Switching Benzodiazepines

[PurpleAxolotl]

Does anyone have experience switching benzodiazepines? My Psychiatrist wants me to switch from Valium to Xanax and even though I’ve been on it before I’m scared of just straight switching. I’m also scared of tapering. I’m just terrified of overdose or bad withdrawals. I have bad health fears. Anyone have anny advice or experience with this?

[Ourson]

Hi there, I have experience with Xanax and this is an excellent medicine. I do not know about the switching. I hardly see any risk but this if for your doctor to reassure you.

[PurpleAxolotl in reply to Ourson]

Thanks for the feedback. I have been on Xanax before, it’s just the abrupt switch that scares me. My Psychiatrist is very rushed in sessions and I don’t ever feel like I get to ask many questions or get reassurance that it’s the right thing to do. He also only works 3 days a week, so it can be hard to get a hold of him. I just wish I could get more reassurance that nothing bad will happen, but I guess that’s just part of my OCD that gets in my head.

[Ocdli]

I really understand your worry since I have OCD too. I have been on Oxazepam ( also a benzo) daily for 9 years and in the beginning we tried with Valium instead but I thought Oxazepam worked better so I just went back to it. And before I get any dooming comments about being on benso for so long, this is the only medication that has helped me, I can work a little bit and take care of my child and actually have a life where the anxiety and panic attacks are not constant on a scale 10 😅

[Ourson]

Hi Ocdli, I will not be the one to blame you for the use of benso. We do as we can. And medicines help. And I am happy that you could find back some areas of liberty 😀

Hi PurpleAxlotl, yes I understand your OCD makes you fear something bad. I personally would not be afraid to switch from one to another, but this is just me and I know that saying that does not help you.

I sometimes use Temesta (Lorazepam). I once asked the doctor if overdose was possible and he told me that I could eat the whole box without having an overdose. However, I would sleep three days he told me.

Have a nice day,

Ourson

[Ourson]

To be more precise, the doctor told me: "these medicines are not 'toxic' but you would sleep a lot during three days".

[Coffeelove4444]

use whatever works for you. We are all different in what works for each of us. Good luck with your toolbox that get you through the day. 😀

[OrchidKoi15]

I have switched in between a few of them. Their mechanisms can work differently. Clonazepam is long acting, ativan and xanex is short. I never had a problem switching and I'm very sensitive to side effects and have health ocd to. The dosage is not the same for all these as well

[PurpleAxolotl in reply to OrchidKoi15]

Thank you for your feedback that makes me feel a little better 🙂

[Nothing_but_books]

Have you asked your doctor why he wants to switch you from Valium to Xanax?

[BlueType]

Switched from Klonopin, to Valium, to Xanax, back to Klonopin. They're all so similar I never got any side effects from switching like antidepressants.