Switching to a longer acting benzo, what should I expect?

[[cr...]]

Hey everyone, I finally went to see an addiction psychiatrist today and got a professionals opinion on quitting 1.5mg Ativan (Lorazepam). He suggested I switch to Valium. When I told him I didn't like the way it made me feel he was extremely surprised. As if I told him I didn't like cake, or something equally delicious. He then suggested Librium. Which is what I originally went to my medication nurse a few days ago for (before she refused to switch me).

 

Anyway, I've got the new prescription filled and am going to try it out tomorrow. How should I expect to feel? Super sedated? Also, Should I quit the Ativan completely and start taking this new drug, or do a crossover? My addiction psychiatrist suggested I take the Librium at night and half my Ativan dose in the morning (to make the crossover easier). My concern is that the Librium will still be in my system (due to it's long half life) when I go to take another Ativan. Wouldn't this be bad? I heard mixing benzos is like mixing alcohol with benzos and can be dangerous.

 

I'm feeling nervous, yet optimistic about this. I just hope I don't freak out when I try the new med tomorrow. I'm super med sensitive and only want to take enough to alleviate W/D symptoms. My script is for 25mg Librium, one to two times in the evening. I'm probably going to pop the capsule open and take like 1mg to 5mg to see what happens instead of trying 50mg as he suggested.

 

Also, does anyone know the onset of action and effects (not half life) duration of librium?

 

[[El...]]

Hi  .

I would say to follow the advice of the addiction psychiatrist and do the crossover. My dr. had me do a crossover from xanax to valium which is similar to your situation in that it is a short acting to a long acting benzo.  For me the crossover was necessary, and it went fairly effortlessly. I'm incredibly sensitive to meds also, but it did work out just fine for me.  I don't really like the valium, but there were no terrible or dangerous effects from taking it with the xanax during the dr ordered crossover schedule.  I just looked at the valium as my first step to getting off the benzos.  I believe the theory behind having a crossover schedule is to have some of the short acting benzo on board as your body is building up the long acting benzo.  You should be more comfortable doing it that way. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

[[be...]]

I'd listen to the doctor as well. You want to make the transition as easy as possible. You are in no danger as far as I can see. None at all or your doctor would have given you different advice. B