Will someone PLEASE give me some advice on xanax tapering?

[chloe802]

I have 2 questions... I have been taking xanax, 1 mg a day for 2 years... Within the last 2 months, I have been taking 2 mg a day. My doctor just gave me a script to Kolonipin... I am tapering from the xanax to the Kolonipin for the next 2 weeks... BUT, what about when you want to get off the Kolonpin??? So my 2 questions are... #1- Is 2 weeks too short to taper? And #2- Can you have a seizure if you are taking Kolonipin? I read up on this drug and it said it's for mild seizures... Anyone ever heard this before?

Short story... My husband had 2 grand mal seizures in the past year... He is an alcoholic, but would take (mix) xanax with the alcohol... I believe he would lie to me on how many xanax he was taking... The Dr's at the hospital said the seizures were from alcohol withdraw. I thought that the xanax could possibly of played a role. He never skips a day of drinking and has been heavily drinking for 21 years. He is drunk ALL THE TIME... He use to have the shakes in the am and would have to slam a 40 to stop his shakes... (DT's) WELL- this is where it gets confusing... He quit cold turkey on the xanax, and he did not have a seizure... It has been 2 weeks. He would take as much as he could get. I believe, before he STOPPED taking the xanax, he weaned down to 1 mg a day. Now he says he doesn't have the DT's anymore. I think he is trying to pull a fast one on me because I am SO HARD on him about drinking... I am constantly trying to help him quit, but he does not want to. So, I am confused... Either he still has the DT's and is hiding it, or they truly did stop... How come he didn't have a seizure? Is it because he is still drinking? So- I guess I have a couple issues between my husband and I. We are currently seperated so it's hard for me to tell what's going on w/ him in the am. If anyone replies, I'll be very thankful... It seems like nobody ever does in the substance abuse area... I've been on this board for 3 years and re-did my membership. Maybe because there are SO many of us that need help... IDK... I would be greatful for ANY advice from someone who has been there....

[chloe802]

I'm going to see my Dr. today... He is very funny about benzo's that's why he is doing the switch. I guess he feels the Konipin is safe... I just want to wean all together and get back to normal. BUT- I do have anxiety/panic attcks. They start in the chest, like any elephant is standing on me and I can't breath. Then everything closes in around me and I get dizzy, cant breath, practically freak out... The kolonipin has kept this from happening. I've been on it a month, but I do not feel much from it. The xanax gives me that instant relief. I feel like everyday at noon that I am having anxiety and have to take a xanax. Is this because my body is depended on the xanax? I then take one at night. My Klonipin dose is  take 2 of .50 a day. I have to see this DR due to my health ins. He is the only one I can go to... I'm just so scared of having a seizure after seeing my husband have one. I'm all alone now w/ my 16 yr old daughter. I feel like a baby- I guess I just need reinsurance and don't want to do this alone. Thank you EVERYBODY.... God Bless

[cornyguy]

Make sure with your doctor that your Klonipin dose is at least 2mg.

[cornyguy]

It is around.Make sure that your Klonipin dose is same as your Xanax dose as both are equal.

[cornyguy]

Since you are on Xanax 2 mg which is a significant dose you need to taper xanax for aroungd 10 days while starting Klonopin as Klonopin needs around 10 to fourteen days to reach a significant level in the blood.It is very good for anxiety as it has a long half life and remains in your body and is best for tapering from other Benzos as it's tapering is better than the others.

[avisg]

Discuss with your doctor switching over to  valuaim instead of kolopin its the easiest  to WD from in the end . I am going to send you the name of a doctor who is one of the leading researchers in tapering off benzos.

[GA Guy]

Not everyone has seizures when taking away medications. The risk is there however. First of all, some education about the Xanax. Xanax and Klonopin are both benzos. However, they act very differently because of their half lives. Xaxax is a very good drug if used in the way it's intended. It's most commonly prescribed for infrequent panic attacks. The reason it's used (Ativan is another benzo used this way) is because it works very fast and gets out of the body fast. That makes it perfect for someone who has infrequent panic attacks, but not great for everyday use. Klonopin has a much longer half life, and it takes a little longer to work, so it's most commonly prescribed for anxiety that lasts a long time. But, all benzos are best used for just a short time because of tolerance and addiction issues. So, your Doctor has changed you over to Klonopin which is a more stable medication and will then slowly taper you off of those. The taper you choose should be discussed with your doctor. Some people can do fast tapers, other have to taper very slowly.
As for your husband, I really can't be very specific. Benzos are used to keep alcoholics from seizing. But alcohol and benzos are both depressants. He probably didn't have much in the way of withdrawals because he's medicating with alcohol. It's hard to feel withdrawals when you're drunk continuously.