Direct switch from Ativan to Valium on doctor's orders?

Hi

I saw my doctor today and he wants me to switch directly to Valium (no slow switching like the Ashton Manual suggests).  I've been taking 0.5 Ativan three times a day.  He wants me to switch to 4mg Valium in the morning, 2mg Valium midday, 4mg Valium at night. I've read lots of conflicting things so I'm a bit confused.  Should I rather be switching over more slowly to the Valium? I'm a bit scared and unsure how to proceed. If anyone can give me advice I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

I personally had trouble even with the substitution method (eventually opting for a very, very slow taper ... since I couldn't find any doctors who knew what they were doing, and there were no specialists nearby and I was in no state to travel), so I may be in the minority for this, but I wouldn't recommend it. The best method for me was a very, very slow taper directly off the Ativan. I have one more cut to go. I also was wary, after all that has happened on this medication, of essentially becoming dependent on two different benzos at the end.

I didn't find that the two medications were actually equivalent in terms of their effects. I could be on an equivalent or even higher dose of ... is it the diazepam? ... to Ativan, and I was basically sedated but also having intense withdrawal symptoms at the same time. I have had to do a very, very slow taper (every 6-8 weeks instead of the week-by-week approach) off Ativan, and while the physical sensations have largely subsided, I am still having a very rough time cognitively.

So ... I would not recommend just switching to a different medication, just based on that experience. I may be in a minority though.

I also was involuntarily ripped off Ativan a long time ago, very quickly (10 days), at that same dose you are on. And while it seemed to be manageable at first, I fell into a serious depression of sorts and was sleeping nearly 18 hours a day, after about a month passed. Be safe and go slow! I've gone down from 4 mg to .25 mg. If one tapering method doesn't work, try another!