I asked AI a question see below:

I see a different Molly and after reading her communication book tonight.

I can see positives:

Molly is less agitated

Molly is spontaneously smiling

Molly is no longer food obsessed

Molly is far less indecisive

Molly accepts affection

Molly appears, peaceful, settled and can rest

Molly is sleeping more

I can see negatives:

Molly needs more time to process instructions

Molly needs prompts to follow through on a task

Molly has expressed some negativity (but far less)

Molly still suffered incontinence

Still need to consider the fact that Orlanzapine has been stopped and Quetiapine restarted.

Question: how does it feel to switch from lorazepam to diazepam?

Swapping from lorazepam (Ativan) to diazepam (Valium) is a common clinical strategy, often used to facilitate a smoother, more comfortable benzodiazepine taper due to the different pharmacological profiles of the two drugs. 

Here are the main changes you might expect, based on the fact that diazepam has a much longer half-life (up to 48+ hours) compared to the intermediate-acting lorazepam (10–18 hours). 

1. Fewer Withdrawal Symptoms (“Mini-Withdrawals”) 

• Change: You will likely experience fewer inter-dose withdrawals or “cravings”.
• Reason: Lorazepam leaves the body relatively quickly, causing fluctuations in plasma levels. Because diazepam lasts much longer, it provides a more stable, consistent level of medication in your blood and tissues, allowing your body to adjust more slowly. 

2. Increased Daytime Sedation (“Hangover Effect”) 

• Change: Increased drowsiness, fatigue, or a “hangover” feeling, particularly during the first few days or weeks of the switch.
• Reason: The long-acting nature of diazepam means it accumulates in the body more than lorazepam, which can lead to increased sedation. 

3. Different Onset of Action

• Change: Diazepam generally starts working faster after ingestion than oral lorazepam, but its sedating effect might feel different in intensity.
• Reason: Diazepam is highly lipophilic (fat-soluble), causing it to enter the central nervous system rapidly, whereas lorazepam is less lipophilic and generally slower to take peak effect. 

4. Need for Dosage Adjustment (Equivalence) 

• Change: You will not take the same number of milligrams. The dose must be converted.
• Approximate Equivalence: Generally, different benzodiazepines have varying potencies, and a healthcare provider will determine the appropriate equivalent dose when switching.
• Impact: A healthcare provider will adjust the dosage and potentially the dosing schedule when transitioning from lorazepam to diazepam. 

5. Potential for Cognitive or Motor Impairment 

• Change: You might notice more pronounced muscle relaxation or, in some cases, slight impairment in, for example, driving or complex tasks due to the cumulative effect of diazepam.
• Difference: While both are benzodiazepines, diazepam has a stronger muscle-relaxant effect than lorazepam. 

6. Changed Side Effect Profile

• Change: While both share similar side effects (dizziness, drowsiness, confusion), you may experience:
  • Reduced acute anxiety spikes between doses.
  • Increased risk of memory lapses (especially with higher doses of diazepam).
  • Potential paradoxical reactions (restlessness, agitation) if the switch isn’t managed well.
• Now let me see…
• Luv C x