Hi [...]
The grogginess only lasts for a period of time (a few weeks) in my experience, and yes, it knocks you around. I’d almost drift off to sleep on the sofa in the company of others at first, but it only lasts a matter of weeks. I direct switched to Valium after clonazepam c/t. I did also experience a bit of depression at first, but I was still recovering from the direct switch and c/t from the clonazepam, so who knows what the depression was attributed to. However, it too, did resolve, and haven’t experienced it since. It does take time to acclimate to the Valium. I’m not sure what your doctor means when referring to euphoria, as this has never been my experience. The medication means nothing more to me than a way of staving off severe withdrawal symptoms whilst I taper off. I don’t believe I’ll miss it one iota once I’m done. If I dose regularly (on time daily), I simply wouldn’t even know I’m on it. I do agree with [...] though… if you don’t have any problem tapering the Ativan, I would simply stick with Ativan. There are more ways of tapering from the more potent benzodiazepines now than when Professor Ashton wrote the manual. Many now just choose to taper from their original benzo, rather than crossing to Valium.
