weaning off Alprazolam for PVCs

[Abeybaby]

I feel that I am getting addicted to alprazolam as a means to deal with constant (daily) pvcs. Has anyone had any luck weaning off this meds or other benzos? Its hard dealing with pvcs and benzos have been one of the few ways in living with them.

[CollegeGirl143]

speak with your doctor, it is very important that you do not stop taking a medication you feel you are addicted to immediatly, the proccess needs to be overseen by your physician.

Being on a benzo is not the way to go.. its merely a cover up.. I know alot of forum members (including myself) have been down this road and realized its not the way to go... good luck!!

[fearfactor]

My advice is to wean of very, very slowly or you could have withdrawals which aren't pleasant and can make your anxiety immeasurably worse.  When I weaned off the last time I dropped the dose by about 1/4 pill every week.  I don't know how much your taking, but the withdrawal process can be a long one.  I truly believe it's best to do it slowly.  I'm going to be weaning off of 1 mg a day of the same drug.  I am not really looking forward to it but don't think it helps me (sort of like you).  Good luck in the process of getting off the meds!

[fearfactor]

P.S.  Once you're off Xanax, the temptation to start taking it again could be really strong.  I got completely off of it and stayed that way for a while, then started having panic attacks (which the Xanax really didn't stop that well anyhow, but hey it was like a crutch or the "placebo effect" I guess) I started back on Xananx - first I was just taking it when I had a panic attack.  Then, it got where I was taking it daily and now I'm back on it again.  I have tried cold turkey and wound up in the hospital with my heart beating about 150 bpm (fast for me!) and anxiety like you wouldn't believe.  I truly thought I was dying.  Go off it very slowly and you almost won't notice the withdrawal process, if you do notice it at all.  It was amazingly easy for me when I weaned off very slowly.  I plan on doing that again and will let you know how it goes.

[Abeybaby]

Tks for the advice. I was on .5 to 1 mg most days and some days during the wk not requiring anything at all. Yesterday I didn't take anything and I don't want to take anything today either although my pvcs are acting up no less during the days with no meds. No fast heart beat just pvcs...

I do not want to get addicted because its a bandage solution albeit somedays I will take the bandage to nothing at all. Pick your poison?

Tks for the advice. I am sure tommorow I will need to take something as I have a busy stress laden day comming up. What I would give for no pvcs or anxiety- perhaps a small fortune!

[karie31]

I know what you mean (unfortunately) about the pounding racing heart when trying to stop Xanax. The third day I was trying to WEAN myself off SLOWLY it started banging in my chest. I have been checked with EKGs and my heart is fine. I just have horrible anxiety and I hate feeling this way. I have decided that it is better to function and deal with this by taking the medication. It was an awfully hard decision, but I am better off under control than out of control and not being able to cope. You are not alone. Karen