to be Really not interested. Now he has been my doctor for 3 years I came clean and said I was abusing them in JUNE-JULY popping like tick tacks.
So the day for asked for help I was willing to go into a chemist and pick them up it was a safer thing for me and the medical administration also. The chemist staff are wonderful.

On my consultation to today I was thrown a comment saying In his opinion that I would be on zanax for life. I'm a very strong man, I have had to learn to survive adapt to my life as I was in addiction. Now my problem is I want to know when I should cross over to a longer lating half life. Also I'm at the stage where I take them as I'm prescribed but I'm no couch bum I get out there and am extremely fit,
Should I go to as in 6 maths I have halved my dose. Please help I'm genuine I miss being clean and around the 12 step fellowship. I'm patient as recovery can't be rushed but I need advice help

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Kind of hard to read your post but it sounds like the Doctor made fun of you. Telling them you were popping Xanax like Tic Tacs would get you cut off if our Country.

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Americans! You all think you have something wrong with you just because you have a little anxiety. It is interesting in parts of the world where life is a bit more harsh, nobody has time to sit around and worry about their anxiety. Give me a break. Nothing but a bunch of whiners. Do you think your grandpa ever acted incapacitated because he was having "a panic attack". No! He picked himself up and got back to work like a human being should. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

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Switching to Ativan from Xanax will not cause strokes.

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Suing your doctor sounds like a great idea if you don't care about seeing another doctor. Many docs in this day of retarded litigation, won't see patient's who sue doctors for reasons such as this. Sounds to me like you got yourself in this fix when you got addicted to the Xanax. No one twisted your arm to prevent your tapering and quitting. People do this all time time. If you sued anyone, it should be the idiot who started you on the Xanax. However, it would not surprise me if you had something to do with encouraging this first doctor to start you on it because it helps you survive through your day. I am tired of you folks who try and blame your doctors. You are big people. Start taking responsibilities. I don't think you can blame anyone but yourself.

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Gunther, and what a stupid name that must be in your Country, like our version of Gomer. In any case why would you call us stupid Americans, when this forum is truly an international forum. Secondly Ativan is the worst, almost caused a stroke and DEATH for me!

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U people are nuts xanax Is as addictive as H and valium works perfectly fine. was on xaniez for yrs and valium is soooo much better!

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I've been reading this thread with great interest. A few contributors are right on .. others not so much. Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin - or any benzodiazepine for that matter - aren't "cures" for panic or anxiety. At best, they're band-aids. The benzos cover up symptoms. However, like almost all use of addictive drugs, using a benzo becomes a mal-adaptive coping method, not a treatment. Maybe most here are truly disinterested in alternatives to medications. That's a shame - coping techniques, CBT skills, relaxation exercises, and plain practice are treatments (and sometimes eventually cures) for anxiety disorders. Pills work - for a while ...

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Rick said: " If someone is one a fairly high dose of a potent benzo or GABA medicaton, there is always the real fear of running out. That in itself must produce some real anxiety. I would bet that anyone who has taken them for any length of time has run up against running out. Again, that would be very worrisome!


Rick very interesting comment. I found after many years of use, Xanax and the quest for Xanax can be overwhelming. I was just trying to explain this recently to my Doctor who has never taken a pill yet gives them out like pez. Of course now I have a few thousand pez, the 2 mg kind and I'm not worried about running out. Plus I actually take less now, its poison which I do know.

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I apologize if I come across rather blunt. I'm having an issue now and I don't wish to offend anyone. Anyone comparing benzodiazepines like, 20mg of Valium = .5mg of Xanax isn't just irresponsible, it's completely inaccurate.

I was on 10mg Valium 3x a day for ten years.

Then I was on 2mg Xanax 3x a day for 3-4 years.

Then 1mg clonozepam 2x a day for 3-4 years.

Then my Dr died a few months ago! They didn't follow procedure and I cannot get my records released, etc. etc. but that's besides the point.

I used to think Valium was the best for panic attacks. Then I thought Xanax was the best. The fact is, whatever you have in your system right now isn't going to work as well as the one you haven't taken in a long time or you haven't taken at all.

Also, Valium works amazingly for me only when I take it on an empty stomach. It starts working in LESS THAN 30 MINUTES!

When I was on Xanax on a regular basis, it didn't work for panic attacks unless I doubled the dose. That's not good! Anyone seeing a pattern here?

It's all about the tolerance you build up with Benzodiazepines!

What worked very well for me after 17 years of this anxiety nightmare was taking my 10mg Valium 3x a day and THEN SKIPPING A DAY ALL TOGETHER. I took it 3x a day EVERY OTHER DAY and it was amazing.

With Xanax and Clonozepam it was basically the same thing. Every other day and your tolerance doesn't spike.

Xanax was never meant to be prescribed for long term anxiety!!! 2 weeks max. So why take it everyday? These are not miracle drugs ppl? They all have they pros and cons. With Xanax, the con is the short half life and how you will become defendant on it in a few weeks. Not possibly but assuredly addictive!

I stopped Xanax and didn't think I was addicted. A week later I knew I WAS NEVER ADDICTED. At the end of week 2 and no meds at all, my muscles started to twitch, I'd wake up as if someone slammed a door by my bed. I'd jump out of bed because my startle response was out of whack!

Then the nightmares started! Then the waking nightmares started. This all started 2 full weeks after I stopped taking Xanax and I wasn't taking ANY FORM OF MEDICATION. I felt great for 2 weeks and the withdrawal kicked in.

That was in 2004 and to this day I leave the ringers on my home and cell phone off as much as possible because they make me jump out of my skin.

There are a lot of people out there who don't seem to be in touch with their bodies enough to tell what is causing the anxiety. If your taking Xanax everyday, 3-4mg a day, as a result of the short half life THE XANAX IN YOUR SYSTEM WILL INCREASE YOUR ANXIETY LEVELS.

In a perfect world, I think people would respond well to 5mg Valium or 1mg Clonozepam every day with a few 2mg Xanax FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.

When I was on Valium all the time, Xanax did not have an effect on me. That can be said for any combination of benzodiazepines for the most part. Maybe it's just me, but saying 20mg of Valium is equal to .5mg of Xanax is ridiculous mainly because it depends on what you have the most of in you system at that time.

For a while, before my Dr dyed, we tried Valium for 1-2 months then Xanax for 1-2 months, and back to Valium so my system never had a chance to really get used to either one.

And don't take Valium on a full stomach. It's going to work very slowly or not well at all. Xanax simply wears off way too fast.

It's also worth stating that Men and Woman react totally different to medications like these. Maybe it's because I'm male?

Either way I'm super stressed and anxious now that my Dr of 17 years dyed and I can't get my records. So, I can't just walk into a Dr's office in the new city I'm in with proof of my medical history. What's worse, I simply don't have the patience to deal with the local Dr's looking at me like a drug shopper.

I tapered myself off 8 Norco per day, 2-3 (1mg)Clonozepam a day & 3 (10mg) Ritalin a day ON MY OWN. My Dr dyed so I had no choice and I had no clue when I would find another Dr.

Now I'm off of all of it and I didn't have withdrawals because I tapered off very slowly. HOWEVER, I need to be back on my meds and it doesn't have to be the same quantity BUT it's obvious to me I need what I need to lead a productive life without curling up into a ball every time something triggers my anxiety.

I'm so frustrated and I'm no having luck with new Dr's.

People always say you can get anxiety meds from online. IF SO, I'd greatly appreciate a link or phone number to a trustworthy solution to the problems the Dr's office caused by not referring me to another Dr before he dyed. They knew he was ill and had a stroke but kept seeing patience with a Physicians Assistant handling his patient load. Please let me know of an online solution to my problem if possible. I'm no drug addict. My Dr and friend simply passed away and the new school of Dr's is pissing me off trying to get me to take medication that's too expensive and doesn't work as well. Cymbalta is a joke for me. I do well with meds that are tried and have been around forever for a reason. They work!

If anyone can help me, let me know. Please? Thank you and good luck to all my brothers and sisters out there fighting the good fight to be anxiety free! Much love and positivity to you all.

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About your Xanax addiction I thought I'd ask for advice. I'm currently on 3mg alprazolam daily reduces from 10mg since September 2013, I can cope on 2mg a day but should I reduce my dose next script from 2mg tab 1.5 daily to 1mg alprazolam twice daily, as I live in Australia am on suboxen smoke and smoke pot. I've only been taking them full on since April 2013, can you recommend suggest what I do. Much appreciated

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This is very simple and
IN TEN DAYS YOU'RE OFF XANAX WITHOUT ANY DISCOMFORT AND YOU WON'T BE ADDICTED TO KLONOPIN aka CLONAZEPAM!

If you were not educated on the facts of Xanax and were taking more than 4mg a day for a long time and you really want off the Xanax and benzos in general,

with THIRTY (1mg) Clonozepam do this:

Take 1 (4x a day) for 4 days
Take 1 (3x a day) for 3 days
Take 1 (2x a day) for 2 days
Take the last 1 on day ten
AND YOU'RE FREE OF XANAX
and you shouldn't have to take anything else.

I was in such bad shape I never thought that would work but it saved my life.

IT WORKED FOR ME

and while I have taken Xanax again, I've never been physically addicted to it since I learned how to get off of it.

IT WORKED FOR ME AND THERE WAS NO DISCOMFORT!
I ACTUALLY FELT GREAT (NOT HIGH) THE ENTIRE TIME.

On day 11, when I wasn't supposed to take anything, by then I already could tell I was going to be fine and I was.

Pass that on to someone who doesn't know what to do. By all means, ask your Dr if it will work for ppl who've been taking a lot of Xanax everyday.

MUCH EASIER THAN TAPERING OFF XANAX AND ITS OVER IN 10 DAYS!!

Be responsible and be careful! Best of luck to everyone!

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Everyone needs to know the importance of vitimin d in all illness including anxiety. almost all of us is low on d and no one knows. low affects the brain vit d is a nuron protector and it is involved in every cell in the body including the brain get out into the mid day sun or take d 3 utube vit d and watch dr horlick and canell

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