off xanax

[adventureplus]

I took about .5mg xanax for around 2 yrs.I did not taper my dosage because I simply ran out 4 days ago.I took 2 sominex pills the first night and got some sleep,felt aweful the next day so tried herbal sleeping next night,no sleep at all,1 sominex the next night,a little sleep,nyquil the next,a little sleep,did not sleep at all last night.I do not want to contact a doctor for undisclosed reasons,please help what should I do,anxiety is mostly controlled since off for 4 or 5 days now but can`t function without sleep

[jakegorzen]

first of all NO ONE SHOULD EVER ABRUPTLY STOP TAKING ANY KIND OF BENZODIAZAPINE!

I highly suggest going to your Doc and asking them to put you on a longer lasting benzo to taper off from, to reduce risk of seizure, lack of sleep, and all of the above!
Your DR was wrong for putting you on Xanax for 2 YEARS! Xanax should only be used moderately for a period of up to 4 months.
Longer lasting benzos, such as klonopin "which Im on" are the suggested medicine for anyone that has to take a benzo longer, it also has A MUCH LONGER HALF LIFE meaning it will stay in your system for much longer, and is harder for your body to gain tollerance from, and it is easier to taper, and eventually quit taking a benzo.
Please go see your Doc, because it is very dangerous to just stop taking any kind of benzo, and I am a strong advocate for Klonopin despite what all the other people say about "withdraw" if you have to choose a devil, choose the lesser of the Devil.
In my opinion Klonopin has saved many lifes, and is a Godsend for people with Anxiety.

[adventureplus]

thanks for your help  unfortunately seeing a doctor is a total last resort for me for as I stated undisclosed reasons

[adventureplus]

Can someone give me advice of how to sleep while withdrawing from xanax,my issues are mainly that I cannot sleep,is there an over the counter sleep aid that works,sominex,herbal sleeping pills,nyquil,are not effective and seeing a doctor is not an option at this point.