Feeling worse after switching to Valium?

[[Md...]]

Hello. I was taking 1.5 mg of Xanax for about 5 months, then interdose withdrawals kicked in, so I slowly tapered over to Valium (via Ashton Method). Everything went pretty good aside from some depression and lethargy, but that seemed to go away for the most part. 

But about a month later of being on just Valium (30mg, 10mg 3 times a day), I am feeling extreme lethargy, cognitive issues, and some body aches, and short term memory issues.

I have no motivation and am feeling incredibly apathetic. I just want to sleep all day.

Should I just start tapering or should I hold to see what if this clears?

I don’t think I’m in tolerance withdrawal, more like the opposite. Maybe the Valium just finally built up in my system and I’m experiencing it?

Edited September 19, 2023 by [Md...]

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Did your doctor explain the risks of taking a benzo longer than four weeks. There is a back box on them since 2020.

[[Md...]]

Edited September 19, 2023 by [Md...]

[[Md...]]

Btw, I’ll also add that I usually feel better several hours after i take the Valium. Energy levels are back to normal, ability to concentrate is better, etc.

if that helps any. 

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Exhausted all the time is verry common. They tried Xanax on me 35 years ago I remember being zonked. Stopped em. Few years later I was put on k. Fatigue wasn't an issue with k. But with k the the massive fatigue and weakness came after discontinuation.

So for me the opposite of x.

I suggest just deal with the fatigue with valium, taper OFF, and don't play around with benzos.

You sound like one of the sensitive to benzos. You've only been on 5 months. 

Consider yourself lucky to have found this site so early on.

Good luck to you,

 

[Guest [...]]

Hi @[Md...]

I’m tapering Valium after direct switch after a 19 day c/t from klonopin. 
 

Although there’s no guarantee of anything when it comes to switching benzodiazepines and tapering, I think you will find (based on your post) you have crossed successfully and the lethargy will decrease in time. It took me about a month to adjust to the strong sedative effect of the Valium, and probably even longer for the other symptoms from the underlying klonopin withdrawal to resolve. I would imagine most of the over sedation, lethargy and body aches will ease over a little more time. The short term memory loss is a common symptom for most, if not all of us, and is something we just have to deal with until we’re off the medication, recovered, and returned to normal cognitive function. 

I think, most likely you’re still adjusting to the Valium, whilst also potentially experiencing underlying withdrawal from the Xanax. 

[[Md...]]

Thank you very much for the feedback, as well as the assurance!