Aa
xanax tapering
I take .5mg of xanax 4 times per day. I was having major panic attacks and the doctor put me on it. It has now been 4 years!!! I now take it because if I do not take it, I get withdrawal symptoms. The last time I saw the doc she tried to switch me to tranxene because it is a longer acting benzo and would be "easier to taper off of" but I felt awful and still had withdrawal symptoms. So she switched me back to xanax and gave me a referral for a psychiatrist. I would really like to taper off of xanax. How do I do this???
You might want to consider consulting with a PMM, (Psychiatric Medication Manager) to help you w/d from the Xanax. Even tho you were on a small dose, the length of time you were on it is the more relevant issue.
You and the PMM can discuss if you want off benzos altoghether or if you want to switch to a longer acting one such as Klonopin. After 4 years you will need to taper very slowly from the Xanax. If you decide to switch to a longer acting benzo, the PMM, AND you, will devise a taper plan where you will "step out" very small doses of the Xanax and "step in" an equivalant dose of whichever med you have decided on. To make this crossover as comfortable as possible, it must be done very gradually and sometimes you will need to stay at a lowered dose longer than the plan may call for. But if you rush the cuts, then you run into trouble. PMMs will go at YOUR pace and that is the best and most successful way.
PMMs can sometimes be difficult to find, but call around to psychiatric clinics and see if they have one on staff. If not, perhaps they can recommend one for you. You do not have to be a client at these clinics to take advantage of their services as they don't do "therapy" with their med patients. (Some will but that is usually between you and the PMM)
I would suggest some therapy to get to the root cause of your anxiety, though. Something is causing it and while meds will appear to make it go away, they are only masking the symptoms.
I don't mean to suggest you should not use your doctors referral to a psychiatrist. He or she may be very good at managing meds and you could get your taper going and begin to deal with the anxiety at the same time.
Couple of options to think about.
I wish you the best.
Peace
Greenlydia
You and the PMM can discuss if you want off benzos altoghether or if you want to switch to a longer acting one such as Klonopin. After 4 years you will need to taper very slowly from the Xanax. If you decide to switch to a longer acting benzo, the PMM, AND you, will devise a taper plan where you will "step out" very small doses of the Xanax and "step in" an equivalant dose of whichever med you have decided on. To make this crossover as comfortable as possible, it must be done very gradually and sometimes you will need to stay at a lowered dose longer than the plan may call for. But if you rush the cuts, then you run into trouble. PMMs will go at YOUR pace and that is the best and most successful way.
PMMs can sometimes be difficult to find, but call around to psychiatric clinics and see if they have one on staff. If not, perhaps they can recommend one for you. You do not have to be a client at these clinics to take advantage of their services as they don't do "therapy" with their med patients. (Some will but that is usually between you and the PMM)
I would suggest some therapy to get to the root cause of your anxiety, though. Something is causing it and while meds will appear to make it go away, they are only masking the symptoms.
I don't mean to suggest you should not use your doctors referral to a psychiatrist. He or she may be very good at managing meds and you could get your taper going and begin to deal with the anxiety at the same time.
Couple of options to think about.
I wish you the best.
Peace
Greenlydia
I compleatly agree with you rilesnic.
If anxiety is so easy to control mentally why dont teach children yonger to cope with fear before it turns in to anxiety. I have been trying to get my kids school and there Dr's to comuincate better so my kids dont have to deal with an anxiety disorder when they get older but unless your child has already become seriously anxious they dont want to do anything for the child. Prevention is always better than cure and why cant schools and Dr's help parents like me who are asking for the help and listen to the advice as well. Instead I have notice a lot people how dont want help getting offered so many services that they cant be bothered using properly.
If anxiety is so easy to control mentally why dont teach children yonger to cope with fear before it turns in to anxiety. I have been trying to get my kids school and there Dr's to comuincate better so my kids dont have to deal with an anxiety disorder when they get older but unless your child has already become seriously anxious they dont want to do anything for the child. Prevention is always better than cure and why cant schools and Dr's help parents like me who are asking for the help and listen to the advice as well. Instead I have notice a lot people how dont want help getting offered so many services that they cant be bothered using properly.
sable77...have you thought about seeing another doctor? There has to be a way for you to safely come off the xanax and if your current doctor can't help, surely another can. I'm so sorry you are having this problem, but you hang in there...see the psychiatrist your doctor has recommended, maybe he/she can help you with your transition. Please make sure you taper off under a doctor's care. Best to you!
Mum2four...the doctors here are quite puzzling when it comes to anxiety and panic disorders. I think b/c the disease is not fully understood, it makes it difficult to treat. So many people suffer and so many people have such different reactions to meds...I also think doctors are quick to blame everything on anxiety which in turn causes more anxiety b/c people don't get their peace of mind that they are truly ok. I'm waiting on the cure to anxiety and panic so.... if you guys figure it out, let me know :) Best to you as well!
Mum2four...the doctors here are quite puzzling when it comes to anxiety and panic disorders. I think b/c the disease is not fully understood, it makes it difficult to treat. So many people suffer and so many people have such different reactions to meds...I also think doctors are quick to blame everything on anxiety which in turn causes more anxiety b/c people don't get their peace of mind that they are truly ok. I'm waiting on the cure to anxiety and panic so.... if you guys figure it out, let me know :) Best to you as well!
Why were you not put on an Anti D for your anxiety and panic. I dont get why american Dr's prescribe benzo's which are so addictive. I'm on Luvox 200mg and I have benzo(nitrazepam 5mg) but I use a 1/4 for a panic attack.
I see it all the time from other countries and dont understand why. I'm curious about why benzo and NOT anti D's? Does anyone know.
I see it all the time from other countries and dont understand why. I'm curious about why benzo and NOT anti D's? Does anyone know.
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