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Pharmacist? Should i trust him? Please help
I called my pharmacist to ask advice about stopping xanax. I told him I was taking 2 .5mg a day. Which I was. I asked him about stopping and he told me to wean off to avoid withdrawls and told me to take 1 pill a day for a week and then after that take 1/2 a pill for a week. Does this sound like decent advice? Im very scared and my doctor cant see me until october 8th and i have to wait until wednesday to go to the drug detox to talk to them about it. Please help.
Thanks everyone. I'm just scared bc my script has run out so what I have is it. I won't have anymore and that's what's really scaring me. But I seem to be ok with just a .5 right now. I'm experiencing slight discomfort..headache, stomach ache, anxiety, and crying but its doable at the moment.
Yep erin626 you are going to be fine and still have plenty of time to see you doctor on wednesday. good way addict63 put it. borrowing trouble from the future. Less is really better. 3 months is long but others detox with yrs of med i them. So please calm you will feel better and you will make it through what withdraw you have.
...you wrote "Someone at my job scared me saying once I taper down to .25 a day and then try to stop that my withdrawals will be really bad. Is this true?"
Erin, I'm sure your detox doctor will tell you; the whole idea of a taper is to go slowly, no need to rush at all, and to stabilize each cut; meaning, becoming comfortable at that dose. If you do that, I doubt that you will have any steep withdrawal at all. You will have some discomfort at first with each cut. But if you follow directions, have lots of patients, you'll do fine.
Deal with Wednesday when it arrives. You remind me of me. I'm always one for borrowing trouble from my future. I always try to stay in the now, but it's not easy. Yesterday is history, tomorrows' a mystery.
Good luck. Keep posting!
Erin, I'm sure your detox doctor will tell you; the whole idea of a taper is to go slowly, no need to rush at all, and to stabilize each cut; meaning, becoming comfortable at that dose. If you do that, I doubt that you will have any steep withdrawal at all. You will have some discomfort at first with each cut. But if you follow directions, have lots of patients, you'll do fine.
Deal with Wednesday when it arrives. You remind me of me. I'm always one for borrowing trouble from my future. I always try to stay in the now, but it's not easy. Yesterday is history, tomorrows' a mystery.
Good luck. Keep posting!
I'm 25. I have been giving myself panic attacks over this. I've been using xanax for 3months about
Tapering down is not going to make your withdrawals worse. Don't worry so much you are going to make it worse by tapering. I am sure you will get all your questions answered when you go to doctor for detox on Wednesday. Just like bmdad said this morning you body will be more used to the lower dose before you taper. Going straight off is when it is dangerous with benzo's.
May I ask how old you are and how long did you use the Xanax. If you don't calm down you are going to just have more panic attacks.
May I ask how old you are and how long did you use the Xanax. If you don't calm down you are going to just have more panic attacks.
Someone at my job scared me saying once I taper down to .25 a day and then try to stop that my withdrawals will be really bad. Is this true?
thanks. its all very scary to me. i had to go 2 days without xanax..cold turkey over labor day weekend and i was sicker than ive ever been in my life. i didnt sleep for 48 hours...i couldnt stop my muscles from spasming..i laid in the bathroom or in my bed with a trashcan next to me. the nausea was debilitating..and i had constant panic attacks, i never want to do that again..and thats whats scaring me the most. is going through that awful feeling again. i guess tapering helps to prevent that?
You will recover and don't be ashamed of your addiction. Doctors sometimes gives us medicines that help our present condition without thinking about what condition that pill can cause.
You will recover and make it through this. Other people have kicked the same addiction. Please don't worry you are going to be fine.
You will recover and make it through this. Other people have kicked the same addiction. Please don't worry you are going to be fine.
Just keep taking the pill until Wednesday in small does like you explained (tapering). Withdrawals will come, tapering helps. WD are different in almost anyone. Just think of it this way it is no worse than having the flu. Tapering might help it be a mild flu.
If or when the withdrawal comes you can expect the sweats, aching, restless leg feelings, nausea, and maybe a little faint or dizzy. Just take it easy and still try to get up and do a few things. Keeping up our strength really does help. Some take short walks and say that helps. There is also something call the Thomas Recipe that people take to help ease symptoms during with draw. You can find the recipe on the health section under the tabs for this site. I have heard people have good results using it and help controlling their withdrawal symptoms. good luck you make it.
If or when the withdrawal comes you can expect the sweats, aching, restless leg feelings, nausea, and maybe a little faint or dizzy. Just take it easy and still try to get up and do a few things. Keeping up our strength really does help. Some take short walks and say that helps. There is also something call the Thomas Recipe that people take to help ease symptoms during with draw. You can find the recipe on the health section under the tabs for this site. I have heard people have good results using it and help controlling their withdrawal symptoms. good luck you make it.
i am very serious. i did not think i would ever be addicted to anything. especially xanax, which was supposed to help me. it just made my life worse. i dont want to rely on a stupid pill. i dont want to feel anxious when im running low and im sick of wasting money on them (no insurance).
this is all very frightening to me. i feel like i have no control over my situation. im scared, lonely, frustrated, sick, unhappy. its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. im scared i will never recover.
this is all very frightening to me. i feel like i have no control over my situation. im scared, lonely, frustrated, sick, unhappy. its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. im scared i will never recover.
good 4 u erin!
making a plan is so important...u sound serious about licking this!
keep us poted on your progress..lots of support here
making a plan is so important...u sound serious about licking this!
keep us poted on your progress..lots of support here
ive been falling asleep ok. its just getting up really early is killing me. i wake with anxiety at about 7am no matter what time i go to bed. i was only taking 1.5mg a day and that was for about a month and a half. before that i was only taking .5mg once a day for a month. the nausea has been getting me but im not sure if its from the wd or from the severe anxiety ive been having. im feeling better today than i did yesterday...im hoping i can actually eat. ive been taking a .5mg but splitting it in half so im taking .25 twice a day and then hopefully cutting that to .25 once a day. im going to a drug rehab center on wednesday to seek further advice.
Yep take your med, then taper down every few days or week or so and you will be fine with no seizure. bmdad explained it perfectly. Just follow you taper and take your pill or pills need that day. Then just continue however you have decided to taper.
Enjoy working if you can and try not to worry. I am proud of you for being so interested in your health. You are looking for support to get off pills. Admitting it is the first step to recovery.
Let us know how you are feeling someone will be here to talk.
Enjoy working if you can and try not to worry. I am proud of you for being so interested in your health. You are looking for support to get off pills. Admitting it is the first step to recovery.
Let us know how you are feeling someone will be here to talk.
xanax needs to be tapered for safety reasons, but chances r u will not avoid wd
The dr who prescribes these to u is who u need to discuss this with and he can also prescribe u drugs that might make quitting easier. Xanax is the strongest benzo..then ativan...Klonopin...valium, temazepam, librium all being much weaker than these 3 benzos.
Often a dr will take u down to a weaker drug like valium during a taper...if he is familiar with benzo tapers. There is a british dr who specializes in this and there are examples opf her tapers in the health pages. I have known members here to print this and take it to their dr///unfortunately many phsyicians r not trained in addiction.
If u do not have a prescribing dr///ie//if u buy them or have them given to you//ask around for a dr who works in this area to help u get off. as a rule it is a slow taper..ur dose is not extraordinary...tho considerable....have seen folks cut down 0.5 mgs a week...have seen them cut 1/4 pill a week...i have never seen anyone do it and not feel any wds tho....lack of sleep usually being the main problem...anxiety as well
keep posting...this is do-able and ur dose is not horrible. I forget how long u said u were on these bu a good start til u make a plan is to avoid taking big doses at once...ie...take 0.5 mgs 5 times a day or 1 mg twice a day and 0.5 mgs once a day..it will make it easier than if u r taking the whole 2.5 at one dose
keep posting
The dr who prescribes these to u is who u need to discuss this with and he can also prescribe u drugs that might make quitting easier. Xanax is the strongest benzo..then ativan...Klonopin...valium, temazepam, librium all being much weaker than these 3 benzos.
Often a dr will take u down to a weaker drug like valium during a taper...if he is familiar with benzo tapers. There is a british dr who specializes in this and there are examples opf her tapers in the health pages. I have known members here to print this and take it to their dr///unfortunately many phsyicians r not trained in addiction.
If u do not have a prescribing dr///ie//if u buy them or have them given to you//ask around for a dr who works in this area to help u get off. as a rule it is a slow taper..ur dose is not extraordinary...tho considerable....have seen folks cut down 0.5 mgs a week...have seen them cut 1/4 pill a week...i have never seen anyone do it and not feel any wds tho....lack of sleep usually being the main problem...anxiety as well
keep posting...this is do-able and ur dose is not horrible. I forget how long u said u were on these bu a good start til u make a plan is to avoid taking big doses at once...ie...take 0.5 mgs 5 times a day or 1 mg twice a day and 0.5 mgs once a day..it will make it easier than if u r taking the whole 2.5 at one dose
keep posting
That makes more sense to me. Right now I'm actually feeling hungry and i havent taken my xanax yet. I hope thats a good sign. I have to go to work in an hour so im hoping to maybe just try some buttered noodles or something light when i get there (I work in a restaurant). So even though im feeling ok i should still take my meds to taper myself?
Tapering down will lessen the effects of withdrawals. Kinda look at like this. If you hadn't exercised for a very long time and then woke up one day and tried going for a 5 mile run. Your body wouldn't like it and would show you by feeling winded, sore muscles, etc. But, if you were to start off by running a half a mile a week your body might feel just a little bit sore the first few days but by the end of the week your body would be use to that half a mile and you could run it no painful effects whatsoever. The next week you would then run 1 mile. Once again for a few days you will feel a little uncomfortable but not too bad. By the end of that week that mile will be easy.
It's the same thing with tapering. You are lessening the shock that your body will feel by slowly taking away what it is use to. You may feel a bit uncomfortable the first few days of your drop but your body will get use to it. If you were to take it all away from your body at once, you will feel the effects much more than slowly taking it away.
But more importantly, xanax being a benzo has to be tapered. If not you risk having a seizure. Certain meds have to be tapered and xanax is one of them.
Just stick to your taper and you will be okay. Try not to worry too much. It won't help your situation. You'll do just fine.
Brian
It's the same thing with tapering. You are lessening the shock that your body will feel by slowly taking away what it is use to. You may feel a bit uncomfortable the first few days of your drop but your body will get use to it. If you were to take it all away from your body at once, you will feel the effects much more than slowly taking it away.
But more importantly, xanax being a benzo has to be tapered. If not you risk having a seizure. Certain meds have to be tapered and xanax is one of them.
Just stick to your taper and you will be okay. Try not to worry too much. It won't help your situation. You'll do just fine.
Brian
im just scared. i was on the phone with my mom sobbing. i had no idea xanax could do this to me. im still confused how taking less will help me stop. wont i eventually go through withdrawals at the end? ive never been so terrified in my life. i just want this to stop. im in pittsburgh and my family is in maryland and ive never felt so alone. my boyfriend is less than supportive, hes just frustrated with me. i cant eat, i have trouble sleeping...im so scared.
You can ask who you want Erin. I ask my pharmacist things all the time. I did last night about the drug I am taking. I can take his advice if I like and can ask my doctor or someone else if I choose. Just do what is right for you. The pharmacist always ask if you want a consultation when you pick up medicines. so I don't see the difference here. If you don't mind if the pharmacist knows or not then just do what you feel comfortable.
I prefer to just ease up and not chase others away by being a bit harsh. I know it is scary sometimes to know if you are doing it right when it comes to your addiction and your health.
I just always take want I want out of advice if I feel it would benefit me I might fit into my life and if not just disregard it. That goes from personal advice, doctor advice, or something I read in an article or something.
If you need to talk I always feel free to contact me. There is a place for you to leave notes or email to other members. Welcome to the forum and I look forward to hearing how you recovery is going. Hang in there.
I prefer to just ease up and not chase others away by being a bit harsh. I know it is scary sometimes to know if you are doing it right when it comes to your addiction and your health.
I just always take want I want out of advice if I feel it would benefit me I might fit into my life and if not just disregard it. That goes from personal advice, doctor advice, or something I read in an article or something.
If you need to talk I always feel free to contact me. There is a place for you to leave notes or email to other members. Welcome to the forum and I look forward to hearing how you recovery is going. Hang in there.
i just asked him a general question about my concerns to stop taking the pills and that was his answer. i know that i need to speak to a doctor which is why im going to the drug detox on wednesday. but wednesday feels so far away right now.
To me that sounds about right. You can usually trust you pharmacist. I think sometimes more than the doctor. You might even try going down to 1/4 of a pill if you have enough to taper with, and you are that afraid to go to only 1/2. If I am right and xanax is a benzo you would probably not want to cold turkey it. But what advice your pharmacist gave it more than likely very good.
You will find a ton of supportive people here if you find you need to talk while recovering. They all really care and some are going through what you are right now others early in recovery and some experts who have been there down that thing.
I wish you all the luck in the world with your recovery and just remember we are here is you need to talk.
You will find a ton of supportive people here if you find you need to talk while recovering. They all really care and some are going through what you are right now others early in recovery and some experts who have been there down that thing.
I wish you all the luck in the world with your recovery and just remember we are here is you need to talk.
First of all, you should not be having conversations with your pharmacist about an addiction problem.
A physician is bound by doctor-patient confidentiality. A pharmacist has no legal obligation not to discuss your problem with the police. Nor can a pharmacist provide medical advise without endangering his pharmacists license.
Generally people at a detox problem are well-versed in the sort of thing, and will maintain confidentiality.
Weaning is a generally accepted method of getting off habit forming drugs, but I can't give you specific advice about any single drug.
I am pleased you decided to stop taking this medication. You can be proud of yourself for making that decision.
A physician is bound by doctor-patient confidentiality. A pharmacist has no legal obligation not to discuss your problem with the police. Nor can a pharmacist provide medical advise without endangering his pharmacists license.
Generally people at a detox problem are well-versed in the sort of thing, and will maintain confidentiality.
Weaning is a generally accepted method of getting off habit forming drugs, but I can't give you specific advice about any single drug.
I am pleased you decided to stop taking this medication. You can be proud of yourself for making that decision.
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