Getting off of Xanax

[Bob641]

Hello, this is my first time in this site, and so far as I read looks very useful.
I have been using Xanax 2mg, up to 5 a day for over a year now, it was prescribed to my due to anxiety (2mg, 3 times a day), but I abused it.
I'm tryng to get ridd of  Xanax, so far I have been able to taper off to 4.5 mg a day over a period of more or less a month, but I have difficulties with sleeping, heart palpitations, migraine headaches and back&sholders muscle spams and pain.
I drink a lot more of water now, but still find difficult to continue with this system.
Should I keep tapering off the dosis by 0.50 mg less every two weeks or more time? I don't know what to do and I really want to get rid of Xanax. Could any other medication(non addictive) help me with this proccess?
Thanks in advance for your answers.

[Bob641]

Thanks FriaryGrad, I spoke to my shrink today, he is crazier than me, he tolde to start by cutting off half of a pill of 2mg for a couple of weeks, that is a lot!! I better stick with the recommendation of my general doctor: next prescribtion will be pills of 1mg, so I can start weaning off by 0.25 every two or three weeks or as long as my body adjust.None of them recommend me an alternate medication.

[FriaryGrad]

You're doing a great job monitoring what's going on with your feelings and telling the physicians; keep up the good work.  It's a lot easier to get addicted than it is to get off the medication, and it is important to do it under a doctor's supervision.  Take care of yourself and let us know how you're doing....I'll pray for you.....

[Bob641]

Sad, Avisg, I agree with you, I finally got the call from my doctor and he says I should take slowly over a long period. He will prescribe me 1 mg pills, instead of 2mg, therefore I can do more slowly, say .25mg off every two weeks. He also recommend me to talk to my physiquiatric doc and see with him if there is a safe  medication to help with the withdrawal, I'll call him tomorrow.

[avisg]

Bob I agree with sad you would be better off going down a 1/4 at a time slow and steady wins the race.

[sadinmichigan]

Hi Bob, I just wanted to say that i think you should only go down 1/4 mg every couple of weeks and as you get lower you should space the time in between a bit longer. I also weaned of xanax.I was taking @7mg/day. Just take your time and you'll be ok..

[Bob641]

I had severe withdrawal symptoms today, an hour ago: anxiety attack, migraine,heart pounding,sweating and severe shaking. I had to take an extra 1.5mg of Xanax, dammit.
Still waiting for the doctor's call.

[cheerios]

I'm in the same boat except worst.  I tend to up my amounts on w/e and I am like a up-down rollocoaster plus I'm taking sub for about 4 years - and not to mention that mixing the 2 can be deadly.  I see a shrink whom has converted me to Klonopin except I haven't told my generalist and I did use a re-fill of xanax promising myslef "just this once".  I hate this stuff so much and I am really in-over my head - I could take like 30mg a week.

Cheerios

[Bob641]

First, thanks to all of you that have replied for your advise. I had problems with my internet connection and now is back, therefore the delay.
On Saturday, after been two days at 4.5mg of Xanax, I had a severe anxiety attack, got too worried and stepped back to 5mg,now I still feel sick and is a nightmare, I called the doctor's office and he will call me back when he finish his appointments. I'll discuss with him at what pace should I reduce the Xanax and if is possible to take another prescribtion-non-addictive if possible- to help me with the withdrawal.
I'll keep you posted.

[avisg]

Worried is  correct Valium is used frequently to get off of short acting benzos .Dr ashton's site is great. I have some of her tapers in my journal feel free to take a look at them .
As for lyrica for benzo withdrawl I would discuss that with your doctor .I have never heard of anyone using it in that manner .

[worried878]

Actually valium is often used to taper off of xanax by doctors and is considerably weaker than xanax or ativan...weaker than klonopin too...it was the first benzo on the market for anxiety and was abused and receieved a bad name...it is addictive but not as strong as xanax..there is a chart in my journal listing comparisons of benzo doses

there is a site called benzo dot org dot uk that is very interesting

The doctor who prescribed u the xanax should be helping u with the taper..weaker benzos are often used to taper with...like temazepam, valium, librium...etc...keep posting

[seeksolice]

Librium? I didn't know that Librium was used as an aid to get off of narcotics.

Valium would only exacerbate his current situation, as valium is a bit stronger and longer lasting than Xanax, and also a benzodiazepine.  That would be like taking ocycontin to get off of oxycodone.  I think it would defeat the purpose and he'd have a new drug of choice to deal with.

[abby10]

Bob, librium are good, but i don't know if you can get them in small doses (under .5mg)
i don't know, but you can ask a doctor. valium are really good. 1/4mg reduction a week. go really slow. i tried the no pain no gain way to withdrawal and regreat it. it can cause permanent damage to the brain "really". i might have saved myself a lot of pain from "electrical" surges in my legs. be  aware that many doctors and even rehabs don't know how to handle xanax withdrawal. my doctor tried to give me xanax to withdrawal from xanax.
good luck

[seeksolice]

Hi Bob,

I successfully quit a xanax addiction a few years back with the help of my doctor.

He gave me a bunch of sample of Lyrica, 50mgs, and no joke, I had no withdrawals, nothing. I was off the xanax completely in two weeks.

Lyrica binds to the same receptors that Benzos do- only it is non addictive, non narcotic.  Lyrica is used to treat nerve pain.

I experienced sleepiness because Lyrica makes you very tired- kind of foggy.  But, as the doctor explained, when you trade Benzos for Lyrica, your body does not know the difference, which is why you can successfully stave off withdrawals if you take the Lyrica consistently for about a week or two.

I was taking about 3mg a day of Xanax for about 8 months I recall. Things back then are hard to remember.  But, I would definitely recommend seeking medical counsel regarding your detox from Xanax as the withdrawals can be painful and in some cases serious.

Good luck

[dammitol]

Bob641, I was on the Xanax/booze stagecoach about 6 years ago doing up to 20 mg/day plus a quart of vodka for tx. of anxiety. It is a nightmare, I know. On the bright side, if you really want to get off, it can be done, but follow the good advice from people who have successfully quit here. I quit cold-turkey, but that can be dangerous. Just seeing a picture of a xanax pill or seeing bottles of vodka in the store makes me physically ill. Feel free to contact me if you want someone to talk to.

[FriaryGrad]

I honestly think if you asked the doctor who prescribed them for you to help you with a withdrawal plan, he/she would do it, and in a safer way than you can do on your own. No physician is going to be shocked if you tell him/her that you increased your dose until you no longer feel you can withdraw without assistance.  It isn't easy to reach out for help,but you've done it here, and I think you can do it again.  A much older tranquilizer called Librium is used in drug withdrawal; I'm not sure why but apparently it works, and reduces the chances of seizures.  Please take care of yourself and check back soon for more specific help about Xanax......

[broknbck]

have you ever considered contacting the company that makes the drug and ask them?

[swtbreezie]

Hi and welcome.  Please be careful coming off xanax it can cause you to have seizures.  I would continue to taper although it is going to be hard and make you feel terrible.  5 per day is a lot.  Are you taking anything else?  Neurontin could possibly help you and it is non addictive.  Good luck I'll keep you in my prayers.  And someone who knows more than me will be along soon hang in there.
swtbreezie