Switching From Xanax To Valium
(Newest replies first)

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.

REPLY

REPORT

Re: Screech (# 126)

If I never saw another Valium again. Stay away from Ativan too (Lorazapam), I threw away 1 years worth deciding I wanted to be Benzo free, and almost died stopping from Xanax. I didn't need any of this crap anymore. I was partly right as I wound up in the E.R., and they asked me to stay a week. I was dying from my Xanax withdrawal. Under no circumstances is Xanax safe either, just works the best for many of us

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Valium sucks. My old shrink switched me from 3mg xanax to 40 mg valium and I got worse and like literally wanted to kill myself. I fired the lady and switched back to xanax and now I'm fine. I will never take anything but xanax for anxiety. The doctors lie cuz they just want to take you off and some don't like xanax (which is stupid since they're the same class of drug and are both just as habit forming). I don't trust doctors anymore because of this horrible experience. I'm literally allergic to valium. So f*** valium it's garbage.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Eddie (# 118)

Valium and Xanax are a quick fix for panic attacks.once i was prescribed an antidepressant my panic attacks lessoned and only very rarely did I need to take a Valium.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Syrus (# 8)

I went through 1 mg and a half of xanex to 10 1mg valium now I can't sleep at all please help me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: HOW 2 get Off XANAX (# 59)

How many people have actually taken this advice?
I am curious because it seems to easy and fast. How do you not have withdrawls?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking xanax for about 15 years. On and off. Started off low and eventually had to keep raising the dose. I get panic attacks randomly. Sometimes I can go days with one, sometimes they seem to be constant. For the past 2 years I have been prescribed 2 mg 3 times a day. I never really took the whole 2 mg. Usually 1.5mg maybe 4 times a day maybe twice. Sometimes I would take 1mg. I never exceeded the 6mg a day so I always had some leftover where I didn't have to see my GP monthly. I could go 5-6 weeks. Last month he told me he can't write xanax anymore and wanted me to see a psychiatrist or therapist. I made an appointment with one and saw the therapist. I still had some xanax left over so I was given an appt. to go back to see the psychiatrist Dr. a week later. That was yesterday. Friday. Well, after speaking with him he said Valium would be better. I explained to him how I took my xanax. Just when I needed it throughout the day. He explained that xanax was short lasting, which I knew all about benzos from playing dr. Google. He asked if I wanted my xanax or something that lasts longer and I can eventually get off them some day. I said yes to Valium. He looked on his computer to get the dose and came up with taking 2 10mg. (20 mg.) 3 times a day. He had to verify my insurance would pay it. So now here it is today. Sat. I usually wake up at 7:00 and take my synthroid (just had 2 surgeries 3 months ago for thyroid cancer) then go back to sleep. When I get up again I take my blood pressure pills and I always had to take a xanax 1-1.5 mg. That would last awhile.

Then whenever I needed a xanax for an attack coming on I would take more xanax. Anywhere from .5-1.5. I've googled all day today about Valium and from what I read a 10 mg Valium is the same as .5 xanax. So taking 2 10mg xanax is like 1 mg. Xanax. I took the 20 mg. Valium at 11:30 this morning. After 2 hours felt nothing. Maybe tired. But still anxious. And we all know trying not to feel anxious just makes it worse. So I took another half of a 10mg. Still nothing really. Now I'm banging myself over the head for saying yes to Valium and it's sat. I can't get to call the dr. Until Monday. I've been googling to figure out if my psychiatrist Dr. gave me the wrong dose or if Valium just doesn't work. I don't even know how long to wait to take another dose? Xanax I broke off pieces as needed. Can I do that with Valium? Should my dose be upped? Does it take time to build up? I'm all confused. Also it says don't drink on it. I did have a couple of glasses of wine some nights on xanax. Can I not do that on Valium? Please help. Thanks. Well I took my 2nd dose of Valium at like 5:15pm. It's now almost 8pm. I took 25 mg instead of 20. I feel a little calmer now but still on the fence of a panic attack. I don't know how or when to take the Valium being I was taking my xanax when I felt an attack coming. Valium doesn't work for this. And I know I'm just making it worse by being on these websites trying to read other people's experiences. I'm calling my dr. Monday and telling him to either put me back on xanax or maybe my Valium dose isn't high enough?? I wanna kick myself for saying I would try the Valium instead of my old xanax. Like I just want to feel normal again!! I want to have a glass of wine but I'm paranoid about even doing that!! Even though I used to have wine every now and then with friends or dinner.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I just noticed TRESWICK's contribution, made before my last... Sorry, but you are VERY wrong in your estimation of equianxiolysis of alprazolam and diazepam. Alprazolam 1mg is equivalent in potency to 20mg diazepam, NOT 10mg at all. By weight, alprazolam is TWENTY times stronger; a 2mg 'bar' tri-scored into 4 x 0.5mg pieces is the same as 40mg (4 x 10mg tabs) of Valium, Apaurin, or other top class brand of diazepam. Therefore, the OP is receiving now only ONE THIRD of the daily dosage of benzodiazepine as when prescribed Xanax 1mg tds. To say that the onset of action of diazepam is quicker is indeed true, but as I noted, the time taken to reach peak plasma levels is faster in alprazolam, even if the first effect is not felt quite so quickly; I also agree strongly that diazepam is a much better drug for constant anxiety, but NOT for the sort of panic attacks both OP and I suffer. 5mg diazepam is only equal to a 0.25mg alprazolam - and virtually useless for stopping panic attacks. It's simply far too weak to make any difference. The doctor in question is not, in my opinion, fit to treat such a condition if the new Rx is as OP says; his entire daily dosage of diazepam is equivalent only to one single dose of Xanax as previously prescribed. It is a disgrace that so many doctors now are switching patients - here in the UK, they are trying to switch to SSRIs such as citalopram, which work as anxiolytics in only 50% of people and of those, it makes 50% feel MUCH worse, actually increasing anxiety disorders, and, by extension, any associated panic disorders.

My advice is to stick to your guns, tell the doc that 20mg diazepam daily is completely useless, that you are well aware that it only equates to a single dosage of your alprazolam, and that you wish your previous prescription restored as soon as possible as you, as the sufferer, know far better than the doctor what dose of which drug works for your condition best. I have the same problem; my lorazepam (2.5mg qds) was cut over a year to only 2.5mg bd - HALF of the previous dose - not quite as bad as one third as in the case under discussion, but bad enough for me to have to acquire extra benzo - alprazolam and/or bromazepam in my case - sometimes, when I am unable to find a doc willing to prescribe, I have a pocket containing the necessary opiates and benzodiazepines to cover any event which may take place whilst out of the house. I repeat that clonazepam (Rivotril) tabs 2mg tds has been the best thing that ever happened to me as it acts not only as indicated, for prophylaxix of seizures and epilepsy, but also as the finest preventative drug for panic that was ever made. From several panic episodes per WEEK I now suffer perhaps one attack per YEAR, and a bottle of 84 x alprazolam 2mg will now last me for many months, and not the single month it always did before I discovered the wonderful effect of clonazepam - but ensure you use Roche or the Roche-Licenced Rivotril by Galenika, since generic clonazepam is as a rule terrible - the Auden McKenzie generic which I am dispensed is so bad, bioavailability hindered by the binders used in their manufacture, that I need around 10mg daily, not the 6mg which the branded versions require. The generic versions simply do not do the job for which they are designed.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I know how u feel. I can have a panic attack just thinking about switching meds. I was given Xanax but a while after taking it I feel awful. I don't get the nausea and blah feeling with Valium. You should try it. Valium is safer and it really does help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Tapering off Xanax is the hardest thing I've had to do. Starting at 1 mg 3x a day. After three months, the progress is this. I'm at 2 mg a day. Spread out through the day but I'm unable to get below this without experiencing insomnia that simply will not allow sleep. I've been on valium ...over 20 years ago, I went from 10 mg a day to 2 mg over a period of a year and finally just off. Starting Xanax for reoccurring severe panic attacks was the worst thing I could have done.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been on valium for over 6 yrs. I take 30 mg daily due to severe anxiety. I have recently experienced what I call depression type symptoms, angry for no reason, I don't want to interact with anyone, appetite issues etc... What is going on? Do I need an antidepressant? I'm terrified my Dr. will take me off the valium and that would be a disaster. Is there an antidepressant that can be prescribed along with my valium? Thanks for any info.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Reference SOLID MIKE #109:

Complete nonsense. You have obviously never read an accurate equianxiolytic benzodiazepine comparison table. The standard may be found at benzo.org.uk, click 'equivalence table' in sidebar. 2mg alprazolam is equivalent to 40mg diazepam; 1mg alprazolam to 20mg diazepam and 5mg diazepam, which you contend is equivalent to 1mg alp is in fact equivalent to the lowest unit dose of alprazolam on the market, 250mcg (0.25mg). FACTS! Please check them before posting on such an important issue. If anyone were to take your equivalent dosages at face value then they may well take two or three times as much alprazolam as required and end up knocking themselves silly, should they have no benzodiazepine tolerance at all.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Syrus, you need a better Doctor 1 st. you sound a lot like me when I was going through my panic days, my advice from a panic disorder person is to try Ativan 1 mg and try to get on pristiq it is a antidepressant,but has taken away my panic/ phobia completely . I still carry my Ativan with me and will take it as needed but I feel normal with the pristiq 100 mg. I am not saying this will work for you but after reading your story it was so simular to my story I had to write you. 1 st seek out a better physiatrist / physician who specializes in panic disorder. I wish you well Gary

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have taken xanax for about 10 years I only take .5 a day if at all. Now I can't get script filled because my Dr.s license expired. I also have panic attacks. I bought valerean root to try. It helps but still feel in a fog can't concentrate focus etc. It's hard to work feeling like this.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

A little late adding anything to this but here goes. I had a i**** Dr that left me on valium for over two years and benzos should never be prescribed for more than a month...ever. I don't care what someone's problem is they were never intended to be taken this way as they lose effectiveness over time and will cause you to live half a life at best. I made the mistake of not telling my Dr I was getting off this garbage and had good reason...this Dr would leave someone on a med for life whether it was working or not! I went through delayed withdrawals and the Dr never asked about the valium when I said I needed something for anxiety. I was concerned about the valium causing ringing in the ears after I read on a crappy website that valium can cause it. My Dr was a fool and put me on alprazolam and I got worse almost instantly and started dealing with depression because of the change. He then put me on a dangerous combo of meds and after two days I felt sick and told my fiance I needed to stop taking it. She was a freak and demanded I keep taking it and not wanting to deal with anymore silent treatment on vacation I kept taking it. Two weeks later I neatly died from a reaction and am now looking into assisted suicide feverishly. Psychiatry kills and ruins lives and the fda and big pharma should be drawn and quartered. These drugs should be banned or their use limited to two weeks max and I mean max. There's reason's why our bodies get anxious and it has nothing to do with a lack of valium or psychotropic med at all. I wish I never took a single med in my life and now pray that I fie in my sleep at the very least. After the reaction I told my Dr I stopped everything including the alprazolam and he never even thought I would go into withdrawals, after you have a reaction like I did you want nothing to do with big pharma meds...trust me. The withdrawals I experienced with stopping the alprazolam cold turkey were insane and my Dr put me back on valium but my nervous system was so damaged it made me feel terrible so I can just imagine what continuing the alprazolam would do. My life is destroyed and there's no hope at all for recovery but please don't ever take a benzo for anything, these should've been pulled off the market before their patent ran out but the fda is looking out for us and cares about us so much! Taking a benzo for anxiety is like a death sentence...don't bother starting ever and get to the root of the problem if you can...trust me on this.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have read thru all the post here. I have used xanax as needed for over 3 yrs only .5 to 1 mg. I got dizzyness and anxiety from menieres disease. Instead of treating anxiety on onset i have chosen to switch to valium for longer lasting effect thus preventing attacks from starting. I have heard this one is better over another but everyones body reacts differently. As i have had multiple surgeries using pain killers that some love just keep me awake and gift me pounding headaches. I had to switch doctors for insurance reasons. Like pulling teeth to get a new drug.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been on 2-3 mg of xanax per day off and on for thirty years. I have continuously taken a 2 or 3 mg per day non-stop since 1996. I don't even know what a panic attack is or if I have had one, but it's probably what happens to me when I misplace by bottle of xanax. The more I read, the more I think that xanax would not be as effective for me as valum. I don't talk so much to my doctor about the meds I take, because I'm afraid that if he finds out i'm addicted that he might stop my xanax. I'm also afraid that if I switch to valium, and it does not work on my xanax withdrawal that I will be stuck with a medicine that does not work, and that then I would lapse into worse panic attacks (working without a net scares me). Should I say all this to my doctor, I guess he must know I'm addicted to xanax?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Was on xanax for years......hands down safety issues ect....valium for me is 100 percent better for me....i have a script for 3 per day but usually one at night and morbing work..i see no difference in reaction time other than the valium last longer and make me ,uch more level with far less attacks period...even when life throws a major curve ball..xanax just didnt keep my head level...actually made me more needy of the drug instead of level...and if u are alchol prone from stress valium tends to curb,that i need a drink syndrom

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Xanax is very addicting, I spent 3 months in rehab to get off of them, they are faster to take away a panic attack but only last 3 hours to let you sleep. I would get off of all the benzos and take an anti-depressant for panic attacks, they are not addicting, eventually you WILL GET ADDIDTED TO XANAX, I know from personal experience, and I went through hell to get off of them even after rehab. It took me over a year to feel like myself, but I took them for a long period of time. I took 2mg. 4 x's a day, and trusted my doctor t prescribe that much. Xanax are not legal in England, and I am not from England. Don't take them unless you have to they are very addicting. I was in a coma, and on life support, lucky I lived, I had a seizure because I didn't take enough. Get off the Xanax and all benzos, you will get addicted.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

1Mg. Xannax = 5 Mg Valium. 2 Mg. Xannax = 10 Mg Valium

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

@mitilda...chillax...do whatever u/ur daughter need to do to control ur anxiety.
I am in "expert" in "my anxiety" and used a combo of meds And coping skills?
You pointed out a Huge prob though which I experience myself my hypothyroidism was kicking off tachycardia and palpitations and cortisol and reaction to the stress intern keeping that feedback loop going -- i'm sure your daughters on diagnose pancreatitis was sending her heart into it tizzy as well !
Nothing wrong w learning coping skills and controlling anxiety... Good enough for Navy SEALs and fighter pilots I think it's Goodnuf for the average person !!! Sure u may need benzos too but people unwilling to look at drug free alternatives At all often indicates addiction... Kind of like the person who has pain but refuses physical therapy when applicable !!!
So do whatever works for you!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Met an older new Doctor today. He was very aware Xanax is poison, especially on the way out during a withdrawal. In fact...

12 REPLIES

Sure hope I can get some help here. I've been on 2 mg. Xanax for years, well over 8 years. My doctor called me last ...

4 REPLIES

I've been taking Clonazepam for about 15 years. At first, I was prescribed .25 mg twice a day. Over the years, the d...

5 REPLIES

I AM 49YR OLD WAS RX XANAX 1 YR AGO TO CALM MY NERVES AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 2 ADENOCARCINOMA OF CERVIX . HAD ...

9 REPLIES

I have been on Toprol XL 25mb twice a day for almost 6 years. Love the drug, but it appears to be wearing off. I am expe...

2 REPLIES

Is it safe to switch from Metoprolol ER to Diltiazem CD without tapering off Metoprolol? And how long does it usually ta...

1 REPLY

is it okay to directly switch from excluton to althea?its my last pill of excluton yesterday, so today i am starting my ...

5 REPLIES

Hi. I'm planning to switch to the althea contraceptive from sophia. I finished my last pill on friday. When should I...

4 REPLIES

Hello, I am currently dependent on Opana and every time I lower it I get very sick. My plan is to decrease daily and I&#...

4 REPLIES

I am switching from Paxil to Viibryd due to weight gain from Paxil. I'm slowly decreasing Paxil while increasing vii...

3 REPLIES