Xanax Withdrawal

[Ineedhelp1610]

I am trying to come off of Xanax after being on it for over 20 years.  I am waking up at night sweating.  Is this a common effect of withdrawal?

[xanweaner]

As someone who is currently weaning off xanax, I'll also reinforce that you work with your Dr. on this. He/she will help you design a tapering schedule that works with your life so it's workable and not too disruptive.

If I could offer you some advice: you've been on it for 20 years. I believe, so don't rush your weaning. Many experts recommend a minimum of 14 days between dosage reductions. I've been weaning down since Oct. 07 as I was on both the xanax XR and xanax short-acting - taken together throughout the day. I've only bee on this regimen since April 07.
Read everything that you can find under google for xanax withdrawal symptoms - I use firefox as my search engine and have found some amazing medical information from experts in the mental health field.
Good luck - and use this forum for help and support - it's been great for me!! Lots of great people are here to share their successes and struggles...

[againnot]

I just want to chime in with Heather and pray that you are working with your dr. coming off the drug.
A couple of years ago I was able to get off xanax after about 15 years. I was off of it for a year.  Do you have some kind of plan about how to cope with any anxiety afterwards?  Counsellor, excercise, meditation, etc?  
  It took a very long time.  I was down to a "crumb" of Xanax a day.  
Hang in there.  It can be done!
sleeplesss

[Heather3418]

I hope that you are working in tandem with your doctor about coming off of Xanax.  After twenty years of being on the drug, I would say it would take at least a month of gradual wtihdrawal.  I took Xanax, so I only speak from experience; no medical knowledge.

Please tell you are working with your doctor on this....

Congratulations to you, for going off the drug.  I would guess that you feel that you no longer need it.  Even though I went off Xanax years ago, I always kept a few pills in my purse for a long, long time, just as a crutch.  I just waned to know they were there.  Eventually I realized that I was using this as a crutch and threw the bottle away.  And the bottle had 2 refills left on it.  So I patted myself on the back for that.  I had won the battle of depending on the Xanax.

I wish you well and again, please be in touch with your doctor about coming off this drug.  

Big Hugs to you...,
Heather

[panicmann]

Yes.  It is for me anyways.