hottiefromky
Member
Reged: 05/29/03
Posts: 149
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I have been having panic attacks, so when I got my general doctors appt I asked for Valium. I've been taking it a few weeks, and I can't tell a difference AT ALL. I don't get sleepy, still nervous, and all it does is make me feel worse. I thought benzo's were addictive? I have thought about trying Xanax. Is this stronger than Valium? Why is it addictive? Does it make you feel "euphoric" like the opiates? Or is the addiction factor something else?
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mello
Old Hand
Reged: 11/02/02
Posts: 478
Loc: USA
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That is strange that you feel nothing from Valium. It has helped me tremendously! But from what I've gathered on this board, I think everyone is different in response to what actually helps their anxiety attacks. Loraz does nothing for me, while many people swear by it. Xanax helps me also, but it is a bit strong for me. It makes me very tired and feeling totally "out of it". But everyone is different...it may just take a few trials to figure out which is right for you.
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Guzele
Journeyman
Reged: 06/04/02
Posts: 71
Loc: Virginia
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I've tried both, am taking .5 Xanax(generic Azor, actually)
right now. It is very good at getting rid of the panic attacks, but I agree, it makes me so dopey that I feel unable to function at times. Not euphoric like a good opiate, either. I think next time I will go back to good old diazapam. BTW, all benzo's are addictive, but I have found for myself this was not an issue if used, not abused.
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"I was cured, all right.........."-Alex DeLarge, A Clockwork Orange
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1962
Loc: Texas
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You also might want to think about Klonopin (Clonzaepam) it is great for anxiety. Do a search all forums on this med and see what people have to say about it, it might be worth trying instead of Valium or Xanax. I'm scared to death of Xanax because of the horrible things I've heard about W/D from this drug. Good luck!
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lissiebear
Journeyman
Reged: 01/03/03
Posts: 61
Loc: the midwest
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I have been on Xanax off and on now for about 3 years. I am currently taking .5 Xanax, by Roche (have had the pink football shape ones always in the past-I think Upjohn, but Roche's are much stronger). They kick butt. I too, have also been on just regular valium, and it didn't really work for me either. I really like the Xanax. Not sure why they say they are addictive. I have never been addicted, but I guess it's different for everyone. My suggestion would be if regualr valum isn't working, go for the xanax.
Hope this helps. Take care,
Lissie
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mastertater
Veteran
Reged: 07/20/02
Posts: 592
Loc: South of USA
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Xanax is indicated for relief of panic attacks according to psychiatrists with whom I have had contact; and according to the medical literature.
Valium is fairly commonly well-known for being a better muscle relaxer, and I find it is longer acting. I believe Xanax is shorter acting; however dosage is all-important in finding the correct response to the problem at hand.
Xanax does not IMO cause the kind of euphoria that Hydro does due to the sedative properties of Benzos. But I suppose some euphoria may be experienced before full sedation is achieved and sedation, slumber or sleep ensues.
Low doses of Xanax during the daytime controls my panic attacks whereas Valium only subdues it , and eventually makes me too sleepy. IMO there is what I would call an intermediate acting Benzo: Ativan. I find it has less side effects than either of the two mentioned Benzos.
On the other hand I've been able to have better daytime control over anxiety and feeling panicky when I take Valium at night for sleep and to relax my all-too-frequently-spazed out muscles (due to disc herniation and related physical traumas).
Addiction can be a problem. Though as noted above , if used
appropriately there should be no problem "as long as" one tapers their dosing before discontinuing this type of med.
Good Luck
MT aka Foxfire48
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molly
Member
Reged: 08/14/02
Posts: 104
Loc: Pacific NW, USA
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hottiefromky valium does nothing for me. I don't
feel any effects from it at all unless I take many
more than I'm supposed to. Whereas xanax is very
effective for me. However, as another poster noted,
xanax does cause groggyness. Pretty significant in
fact. But it does help with panic and anxiety attacks,
whereas valium doesn't (for me).
Good luck.
Molly
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ruthietex
Member
Reged: 01/13/02
Posts: 127
Loc: Texas
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What brand of Valium?
I was prescribed some late last year that had no effect whatsoever on me, and I've never had that problem before.
I posted the brand here and got back several replies from people having had a bad experience with that particular brand...can't remember the name now. (btw, benzos are not only addictive, they also impair memory ).
Anyhoo, I told my doctor and she prescribed a different brand and everything worked out...hope it does for you also.
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"The FBI warning is there is a 100% chance of another attack. Guess what, at 100% you can stop saying the word 'chance.' " SNL WU
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Reel_X_4U
Enthusiast
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 255
Loc: Queens, New York City
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What's the brand of the Valium that you are taking. If it's mylan, their brand sucks. I had the same problem a year when I go some generic mylan Valium, it was like I was taking a sugar pill, no effect what's so ever. For me at least, I had doctor change the script to brand name (Roche). And what a difference in terms of potency. Roche's are the best, but they are expensive 60 10mg tabs cost me $105.00 dollars from the local pharmacy. If you can't afford the brand name then go with either purepac or Barr laboratories in terms of generics, I've tried both and they pretty close to the brand name in terms of the anti-anxiety effect. Another thing I've noticed about valium, if you can score some in blister packs, those are fairly potent, for some reason when the meds are not exposed to air, light, and temperature changes, they tend to keep their potency to where it should be. Valium is fairly long-acting and in my opinion a better med for anxiety. It keeps you on a even kiel throughout the day. Xanax is shorter-acting and you can say it's as strong as Valium, but lacks Valium's muscle relaxant properties. I think Valium's unique to that particular effect. No other benzo has muscle relaxant properties (correct me if I'm wrong). Anyway you most likely got a bad batch of meds. Call up the pharmacy find out the manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date of the med. Then call the original manufacturer and file a complaint, they probably going to ask you for the lot number and expiration date of the med and what pharmacy you purchased it from and see where it goes from there. I complained to mylan and they told me all they can do is return the purchase price. I wanted them to replace the med with a different lot number. They said they couldn't since the med was a controlled-substance in my state and it required a triplicate. And the end nothing happened. I had to take the loss both financially and lack of the true valium effect. That's why when it comes to valiums I stick with the brand name in blister packs. Farmakos.com carries the brand name in blister packs, and their Valium was exactly where it should been in terms of effect, it's really good. Good luck!!!
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Some men see things as they are and say "WHY"!!
Some men see things as they are and say "WHY"!!
I've dreamt of things that never were, and say "WHY NOT"!!
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mello
Old Hand
Reged: 11/02/02
Posts: 478
Loc: USA
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I just wanted to second the Barr remark. I had it several times and compared to other generics (and overseas brands) I've tried, they seem very effective. I can take a half of a 10mg (just like Roche brand) instead of a whole one and get remarkable relief. Other generics, I can't do that. So I think Barr is a great generic...just my 2 cents.
Off topic, but has anyone had Mano 10, or just the blue round ones that say D on one side? I ordered them from Firstmedinter...the Manos are great, but the others are extremely WEAK! He sent me a mixture of both...anyone else have this experience?
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
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I'm probably going to get watermelons thrown at me or something, but have you considered using any of the ten-thousand other psychiatric drugs out there known to help ease anxiety that aren't controlled substances?
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Reasonable post - toe (theory of everything?). I've been thru Paxil, Celexa, Remeron and finally Effexor XR. For my neurochemistry, first two were awful - serontinitus - crawling out of my skin. Remeron was moderately effective, once you get beyond the sedation, which is horrific for first 2-3 days. Effexor XR works really well, but side-effect is insomnia, so I'm back to taking benzo (lorazepam) at night to help me sleep from Effexor XR. Go figure. Any benzo in daytime is too much for me, can't take the sedation.
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hottiefromky
Member
Reged: 05/29/03
Posts: 149
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I don't have my bottle with me, but I know its not Mylan or Roche. They are yellow. As for the other types of benzo's, well, I have what is called panhypopituitarism. Basically meaning my pituitary gland doesnt work at all from a brain tumor. So, I'm on NUMEROUS hormone meds daily and there are only so many types of meds that don't counteract with those. So, I've tried the SSRI's but those didn't do anything either, so I'm trying Valium. Then, I was debating between Xanax and Ativan. But, was a little concerned with the addiction factor. Not something I want to get into of course. However, with the Valium feeling like a sugar pill, hopefully the Xanax will work for me. I asked for 2mg tabs so we'll see I guess.
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cypress434
Old Hand
Reged: 04/14/02
Posts: 422
Loc: The Deep Southern US
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In my own personal experience, I'd have to disagree about Xanax having no effect on relaxing muscles, because it does in my case. I had a neck injury years ago that caused frequent headaches, and neck and shoulder "tension" pain from he_ _ - and nothing worked better for me than Xanax. Before chiropractor visits, if I didn't take 2 Xanax first, I would not "adjust" at all - and the one time I went without taking it first, the doctor actually HURT me and I got no relief because my muscles were so tight and tense. If Xanax had no effect on muscles, then I wouldn't have gotten such good 'adjustments'. Too bad I listened to the chiro about not taking it beforehand, because my hips have hurt ever since that visit, and I quit going not long after that. 
Valium is, to my body anyway, a total joke when it comes to my condition - tried some already, and no way did it last longer than my Xanax does. In fact, I think I felt relaxed about a 2 on a scale from 1 to 10 - and that only lasted a very short time - less than an hour.
If people are getting too sleepy and groggy on Xanax, I would suggest lowering the dosage until you get relief but aren't too sleepy. Their bodies just probably aren't used to that 'high' of a dose, and if they can get by with less, then they will last longer (and save $ too!) 
Over a 20+ year period of taking Xanax on and off (with no withdrawals at all in my own particular case - and most "vacations" from it were my choice, and for at least 6 months to a year) - - I can take a LOT of this stuff before it would knock ME out - fibro also deprives its' "victims" of sleep. So far the only thing that helps me sleep for hours and hours uninterrupted is a combo of 1 Klonipin and 1 Elavil - alone, nothing, but together, boy, that's the TICKET!
I ran out of Elavil, and after 2 nights of less than 2 hours of sleep each night, I had hubby go get the Elavil and I went to sleep at about 5 pm yesterday and didn't wake up until 11 pm. AH! :-) Then one more Elavil alone put me back in LaLa land for the rest of the night and I'm all caught up - gosh, how nice it is to sleep, and how lucky the people are who CAN sleep without a problem!!
I always found that oxycodone, when I was on it (and in any form), made me a bit "speedy" and affected my sleep big time. Too bad Ambien didn't work for me. I'm a tough cookie when it comes to finding the right meds - I ticked off one doctor who thought I was lying, and had to fire him eventually. In my case, "your mileage may vary" usually means that what works for most WON'T work for me, and what DOES work for me is too much for most people.
Take care, all :-)
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Cypress434
Character is what you do when no one is watching.
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alphaman
Member
Reged: 06/07/03
Posts: 154
Loc: pittsburgh
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iv read alot of everyones post on here a friend of mine has very bad panic attacks but it only seems to happen when she is in a large crowd of people. what if anything can you take for this? i mean she doesnt want to be on the med's all the time is there somthing made for these situations???
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Never Be so Open-Minded that your Brains Fall Out
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hottiefromky
Member
Reged: 05/29/03
Posts: 149
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I received my Xanax last night and took my first dose. Man, did it knock me out. It made me SO very sleepy and groggy. I mean, I don't think I could take this during the day and work. I could tell a big difference in this and Valium from before. Is this the normal reaction with Xanax? I was just thinking it would calm me down and relax me, not completely wipe me out.
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quincy
Board Addict
Reged: 11/07/02
Posts: 333
Loc: pacific northwest
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If you are taking benzos for anxiety, then I think its just a matter of trying out which one works well for you. You will develop tolerance to any of them over time, so they may not work as well anymore. I take 10mg Valium for pain and anxiety. It really works well for fibro pain, along with some hydro. As an anxiety med I find that if I take one in the morning, I am pretty much covered all day without having to fear a panic attack. It is a long acting med, so you have to be careful that you don't take too many in one day, as you may accidentally OD. Its happened to a friend of mine. She took some, then after awhile she couldn't "feel it" so she took more. It was too much and she didn't wake up the next morning. 27 years old. She also washed them down with alcohol, something you never want to do with benzos. I won't so much as have a small glass of wine or a beer if I have been on Valium. ITs too much of a chance.
I think its good that we can pick and choose which benzo we like best with the OP's. Unlike a doctor who will give you the lowest dose and no choice of which one to take. I think its a matter of trial and error. I also caution about addiction, as they are hell to come off of.
Be careful with benzos is the bottom line.
Sarah 
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wildbill
Member
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 124
Loc: USA
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Hi everyone. As a long term user of different benzos, I see again how each one hits different people at different times. Anyway, what I've read and my experience:
Both xanax and valium have muscle relaxant properties. Xanax also has an antidepressant property, which is why it was popular for shrinks to give out when it first was marketed. My experience has been that the blue valiums with the hole are much stronger than generics, and that generics seem really sensitive to light and heat. If valium is not doing the trick for anxiety, likely xanax will. There was a good post by a doctor (though I can't find it now) describing the downside of xanax - that when you get used to it, your body eliminates it faster and faster and needs more, etc.; while valium can be insidious while you develop the tolerance it builds up in your system still as you take more.
Besides a lot of this having to do with body chemistry and individual preference, just as an aside, the last time we ordered valium from an OP it didn't do the trick and this time we'll go for the xanax 2mg.
Don't know if others have noticed this but there is a "melancholy" quality to valium that xanax doesn't have. Xanax hits in about 15 minutes if you have an anxiety attack and valium takes about 55 minutes.
Both of these meds raise a red flag in dr.'s offices, unless the dr. is cooperative you risk being called an "addict" or being told to see a shrink, even if they're not triplicate in your state - in NY where I'm originally from they became triplicates even though they were schedule IV because so many medicaid patients sold them on the street. This happened around 1986; before that you could buy valiums on the street in many parts of Manhattan for only $1 - then the price went to $3-5 and they became very difficult to get from physicians.
If it weren't for this ugly attitude from dr.'s and idiotic laws we all wouldn't be ordering these so often from ops.
FYI a really safe effective benzo that works for sleep, anxiety and is an aid to narcotics withdrawal is librium 25mg - the mother drug of all benzos. Librium is not prescribed much by doctors because of market positioning of drug companies; it is so old fashioned there is no gain to encourage doctors to write it and I haven't seen it on any ops. It is cheap to fill generically, very long acting (peaks in 2-3 hours though you start to feel it in about a half hour - it's not something with a big "bang") and the withdrawal from it is easy because it is so slowly released in your body.
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Snwwhite36
Stranger
Reged: 02/03/03
Posts: 14
Loc: PA, USA
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Great answer since I have tried valium myself but to no avail.
I can take a 10 mg valium and feel nothing. Everyone is different.
Versus 1 mg of Xanax.
I looked up the link Farmakos.com but that doesn't help me since its not in english
Thanks....Sandy~*~*~*~* 
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