getting off benzos

Hi, I have had severe anxiety, panic attacks and recently dx'd w/ptsd. I was taking 1 mg Ativan twice daily for 7 years, never upped the dose or needed to. July of this year my panic attacks, anxiety and depression (yep, that too) started up again. I did the best I could until October and went to a therapist. I saw a Psych, NP. He changed the Ativan 1 mg to valium 5 mg. saying it was an equivalent dose. The first week I about came out of my skin the anxiety was so bad. The second week not so bad. The third week it was if I wasn't taking anything at all. The valium didn't seem to help but I wasn't having much anxiety. I kept reading how the valium built up in my body over time and kept waiting for it to kick in. It didn't. I knew I was through with any withdrawal type thing from Ativan. I quit taking the valium last Friday. I believe it was in my system somewhat b/c today haven't had any panic, just run of the mill normal anxiety that I have had almost every day since week 2 off the Ativan.
I don't know what I'm asking, just has anyone taken valium for 28 days and had withdrawals?Should I be having them? I don't want to take it because of the long 1/2 life and that's exactly why the NP put me on it. I've also read that one hits a plateau pretty quickly and would need an increased dose. I had an event w/ my 89 y/o MIL in July that set my panic off again majorly and feel I need to do something. I don't want to get back on benzos of any kind. Buspar? Any reply would be helpful. I also take venlafaxine xr 225 mg/day and gabapentin 400 mg twice daily for diabetic neuropathy in my feet. Nothing else except diabetic meds(Metformin).

I'd recommend Xanax, because it is the only one that has worked for me and my whole family, but you said no benzos.

Hope someone can help you!

I like my propanol it works on the actual physical symptoms you can take it daily or PRN and it's not a benzo.