Final Stage of Xanax withdrawal

[fusion1]

I am 23 years old and have been on Xanax (XR and Regular) for over 3 years.  I started off with the .25mg regular tabs and slowly increased my way up to 3.5mg.  I have kind of gotten used to my anxiety and for the past 6 months I have been coming off the Xanax at .5mg intervals every month (Xanax XR only comes in .5mg) I can say this drug has been the worst thing ever as everytime I come down I feel so out of it.  Even when I am on the Xanax I dont feel myself which is another reason I want to come off.  My question really is are there any long term effects that people have encountered and for xanax withdrawal.  I started my final taper and am wondering if this is too much to come off of since my body has been used to taking something for the past few years.  Right now my body feels like it is shaking and I have to concentrate harder to keep up.  Are there any seizure risks associated with a .5mg dosage.  I have spoke to the doctor who says I can use the .25mg tablets 2ce a day until I am able to eliminate one of them but I am trying not to use them. Please respond with your own stories for your coming off the xanax.  Thanks

[cornyguy]

Hi,You need to switch back to an equivalent dose of Klonopin which is the same as your xanax dose(they are equal).It is much easier to taper from Klonopin due to it's long half life.You could then reduce the klonopin by 0.125 mg every two weeks till the end.
Hope this helps.

[ladybugs33]

Hi,
I see this post is from a couple of years ago, but I was hoping that everything worked out for you. I'm looking all over the internet, and have asked my pdoc, but no one can tell me how long to expect the insomnia ( I'm waking up multiple times through the night when I do sleep...my eyes just fly open) and jitters, sweating, tight throat, and a strange hyper-awareness of light and sound that's really uncomfortable. I've only been on 2 mg bid xanax xr for three months prior to which I was switched from klonopin .5mg tid. That was a bad move. It's only day two, and I've always been hypersensitve in general. Very uncomfortable. Can you tell me how long it lasted for you? I've heard it gets worse on day three, but then nothing on how long the worst of it lasts. If I had an idea, I think I would be able to handle some of the dread I'm feeling at coming off. Any feedback would be really appreciated. Thanks.

[JASS1549]

I was taking 6 mg of xanax for about 3 weeks and then not realizing that you withdraw from xanax just stopped and I ended up in the hospital. After about 2 days I realized what was going on and I got a couple of xanax and it definitley helped somewhat sny long term solution.
Would be greatly appreciated.

Nicholas

[fusion1]

thanks for the advice I am now on day 2 of not taking anything completley and wow was yesterday tough.  I never felt a withdrawal as bad as yesterday.  Im wondeing if its from my body being used to taking a pill.  My main concern now is the risk of seizure.  I dropped from .5mg to 0 and I was wondering if this is enough to cause one??

[Boaster]

Often times, switching to Valium is very helpful for withdrawal from Xanax because it lasts in your body a lot longer and can ease withdrawal symptoms. It is a much easier drug to taper off of. Xanax has a very short half life, which is why it is more addicting. But that is something you should discuss with yoru doctor.

[Jade59]

Yep, this drug is a nightmare.  I have been on xanax over 12yrs myself.  If you browse the archives on xanax you will find exactly the info you need to properly taper.  It has been an enormous help for me as I was naive to how this drug worked before finding this site.  My understanding is to stay on a scheduled dose otherwise your body is in constant w/d which I think is the feeling you are describing.  You should follow your doctors advice with the .25mgs twice a day and don't skip.  Then start a tapering regimin from THAT dose.

Just enter xanax up in the search engine.  There are a few people on this site that are very well educated on the use and taper of xanax and I think you will find what you need.  Best of luck to you.

[KevinNewYork]

Sorry to hear you were prescribed xanax for daily use. especially that long.  a very slow taper is needed, theres tons of topics about this you can search.

i was prescribed xanax the other day and only plan on taking it once or twice a week. it would be great to take it everyday but it will only make things worse after a good run. goodluck