Question about getting of XANAX

[brndfrb527]

I have been taking 1.5mg of xanax for six months at bed time. My doctor prescribed it to me to help with sleep after a hand/nerve injury.  I stopped taking it yesterday. I had decresed my dose to 1mg at bed for about two weeks. So what can i expect. How bad do you think the withdrawls will be?  Is this considered a high does for a long time?? Everything else i read is people who were taking a lot more than that for a lot longer.  Also is there anything i can take to help with the insomnia, and the cloudy head feeling. Sorry don't know how else to explain how my head feel. kind of like when you stand up really fast you get that feeling. Well my head feels like that all the time.  Any help would be great. I have experienced withdrawals from oxy's and lyrica as well. All from hand injury.  

Hope to hear from someone!?!?!?!

[takingcharge]

Xanax should be tapered.  It is very risky to your health to go cold turkey on these.  My mother almost died from the withdrawals.  Your symptoms actually sound like a panic attack, heavy chest, hard time breathing..... all signs of panic attack.

Be careful and be safe.

[Decisions]

Sorry I missed your posts.

Benzos should be tapered for a fairly long duration.  I am surprised that you were not given this information in the ER.  Of course the stabilize you and "send" you packing with a $1,000 medical bill.  In either  event,  I would try to find a doctor in your area that specializes in drug tapering.  I am sure there is one that at least will understand.  Get the information I  sent you to, for a tapering schedule and provide the doctor you see with the statistics for your dosage and then try to get the help you need for that taper.

You will probably be fine, but I still say , why take the chance?  And your recovery will be likely easier, IF you stick to the taper.

Good luck.

[Khatch]

Tapering xanax on your own is extremely difficult thing. I have tried it several times, then started alcohol as a substitute and same story again.
It depends individually though, some get less withdrawals some dont. If you made it to 1mg with no withdrawal symptoms youre OK. Worst senario of xanax withdrawal is having a seizure. Consult your Doctor and keep on tapering. If withdrawals are severe there are impatient treatments with 2 alternative drugs that will last only 4-5 days a week max.

Good Luck, Dont Drink with Xanax.

[brndfrb527]

Yeah but this being day 5 shouldn't i start to get some kind of relief from the withdrawl symptoms?

I mean the first two days were pure HELL... I am feeling much better than those days. Just the sleep thing that is making me mad now. And the fact that i don't really have an appetite. Of course i havent eaten much in the past 5 days.  But i do notice when i force myself to eat i feel a little better.  

What natural products have you all found to work for sleep?

Thanks for all the support. You guys have been great.

[kimmieb]

i had to taper off of the ativan (3-4 mg at night, every night for 5 years) cuz cold turkey, i almost died....but i tapered successfully and uneventfully, under a doctor's supervision....however, the reason i began taking the ativan in the first place was for sleep....and when i was off of it,guess what happened?  yup, no sleep again....i'm right back at square one....however, i did find some natural products that seem to be helping....i just know that after being on a benzo, because it works SO heavily on your CNS, the sleep thing is very hard to get back for awhile....just be patient though and try all kinds of natural stuff....you're bound to find something that works....

but DO be careful with going off of this stuff....it's nothing to play around with...i can definitely be dangerous to go c/t....very dangerous.....

i've been there....sorry feeling so crummy....good luck!!!!!

[(Not so) Spunky]

I'm so sorry I was off the computer all weekend so I couldn't keep up with your thread!! I'm glad you went and got checked out and all is fine. Well, except the sleep thing. And I hate to say it, but that's gonna be awhile before you get it back.. You could try taking tylenol PM, or melatonin- maybe something from a vitamin store?? I thin you said you had tizanidine? that ALWAYS knocks me out so you totally could try that. It's a muscle relaxer, so it could help. I wouldn't take a high dose tho- just whatever your original dose is. I'm sorry you're going thru this. It really *****, I know. But this too shall pass!! Keep up the good work!