valium vs. ativan

[[St...]]

will valium feel a lot different than Ativan?  I will be crossing over soon to v from Ativan, wondering how it will feel?

[[...]]

I was on 2mg Ativan and switched to 20mgs Valium.

Quite sedating after 10 mins of taking it. But this wears off after about a week.

 

If I read your thread correct .6 mg of Ativan would be about 5 mgs of Valium.

 

If you cut the .6 A in half and take 2.5 V for a week. Second week switch to 5 mgs V and no A.

You will get a smoother transition.

Ativan has a very short effect, a few hours. Valium stays in your blood a lot longer.

[[ba...]]

I know I'm getting a little bit repetitive, but most people on here recommend a liquid microtaper of your current medication, because you can decrease by increments of .01 mg. Most have a hard time switching to Valium. You're welcome to try and if your body rejects the Valium, you can always switch back, but maybe it will work for you. There is no easy solution to this problem.

 

Good luck.

 

[[St...]]

Thanks, I would love to stay with my original benzo, but it is just getting too difficult to taper from....thanks for your opinion tho....

[[ba...]]

look up liquid titration in the titration plans. That's how you cab stay on your current medication. Read about both methods, talk to more people on here and make your decision.

Good luck.

[[...]]

Professor Heather Ashton in her manual recommends switching from short acting Benzo's such as Ativan to slower acting ones such as Valium.

I got interdose withdrawal between doses of Ativan.

Does not happen on Valium, a lot smoother withdrawal if done slow enough.

 

[[li...]]

Oh please. For some people Ativan is longer acting than diazepam.

 

Maybe diazepam will be even worse ... I strongly recommend staying with your original benzo, if you can.

 

Typically, diazepam is more sedating and depressing.

[[...]]

As you strongly recommend, which you should not do!

Give your opinion yes.

Stella Bee I would listen to;

 

Professor C Heather Ashton DM, FRCP School of Neurosciences Division of Psychiatry The Royal Victoria Infirmary

 

Who treated hundreds of patients in withdrawal from Benzo's.

I am the only one who has answered the original question and been there and done it.

 

I will not read any more on this thread so abuse away.

We are all sick here, some sicker than others.

[[Tr...]]

will valium feel a lot different than Ativan?  I will be crossing over soon to v from Ativan, wondering how it will feel?

 

Hi StellaBee,

 

I tried switching for only one night and the Valium made my head feel very heavy and medicated which I just didn't want.  Now, I could've kept going for a week or two and had my body adjust but I decided I just didn't want my brain to get used to that level of sedation even though it probably would've worn off.  Also, if I went by the Ashton Manual I would've needed over 2x what I took which would've been fine for the anxiety but way too heavy for my head...if that makes any sense?  So I decided to just stay with Ativan and suffer!  I think you should try though because everyone is different.  I just thought I'd share the differences I experienced!

[[St...]]

thanks for the replies...I have tried LT the Ativan, changing the doses from 4 to 5 to 6 times a day, and one updose, and nothing has helped, so I have given it a real hard try....I wanted to stay on my original benzo, but it is just driving me crazy, the interdose just keeps coming back at least an hour before dosing....so, I am going to try the valium.  thanks for the thoughts....I certainly hope this works...I want off this junk, but will take my time and do it the right way for me....

[[Bi...]]

will valium feel a lot different than Ativan?  I will be crossing over soon to v from Ativan, wondering how it will feel?

 

Drugs like Valium with a longer half life take a week or two to reach full potency.  The first week can be rough for some people but just stick it out, it does get better.

[[Tr...]]

thanks for the replies...I have tried LT the Ativan, changing the doses from 4 to 5 to 6 times a day, and one updose, and nothing has helped, so I have given it a real hard try....I wanted to stay on my original benzo, but it is just driving me crazy, the interdose just keeps coming back at least an hour before dosing....so, I am going to try the valium.  thanks for the thoughts....I certainly hope this works...I want off this junk, but will take my time and do it the right way for me....

 

You're welcome!  I know what you mean, Ativan sucks!  There are times I feel "normal" or at least OK and after I take my Ativan dose I get anxious and feel irritable.  That's I guess the one upside of tapering directly off of it, I feel like crap no matter what dose I'm on.  Anyway, you should absolutely do what's right for you!  Good luck

[[ba...]]

JP49, some people have strong opinions and iMO that's just life. I didn't notice that person being abusive. I've never tried the crossover, but I have talked to many moderators, and people who've tried it and a majority say they disagree with Ashton, that the liquid taper is better. Many do not tolerate Valium well. Some do. Dr. Ashton is a great humanitarian, but she treated people 30 years ago. Since then most that I've talked to seem to recommend the liquid taper, and I don't think Ashton actually tried that. Ultimately, the decision is up to the individual. Besides that, the Ashton manual is second to none. I ordered a copy and take it with me to show withdrawal effects Ashton documented in great detail. But Ashton is not infallible, and people in great distress will try creative things to alleviate their distress, and i believe the liquid microtaper was just that. If the Valium crossover does work for you than that's great, because turning your pills into a liquid solution can be a pain in the butt, and it is just easier to take lower and lower doses of a pill. So, whatever works.

Just know, we are here for you, and we understand your struggle.

[[...]]

I am fairly new to BB but not Valium. I was on Xanax 8 years ago for 4-6 months due to stress, anxiety and depression. It didn't seem to help much so I decided to get off and I found Ashtons taper plan online and had my doctor switch me to Valium for the taper. Within 2 days ALL stress, anxiety and depression AND insomnia was GONE. I felt so much more relaxed and I could actually think a lot clearer. I tapered down from 30mg a day to 3.75mg fairly easy while being very productive. This is when I noticed it getting harder and unfortunately for me I slowly increased by dose to maintain. Looking back now I would have slowed down the taper and been off years ago instead of tapering now. From my experience Valium is the way to go.     

[[De...]]

I don't know many ativan to V, I am sure equiv chart just double check