Ryan

[fd11]

Well last night was day 3 on the Valium and I feel somewhat better, but still dizzy, a little off balance. and a little panic. I still don't feel good enough to drive to work yet and I feel like if this doesn't get better in a day or two I am going to lose my job. I can't split the dose in half (although I would love to) because I can't drive on this stuff. I tried it with the klonopin and it was a nightmare. I am starting to become frustrated and I feel like i am going to go off the deep end and flip out if I don't get better soon.  Any advice would be very much appreciated.  

[RCA7591]

Dominick,

There is no clear-cut answer here. Some trial and error will be required on the part of you and your doctor to develop a modality that suits your particular needs. Such a modality is beyond the scope of this forum.

Here are a few suggestions (they should be carried out under medical supervision):

(1) Take 0.25 mg of Klonopin and 5 mg of Valium nightly for one week.
(2) After one week, reduce the Klonopin dose to 0.125 mg, and take 7.5 mg of Valium nightly for one week.
(3) After the third week has elapsed, replace the Klonopin with the full, 10 mg dosage of Valium.

Klonopin is a shorter-acting agent (it accumulates in your system faster), while Valium is very slow to accumulate. Valium takes two-to-three times longer to accumulate than does Klonopin. Using a stepped method such as the one outlined above can compensate for the half-life difference between the two drugs.

Ideally (if possible), you should take a leave from your job until you are stabilized on Valium at this point in time. If this is not possible, you may need to reinstate the Klonopin at the prior dosage of 0.350 - 0.5 mg, or use a stepped approach to transition to the Valium smoothly. If you can take a temporary leave (two weeks - one month), I would continue to take the Valium alone.

If you could take a two-three month leave, this would be even better. You could then take the Valium twice daily. After a month or so, the sedative/hypnotic property would wear off, leaving only the anxiolytic property. It is of my opinion that for you to be successful, the Valium will need to be dosed at least twice daily.

It is unclear as to whether or not your symptoms of dizziness/unsteady gait are a side-effect, or withdrawal phenomena from Klonopin. Did you experience a similar set of symptoms when you attempted to reduce your Klonopin dosage?

I wish that I could write "here is the answer", but I simply can't. Every person has an individualized response to medication.

Best regards,

Ryan

[fd11]

What I am going to do is try to take the rest of the week off and see if I adapt to the valium.  I feel like I am drunk.  I was able to drive for an hour and a half tonight on the express way a got very little panic.  is it bad if i had to take .125 ok the k during the day if i needed to. if i make it to january, and don't get fired, i am going to follow your recommended schedule. thanks again bud and enjoy your hoilday.  

[RCA7591]

"is it bad if i had to take .125 ok the k during the day if i needed to."

Not at all. If it helps, you can take this amount for up to two weeks until the Valium accumulates.

Ryan

[fd11]

Thank you