Xanax

[Jendoll36]

I've been  prescribed  Xanax  for 16 years , I had switched Drs. and after a year my new dr drug tested me , I tested dirty for weed,  I enjoy a joint every now  and then , not all the time , well my dr took the Xanax away and will not help me wean off of them .... I now see a dr that will not  help me wean off  Xanax , he give me   aterax , it don't help , I told him this , I get  Xanax from friends so I don't feel the pain of withdraws,  I can't go into treatment , I have a mortgage to pay .... Don't know what to do .

[RubyWitch]

After 16 years on Xanax, you absolutely MUST be tapered off this medication slowly. That two separate doctors have refused to help you borders on malpractice. They know the risks of long term use and regardless of the dosage, stopping Xanax cold turkey could possibly cause you to have seizures.

You do know that after 16 years, the Xanax you are taking has totally lost it efficacy in helping you with your anxiety.....or whatever problem it was originally prescribed for. The only reason you are taking it now is to stave off withdrawal symptoms.

There is also medical based evidence now that taking Xanax for prolonged periods of time (and 16 years qualifies) is that you have a 50% greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Call the Physician Referral service at the hospital nearest you and tell them what is going on. They will recommend a doctor who will help you.

Many insurance companies can also help you find a doctor.

Urgent Care Clinics can also be a good source.

When you get yourself squared away and are on a good taper with the help of a doctor, I would suggest strongly that you call the AMA and ask how to file a complaint against the two doctors who refused to help you. Doctors can be censored for unprofessional behavior and these two definitely qualify. They can end up with marks against them and trust me........they do NOT want that.
The very first part of the Hippocratic Oath new doctors take is "FIRST DO NO HARM" Both of these doctors blatantly ignored that oath.

Getting off Xanax is going to be a rough road, one I have traveled myself, but it is SO worth it at the end. Don't let it hold you hostage any longer.

You WILL find help if you really want it.
I wish you the very best. Keep us posted and know you can always talk to us.

[Paxiled]

You should be doing this with a psychiatrist, I hope you are.  It would seem to me to be malpractice to abruptly cut you off of any drug that treats mental illness, as they all have withdrawal problems that can be come permanent for some unlucky people, and benzos are particularly needing caution as quitting them abruptly can cause seizures.  I also wonder about why you got drug tested -- I've been on drugs for mental illness for many many years and no doctor has ever drug tested me for anything.  You obviously need a new doctor, preferably a psychiatrist, but in the meantime I would leave a message for your doctor about how dangerous this is and that even if he or she doesn't want to treat you because they have a thing against pot, which is weird in and of itself, they need to keep you healthy until you find a different and more ethical doctor.  If it gets down and dirty, throw the malpractice word around, and mention the seizure possibility and how would the doctor like to be facing that in court.