xanax question

[akitagurl12]

Hi, I am in the middle of detoxing from vicodin.  I already know what to expect with this.  However, I finally admitted to myself that I am addicted to xanax as well.  I have been taking it on and off, (mostly on) everyday for about 2 years.  Usually it is .25 mg, but I have been taking up to 2 mg lately, ever since I decided to quit the vicodin.  I am not feeling right, and I am finding that I am starting to really crave the xanax.  So I want to stop taking it too.  My question is this, what possible withdrawal affects should I expect from xanax?  
Any feedback would be helpful.  These pills will NOT be the end of me. :)

[Gasten]

Hi,
I have been taking Xanax for 26 years and am currently in a taper program, so I think I can tell you what to expect.

First, You MUST not rapidly withdraw from this drug!  No matter what the doctor tells you!  I have found most doctors are not aware of the dangers of withdrawal from benzos, and the exact rate of taper needed.

I would Google the Ashton Manual where sample taper charts are given.  Dr. Ashton is a world-renowned psychiatrist famous for her work with benzos and the tapering process.  There is probabaly a chart there you could download based on 2 mg of Xanax a day.  So you could slowly wean off the Xanax alone, OR you could transition to a longer lasting benzo such as Valium or Klonopin, (thereby lessening withdrawal effects) and then taper off that.  Those options are also given on the Ashton Manual.

Bottom Line:  Go Slowly.  Read up on the Ashton Manual and familiarize yourself with it.  If you wean slowly enough, you should not have too many problems with withdrawal.  If you can, take a chart you downloaded from the manual with you to the Dr.'s office to show him/her and ask if you can follow that guideline.

Good luck to you, and keep us posted!

[sandstone27]

You did the absolute BEST thing in making that appointment.  Work out a taper plan with your doctor regarding the xanax.  One thing I've found from others who have posted here - not all doctors are savvy when it comes to detoxing from xanax.  Make sure you tell him you want to do a SLOW taper - It may take a month or two or longer - that's as much as I can say on the forum.  Hopefully your doctor will be familiar with benzos and will understand this.  You can message me if you have any questions.

Proud of you for going to the doctor - it takes courage to admit that you need help.  Keep us updated and let us know how the appointment goes.

And a BIG congrats on Day 6 off of the Vicodin!

Well wishes to you....

Sandy ♦

[akitagurl12]

Hi:)  Thank you for asking.  I am starting to feel alittle better.  I am keeping the xanax down to no more than .50mg because it has been helping with sleep. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone to use, but since I was already addicted to it, I couldn't get myself to go thru anymore w/ds besides the vicodin. I did make an appointment with my doctor & i plan to just admit it to her and see what to do.  At this point I have no more shame. Still going strong with not taking vicodin.  Day 6 today. I have moments where I freak out mentally because I am so scared of relapsing.  In all the years of me being addicted to it, I have never stayed off it for longer than a couple of weeks.  I just don't think I have another quit in me if I fail this time.  

[sandstone27]

Good morning,

How are you feeling this morning?  
Drop us a note so we know how you're doing....

S.

[sandstone27]

Hi again,

In your first post you stated that you're starting to crave the xanax - in all probability it is helping you with the vicodin withdrawals.  Benzos will keep the anxiety at bay and make detoxing a bit easier, and as you know, will help you to sleep.  .50 mgs is still a low dose, but it sounds like you've been taking the xanax almost daily .25, then up to 2mg for a time and now .50 for about 2 years.  It's the 2 years that concerns me.  Are you in a position to go to a doctor and discuss this with him or her?  

It would be best as I've mentioned before if you had a doctor on board to help you with the xanax - even at .50 mgs you will still need to taper - you cannot just stop.  Let us know what your situation is.  You can PM me if you want.   Just don't CT the benzos.  

Sandy

[akitagurl12]

Thank you Sandy:)  I am embarassed to say that like the vicodin, I am not getting the xanax from a doctor.  For the last week or so, I have been taking no more than .50mg of it, mainly to sleep.  I am taking them from my roommate, and I have to stop not only for my health, but also because once he realizes how many are gone, he is going to freak out.  I know it isn't right, but when it comes to pills, something takes over me and I do things that I normally would not do....like steal other people's medication or buy it illegally.  I am on day 5 with no vicodin  and I am starting to feel somewhat better, but from past experiences, I know I have a long road ahead of me. Xanax is a different story.  I don't have any experience with this drug and that scares me, especially with seizures and stuff.  What a mess:(

[sandstone27]

Hi there,

Quitting benzodiazapines is different than detoxing from opiates.  Tapering is a must with xanax or any other benzo, as there is a risk of seizure and/or other serious side effects.  

Is your doctor presribing these to you?  I ask because it would be best if you had a doctor in the loop to work out a tapering plan with you.  Whatever you do, DONT quit cold turkey.    We cannot offer tapering information here at Medhelp, but there are several websites that offer tapering plans.  

I would strongly recommend talking to a doctor;  you've been taking them for a long time  - how long ago did you increase your dose to 2 mgs?  .25mgs is a really low dose, and you could probably just taper from the xanax;  but if you've been at 2mgs for a fairly long time, you may want to switch to a longer acting benzo like valium or klonopin and taper from one of these meds instead.  Their half life is much longer and it will make tapering easier.

Post back so we have an idea about what your situation is regarding what I wrote above.  I'm glad you posted!

Well wishes to you...

Sandy ♦

[gunn73]

i don t know much about benzos ...... i quit heroin but the w/ds would mostly be similar to opiates only. u would feel anxiety, detachment, depression, insomnia, extreme mood swings, muscle pain, extreme weakness, sweating and fluctuating body temperature, low appetite, numbness, heart palpitation, dizziness, vertigo, etc.
but i feel life on drugs is even worse than all this cos these w/ds r temporary and would be there for sometime but will subside eventually.
it s not easy to deal with w/ds but no pain no gain.
i WISH U ALL THE BEST.
God bless u
take care ..... gunnu

[lal757]

        Xanax will cause very uneasy feelings anxiety, depression, its something you want to leave alone because when you quit taking them you will experience a lot of mental pain.