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Benzos Advice on choosing Valium or Xanax

A

Alexander16

Bluelighter
Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
62
Ok so for the last year or so I've switched from xanax to valium numerous times (I have GAD and Agoraphobia).

Reasons I like xanax:
Makes it easy to socialize
I rarely feel down on it, almost acts like an antidepressant for me
When in full affect, zero anxiety, feelings of invincibility almost
It doesn't fuck with my libido or sex drive

Reasons I dislike xanax:
I get w/ds between doses that almost cause panic attacks
I get really bad munchies on it
I feel completely dependant on the drug (ie I couldnt walk to the shop 2 mins from my house unless the xanax had kicked in)
Tolerance grows really quickly
I find it difficult to exercise on (exercise is a big part of my life)

Reasons I like Valium:
I never feel withdrawal symptoms while on it
I dont feel anywhere near as dependant on it(I usually just dose it once daily while on it unless I have to go do something that will trigger my anxiety)
I can drink alcohol on it without blacking out and making a complete retard of myself
I can exercise easily on it
I don't seem to build tolerance on it

Reasons I dislike Valium:
It causes me to become depressed, sometimes severly at times
It fucks with my cognition a bit-memory, speech etc
I get ED while on it because of its strong muscle relaxant effects
It doesn't entirely wipeout my anxiety,although I rarely experience panic attacks on it ever


I'm currently prescribed 4mg xanax (1mg 4x a day, but i find myself normally taking 2-2 1/2 if I have to go do something whereas I was on Valium I'd take 10-15mg and not feel as "good" but it kept anxiety at bay)

I've prob switched like 6-7 times in the last year or so and really just want a way forward...
Any tips?
 
Have you tried a medium-acting bezo such as clonazepam or bromazepam?
 
I should add my Valium dosage was 30mg/day and found coming off xanax 3mg cold turkey to Valium fine apart from the first week feeling a bit weird
 
My GP won't prescribe Clonazepam because he has little to no experience with it, I'm from the EU and it's primarily used to treat/prevent seizures here...

Kinda limited to either xanax, ativan (haven't tried but sounds like it'd just be a shit version of xanax), valium and librium (useless benzo IME)
 
Bromazepam is prescribed in the EU AFAIK, have you tried asking for that?
 
I asked for Klonopin before, he said he didn't have any experience with it but would I like to try Ativan, I said no...He said the only benos he prescribes are Xanax, Diazepam, Librium and Ativan...Also, it's extremely hard to find a doc to prescribe benzos here and I get along really well with my GP so doctor shopping wouldn't really be a viable option
 
I really shouldn't suggest this, but... If you really have no other choice, cut your diaz dose in half, and take your Xanax at the usual intervals but at half dose. I honestly have no clue how this'll work out with those 2, but I've mixed short and longer-acting benzos before with no ill effects, so it might be worth a shot.

You should get most of the benefits of the Xanax, with the diazepam warding off the acute addiction and withdrawal effects.
 
Last edited:
Ozle said:
I really shouldn't suggest this, but... If you really have no other choice, cut your diaz dose in half, and take your Xanax at the usual intervals but at half dose. I honestly have no clue how this'll work out with those 2, but I've mixed short and longer-acting benzos before with no ill effects, so it might be worth a shot.
Click to expand...

My doc defo wouldn't prescribe me two benzos, although ultimately I'd love this combo as I almost take the xanax to feel good rather than the anxiolytic effects
 
What about the XR or in other words sustained release of the xanax. I've heard of twelve hour sustained release formulations. 2 mg in a twelve hour sustained release formula would help you a lot.

Edit definitely get 2 mg xanax XR
 
For anxiety alone, not for anything else or to get "high". xanax works great.. in smaller doses. Id try 0.25mg up to 8x a day, that's twice as often an 1/4 the dose of what you're doing now. That eliminates the w/d feeling. But if neither are working for you, try a different benzo at your disposal. Ativan isnt bad. 4mg a day of xanax is a lot; work on reducing your tolerance
 
Etizolam is a terrible recommendation. Extremely short acting effect just like xanax, but it's not the same.
 
Valium would be my vote for long-term maintenance. The inter-dose withdrawal of Xanax only gets worse with time and defeats the purpose of the drug. Don't get me wrong. When it works, it works really, really well.
 
They say Xanax is more addictive then Valium, I've taken both with no issue.

The thing is, I look at a dose of Xanax, like a shot of vodka. Quick relief, short duration, then it is done.

Valium, seems like drinking beers throughout the day. Long lasting, lingers to the next day.

Personally, I like the fact that I take the Xanax, it is eliminated soon after, I wipe my hands clean. Valium, I've never had an issue with it, but just knowing how long it lingers, I feel like that alone, lends to my belief it would aid to being more of a habit forming substance, but the opposite is usually expressed. Even if it is less addictive, I just don't like the idea of unneeded benzo lurking about in my system.
 
You know that's really strange he want give you klnopin, but will give you Valium and Xanax which most people's favorites. IMO, klonopin sounds like it would work really well for you, don't even bother with Ativan, IMO. Klonopin is the same strenght mg for mg as xanax, and has a longer half life (18-50 hours I think...don't know why the numbers are such a gap, must be how people metabolize it.) BUT, I would go with xanax, I mean they both have drawbacks for you. But I get all the side effects of Valium you mentioned, I get deppressed on it after a few days, I feel really just blah zombie like too. I couldn't exercise on Valium though, Xanax I could, it kinda gives me energy, but valium is the complete opposite.
 
Your problems in life is whether to choose Xanax or Valium? Man I wish I had your troubles... lol
 
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