Well damn...too late to help but I have 2 cents to add...might help later I am so sorry that you are having such severe anxiety. I can relate. I am not sure if I have ever had anxiety attacks per se but I have had prolonged periods of incredible anxiety. And lucky enough to have experienced long term agitated depression Basically 24/7 anxiety w/ only a variance in degree of severity.
Okay... that's my creds for offering my input
You asked for an alternative to Valium.
Clonazepam has been the only med that ever really helped my anxiety.
Valium...quick but doesn't last. I once tried two 2mg(?) I think to get some sleep. I fell asleep at 10pm and awoke at midnight...wide awake.
Ativan...okay but not quite.
Xanax...had no effect on me at all. I'm amazed that this is used as a recreational drug.
Clonazepam...just right Goldilocks Close enough for rock & roll anyway.
I'm not a pharmacist nor a physician so I'm not going into any technical details but as far as I know, Clonazepam is the least addictive benzo...
One last word...when I began taking Clonazepam I was also prescribed Prozac and then later the Prozac was replaced w/ Effexor XR. Either or both may have had anxiolytic effects but I remember the initial doses of Prozac made me feel a bit edgy.
Judging by the time stamp, you are at your appt now so this isn't going to help. I don't visit the forum much...sorry, wish I'd seen your post sooner
BTW Clonazepam is also prescribed as an anticonvulsant.
I hope you get some relief some way. Good luck