From Xanax To Valium... Not Working!

[Smile]

I've been on Xanax (1 mg 3 times daily as needed) for 3 years. Just saw my psychiatrist and told him Xanax isn't working for me anymore. Between you, me and the lamp post, I've gone up to 4,5 even 6 a day.

He suggested Valium and I said ok because the only other choice, Ativan, I think I've taken before and it didn't work.

Been on it 4 days and I HATE it. Does nothing for me. After 2nd day, I started adding my small leftover Xanax into the pot. I think that's the only thing keeping me somewhat sane.

I asked the doc for a Xanax script in case the Valium doesn't work but he said he couldn't do that.

So now I'm screwed. And scared. I've had Xanax withdrawal b4 and am lucky to have gotten out of it without having a seizure... But came close.

The Valium dose he gave me is 5 mg twice daily.

Maybe I should double up on the Valium?

Anyone have personal experience?

Would be SO appreciated!

Hope ur all doing a million times better then me :)

 

[Deleted member 28403]

I do not really recommend to double doses yourself without consultation... Though, it's possible that it's not giving you the required effects because they work in sorta different ways, and Vallium from what my psychiatrist told me is a bit weaker, and acts more on the physical symptoms of anxiety...

It is definitely gonna take some time, up to months, to adjust to the lack of Xanax

Was there no slow tapering off the dosage? THat would be the normal procedure, like, cold turkeying Xanax is not good.

I am on Xanax btw, now after Vallium, and at first it felt like it wasn't doing anything, because it wasn't doing what Vallium was, might just take some time for you to notice the different type of effects?

 

[BlueDream]

From what I was told by a dr,
Xanax kicks in the quickest and has the shortest stay in your system, while Valium kicks in the slowest and stay in your system the longest.

So while it doesen't feel the same to you, it's still effecting your body and mind, so please be careful mixing, and upping your doses.

I was on Xanax for 13 years, it sounds like you are doing a lot of the stuff I did.
Like taking 4,5,&6. No offense but it sounds more like you are abusing them more than using when needed.

 

[Smile]

From what I was told by a dr,
Xanax kicks in the quickest and has the shortest stay in your system,...

I'm not sure I understand when I say I'm "abusing Xanax"? I'm simply trying to keep my anxiety in check and apparently my body has gotten used to the dosage and therefore I need more to get the same effect.

 

[Smile]

I do not really recommend to double doses yourself without consultation... Though, it's possible that i...

I appreciate ur thoughts on it taking time but I don't have time. I'm going nuts already and it's only been a few days.

Doc said there was no need to taper off Xanax because they're both in the same family of benzo's.

Since my original post, I've cigarette burnt myself. Just to try to keep my mind focused on something else... I think.

 

[BlueDream]

I took Xanax as prescribed by my dr for 13 years. 3x .10 a day, So I know how you feel when taking them.
I understand how you feel right now, coming off them was the hardest thing I've done.
So you don't see where you could possibly be abusing them taking 5 or 6 in a day? How do you process anything when on that high of a dosage? I mean like sort out your problems, process them ect..

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Doc said there was no need to taper off Xanax because they're both in the same family of benzo's.

Since my original post, I've cigarette burnt myself.

I would think about getting a second opinion on going off of the Xanax cold turkey, it sounds dangerous to you, also do not self harm yourself to get pain relief and do something kind for yourself instead. Be gentle on you.

 

[Smile]

I would think about getting a second opinion on going off of the Xanax cold turkey, it sounds dangerous t...

Thank u! Yes, I'm on the look out for a second opinion. Just difficult because I have no health insurance...

Do you know if an ER would have a psychiatrist?

 

[Smile]

I took Xanax as prescribed by my dr for 13 years. 3x .10 a day, So I know how you feel when taking th...

Like I said, my body has become immune to lower doses...

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Yes but it may take awhile for one to show up. Good for you on the second opinion.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I take 0.5 mgs four times a day sometimes just two Xanax. It works for me and I am doing well at this dose. I think by going to a higher dose without approval by your doctor, is not wise for you and for me. Keep trying until you figure out how to get stable. Do not give up.

 

[EveHarrington]

No------not all ERs have psychiatrists. Some hospitals won't let you see a psychiatrist until you're admitted to the psych ward.

If you go to the ER and ask for benzodiazepines you are at high risk for being labeled drug seeking and turned away.

It sounds like you're hitting tolerance. The answer isn't to up your dose or even to try another benzo.

My money is on rebound anxiety which is worse than baseline anxiety. Unfortunately you may have to go through tough withdrawals and high rebound anxiety-------as increasing your dose or switching benzos won't really help your situation.

If you don't curb your use now, you will need higher and higher levels of Xanax to get the same effect. At some point your doc will say no more and I guarantee that coming off of higher doses is only going to be all that much more difficult.