Switching From Xanax to Valium Cold Turkey - Need Help ASAP

For the last 4 years I have been on Xanax. I started off the first year at .5mg xanax about twice a day. For the last three years i've been on 1mg of xanax 2-3 times daily. Starting earlier this month my doctor increased my dosage of Xanax from 1mg three times daily to the bars (2mg) two or three times daily.

Here's the problem: I recently went on a vacation and didn't realize it but lost about two weeks worth (30 2mg xanax bars). I brought my medicine and it got destroyed by water.

I get my refill of xanax around the 2nd of December (I can most likely pick the script up 3 days beforehand). I didn't want to stop taking the benzos cold turkey for a week so a friend gave me about 40 10mg Valiums until I get my script in about a week and a half.

I am worried that I will still withdrawal from Xanax while being on the 10mg valiums for a week. The last thing I want is to experience a seizure or any other serious xanax withdrawal effect.

I do have about 2 xanax bars left. I usually take 2-3 bars a day though (i'm so used to xanax - I can fully function on even 3 bars taken at once). Should I notify my doctor that I lost the remaining xanax? Or should the 10mg valiums relieve any xanax withdrawal effects for just a week?

This has me so terrified. How many 10mg Valiums does it take to equal about 2-3 tablets of 2mg xanax? I just need to know if I should be worried about the Xanax withdrawal effects even though I have Valium.

Starting next month i'm going to see a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist to get weened/tapered the xanax so I don't have to take so much. I already have an appointment - I just need to know if I will be able to survive the xanax withdrawal effects via replacing xanax with valium for just a week.

Is this dangerous? Even though I have some 10mg valiums - should I ask my doctor for a weeks supply of Xanax until I get my next refill?

Thanks for your help!!!

[nursegirl6572]

Your answer is provided by yourself....

"Is this dangerous? Even though I have some 10mg valiums - should I ask my doctor for a weeks supply of Xanax until I get my next refill? "

Honestly, something isn't adding up here.  Your best bet is to contact your doctor.  You should NOT be accepting Rx meds from anyone, nor should your friend be sharing his meds.

Your dose of Xanax is significantly high, and with the tolerance issues, you will only need a higher and higher dose, as you well know (considering that you said that 6 mg Xanax doesn't even affect you...that is outrageous!!!).

If you try to substitute the Valium for the Xanax until you get your script, you're playing with fire, and with the high dose you take....withdrawals could be a very serious issue for you.  While they are in the same class, they still function a bit differently...it isn't as easy as replacing one for another.

Do NOT mess with this.  Flush the Valium and call your doctor.  

Lastly....and I mean no disrespect by this at all, I'm only pointing out what is a HUGE red flag for me.  The use of certain terminology amongst other things in your post has me concerned.  Are you abusing Xanax?  I have a sneaking suspicion you are, which is a whole different story.  If you are...you'd be doing yourself a favor by taking the first step towards getting some help, which on this site...there are awesome people who can help you do that.

Whatever you do...if you are taking 6+mg of Xanax a day, you absolutely MUST not stop abruptly.  You will risk seizures for sure, not to mention some other potential problems.

Good luck.

[drew1985]

I have suffered serious panic attacks since my mother passed away about 6 years ago. I don't abuse it - tell you the truth I hate the (excuse my language) effing drug. Makes you feel like blah... but it's the only thing that helps with my tachycardia, panic attacks, stress, heart palpitations, etc. I used to drink alcohol to self medicate myself but I stopped that.

I've been trying to set up an appointment with a CBT for about a year - so I can wean off this drug. It's just my tolerance - it's really not my fault. I told the dr. that the xanax really has been giving "no effect" on me lately (unless I take a few more than recommended) for my panic attacks. So he upped me... until I can see the CBT. In no way in hell will I flush those Valiums because I'm not about to experience a seizure - I have two daughters. I'm not taking them to get high - I can't get high on these honestly. I have too much of a tolerance. I think I've felt heavily buzzed off a xanax maybe twice in four years.

The drug *****, all I wanted was advice. Will the Valium save me for a week until I get my refill? Once I get my refill - I'm immediately cutting down because I never want to go through this dilemma again.

About my tolerance - I've been telling my doctors for years about it. All they want to do us up and up it. I take Zoloft with it - so that helps too but these panic attacks are happening more and more lately.

I just want to make it though until next week so I can finally start to wean myself off the medication and trying alternate therapies.

Having said that, I am pumped to see my CBT about my panic attacks/social anxiety/stress.

Well my Dr. is out of town so I'm screwed. I guess I'll be looking forward to these seizures. If you can give me advice on how to avoid the seizures that would be great. I have two daughters and the last thing I want is to have a deadly seizure.

[nursegirl6572]

I'm glad to hear you're not abusing it, I just had to ask...there was several concerning things in your post.  Certain things just didn't add up. These types of posts are always a red flag for us too...and obviously you can understand that we couldn't "advise" you on a formula anyway for flip-flopping the two meds, it is just irresponsible advice.

The thing is....I couldn't possibly guaruntee (nor could anyone) that exchanging the Valium for the Xanax would be enough to keep you "out of the wooods" for problems.  While they are obviously both benzos, they work a bit differently.  Valium is more of a preferred long-term drug, similar to Klonopin, where I believe it has to build up in your system.  I hope for your sake that Ryan stops by...he would be able to give you reassurance as to whether or not you could safely "switch" from one to another for a week, without actually giving you dosing instructions.  At your dose, my honest opinion is "no".

Your doctor may be out of town, but docs have to have someone covering for them.  Honestly, if you want to play it safe, you should find a way to speak to the on-call doc....or request an urgent appt with your doc's colleague.  If that doesn't pan out...then head to the ER or an urg-care type clinic.

I am just VERY concerned that at the high dose of Xanax that you're on, you really are playing with fire here.  Let's hope ryan shows up and can shed some light on this for you.

Obviously, too. taking other's meds is just a "no no", and being that Valium is a controlled substance, your friend could actually get himself into some trouble doing that.  Just an FYI.

Please just from now on, be careful, and I think that your plan to take on CBT and get on a safe tapering plan is the way to go.  There are many better options out there than to be on such a high dose of Xanax.  Klonopin, for example, would be one option.  It doesn't share the tolerance issue of the Xanax, and I'm very surprised that instead of looking at other options, the docs just kept upping your dose.

Good luck...let us know what happens.

[reneezelle]

What ever turned out to happen??? I am concerned, have similar issues, and am interested to know! Please tell us!

[Kfg1482]

Wow I feel sorry for you bro.. Holy **** nurse girl !! Amazing advice ur about as helpful to this man as a pinecone would be to wipe the crap off myself after a bowel movement!! I wish I had an answer??? Lol I love the comments about flushing the "controlled" substance and how u shouldn't b taking others rxs , what a loser do u realize the severity of the situation.. Givee a break and everyone else also. I bet ur amazing at baking cupcakes. Dude do se research find our what. Mg of xan is compared to 10mg of Valium and use accordingly until u can get to the doc.  Infuriating!! Ur on vacation with ur girls and she says flush them and illegal bs.. Maybe u should just have a seizure or possibly die?? I think she's saying that's a wiser idea. Idiot

[nursegirl6572]

Kfg...welcome to the forum....I don't know if you noticed, but this thread is extremely old.  It's highly doubtable that this OP is still around.

If you have an issue you'd like advice about, it would be better to start a new thread, as most people don't pay as much attention to the older threads that get bumped.

Also, we are not permitted to give specific dosing advice, and certainly not allowed to encourage the use of drugs obtained illegally.  The safest option for this person was to encourage her to seek medical assistance, with her doctor, or an ER if necessary, to avoid any possible complications, like seizures, which is exactly what I did.  Perhaps you should re-read the thread, I think you may have missed a few things.  I AM, however, also very good at making cupcakes, in addition to being an RN for 18 years, not to mention a lifetime of dealing with anxiety and panic myself.

If you need some help with something, go to the main forum page and click on "ask a question", which should be on the top right hand of your screen.  We'd be more than happy to help!!

[greenlydia]

It is PRECISELY because nursegirl does  "realize the severity of the situation" that she gave the advice she did, which is the medically correct and safest advice.

I don't know where all your anger is coming from, but it's something I think you should deal with. If you disagree with the advice nursegirl gave, fine. State your case like an adult. For you to come blundering into this thread using very immature and crude analogies about the advice given by nursegirl is unacceptable, as is calling someone with her medical background and knowledge a "loser and an idiot."

This forum is intended for posters to get accurate and safe medical advice. It is not a place to learn how to keep trouble at bay by playing "junior chemist" with borrowed psychotropic drugs.

Nursegirls advice to see the doctor on call, go to an Urgent Care Clinic or the Emergency Room are the only three options this original poster should consider. Oh, and flushing the diazepam was perhaps the best advice of all.

If you'd like to continue this discussion without the anger and name calling, please start a new thread. I'm pretty sure other posters on here would like to contribute their thoughts.  

You WERE right about one thing at least........and I know nursegirl will disagree with me, but her cupcakes really are quite horrid.
Peace
Greenlydia