I had an Rx for Valium and called my Pdoc for a refill today. He was worried I might be building up a tolerance for it so he suggested we try Clorbazam instead. I'm nervous about switching medications. Fear of the unknown plus really, really, really bad experience in the recent past with a couple of new meds, one of which made me suicidal.

my Pdoc says Clorbazam has a bit of a mood stabilizer in it. He also talked me back into taking Trazadone for sleep and 'cause it's a mild anti-depressant. I don't know if I like the idea of going back on drugs regularly... but I think I understood that I don't have to take either of these things regularly, just on an as-needed basis. Anyone have any thoughts on either of these?

he knows I really dislike the idea of taking medications and I feel I need coping skills more than medications anyway. I guess I can get the prescriptions filled but not actually use them if I don't need them.

[WikidPissah]

I don't know anything about the clorbazam. I took trazadone for years. When I first started taking it I felt kind of groggy and hung over in the morning, then I adjusted. It didn't do much for depression, but it really did help me sleep. Little side effects and somewhat easy to come off of (for me anyways).

How long have you been on the Valium and how much? The doc really shouldn't take you off of that cold turkey, you could get sick. Is he titrating you??? Valium is similar to a benzo, in fact in the benzo communities it is considered one.

Worried, because the last thing you need right now is to go into withdrawal.

Well theoretically I was only supposed to be taking Valium on an as needed basis. Not everyday. He didn't say anything about withdrawal!! :-(

http://www.drugs.com/clonazepam.html

Do you mean clonazepam? That is klonopin I believe. I attached a link to information about it, but I'm not sure it is what you mean. It is a benzo and needs to be taken carefully, as prescribed, not abused by taking more than prescribed, and without alcohol. My concern for you is that you have been taking more meds than prescribed and as far as I can understand, with alcohol. You really need to follow the directions. If that isn't working for you to manage your anxiety, you really need to let your pdoc know that so other steps can be taken. I'm very concerned about how you are managing right now because it really is not safe.

I don't know if that's what it is or not. I didn't recognize the name. I'll find out tomorrow when I pick it up. He seemed to be eager to get me off Valium. And he said I can take it on an as needed basis, not every day.

Tomorrow I talk to the therapist about upping treatment generally. Whether that's outpatient treatment or group therapy or what. Dunno yet.

Yes, sorry it is Clobazepam. Hopefully it's stronger than Valium!

[possum220]

Clonazepam in some parts of the world is the same as Klonolpin. Other wise known as Paxam too.

It stays in your system longer than valium. It works great on anxiety.

Good luck with it.