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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bob12 on November 16, 2011, at 8:50:23
Hi,
For around 5 years I have been taking 2 mg of valium every night to help me sleep. I also take 0.5 mg of Ativan once per day in the afternoon to help against daytime anxiety. I find the ativan does not make me as tired.
Has anyone else used a combination of two benzos?
I wonder if I should consider 2 mg of valium at night, plus 2 mg of valium during the day (instead of the 0.5 mg ativan), in order to be taking the same benzo rather than combining two.
Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Bob12
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 9:38:22
In reply to Combining Ativan and Valium, posted by Bob12 on November 16, 2011, at 8:50:23
> Hi,
> For around 5 years I have been taking 2 mg of valium every night to help me sleep. I also take 0.5 mg of Ativan once per day in the afternoon to help against daytime anxiety. I find the ativan does not make me as tired.
> Has anyone else used a combination of two benzos?
> I wonder if I should consider 2 mg of valium at night, plus 2 mg of valium during the day (instead of the 0.5 mg ativan), in order to be taking the same benzo rather than combining two.
> Any help would be appreciated.
> thanks
> Bob12
Could you instead switch from taking Valium at night to taking Ativan at night and during the day?I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with taking two different BZDs.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2011, at 9:54:59
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium » Bob12, posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 9:38:22
Scott since two two also and valium is one. Why did you suggest switching to ativan. Not that they do a thing for me anymore. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 12:59:01
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium » SLS, posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2011, at 9:54:59
> Scott since two two also and valium is one. Why did you suggest switching to ativan. Not that they do a thing for me anymore. Phillipa
I thought Ativan produced better sleep with less cognitive side effects than Valium. I could be wrong. What do you think?
Actually, the Valium/Ativan combination isn't a bad idea as far as I can tell.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 16, 2011, at 13:12:37
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium » Phillipa, posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 12:59:01
>I thought Ativan produced better sleep with less cognitive side effects than Valium. I could be wrong. What do you think?
I think Ativan causes greater impairment of memory, it's also more difficult to discontinue should the need arise. On the other hand, Valium tends to cause more drowsiness.
I wouldn't say that the combination sounds problematic, so long as the doses are kept low - which they are in this case.
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 13:19:13
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 16, 2011, at 13:12:37
> >I thought Ativan produced better sleep with less cognitive side effects than Valium. I could be wrong. What do you think?
> I think Ativan causes greater impairment of memory, it's also more difficult to discontinue should the need arise. On the other hand, Valium tends to cause more drowsiness.
>
> I wouldn't say that the combination sounds problematic, so long as the doses are kept low - which they are in this case.
Makes sense.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 16, 2011, at 14:29:09
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium » ed_uk2010, posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 13:19:13
>Makes sense.
Yeah, I was thinking it might be best not to rock the boat. Unless, that is, there was need to taper off.
Posted by Bob12 on November 16, 2011, at 15:00:20
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 16, 2011, at 14:29:09
Thanks for the good advice.
Bob12
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 16, 2011, at 17:33:26
In reply to Combining Ativan and Valium, posted by Bob12 on November 16, 2011, at 8:50:23
Your doses are very low - taking 4mg of Valium at night would be one option (Valium has a very long half life with chronic use, several days, so a dose taken at night would excert a calming effect throughout all of the following day, without making you sleepy in the day time)
Having said that, what you are currently doing seems to work, so why mess with it?
Posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2011, at 19:14:21
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium » Phillipa, posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 12:59:01
According the the new pdoc saw again today. His specialty is addictions. He said that the valium I take at night at l0mg is very low. And the .25mg of xanax is fine too. He also said that xanax is different then the other benzos. He claimed that taking valium in place of xanax isn't good. As for ativan IM worked great for me once. I also was on it for a while way back when first started luvox probably 4-6mg and it worked well. Phillipa
Posted by Phidippus on November 18, 2011, at 19:30:14
In reply to Re: Combining Ativan and Valium » Phillipa, posted by SLS on November 16, 2011, at 12:59:01
They both affect sleep and waking cognition.
Eric
Posted by Phidippus on November 18, 2011, at 19:31:56
In reply to Combining Ativan and Valium, posted by Bob12 on November 16, 2011, at 8:50:23
I did Clonazepam and Ativan together for a while.
Eric
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