Weaning off meds

[cooki1957]

I have been on 1 mg  3 x daily xanax since Feb 2010 for GAD--I was on the lowest dose since last Jan. My doc wants me to wean off the xanax and go on 1 mg of klonopin instead. Can someone tell me how to wean off the xanax and go on the klonopin. She is on vacation and not available or I would ask her.

[RubyWitch]

First of all, don't be so hard on yourself.....your intentions were good and that's the important thing. You probably should read, or reread, the posting guidelines. None of us are doctors or pharmacists on this forum and we cannot give specific advice about dosing, weaning, changing or adding ANY medications. Especially psychotropic meds.
I don't think Julie was saying that YOU "diagnosed" anyone, her point, I believe, was simply that the two very important things we do NOT do is attempt to diagnose or give specific insturctions on weaning.
We are free to talk about our own weaning process, side effects we've personally experienced, why we did or did not like a specific medication..........but we must always, always add the caveat that the poster consult their doctor and make any changes ONLY under their guidance and supervision.
Just keep those two rules in mind the next time you post and you'll do fine. We ALL have to stop and think twice sometimes!
Peace
Greenlydia  

[slim_runderpants1009]

I'm extremely sorry. I would like to mention the fact that I wasn't diagnosing a person though. Yep, thats certainly what I was doing trying to help some people. Therefore, I will think twice next time about posting on something like this. I was just offering my knowledge as to when I was on these drugs myself. That is what the doctor suggested for me. :/ Sorry again.

[Julie359]

Hi,
when u saw ur doctor who told u to wean, he should of devised a plan to do this.  So the fact that ur asking on this forum suggests he didn't, or that he was unclear.  Please before u start weaning contact ur doc again and ask for clear instructions on the safest way to do this.  He and only he should be telling u. 1mg x 3 times a day for a year should be handled with care so u don't end up suffering withdrawal.  So contact him today and get a plan in place and be safe.

Have a wonderful year.  All the best.

Peace
Julie

[Julie359]

There r 2 things that people should never do on this web-site, 1 is diagnose a person and 2 give them the instructions on how to wean off their med's.  This is extremely dangerous!  We have no way of knowing their full medical history or background which could greatly influence how they need to wean.  Plus with benzo's they, when taken for as long as the above poster has taken, can be difficult and dangerous to wean eppecially how u described.  I would highly recommend not suggesting this again.  We understand u felt u were doing this with good intentions but what's that saying... The road to hell is pathed with good intentions!  So please please when u see a post such as this the best thing to do is to instruct the poster to consult and follow their doctors instructions and tell them good-luck! It only takes one reply to make a poster potenially seriously ill!

All the best in 2011, may it be a great one for u!

Much peace
Julie

[slim_runderpants1009]

Start by going one every 2 days of the xanax and gradually progress until you are having 1 xanax per week until you feel that you can go without. I would then leave it a few days for the medicine to have made its way out of your system and then start taking the klonopin.

I'm sorry if I haven't been much help. I guess one reply is better than none. If you ever need any support feel free to PM me. :)