Aa
Am so Scared!
Made decision to wean off Xanax after 26 yr use. Appt. with Psych. in 10 days. Am now on 4mg per day and not sleeping for past month. Have been using Benadryl to help with sleep with less than optimal results. 5 months ago I successfully weaned myself off a 10 year use of 100 mg Zoloft with no help from a doctor. It was hard, but in doing so, I had to go up on my Xanax from 3 to 4 mg. I knew the Xanax was the next feat I needed to accomplish.
Here are my fears: I am afraid the Psych may want to put me back on an SSRI or other antidepressant, which I DON'T want, as my head feels so much more clear since weaning off the Zoloft. Besides, it was doing me no good anyway as I am not depressed, just anxious. Secondly, I have been doing a lot of reading online and I am terrified of withdrawal symptoms from Xanax. What if the doctor wants to suddenly switch me to Klonopin or Valium overnight--it is my understanding that at my dosage of Xanax, a sudden switch could be deadly and cause severe withdrawal. I read the Ashton Manual and would like to use that technique, but understand there are so few doctors who are willing to use that. I know doctors don't like patients who come in telling them what they want and what they know. They all seem to have a God complex. So I am really dreading this consultation.
Anyone have any suggestions who has been in my position? Anything , anything would be appreciated!!!!! Thank you!!!!
Here are my fears: I am afraid the Psych may want to put me back on an SSRI or other antidepressant, which I DON'T want, as my head feels so much more clear since weaning off the Zoloft. Besides, it was doing me no good anyway as I am not depressed, just anxious. Secondly, I have been doing a lot of reading online and I am terrified of withdrawal symptoms from Xanax. What if the doctor wants to suddenly switch me to Klonopin or Valium overnight--it is my understanding that at my dosage of Xanax, a sudden switch could be deadly and cause severe withdrawal. I read the Ashton Manual and would like to use that technique, but understand there are so few doctors who are willing to use that. I know doctors don't like patients who come in telling them what they want and what they know. They all seem to have a God complex. So I am really dreading this consultation.
Anyone have any suggestions who has been in my position? Anything , anything would be appreciated!!!!! Thank you!!!!
Hi Gasten I have weaned off Xanax a couple times and I totally believe I. The Ashton method. Valium has the longest half life of any benzo so it makes the taper easier. There is another great site called ************ that helped me. I came off completely last may but unfortunately I've gone back off and on the opiates and used the Valium to withdraw. I've weaned off it again recently. I wish you the best. I tapered slowly off Xanax in the 90's and it was doable. Some drs also use phenobarbital.
Morning Gasten,
First, you need to relax about your upcoming appointment. Don't worry about what has yet to be. It's been a while, but the psychiatrist I dealt with was very sympathetic to my concerns, and even though they really like to see their patients on SSRI's - mine listened to me when I made it clear that I was not going to go that route. Not that SSRI's are necessarily bad, I just didn't like them for me, and people who are on them tend to be on them for a long time.
I didn't taper off of xanax, I started with xanax and then switched over to Klonopin while going through therapy, and I was weaned off of that. My max dosage was about 3 mgs a day. I was on it for about 9 months, and tapered off of it while still doing the biofeedback I mentioned above.
Your dose isn't THAT high, but you've been on it a long time as you well know. We can't give tapering advice here, as it is against Medhelp's policy. When you meet with your doctor, tell her that you want to go VERY slowly with your taper. And definitely discuss with her about whether you should be switched over to a longer acting benzo at this time, and what your concerns are. If she's a good doctor, she'll understand and sympathize.
With tapering, I will say, the slower you take it now, the less you will feel your withdrawals, as you're giving your body and mind more time to adjust to the lower dose. And in the long run it's better, because the likelihood of anxiety coming back will be lessened once you're off of the meds completely.
Make sure you bring up the anxiety you're feeling now - at 4mg of xanax, it doesn't seem to be helping much - I imagine it's due to the length of time you've been on it and because xanax has such a short half life. If you really like the idea of the Ashton approach, tell her - it's really nothing different than we've already mentioned - you would just be switching to valium instead of another benzo. I would bring the Ashton information with you to your appointment.
Last, just really stress to your doctor how important it is to go SLOW on this taper - make sure she knows how long you've been on xanax. If it falls on deaf ears and she tells you to just do a quick taper or God forbid cold turkey, I'd find another doctor.
Well wishes to you....
Sandy :)
First, you need to relax about your upcoming appointment. Don't worry about what has yet to be. It's been a while, but the psychiatrist I dealt with was very sympathetic to my concerns, and even though they really like to see their patients on SSRI's - mine listened to me when I made it clear that I was not going to go that route. Not that SSRI's are necessarily bad, I just didn't like them for me, and people who are on them tend to be on them for a long time.
I didn't taper off of xanax, I started with xanax and then switched over to Klonopin while going through therapy, and I was weaned off of that. My max dosage was about 3 mgs a day. I was on it for about 9 months, and tapered off of it while still doing the biofeedback I mentioned above.
Your dose isn't THAT high, but you've been on it a long time as you well know. We can't give tapering advice here, as it is against Medhelp's policy. When you meet with your doctor, tell her that you want to go VERY slowly with your taper. And definitely discuss with her about whether you should be switched over to a longer acting benzo at this time, and what your concerns are. If she's a good doctor, she'll understand and sympathize.
With tapering, I will say, the slower you take it now, the less you will feel your withdrawals, as you're giving your body and mind more time to adjust to the lower dose. And in the long run it's better, because the likelihood of anxiety coming back will be lessened once you're off of the meds completely.
Make sure you bring up the anxiety you're feeling now - at 4mg of xanax, it doesn't seem to be helping much - I imagine it's due to the length of time you've been on it and because xanax has such a short half life. If you really like the idea of the Ashton approach, tell her - it's really nothing different than we've already mentioned - you would just be switching to valium instead of another benzo. I would bring the Ashton information with you to your appointment.
Last, just really stress to your doctor how important it is to go SLOW on this taper - make sure she knows how long you've been on xanax. If it falls on deaf ears and she tells you to just do a quick taper or God forbid cold turkey, I'd find another doctor.
Well wishes to you....
Sandy :)
Hi Sandy,
Thank you so much for your input and concern. It really helps and means so much!
The main reason I am so anxious about this interview with the psychiatrist (my first ever) is that I have been on this drug for so LONG, and am now at such a high dose. Therefore I am afraid of awful withdrawal symptoms that someone on a lesser dose who had been taking it for less time would not have. Also, I am afraid of a pushy doctor who won't listen to my concerns and will force a rapid detox on me. I actually have come to obsessing about this interview with her now and my anxiety has greatly increased just because of this. My mind goes over and over with the worst case scenarioes of how the consultation will go.
I have had complete insomnia for the past two months and have been using benadryl to try to help sleep with little results. Of course the added worrying about the withdrawal from xanax is adding to it and making me even more anxious. I recently realized I had increased my thyroid medicine a few weeks before the time the insomnia started and thought maybe that is the cause of it. The doctor who prescribes it said to stop it for at least a week to test it to see if that is the cause. That is why I delayed my appt. with the psych for 10 days.....so I would be able to rule that out. So far, though, no change. Of course, I know the worrying and anxiety about the upcoming consult is not helping. I panic thinking how would I find another doctor fast if this one doesn't work out? (No other doctor will work with me on the weaning and my internist refuses to do it herself).
How much Xanax were you taking when you weaned off? I know you said you were not on it that long, either. Any more thoughts? Again, I appreciate your concern!!!! and Thank You!!!
Thank you so much for your input and concern. It really helps and means so much!
The main reason I am so anxious about this interview with the psychiatrist (my first ever) is that I have been on this drug for so LONG, and am now at such a high dose. Therefore I am afraid of awful withdrawal symptoms that someone on a lesser dose who had been taking it for less time would not have. Also, I am afraid of a pushy doctor who won't listen to my concerns and will force a rapid detox on me. I actually have come to obsessing about this interview with her now and my anxiety has greatly increased just because of this. My mind goes over and over with the worst case scenarioes of how the consultation will go.
I have had complete insomnia for the past two months and have been using benadryl to try to help sleep with little results. Of course the added worrying about the withdrawal from xanax is adding to it and making me even more anxious. I recently realized I had increased my thyroid medicine a few weeks before the time the insomnia started and thought maybe that is the cause of it. The doctor who prescribes it said to stop it for at least a week to test it to see if that is the cause. That is why I delayed my appt. with the psych for 10 days.....so I would be able to rule that out. So far, though, no change. Of course, I know the worrying and anxiety about the upcoming consult is not helping. I panic thinking how would I find another doctor fast if this one doesn't work out? (No other doctor will work with me on the weaning and my internist refuses to do it herself).
How much Xanax were you taking when you weaned off? I know you said you were not on it that long, either. Any more thoughts? Again, I appreciate your concern!!!! and Thank You!!!
Hi gasten,
I've had a fair amount of experience with different benzodiazapines. I understand and relate to your fears. I had my first full blown panic attack 5 years ago at age 22. I was treated by a Psychotherapist who initally put me on xanax and then switched me over to Klonopin since it is a longer acting benzo. I went through 9 months of biofeedback and then tapering -if you want more info about the biofeedback therapy I'll be happy to message you about it or post another comment.
I'm not a medical professional, but I wouldn't worry about being switched from the xanax to klonopin or valium. I know the xanax has a short half life, but it shouldn't be a problem switching from one to the other. Your doctor could overlap them for a day or 2 if he thinks it's necessary.
I agree with you about Psychiatrists and SSRI's - I had to be firm with the psychiatrist who was overseeing my psychotherapy that I had no interest in anti-depressants. - I did give them a try for a few days, but did not like them and I didn't think they'd be of any help to me. So you just have to put your foot down - it's your body and you have every right to say no, regardless of what your doctor thinks.
One medication that may help while you taper which I used is Gabapentin. It's designed to help people with nerve pain but it has a very calming effect. I don't believe it's addictive - I say this because some people find just about anything addictive, but it's not considered a controlled substance.
I personally don't take the Ashton manual as Gospel. In my opinion, the author's main purpose seems to be switching to valium because of the difference in dosing, hence it's easier to break the tabs into smaller amounts. (There is some flawed information there, but alot of people seem to really like her approach).
I have to run right now, but I just wanted to give you my quick 2 cents.
If you have any other questions, or want me to clarify something, just post, and I can answer again in a while, or feel free to PM me.
Good luck to you...I know benzos can be a pain in the a$$.
Sandy :)
I've had a fair amount of experience with different benzodiazapines. I understand and relate to your fears. I had my first full blown panic attack 5 years ago at age 22. I was treated by a Psychotherapist who initally put me on xanax and then switched me over to Klonopin since it is a longer acting benzo. I went through 9 months of biofeedback and then tapering -if you want more info about the biofeedback therapy I'll be happy to message you about it or post another comment.
I'm not a medical professional, but I wouldn't worry about being switched from the xanax to klonopin or valium. I know the xanax has a short half life, but it shouldn't be a problem switching from one to the other. Your doctor could overlap them for a day or 2 if he thinks it's necessary.
I agree with you about Psychiatrists and SSRI's - I had to be firm with the psychiatrist who was overseeing my psychotherapy that I had no interest in anti-depressants. - I did give them a try for a few days, but did not like them and I didn't think they'd be of any help to me. So you just have to put your foot down - it's your body and you have every right to say no, regardless of what your doctor thinks.
One medication that may help while you taper which I used is Gabapentin. It's designed to help people with nerve pain but it has a very calming effect. I don't believe it's addictive - I say this because some people find just about anything addictive, but it's not considered a controlled substance.
I personally don't take the Ashton manual as Gospel. In my opinion, the author's main purpose seems to be switching to valium because of the difference in dosing, hence it's easier to break the tabs into smaller amounts. (There is some flawed information there, but alot of people seem to really like her approach).
I have to run right now, but I just wanted to give you my quick 2 cents.
If you have any other questions, or want me to clarify something, just post, and I can answer again in a while, or feel free to PM me.
Good luck to you...I know benzos can be a pain in the a$$.
Sandy :)
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