How to get off xanax

[shabuki]

I have been taking 0.5 mg of xanax daily for about 7 months now.  I have tried to stop taking it all together and my first try lasted about 36 hours when I became very nervous and jittery.  When I took the xanax it took over 2 hours to kick in and help calm me down.  My doctor has prescribed this dosage for up to 3 times a day to help with the discomfort of dystonia (involuntary movements of my tongue and jaw which is treated with botox injections every 90 days).  The last few days - 4 or 5, I start getting jittery in mid afternoon and feel like I could jump out of my skin.  I feel this is my body craving more xanax but I don't want to increase the dose as I really want to get off of it once and for all.  Any suggestions?  What is a normal dose that is prescribed?  I also have mood swings from time to time and have experience depression, which is more related to the dystonia than the xanax.  Doctor prescribed prozac which I did not take as according to the internet could cause dystonia or if you have it, could make it worse.  This was for the mood swings.  Can't take that chance.  Just help me get off the xanax.

[Jade59]

Go to Ryans profile and click on his posts.  

[shabuki]

The anxiety started after I developed the dystonia.  I think with having the involuntary movements of my jaws and tongue was about to drive me up the wall...and of course, started some pretty heave anxiety.  however i was able to control than with xanax on an "as need" basis.  But with last two botox injections the anxiety has increased.

Will take your advice tho and ck and work with my M.D. and do it slowly.  Right now I am only taking 0.5 one time a day.

[shabuki]

Ryan.....xanweaner says you have some good info on tips of getting off xanax.  How do I find your comments.
Shabuki

[shabuki]

Thanks for your input and encouragement.  I will look for other messages too.
Shabuki

[xanweaner]

I am sorry to hear about your dystonia but I'm glad that you are getting good results with botox. Did your anxiety come before you had botox or after you have been receiving injections?

Re: the xanax weaning...first off, you need to do this with your prescribing Dr. He/she will help you establish a schedule of tapering down. DO NOT STOP taking the xanax abruptly - that is not the way to do it.
In the meantime, you can do a search for xanax withdrawing on this site. There are many ways to approach this....it varies from one expert to another. Some people prefer doing it with another benzo. to carry you through the process. Others, like me, prefer to do it alone - without a substitute benzo.
I'm currently at your dosage level - .5mg. per day, taken in 4 doses. But, I've been withdrawing from this since Oct. when I was taking 2 mg./day in the long-acting form.

So, I can offer you what I have learned so far which is: work with your Dr., take your time, be prepared for some rough times - they will pass -, and read everything that you can to help you decide the best way to go. Also, there is some great info. on this site from Ryan who posts as RCA. Read some of his info. - very helpful!

Good luck on your weaning...