how to wean off xanax

I have been on xanax .25 for 6 months now the first few month I took the pills as needed now I take one every morning to get on the  rain to work sometime I take half of a half at night.  Please help me im worried about getting off my dose is .25 and another question if I don’t take it at night and say I took it for a week will it do anything to me even if I took my dose in the morning.

and can you give me your thoughts on buspar.  Thank you.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I don't quite understand your question, so here are some answers to what I think you are asking...buspar is a good anti anxiety medication, but not as effective as xanax....you are a good low dose of xanax and can use it either as needed, at night, or in the morning...no problem as long as you are not too sleepy after use in the morning...if you want to wean,do it over 3 weeks by using one pill every other day for two weeks, then every third for third week, then stop.

[MMahon]

I've been on xanax for 30+ years.  Same dose.  I need it so I don't consider myself addicted.  I have no desire to take more then necessary..it helps me. I take it mostly before bed but occassionally during the day.  
If it helps you, great.. be hapy for that.

[CARLAS429]

Thank you it does help me sorry i was confusing in my question i just feel like i dont need it everyday but people tell me i need to take it everyday if not i will get withdrawl (withdrawal) symtoms (symptoms) because ive taken for 3-4 moths every morning is that true.  Or can i just take it as need even if i skip two days when i feel ok.

[CARLAS429]

thank you MMahon:

it does help me im just scared when i feel ok and i dont want to take it that something will happen.  there are days i dont need it but they told me at CVS since i take it everymorning then i need to do that i cant miss a dose because i could have withdrawls.  i just want to take it now as needed.  can anyone help

[Jaquta]

I think what is being said is that withdrawal symptoms would be unlikely or would be kept to a minimum due to the low dose.  0.25 mg of Xanax isn't particularly high.  I think the three to four months would be more of a concern if the dose were higher.

I think, based on what the doctor wrote, that it would be OK for you to take it when you need it, even if you did miss a few days.
I'm a bit worried because he mentions sleepy.  Just be vigilant about how you are responding to any changes.

I don't know if taking a fraction of one to work with you would be an option.  More for reassurance than anything else.  Just in case something were to happen.
This is more about you regaining confidence than anything else.

I don't know what cvs refers too.

If you have any concerns your doctor would be the best person to talk too.  People, despite having good intentions, can get things wrong.

Psychotherapy may also be something else to look into.  It could give you another option.

[MMahon]

Jaquta gave some good advice.  If you feel well and aren't anxious then try skipping one dose.  You can take xanax 'as needed' and it's usually prescribed that way.
However the worry you express shows some degree of anxiety ... or anticipatory anxiety.
If you are always anxious then some xanax in your system does help.
If you need it, then you need it.  If you had high colesterol and your doc told you to take a statin for the rest of your life, you'd do it no questions asked.  You wouldn't worry about getting addicted to it.  AS LONG AS you followed the doc's directions.  I doubt a doc would prescribe you enough to get yourself addicted to it.  Most of the time it makes you sleep, how addictive is that??  :-)
Talk to your doc about these concerns...it'll be better coming from him/ner.  
I know what anxiety can do to a person and there are many ways to deal with it.
Perhaps your doc can help you with other ways if xanax is too worriesome to you.

Good luck

[CARLAS429]

thank you yes i started getting help and i feel likeim starting to understand why the anxiety strated happening but i dont want to think i always need to take xanax it does help me and im not going to stop it i just get scared of all the stories i hear.  and i feel like it can hurt me in other ways.

[MMahon]

I'm glad you are doing better!  The more you understand what's happening to you the better off you'll be.  
I've been taking tranquilizers for 30 years, xanax for the better part of that. I usually take 1 pill a day, sometimes 2 when needed.
Tranq's don't 'cure' the cause of anxiety but help you cope with it.  
For me, antidepressants helped my anxiety far more then xanax, but everyone is different and medicines affect people differently.
Keep looking for the right answers and you'll find them!

[CARLAS429]

thank you