Xanax for years

[Hopeful398]

My doctor prescribed me Xanax during a very hard time in my life.  I started having panic attacks and she saw it as a solution.  It was a helpful one.  Years later, I'm still on the drug.  I take .25 3 times a day.  I don't believe I have anxiety problems anymore at all, but I know I'm addicted to the drug.  I regret ever starting it and I feel ashamed for taking it.  I suffer major withdrawal without it and, as much as I hate taking it, fear life without it.  My current doctor recommended Paxil to help get me off of Xanax, but I'm a strong person and I feel it is replacing one drug with another.  Anyone in the same boat?  I hate that I am dependent on something I don't believe I need any longer.

[Hopeful398]

Thanks for all of the responses.  I recently visited and talked with my doctor.  She is a different doctor than the one who originally prescribed the Xanax.  She agreed with me that I have been on them too long and, like everything I've read, said I can't do it alone.  I'm currently taking Lexapro given to me by her and will soon be able to lower my daily intake of Xanax, but was told I'll need to be on the Lexapro for 6 months or so.  I'm glad I'm moving in the right direction.  Thanks again to all!  Hope all is well.

[tamtam326]

Please Please Please be careful! I was on xanax and quit all the sudden and had 2 seizures in one day. I had to leave work in an ambulance because I had the first one at work in front of all the customers then I had another one at the hospital. It was awful. I almost bit my tongue off! The hospital had me in the crazy room because they had no clue what was wrong with me because I told them I didnt know what was causing them even though I had a good idea. Please watch out coming off of them. Especially driving. I dont take them anymore because im in a methadone clinic but I still think about them. Hope the best for ya!

[mr.lucky66]

Docs are lazy and often incompetant. It's easier to just give you more dope which is what xanax is in my opinion. It was approved by the FDA on false research and has since to shown to cause panic attacks in many cases. The good news is that you are on a small dose and should be able to get off a lot easier. all the best

[raycharlesfreak]

URL correction:

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm

...for Dr. H. Ashton's method of systematic benzo use tapering.  

[BornTwoRiff]

I was on 4 purple a day or 4-2mg a day.. Its a really good medication when one needs it but gosh its a 2 edge sword. My doctor just have me pop them in half and SLOWLY wean off it.. At then end to get me off last dose I had to go on Klonopin. It seemed to have a longer half like and did not get so shakey when time for a dose came. After that I began to wean off the Klopopin. I do still take 1-2mg Klonopin for sleep .. If you dont need them anymore just tell her( your doctor ) and start slowly coming off. Don't rush it.. Everyday and every 1/2 dose you dont take you will feel better and proud of yourself.. Start soon.. Before you know it you will be down to 2 a day ..then 1..

[kimmieb]

I agree with everyone here.  Do speak honestly to your doctor.....and know that getting off  of a benzo (like xanax) can be LIFE THREATENING if not done properly (i.e,. SLOWLY over a period of time) and under a doctor's supervision.

Yes, do check out benzo. org. Also, check out a program called The Road Back.  You can google it.  It's a great program for getting off of benzos.  

I, too, have been on lorazepam (ativan, which is a benzo like xanax) for YEARS as a sleep aid.  I know it's not gonna be easy to get off of them, but I AM doing that under the care of a knowledgeable doctor right now.

Good luck to you!!

~K.

[raycharlesfreak]

I agree with tret24.  Here is the best info available on benzo withdrawal:

benzo.org

or..  google:  Dr. Heather Ashton

She is THE authority on the subject.  Taper is the key.. and like tret24 mentions, diazepam is the one to use.   I did it and it took about two weeks of symptomatic withdrawal before I finally broke through it to tolerable levels.  You just have to constantly keep in mind that everything you're feeling is related to the w/d process.  Not easy when everything seems to "hurt" in some way.  Good luck.

[tret24]

def. talk to your doctor..if you have been on it for a long time like 6 months or more you might need to do a taper schedule with a longer lasting benzo like diazepam or clonazepam to ease the withdrawal from the xanax. it wont take to long maybe a month or two but youll feel better than ever without all of them

[toxictome]

I agree, talk with your Dr. about it.  There's no shame in trying to get off of the drugs. You are making a positve step.  Good luck

[Hopeful398]

Thank you for your comment and your advice.  I appreciate you taking the time.  I'm scared and hate asking for help, but I hate the dependence I have.  I will be honest with my doctor.

Take care and have a great weekend.

[IBKleen]

Hello and Welcome.

Please speak with your doctor and get honest with him/her. they can help you with a taper plan to get off of the meds. If you are addicted, you will need help. Good Luck.