Weaning off of Xanex

[ak1219]

I have been taking .25mg of Xanex for about 2 months in the morning. I started to wean myself off because my Zoloft is starting to kick in on Friday of last week. I changed my dosage to 1/2 of a pill. I've had some withdrawal and was wondering if anyone else has had this and how long the withdrawal lasted? Also I have a big fear about the seizure thing when stopping Xanex, is there a certain dosage that you have to be taking for that to be a bigger risk?

[swfl_guy]

The dose of xanex was about as little of a dose you could be on. the whole seizure thing would only happen with much higher doses and also you said you were only on it for 2 months right? well 2 months is nothing and you should only have very minor withdrawals and they should subside quickly. I have a friend who was taking the 2.5mg pills 4x a day for 5 years believe it or not. He was forced to quit cold turkey and he said the withdrawals sucked but no seizures or anything that put him in any risk medically. If you had been on a higher dose for a longer period of time the doc would possibly give you something to help but what you are doing by weaning yourself down with the dosage is best thing you can do at this point. You can even start taking one every other day then every third day etc. till you feel you are good with just the zoloft. Good luck!!

[ak1219]

Thanks a lot I feel better already!

[frj]

I have been on three bars of xanex for the past nine years.  The doctor started me on it because of IBS.  I could kill her for that now.  Why xanex?  Something that has become one of my worst nightmares.  If that is all you have been on , and only for 2 months I will tell you to PLEASE stop now.  I also broke my jaw in 2004 and see a pain management Doctor.  I am now dependent on Hydro, Oxycondone, flexiral, plus the xanex.  I have more physical issues now than before all these medications for IBS and screws in my jaws.  Now I have kidney problems BECAUSE of these medications for the tmj .  Now i am physically dependent on these pain meds.  But I will tell you like my pain doctor , the xanex is the devil out of them all to come off IF you have been on it for a year or longer and is very dangerous to come off of. So Please don,t get started on it and find something that is non habit forming.  I have a battle to face myself , take care .

[RCA7591]

Frankly, you ought to sue this doctor for malpractice. First off, Xanax is not indicated for long term use. Secondly, daily use at "normal" doses of 0.5 mg, qid is bad enough, let alone THREE 2 mg Xanax bars/day. Unfortunately, it isn't unheard of, and is all too common. After nine years, I'm kind of surprised it still works at all (probably doesn't).

Do not attempt to taper directly from the Xanax, you will fail. Here is how to get off of those three, 2 mg bars:

Have the doctor switch you to Klonopin, 2 mg, tid (three times daily). Stabilize on the drug for one full month. The transistion period will take about three days, and in between the crossover, the anxiety will flare slightly.

You'll need a script for 180, 1 mg tablets/month. The 2 mg tablets are no good, because you cannot cut them down sufficiently.

After one month, begin to taper the Klonopin in 0.25 mg increments (1/4 of a 1 mg pill), every six weeks. Start with the evening dose (not the morning or night dose). After six weeks, remove another 0.25 mg from the morning dose. After the next six weeks elapse, remove 0.25 mg from the night dose. Continue in this manner until all three doses are equal to 1 mg.

Stabilize on 1 mg, tid for one month.

Once you reach 1 mg, tid with the Klonopin, obtain a script for 180, 0.5 mg tablets. Reduce the dosage (starting with the evening dose) by 0.125 mg (1/4 of a 0.5 mg tablet) every four weeks, alternating from the evening, morning, and night doses. Once you reach 0.5 mg, tid, stop. You will be unlikely to go any further than this, as this is the "critical point".

Next, obtain a prescription for 180, 5 mg tablets of Valium. Valium has an extremely long half-life of 200 hours. Switch the Klonopin 0.5 mg, tid over to Valium 10 mg, tid. Stabilize on the Valium for one month. Taper the Valium by 2.5 mg (1/2 of a 5 mg tablet) every four weeks, starting with the evening dose. Repeat this every four weeks, alternating between the evening, morning, and night doses, until the Valium is completely discontinued. You are now Benzodiazepine free.

This entire process is long and drawn out, but it is the only way to eliminate the painful withdrawal phenomena. It is also the safest way to go. It may take some time, but you CAN live without the Xanax.

Disclaimer - Any taper regimen should be supervised by a medical doctor.

As far as IBS is concerned, Librax would've been the obvious choice.

Hydro and Oxy are painful to withdrawal from, but they are not dangerous like the Xanax (no risk of seizure). Xanax is the worst of them all.

I certainly hope that things get better for you.

-Ryan

[justmeblue]

this is absolutely freaky!!!

Ryan... this seems consistent with other info i have read about withdrawing from xanex. I have been doing it on my own. Suffering muscle aches, anxiety...skin crawling symptoms. I was on 1 mg - 3 or 4 times daily. I was put on it for panic as well. But, found myself "needing" to take it to keep that anxiety from creeping up. When I got up to the full dosage... i realized I was becoming dependant. My panic symptoms had abated after a thyroid surgery. I was mistakenly associating the feelings of anxiety (different from panic) with the surgery.

I have cut back by 1/2 or more over the last week in increments ever 3-4 days. I have had some insomnia and discomfort... but really don't want to add klonipin. I'm down to under 1 mg. per day at this point... can i make it?  

Hanging tough - Kim

[justmeblue]

actually lets address that to your username...

Ryan... your opinion...

[debaser23]

You don't add Klonopin; you replace the Xanax with Klonopin.  Since it's a longer-acting benzo it is a little easier to taper from than Xanax.  

If you cut your dose by 1/2 in a single week you're tapering way too quickly, I'd think.  Why aren't you consulting with your physician about this?  You can definitely make it through this, but you have to do it right and have some patience.  

Best of Luck,
Not Ryan

[chadry]

I was prescribed xanax many months ago by a w.c. doc to help me relax and go to sleep for a few hours before I started to have pain from my back and neck. I do suffer from anxiety when I go to the docs. Alwyas have for years and I explained this to them. They said this would help me get a few good hours of sleep.I take .25 at bedtime. In the beginning I did not take it every night but found I slept so much better when I did that I faithfully took it every night. Then I started to read about everything here, well I decided I did not want to be dependant on this drug that is why I did not let then prescibe me the heavy duty pain meds for fear of dependancy. I started to cut my dose in half at bedtime for a few days and I had some trouble sleeping but I made it through that. Then I stopped all together the other night. I went through quite a few nights of hell.I had to take a little piece 2 times in the morning so I could get some sleep. It was horrible the way the legs and feet and skin felt. I am so upset that a doc will just give you these things without properly telling you what will happen if you take them for too long. Last night was a little better because I do have 2 mg. valium here that I was able to take to help. I took this several nights and did not feel it at all I guess because my body needed the xanax.I am hopng that I am over the worst part now because i noticed that I can actually lay down now longer and get a little comfortable without feeling really creepy. My question now is can I still take xanax on occasion if needed because it really does work well when taken on a as needed basis or should i just avoid this all together and go with the valium seems how this how more of a muscle relaxer effect anyway. Will i go through the same thing with the valium too if I do not take it. Any answer will be helpful.
Thanks
Chadry

[sis485]

my mother in law is a full blown xanex addict, went from a normal usaully happy person, to a complete off the wall manic.. pray for my family.god bless you all

[primetime428]

i stopped takin xanax today..how long till it gets out of my system,,.?

[lizzy6900]

i was addicted to xanax for 8 years. i was taking 4 bars (2mg) a day at least.  I have been clean off of them for 4 years now.  for those of you who are wondering about the withdrawal systoms, i'm not here to scare you or to discourage you but It Is TOUGH!!!!!!!!  I tried weening myself down, but as soon as something would go wrong i would pop some more and be off track. i HAD to go to a detox unit in Kerrville Texas The Kerren Home.  I spent 2 LONG weeks in that center I meet soooooo many great people after i returned home I actually missed them. OKAY to get to the point if you have tried and failed please take 2 small wks. out of your life and go to this detox unit or any for that matter.  I was so scared to have sezuries, but by the grace of God I did not. there was alot of puking and to be honest I could'nt pick and or hold my head up for about 3 days.  These BAD detox symtoms only lasted about a week though.  they do give you a anti sezuire med. for me it was called Tegretol. It did make me sick the 1st time I took it but I stuck with it & like I said a week later I was out in the back yard throwing horseshoes (feeling normal) with absoulty NO dependence.  I was the BEST feeling in the world to me.  I felt like if I could conquer this I could do anything.  now I took my dream to the next level and  I am now in college working on my 4yr. degree. It's not impossible but the longer you take to taper off the drug the longer the withdrawl symtoms are going to last, take a step further and JUST DO IT !!!!!  You have to get to a point were you are sick of it and if you r then If I can do it TRUST ME you CAN do IT.  If i can help anyone please let me know because I have been there done that ----Your Friend --Lizzy

[lizzy6900]

I ALSO WANTED YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO STOP XANAX COLD TURKEY-- BUT I'M SURE MOST OF YALL KNOW THAT.  PLEASE DON'T ECSPECIALLLY IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR A WHILE ( 6 MTHS OR MORE)  DON'T PUT YOURSELF THROUGH THIS, THERE IS EXCELLENT HELP OUT THERE THAT WILL MEDICALY DETOX YOU THEY SAY IT IS A COMFORATABLE DETOX BUT COME ON IT'S NOT , BUT IF I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THE MEDS. THEY GAVE ME I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WENT BONKERS AND THEN RELAPSED. LOOK IN YOUR LOCAL PHONE BOOK UNDER DRUG DETOX AND REHAD SERVICES TO GET INFO. DO NOT GO INTO A 30 DAY PROGRAM UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN DETOXED. THE PLACE I WENT THE STEPS WERE 2 WKS. DETOX TIME THEN IF I WANTED TO GO TO OUTPATIENT THERAPY OR INPATIENT TREATMENT CENTER. ALL I KNEW WAS I DID NOT NEED THAT EXTRA **** IF I COULD JUST GET THIS STUFF OUT OF MY SYSTEM AND FEEL "NORMAL AGAIN" I WAS GOING TO BE OKAY. ITS ALL UP TO YOU AND ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED---GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS--  :)

[Free_in_ATL]

I have been taking 1 to 1.5 mg of Xanax every single night for months and months and months (well over a year)...I was at one time drinking taking Xanax and Lunesta at night because after drinking all night I couldn't get to sleep. I can believe I didn't kill myself.  I have fallen alsleep standing straight up, I'm ashamed to say.

I quit Booze first, then Lunesta, then Xanax most recently. My last 1 mg pill was Wednesday of last week.  I felt crazy Friday, went to the health food store and got some GABA after researching that amino acid affects the same receptors of the brain as Xanax.  I took a Motrin PM Valerian and GABA to get to sleep Friday night and I slept pretty decent considering, then I found my Natural CALM which is a Magnesium Supplement and took it along with the other things and sleept realy good Saturday night. Last night I took an OTC sleep aide and my Valarian, CALM, GABA combo. I slept like a log! Couldn't believe it was time to get up so fast.  I won't take the OTC sleep aid off if I can fall off to sleep by 11:00 pm.  I'll find something boring to read (I need to be reading the AA Big Book because of my past habits!!)  

I feel very fortunate to not have the problems that I read about here today.  I did feel really funky Saturday though, I was depressed, and just wanted to crawl into a whole!  But I was fine for the most part Sunday.  Weird!  I should have had more reaction because I took those things every day!  I am still a little "thick& droopy" feeling but I don't know if that is because of the OTC sleep aide, they tend to give my "hangovers'

[Free_in_ATL]

I just want to say that I am so grateful to be substance free today. I am so grateful to be able to ring in 2008 sober, and I am going to keep this site in my favorite places so that if I ever get tempted to go backwards, I can come here and read again what could happen to me next time.  I dogged the bullet this time, if there is a next time I know I won't be so lucky.

[Free_in_ATL]

That's good advice!! I didn't go that route, I took a chance and did it on my own, but I would not recommend it. I could not take off work and leave my child so I HAD to make it happen. I guess the reason why I didn't have more negative affects is that I only took my dose in the evening before bed time, I started off with .25 and made it up to 1.5 per day but I never took it durng the day.

I'm not sure why the hammer wasn't dropped on me. I used ever single night.  I am going to be so proud, next time I go to the Rx and don't get that perscription filled. I'm free of substances now.  

My sleep is still messed up. I had to take another one of those OTC's to get to sleep, they suck. I am going to the gym and I am going to have to find other ways to get to sleep. Therapist told me that they have non addicting meds to help with sleep. I need to know about them until I get my self regulated.

[bowla004]

Right now im trying to ween myself of xanax i have been taking 0.5 twice a day for 3 months do you think it will be a hard process for me. I hope i don't have seizures yikes!

[BlackDenim]

I was a Xanax addict over a year with a dosage of 12 to14 mg per every day. That´s a hell of a load and it worked like pure amphetamine. I was so high all the time that I exhausted myself and my nerve system totally. And if I didn´t get it regularly I turned into psycho. I was in a total trap and one day doc said that I´m going to die quite soon. If I don´t get rid off them. But I was also in love with Xanax because it made me a rock star-superhero 24 hours a day. Thanks to that special doc she said that she will take me in to a hospital and she will give me Xanax every day but drop the dosage smoothly. She even let me decide what medication I need for the cold turkey, massive anxiety and sleeplesness. She was so kind that I motivated at the very beginning. I lived like in jailhouse weeks and weeks but gradually I started to feel like a human being again. When I was totally clean came the saddest surprise. I even had to learn to walk again. I had terrible pains and spasms for years. etc. My whole nervous system was so kaputt after the passionate chemical romance with Xanax. And the most ridiculous thing is that my silly mind still sometimes miss that poison.... just one my mind says. That´s eventually the most awful thing.  

[Dave2004]

I have been taking Xanax for about 7 years. Taking .5mg every night to help with sleep and anxiety/panic issues. About two months ago I decided to quit cold turkey not knowing anything about withdrawal. Things seemed shaky and then I started getting lightheaded, dizzy and vertigo spells. I started to read about the difficulty in getting off these and put myself right back on them. I went to my doc which offered no help and wrote me another prescription for the same thing. I still am having dizzy spells, nausea, vertigo and feeling lightheaded. My doc told me to get an MRI of the brain.  Be very cautious and get the correct help! Still struggling....

[melodious1]

Xanax is not even approved in the U. S. for long term use, only 8 months here, and 4 months in the U.K. There are obviously a lot of uniformed doctors out there. Wean off it carefully and with medical supervision. Don't forget to add pschotherapy. The best, IMHO, is a 12 step program: costs NOTHING,  will work (if you work it)  wonders to get you off this and other stuff like it, permanently. Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous programs, when WORKED according to the suggestions, will change your life, help you to be self-supporting, give you a freedom and security you may have never known. Go to 90 meetings in 90 days, get a sponsor right away and work the steps. Your life is waiting for you!  

[TELESTRAT]

SOME OF YOU ARE SPELLING IT...XANAX..OTHERS XANEX...WHICH IS IT...I THINK THAT XANAX IS A SLEEPING PILL...COULD SOMEONE ANSWERE THE QUESTION.PLEASE.TY

[greenlydia]

The correct spelling is "XANAX."

[MrGreen]

And here's me about to try and come the xanax. 1mg three times a day. It is like you know when your tablet time is closing in and you want that fix of xanax. I have been on them for close on 10 years. Yes, I blame the doctor. As patients we are trusting the doctors. What would we know about medication? Thus they are the ones who are not doing their jobs correctly if they continue to give us the xanax long term. They are just creating a lot of xanax junkies. I am meant to be going onto Inderella. Not even sure if I can take xanax and Inderella together. Why? Because the chemist and the doctor had two different opinions on the matter. The doctor said yes. The chemist said he thought it would be too much for the system. As if the nerves aren't bad enough. if I was weaning down on the xanax I would like to begin .75. Just short of a full whole 1mg tablet for a week or two. Then down to .5 tablets for a while. Which I doubt would have little or no effect in the system at all. Guess the real hope would be that the Inderella would keep me relaxed / as relaxed as I might need to be when coming off those other junkie xanax tablets. Good luck to everybody who is trying.

[thykingswife]

please do not assume that everybody that reads your letters knows as much as you. I DID NOT AND I COULD HAVE KILLED MY SON!!!!!  Thank God I stumble across this page and realized that my son was right and I was wronge. Folks, I begged my son to give me his prescription and to promise me he would never take a single nother one again. And my 25 year old son of a man whom I have not seen cry in several years, cried and told me he could not do that and gently said "mom, I cannot do that. It could kill me." Of course I thought it was the drug protecting it's existance in his life so I told him that I was going to have him locked up and on and on for four days this ignorance of mine persisted until I read this page and further researched my sons claim. Thank you!! Thank you!!! Don't ever think you don't have an impact. My son and I are working together now and he's going to be ok. Thank you!

[thykingswife]

I do wish all of you success in getting where you want to be and I can only hope that you all have a supportive family to back you when you need it. I am not on anything so my insight of this xanax thing is so limited. Knowing more facts has  changed everything between my son and I now. I am so glad that the internet exists. I wanted to suggest that if someone here was have a challenge with getting your loved ones to understand your struggle that maybe bringing them to this website or printing off some facts to edjucate them would help. Maybe. I truelly am praying for you all to find peace with this soon. God be with you all. Love Thy kings wife. Not God LOL my husband:)(refering to the king thing)

[peaches53]

I am a 54 year old woman on zanex for 5 years. I take 0.5 mg two times a day. I don't use them at work, it seems to make my thinking fuzzy. I have having many problems and stress in every area of my life.

What is bothering me is I don't seem as quick mentally as I once was (age or this pill?) I cry easily too, but then I always have. Thank God I have an understanding boss. Is mental confusion (even when not taking them during the day) a side effect? Thanks for any info.

[eronski]

Listening to you all is an eye opener - I am newly on Zoloft (5 weeks) a very low dose of 25mg but I have trouble sleeping.  My Doc gave me Xanax and said to take that every night to sleep.  I have called her back three times to say give me other options I don't feel comfortable taking the Xanax.  She continues to reassure me that it is safe.  I have taken 1/2 of one 5 or 6 times but it seems excessive.

I have decided to try Melatonin and if that doesn't work I may quit the Zoloft.  It's a shame, it has made my anxiety and panic go away and has worked very well for me however sleeping is important too!  

What's up with the doctors - just passing this stuff out.  It's great for a quick fix during a panic attack here and there but for me that's it.  Glad I found these posts they have convinced me that my instincts were right.  Take care all, Erin

[xanweaner]

Why didn't your Dr. prescribe a sleep aid? There are many good ones - my favorite one is Ambien. But, I always took 1/2 the dose. Yes, I know it is addicting - but Xanax is much worse. I am now in my 4th month of withdrawing and it is not easy.
Instead of getting on the xanax train, ask for a sleep aid. If you like Zoloft and it is helping you with your anxiety and panic, then stay the course. I'm surprised that Zoloft is not causing additional anxiety and agitation - I found it to be too stimulating for me. But, everyone's brain chemistry is different. That's why we patients get stuck on the drug trials train until we find one that we can tolerate.
Don't stay on Ambien for a long time, however.....at some point, you will want to wean off of that, too.....can be down slowly and carefully so you don't experience a rebound effect.
Good luck! And, are you under the care of a psychiatrist?

[eronski]

No I have not seen a psychiatrist - maybe I should.  I always thought they would want to delve into my life and I think my life is fine.  I feel very happy and content what the heck would I talk about?  That's my initial thought - but I know they offer much more than that.

You are right about the Zoloft it has helped and I will continue with it for a bit longer.  I figured at least a month maybe give it more time.  It did cause me much agitation at first but that doesn't happen anymore.

It's weird at night I am very relaxed and not anxious but I just keep waking up nearly every hour.  I am almost getting used to it!  My doc suggested cutting my 25mg into 12.5 to see if that helps me to sleep.  I am going to try that and if that doesn't help and I am still not sleeping maybe I will try the Ambien.  Thanks so much for your post!  erin

[xanweaner]

I'm not necessarily advocating that you see a psychiatrist because these days they don't actually do much talk therapy - it's more about drug management.

It's great that the Zoloft is helping you, too. I think your Dr. gave you a good direction to go in, but I hope the dosage reduction doesn't interfere with Zoloft's effectiveness for you.

Remember, take the lowest dosage possible on the Ambien and also buy the brand, not the generic. The brand is  quite easy to break into two. I also use a pill cutter sometimes for more precision.

About therapy - if you don't feel the need for talk therapy, why spend the money? I'm not sure why you started Zoloft in the first place, but I'm glad to hear that you're doing great on it.

Glad my post helped...

[eronski]

I started the Zoloft for anxiety & panic.  I have had it since I was a child.  I'm now 43 and I got hit real hard this December and I couldn't get a handle on it like I usually can.  I have had a prescription for Klonopin for about 10 years for an as needed basis.  I maybe take 5-10 a year but that didn't even help me so I was very scared and decided to try the Zoloft.  I have never taken anything regularly and was very reluctant but I felt so crappy I gave in.  It helped me right away.  I don't want to be on it for a long time so I would like to learn other methods of conquering my anxiety if I can.

Why did you start the Xanax?  Do you take any SSRI meds?

[xanweaner]

I take xanax for anxiety - started in 2002 after I became very ill. We theorize it was from Botox injections - may have traveled into my brain...but that is another story into itself....
My internist felt I should take an antidepressant at that time but I reacted horribly to every SSRI that I tried. Went through many drug trials....finally ended up with a psychiatrist who prescribed Remeron and also xanax for all of the shaking, etc. I weaned myself off the xanax after several months with no real problems. Also, my psych. had prescribed Ambien ,and it worked beautifully.  I also weaned myself off the Ambien several months later, too, as I knew it is highly addictive.

You're very lucky that you're getting such great results from Zoloft. Just be sure that when you're ready to discontinue, you work closely with your Dr. on the tapering. These drugs cannot be stopped abruptly - you need to go down very, very slowly to get the best success. Many people try to discontinue their antidepressants too quickly, feel horribly, then they are convinced that they have to stay on them. Not necessarily so - many times, it is just the withdrawal process. I believe strongly that it's much better to go down extremely slowly, stabilize, let your body chemistry adjust, then taper down again, etc.

Also, are you a woman? The crappiness you felt in December could also be due to peri-menapausel symptoms - some women get hit very hard.

I got hit hard in April with a return of severe depression and tried a few different SSRI's again - I get terribly shaking with them, so that's why I was put back on xanax. My dosage has been slowly reduced over the months, but my true tapering begin this past October. It's taking time but after I've read so much on the subject, I've learned that many times patients can suffer withdrawal reactions from 6 mos. up to 1 year.  Pretty amazing...
Sorry if I included too much info. in this post - but perhaps someone else reading it can benefit from my personal experience.

I hope you're having a good weekend...

[eronski]

Don't worry about the long post - I love all the info!

I will take it very slowly when I decide to quit the Zoloft.  I am thinking in the Spring - not quite sure yet.  I have been sleeping better the last couple of nights though - I have taken Melatonin and that's it so I feel good about that.

Yes I am a women and I am 43 so I definitely could be pre-menopausal, that combined with the tough winters and taking on a new job managing an Art Gallery (after being a stay at home mom for 10 years) may be the reason it has hit me so hard.

So your issues are mostly with Depression?  When my anxiety gets real constant I start to get depressed and that is so painful!  I feel for anyone who struggles with it - take care of yourself OK, Erin

[xanweaner]

Hi Erin,
Glad that you appreciated all of the info. in my post. My issues are mainly with depression but anxiety has a key component with it. It has been debilitating when it hits me, and that's when I go on antidepressants. I don't want to take them  long-term, and it's a debate that I continue to carry on with my psychiatrist.

Once I'm off xanax, I'll address weaning off ambien, then I'll wean off my antidepressant.

Based upon your info., it sounds like the anxiety you're facing is a result of the new job as a manager coupled with your responsibilities as a Mom.  Does your anxiety cripple you or is it a constant worrying?

It's so frustrating because I did not grow up with any one in my family suffering with debilitating depression. It's a drag that I got hit with it as I prided myself as being incredibly strong and able to juggle many tasks throughout my life. Oh well....I'm happy now to be stablizing on my lowered dose of xanax and am starting to feel the difference. YAY!!

Have a great week! Stay healthy, too - lots of nasty viruses floating around right now.

[Rottweiler]

I have been reading this thread with great interest and have learned a lot.  My psychiatrist says anxiety and depression often go together.  Since the early 1980s I have been taking Xanax, with the dosage gradually increasing.  For the past few years, I have also been taking Clonazepam to help me to "gently stay asleep".  Fortunately, the anti-depressants give me an allergic reaction.  Someone told me that going off Xanax and other minor tranquillizers is more difficult than going off heroin because the body might not need it but the mind thinks it does.  I regret ever taking anti-anxiety meds since they have dulled the feelings I had and should have expressed.  Many drs do not want to waste time talking so they hand out meds instead.  After reading your comments, I am going to spend time at a healing lodge (I am Native American).
Megwich/Thank you all.  Sorry for the lengthy post.

Rottie

[eronski]

Hi, it sounds like you might be considering quitting your meds?  That would be a big step, it does sound like it would be difficult -  however just look at the number of posts from people who have done it.  Did you start taking it for depression or anxiety or both?
Both of those things are usually temporary, a phase we go through - you are probably in a totally different place now in your life.  When you started taking them did you plan on taking them indefinitely, have you ever tried to quit?  Sorry about so many questions, hope you don't mind sharing your story.

So what happens in the Healing Lodge?  Erin

[eronski]

Hello, you asked about my anxiety...you know it's more of a physical sensation that all the sudden hits me with a flutter in my belly then the walls close in - I'm sure you know the drill.  I mean it's not like I am worried about anything - it just comes out of the blue then once that happens a couple times I start to worry about it therefore bringing more on.  It's a vicious circle.  I hasn't really crippled me, I mean it definitely depresses me and makes me distant with the "derealization" - oh that's a horrible feeling!!

The other times it hits me is if I am somewhere else besides home and I am trying to sleep - I can get very anxious then.  It's so lonely at night feeling anxious when everyone else is sound asleep.  Now a days I just take something before I get anxious so it's not so much a problem anymore.

When you said it's frustrating because you have always considered yourself so strong etc. that's me exactly!  I told you (I think) everyone in my family is on meds for Anxiety, they always gave me **** telling me I was the only sane one with my **** together and I was very proud of that.  Now I am just like them, but hey they all seem pretty damn happy so I might as well join in!  Take Care, Erin

[xanweaner]

WOW!! Interesting that you are strong, too...I said when I was first hit with the severe depression, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall".
I carried most of my family's responsibilities on my shoulders as I've always had a high performing sales position,(have been in medical sales) earning great money. So, when the pressure mounted at work to hit numbers, I felt that I couldn't dare lose my job as my family was dependent on my income. It was quite substantial...
Well, those days are over. For whatever reason, when the depression came on, it was extreme!! Anxiety component is always about money.

My Mom and Dad are not on any meds for anxiety or depression.
And - I hate the derealization - it's nasty!!
Do you have any issues with low blood sugar? Sometimes it feels just like it!!
During this weaning down period, the derealization is really nasty and comes back so I start to think that I can't get off the xanax. I do not want to get back on the long-acting since I weaned myself off of it in October/November. I am just hanging tough - I'm glad that I found this forum for extra support.
Can I add you as a friend? You would be my first on here.
Take care and hope you're doing well...

[eronski]

Please do add me as a friend and I will do the same!  

I have been tested for low blood sugar many times because I get real shaky when I don't get food in time, sometimes I even feel I could pass out.  I take granola bars with me where ever I go for this reason - that works.  My tests are always negative so I guess it just my metabolism.  Do you have it - or does it just feel like it sometimes?

I'm not sure I understand what you meant about your job.....did you have to quit because of your depression/anxiety?  Are you working at all?

Even though I may be getting anxiety from working more my job is not stressful at all.  I don't have to be the "bread winner" the money I make is purely for me.  I know how lucky I am and I never take it for-granted!  I don't think I could handle it, being totally responsible for my family - I have had dreams about it and am so glad my husband is as strong and committed as he is.  His job is purely commission, we can go for 2 months without a paycheck, so it can be very stressful for him.  I seem to take on all the other stress though - worrying about kids, homework, house, food on & on.  Your typical "house wife" role and I don't mind a bit.  I can't imagine doing both is that what you were doing?  Society keeps telling women they can have it all work, family, marriage - I don't buy it.  Maybe I'm just not as strong and that's OK.

Talk with ya soon, Erin

[eronski]

Please do add me as a friend and I will do the same!  

I have been tested for low blood sugar many times because I get real shaky when I don't get food in time, sometimes I even feel I could pass out.  I take granola bars with me where ever I go for this reason - that works.  My tests are always negative so I guess it just my metabolism.  Do you have it - or does it just feel like it sometimes?

I'm not sure I understand what you meant about your job.....did you have to quit because of your depression/anxiety?  Are you working at all?

Even though I may be getting anxiety from working more my job is not stressful at all.  I don't have to be the "bread winner" the money I make is purely for me.  I know how lucky I am and I never take it for-granted!  I don't think I could handle it, being totally responsible for my family - I have had dreams about it and am so glad my husband is as strong and committed as he is.  His job is purely commission, we can go for 2 months without a paycheck, so it can be very stressful for him.  I seem to take on all the other stress though - worrying about kids, homework, house, food on & on.  Your typical "house wife" role and I don't mind a bit.  I can't imagine doing both is that what you were doing?  Society keeps telling women they can have it all work, family, marriage - I don't buy it.  Maybe I'm just not as strong and that's OK.

Talk with ya soon, Erin

[tlcha]

I have been trying to get off xanax  for 25 days now. It is wicked stuff. I am on low dose too. I am having a terrible time now that I have wean down extra low. How are you doing now? I hope it gets better. It feels like I am starting at the beginning of when I first got anxiety all over again. Only now I have the mindset and the tools to help myself.

[xanweaner]

Hang in there...low dose or not - it's reported that people who are weaning get a returning of the symptoms that caused them to start taking xanax in the very first place.

I am pacing myself very slowly and not listening to people who ask why it's taking so long...they don't know the difficulties in withdrawing unless they experienced it first hand. I find that if you were taking it regularly - i.e. every day, 3 times per day - or like me, every day, 4 times per day - every 4 hours......it is tough to taper down from.
I have been in the process of weaning down since Oct. 07, and from what I have read and learned, many patients can feel withdrawal symptoms for 6 mos. up to 1 year.
So, with that in mind, I keep reminding myself that it's the withdrawal and I take it one day at a time....as cliche as that sounds.
Good Luck - this forum is a great way to get support from others to share their experiences...

[Rottweiler]

Hi - yes, I am considering quitting anti-anxiety meds and based on these posts and what I've heard it will not be easy.  I don't mind the question.  In my 20s (the old times - hehe), the shrink I was seeing was more interested in handing out meds than in talk therapy.  In no way did I think that 20 yrs later I'd still be taking these meds - that's a really long phase.  The original reason for anti-anxiety meds was that the jerk I married - hope the language doesn't offend anyone - walked out right after my fourth child was born and I lost everything, except the children.  While I didn't feel depressed that he was gone, there was a lot of anxiety in being a single parent to four children under the age of six but we got by.  The shrink seemed more inclined to dope me up rather than just listen.

Sweat lodges, healing lodges, doctoring ceremonies, talking circles - all of them work on the mind, body, emotions and spirit.  I have never left one without feeling that I have learned something.  It is very healing and very powerful.  It was by going back to my Native roots that I realized that Xanax was not helping me; in fact, it was hurting me.

These postings have been really helpful and although I am new to this site, I hope that reading other folks' stories will be helpful and supportive.  Feel free to ask me whatever you want.

Hugs - Rottie





        


                                  

[so4tin8]

I have been on xanex for 10 years.  I feel like it is the only thing that can help me with my anxity.  I am so stressed out to take anything else the doctor gives me because my panic attacks are so server and some meds make me feel like i can't breath and i get rapid heartbeats.  I hate xanex my mother died from it and I am scared this might happen to me at this time I take three 1 m tablets a day.  Some days I don't take that many depends on how I feel I can feel my panic attacks starting to happen now I think I am a pro after 10 years.  I want to get off of it but what will happen with my panic attacks they are bad to the point I have to go to the hospital.  I feel the opposite of alot of ppl on this sight they want to feel normal I feel I am not normal unless I take them.  I really am addicted I get panic attacks when i see that I am running out.  Do you think I can do this and is there something that I can take for panic attacks once i do get off or do I have to feel like I am having heartattacks all the time.  Please someone help me if you can..  I really need someone to understand what I am going through I am still young and wanna be around for my kids Thanks.
-so4tin8

[xanweaner]

There is some great info. on this site about weaning from xanax. If you do a search on xanax withdrawal, you should be able to find some valuable info.

There are several ways to do this: Obviously, you know, first and most important of all, consult your Dr. on how to do this. Set up a taper schedule with him/her. Discuss if you want to use an alternative - like klonopin or valium to help you in the transition.

It does sound like you could be feeling rebound anxiety, as xanax is not a drug that you can change dosages around on. You can't decide to take 2 pills one day, then only 1 pill the next. It has a very short half-life and you go through a type of withdrawal if you don't stick to your normal usage. When someone skips a dose, rebound anxiety occurs, and you're then convinced that your anxiety is worse. In actuality, it's from the actual withdrawal of the normal amount that your body has become accustomed to.

Please do some checking on this site....if you are determined to get off xanax, you can. Again, just be sure to start first with your doctor in setting up your schedule of withdrawal.

Good luck....everyone here will help you in support. It's a great site for that!!
And, I've been weaning off Xanax since Oct. 07 - doing it probably too slowly, but I'm doing it. Currently taking it 4/day - but only a total of .5 mg. (I cut my .25mg. pill in half).

Take care,
-xan-

[christy462]

hello, my name is Christy. I been addicted to xanax for 6 years. I went to rapid detox after I had sezuire's. I did that 2 months ago. I still have bad shakes and panic attaics. does antbody know what I can do??? Need help.... Christy.  ***@****

[Sister_n_need]

   First and formost I have never taken a Xanax, but over the last 2-3 years I feel the affects of it every day.
   I am engaged to a great guy who has been through a lot with his family. Sister who is addicted to Xanax, Cocaine proabaly and at one time Oxycotin. His mother had what they think is a nervous breakdown and hasn't recovered. Then 2 1/2 years ago he watched his father pass away in his arms where they worked.
   We have had custody of her 2 boys(at the time 6wks & 3yrs) for 2 yrs now and she is still stealing Xanax from her mother or buying on the street. Claims to be a mother or want to be a mother to her children but can't stay straight enough to stay awake alot of the times.
  As if that wasn't bad enough; I have now figured out with in the last week, that I think my brother who was prescribed Xanax to help him through his divorce and custody battles is addicted and denying it. My mother and I talked him into going to the ER(as directed by his physcian who's office was closed) the other day because he couldn't function. He filled his script on Wed., took 3/1mg tablets that day and was up at 4:30am thurs to get more. He spilled the bottle, picked up the ones that had fallen and says he through those in the trash(all though a thurough search of trash and house turned up empty). Not sure if he had taken any after he spilled them, but he had taken 2/1mg tablets Thurs. morning by 7am. Between 8:30 & 9:45am that morning my sister had called and said he couldn't walk without stumbling and was yelling at my children about things that had happened on Wed. HE HAD COMPLETELY LOST A WHOLE DAY!
    This isn't the first time that happened though. My mother and I just thought the 1mg tablets were too much and that maybe if he only took 0.5mg it would take care of whatever anxiety he was having.
    After alot of screaming,crying and threats he finally agreed to go to the ER that Thurs. afternoon. My brother admitted to taking the Xanax to aliviate his pain from his recent shoulder surgery because the other doctors wouldn't prescribe him any more Loratabs for the pain. He admitted to taking more than prescribed and you could tell by his slurring and actions he was really out there. This "woman's"(the ER doctor) response to my saying our concern was the Xanax and that there were children involved was "he's a big boy and he knows if he's taking to much(as far as mg) and if he's taking it too often or for the wrong reason". The doctor left the room and I was floored. She wouldn't listen to my mother or I at all. Just the drugged up person wnating someone to give him some pain meds. That was when I made the comment to my mother"why not just give him the whole bottle right now so that way we won't have to leave and then come back and have to pay another co-pay because he's killing himself the same way".
    Please help me to understand and figure out a way to help him before it's too late. His daughter needs him. And so do we.
    The new privacy acts are really inhibiting unless you're holding his hand at every dr appt.

Sister-n-need

[neogreg]

I have read that you can only taper off of Xanax with Xanax, and to boot my doc got the crossover dosage wrong, and I had to call him to let him know about it. From what I have read, roughy 1mg of Xanax= 10mg of Valium. He put me on 5mg of Valium tid, and from the start, I could tell that I didn't feel right. I have been taking 1mg Xanax tid plus .5mg as needed for over two years. Can someone help with how to taper off the correct way? I haven't been able to sleep waking up every hour, however the Valium seems to be working quite well for my anxiety, I am not so groggy/out of it feeling like I was when I was on Xanax. I thinkk that Valium might work better for me now that my doc has the dose right. I still have to take the Xanax a couple times throughout the day or I start to feel not very good. I know that it is because I am not getting any Xanax. Can anyone help? Can I safely take both while weaning off of the Xanax?

[CLUCKETT]

HI THERE MY NAME IS CHRISTINA I HAVE BEEN ON 1MG XANAX 4 TIMES A DAY WAS GETTING 120 PILLS A MONTH . I HAVE BEEN ON THEM FOR 11 YEARS NOW .IM 29 YRS OLD I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY ,DEPRESION,PTSD, SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS . AND MANIC, I AM BEING WEINED OFF MY XANAX . THE DR, SAYS ITS NOT HELPING ME I HAVE GAINED TOLERANCE TO IT OVER THE CORSE OF THE YEARS . SO NOW SHE IS WANTING TO SLOWLY GET ME OFF THE XANAX AS OF 11-13-2008 SHE SAID TO TAKE A 1MG KLONOPIN IN THE MORNING  AND THEN WAIT FOR 4 HOURS AND TAKE A XANAX ALLOWING ME UP TO 3 MG PER DAY SO SHE ONLY TOOK 1MG A DAY FROM ME BUT SUBSTITUTED IT WIITH THE KLONIPIN .I GET 30 KLONIPIN A MONTH AND IN STAD OF 120 XANAX I GET ONLY 90 XANAX A MONTH . IM SCARED AND HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS LIKE .

1. IS DETOX BAD AND WHAT TO EXPECT ? AND HOW LONG WILL THE BAD DETOX EFFECTS TAKE TO GO AWAY ?
2. IS THIS A GOOD WAY OF DETOXING WITH THE  XANAX BEING REPLACED BY THE KLONOPIN ?
3. MY NEXT STEP AFTER THIS 3MG XANAX WILL BE GOING DOWN TO 2 1 MG'S PER DAY WILL THAT BE EVEN HARDER THAN WHAT IM GOING THREW NOW ?
4. DID YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAVE BAD DETOX EFFECTS FROM WEINING ME OFF THE XANAX  THIS WAY TO KLONOPIN ? IF SO WHAT WAS THEY AND HOW LONG DID THEY LAST ?
5. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WORST  DAYS ARE THE FIRST 3 DAYS OF DETOX  BUT IM NOT GOING OFF THEM COLD TURKEY  DOSE THAT MAKE THINGS ANY DIFFERENT?

PLEASE HELP ME OUT IM VERY SCARED AND NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THREW THIS OR KNOWS SOMEONE WHO HAS ..
THANKS ALOT !~~

[elegantrose1]

I have read all the posts on this thread. It was very educational. In some respects I am one of the lucky ones. I have been on xanax since 1991 but have only taken .5mg a day at the most. I am going to try and cut it out completely. I tried once before but the panic attacks came back. I now know  it is the drug creating its own illusion of neediness. I just have to ride out the storm.  I will cut it to .5mg every other day for a couple weeks. I won't get discouraged if I feel the panic and shaky hands returning. I know that this is a journey I must take and it will take up to 2 years to complete. The doc also has me on Trazadone for sleep and Prozac for depression. I am only going to tackle one at a time.  I am going to go to an N.A. group for support. I am 52 year old woman who lives alone.

[Malibu2769]

I have been considering gettin off my xanax but i am so scared, scared of dealing with the anxiety the sweats and feeling as if i can't breath when the attacks happen, but after reading this i am scared most of all of the seizures and whether it will be fatal. I have been taking .25 mg. 1 or 2 x aday for the past 3 1/2 years.  What do i have to look forward to if i try to quit, will i have the seizures, I want someone to tell me the truth, if yes than tell me that will happen, but don't tell me i won't get seizures just to get me off of them and than i have one and die.  Please someone hlp me with this decision.  Like i said I take 1 or 2 pills .25 mg. per day and it has been for 3 1/2 years, alot of times just one pill a day but never have i went a day without one.  I will at least take one when i go to bed, what to do?

[EXPILLMAN103]

I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEARS.I TOOK 3MG A DAY FOR 15 YEARS.YOUR REALLY NOT ON A BIG DOSE BUT IF YOU JUST STOP YOU HAVE THE SAME WITHDRAWS AS ANYONE PERIOD.FIRST THING,FIRE YOUR DOCTOR THAT PUT YOU ON THEM.FIND A DOCTOR THAT WILL BRING YOU OFF THEM SLOWLY,AND I MEAN SLOWLY, IF IT TAKES A YEAR,AS WAS THE CASE WITH ME,WELL SO BE IT.THE ONLY TIME I HAD A MINOR PROBLEM WAS WHEN I WAS BROUGHT DOWN .25 MG EVERY OTHER 3RD WEEK,IT WASNT ANYTHING HORRIBLE,JUST YOUR MIND GETTING USE TO THE FACT ITS COMING OFF THIS ****,BUT THAT PASSED IN 24HOURS(MIND WAS ALITTLE RACE TRACK,LOL,SWEATS,BUT NOTHING TO WERE YOU CANT WILL YOURSELF AWAY FROM.TRUST ME,BY THE TIME YOU GET DOWN TO YOUR LAST DOSE,YOU WILL BE FEELING SO GOOD YOU WONT EVER WANT TO GO BACK ON THIS ****.EXERCISE WILL HELP REALLY WELL TO,SO GOODLUCK AND KEEP ME POSTED.A WARNING TO,DONT EVER RAPID DETOX OFF XANAX,IT SHOCKS YOUR BODY TO QUICK AND YOU CAN RELAPSE VERY QUICKLY.SLOWLY IS THE ANSWER.

[businessCPA]

Ok well I can relate to  a lot of you people . Unfort. I was not prescribed xanax and was taking up to 10MG a day for a few years off and on. I was worried about quitting cold turkey b.c people told me about the seizures n stuff.. i was worried.  I notice I was mis placing my keys, getting more stressed out ...total memory loss, short and long term. This medicine is awful, yet its a drug that kids and adults abuse. Getting emotional over Nothing! not getting along with friends and family.. I would try to cheat the system and go to a doctor and try to tell them i was having panic attacks and felt "pounding in my chest" and everything possible.. I couldn't work, Failing college.. Then at age 23, this past summer... my parents were in europe at our summer home.. I broke down to them over the phone, I told them I need help.. I am so lucky to have a family that I do , Substance abuse runs in my family.. alcoholism...laziness.(lol) and other drugs..nothing too harsh..but a waste. My dad called our family doc. and told him I was abusing xanax and I needed help getting off. One thing he said is go to rehab, or do it yourself... This is how it was done for me... I am not doctor so This is just my story and how I recoverded fully from Benzo withdrawals....

Lets start with, Your diet... eat good, no more soda / pop ...no more fast foood! no more fried foods... plenty of vegitables...fruits....protein. Next - Vitamins, If you talk to your doctor first and see what vitamins you can take and what you cant take. This is where my mom *( a health freak came into play to help me out)* She started me on Vitamin B-50  once a day.. maybe once in the morning and then later on after food but not too late b.c it will keep you up.  To sleep at night - magnesium and calcium. Make sure you  start taking Vitamin C - Multiple and ginko biloba , maybe start taking Zinc to boost immune system..but not too long.. Drink a lot of tea's whatever your favorite may be. Try sleepy time tea before you go to bed, so u can sleep..

Things to expect while withdrawl :   The *****, sweats, memory loss, (maybe its perm. from my aspect of life so far..which is sad, - there are vitamins to help promote memory gain. Since i grew up in PA - FL and europe my whole life... I learned one thing from the polish / italian people... Take one shot of omega 3- 6 oil flax seed oil iin the morning ( this is for people with consitaption with taking pain pills too ..just so you all wanted to know) Its a long road ahead of you, get exercize DAILY this is a must, you need to sweat out toxins.. I quit cold turkey and never looked back, this is how it worked for me.. like i said.. I took vitamins, i worked out, i ate good food, salads..fruits.. YOU NEED TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THIS, TO COMFORT YOU, most people say this is a suicide drug.. its prolly true! i could never skip out on life..so thatwasnt a factor for me. I am proud of all the poeple coming on here telling their stories and trying to help others.. I am trying to help as many people as possible.. now the OUTCOME of all this... I went back to college.. im at a standing 3.7 GPA in accounting tax specialist course.. on my way to get my C.P.A . Thank for the time if you read this. any questions just reply on here. Peace out my peeps - mark

[spicoli_0420]

Hello, I am having a difficult time weaning off Xanax and alcohol.  Also, what makes it worse is that I am on an island in the Pacific.  99% of the doctors don't speak English and pretty much I am on my own with this dilemna.  I initially took 2mg of Xanax for severe panic attacks then learned to love it.  It also cures hangovers.  I want to quit both but I know you can't just go cold turkey without serious dangers.  Anyone have any suggestions about slowly getting off both of these drugs safely without medical help?  Any info would help.  Thanks.

[JAZZYB04]

I have been taking xanax .25mg for the past 2mths, and today is my 12th day of quitting. I got in my second car accident this past Feb(09) and it shook me up a bit. The first car accident left one of my friends in a wheelchair and the others broke their necks. As for me I still have a cracked skull and that accident was in 2006. But any who I was feeling tightness in my chest and my head would start feeling tight whenever I tried to drive my car, so I stopped driving all together. This began to occur after my 2nd accident. The doc told me I was just having panic/anxiety attacks and prescribed me Xanax. Every since I stopped taking them I've been feeling nervous,hallucinating,not being sure if i'm in pain or just tripping, lost all interest in sex with my boyfriend, fast heartbeat(which the docs cant tell me whats causing this) and having trouble sleeping. I'm starting to think i'm losing my mind at age 23. I know .25  was a low dose, but I'm one whose doesn't take medicine so I feel that's why this medicine is taking such a major toll on me. HELP!!!!!!

[badboy77]

You're not going crazy! I'm on 0.25mg Xanax too and I'm trying to wean off it (Started at 1.5mg/day for about a month, then 1mg for a couple weeks, then 0.5mg for a couple weeks, now 0.25mg).  I was originally on 0.5mg Ativan twice a day for a few weeks due to panic attacks from a reaction to medication fiasco.  I quit cold turkey because like you I'd never taken any meds/drugs before, didn't like how the meds were affecting me, and didn't know about the possibility of quick dependency and withdrawals.  The next several weeks were hell and I had every symptom you have (except hallucinations).  Ativan is in the same family as Xanax (benzodiazepines aka benzos), but about half as strong.

Long story short--my opinion is that your going through withdrawal.  Everything I've read about Xanax withdrawal is to taper down slowly, stabilizing after each reduction before trying the next reduction.  Most docs, counselors and psychs will tell you that your symptoms are from anxiety, and if you control the anxiety your symptoms will disappear.  Many recommend anti-anxiety meds like Xanax as an 'easy' way to help your anxiety; but these meds can make things much worse over the long run.  My 'natural' panic attacks were nothing in intensity/duration compared to the med-induced ones.  I wished I'd never taken any of the meds prescribed.

Once you're off the Xanax for a while and things are under control, you can tackle your driving anxiety with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and non-drug methods like gradual exposure.  It's perfectly understandable that you'd become anxious driving after having a bad accident; but by gradually and comfortably getting back in the saddle you should be able to get back to driving again without having bad anxiety.

Best wishes--hopefully we can both get better soon.

[Rej2323]

I was taking xanax for a while i did not like the way the drug make me feel but it was helping me a lot...
I always needed my bottle on me for some odd reasons what I did it's put on the calendar a little cross for each xanax free day and set myself goal after a week get myself something nice after 2 weeks do something nice for me... Well it's been 7 months that I' m xanax free I give my doctor my bottle because i do not need it anymore.
Good luck
Rejane

[joeygirl62]

I have suffered from panic/anxiety/agoraphobia for 10 years. I do take prescriptions for it but I wanted to say one of the things that have helped the most is consistently going on a treadmill everyday for at least 10 minutes. You can buy one and set it up in front of your TV, something you would be doing anyway.  It has really taken the edge off my symptoms when I stick with it. Please try it, as someone who has tried all sorts of medicines, I promise  just this simple thing will make a difference. Walmart sells them for under 300 dollars.

[43432]

I have been on xanax for about 18 months now. For someone with chronic sleep problems it has been a lifesaver. I can't function on no sleep, especially as a teacher so it has helped me in that area. However, last night in bed after not taking xanax for a few nights (I take as needed) I had terrible nightmares which involved dizziness within the dream and also in my awake state once I woke up. Today I feel out of it and do not have any xanax here where I am staying. My dose has been .5 megs as needed. Once in a rare while I will take 2 in a night. Worried about my career if I stop and the long term effects. I also drink socially but never take xanax in the day time. I feel xanax makes me more cohesive and coherent in the classroom but worry about addiction. Thanks for any help.

[leavingAlprazolam]

I have been on alprazolam for about 2 years never knew it was addictive until a year after I started. I was taking up to 4 and sometimes 6 mg per day. When I ran out of my prescriptions I found out doctor had reduced dosage without telling me to 1 mg per day. Thats when I found out I was addicted. I couldnt sleep for a week and promply lost my appetite. I had the shakes and felt miserable. I ended up in the emergency room again begging for some sleep meds. Doctor then explained to me that he was going to taper me down. 1 year later I am down to .25 mg per night for sleep. The kicker is my sex drive seems to have disappered. theis is very important to me. I stopped smoking cigarettes and  taking alprazolam 6 weeks ago and found that melatonin helps me get to sleep.  My anxiety is not  bad and I have started jogging every day of the week between 2 and 4 miles each day. I just want my life back. drug free. I dont seem to be going through withdrawals. How long will it be before I can feel that I am off Alprazolam. How long before I  before my warm human connections return  

[cherylrev]

I was on xanax for four years.  Sometime during those four years, I crossed the line and started taking more than prescribed.  The xanax use got me to the point of a very bad depression (I could never get out of bed or even get the mail); I volunteered for ECT treatments for the depression and the funny part of that was the doctor never mentioned that xanax was the cause of my depression.  Finally at the end of my four years of use of xanax, I started mixing them with alcohol.  I flatlined (heart stopped) -- medics revived me!  Two days later, I entered a detox/rehab.  They weaned me off the xanax.  It's been five months now and I am suffering alot of Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms.  Panic attacks are frequent, feeling like I'm going insane, sweaty palms and feet etc.  I cannot wait for all these symptoms to go away.  I pray to God every day to help me.  One definite thing:  DO NOT TAKE XANAX  God Bless and Good Luck

[Kgc950]

XANAX IS NOT THE WAY TO GO!!! SEEK OUT HERBAL DRUGS THAT WILL HELP YOU RELAX AND KEEP YOU AWAY FROM ANXIETY. ALL ANXIETY IS CURABLE BY PROGRAMS AND COUNCILING.. NO DRUGS NEEDED. THERE ARE STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE WORST ANXIETY WHO TOOK MEDICINE AND IT MADE IT WORSE. MEDICINE MASKS THE REAL PROBLEM. AND COMING DOWN FROM THESE PILLS WILL MAKE YOU MORE ANXIOUS. IF YOU ARE HAVING ANXIETY DONT FALL TO THESE STUPID MEDS THAT HAVE WORSE SIDE EFFECTS THEN THE ANXIETY ITS SELF. STAY POSITIVE AND IT WILL PASS DONT TURN TO DRUGS HANG IN THERE AND LOOK AT PROGRAMS AND TRAIN YOURSELF NOT TO BE ANXIOUS. ANXIETY IS A BEHAVIOR NOT MENTAL. THESE STUPID PILLS SEEM TO BE MUCH WORSE THEN THE ANXIETY ITSSELF. ANXIETY WILL GO AWAY!!! YOU MUST HAVE THE CORRECT MIND SET. DON'T GIVE IN TO STUPID BENZOS IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY!!!

[Noelieboats]

I'm on Xanax 3 years suffereing post traumatic stress and GAD so they put me on Xanax just recently I was on Valium before that and nothing before that my question is this. I find the xanax are actually quiet good but don't last long in my system maybe 2 to 3 hours and when they wear off I have twice as much anxiety. I think I'm not sure but I'm sitting at my desk praying that nobody comes near me. I'm on .25 twice a day but already don't think it's enough and I'm only one them 2 weeks.

[Noelieboats]

My god you flatlines on Xanax? oh hell cause all my anxiety is heart based that has me very scared.