how to taper off xanax

[ccurci]

i would eventually like taper off my .5 mg of xanax.. (i dont want any substitutes) i have been taking every evening an hour before bedtime for about 1 year.. any advise would be helpful

thanks
camille

[Cherie762]

Your plan is very similar to mine so go with your own if more comfortable and please do look into the web site I mentioned, you should do fine.I used to suffer from insomnia and I went to a sleep disorder clinic to learn how to get over it, if this is the reason your taking xanax pm. heres some simple tips 1; exercise about 5 hrs prior to bed time, no caffine after 12 noon, take a hot bath 1 hr prior to bed, whenin bed if you dont sleep get out of the room go into a different room and read a boring book, you dont want to stimulate the mind. the bedroom is for 2 things sleep and sex. no tv or reading in bed.

If you taper off correctly you shouldnt have withdrawls, in fact many people take xanax to ease the withdrawls of harder meds while detoxing.

Remember mind over matter, you can do it, your dose is not that strong, If you taper off with your plan or mine or combine them you will be on the right track, and if you happen to fall asleep with out it no worries it will not cause your body harm,

Best of luck pm me and let me know how you are doing please, by the way I have been a thyroid patient for over 10 years, so if I can be of any help please dont hesitate, I have also worked with many ms patients,

Hypothrodism is usually easily treated with synthroid make sure your doctor runs a FULL tsh panel, symptoms of hypothryodism include drying of the skin, hair loss, lack of sexual desire, mild depression, vaginal dryness, and usually a goiter or enlarged thyroid which can be determined through a ultrasound of the neck. If you have a goiter they will usually do a fine needle biopsy,

[ccurci]

thank you for your help. my original plan is similar to what you wrote. you have comfirmed my plan. i truely appreciate it. how i was going to cut down originally was: 1/2 a pill alternating with a whole pil every other day (qod). for 2 weeks. then 1/2 pill every day for 2 weeks then 1/2 a pill QOD 2 weeks  then 1/2 pill every 2-3rd day (to get the brain adjusted)  and then as nessessary.

right now i am in the process of tapering down lamictal, so the xanax withdrawel wont be right away, i want to be completly off first for at least 6 weeks successfully..
its amazing when we are on medications we are brainwashed how we need it and truely much more difficult to get off.
i was a product of my medications from multiple sclerosis, ex iv solumedrol for a long time, as well not knowing that it can affect a hidden disorder so bad(hypothyroidism)  it caused some strange things.. i keep getting blood work frequently to make sure that it is functioning properly.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/thyroid-depression-mental-health/

camille

[Cherie762]

try this website labelmesane.com its very helpful about d/c meds

[kalmkidd]

what works for someone in 3weeks can take 3days 3months for another person. you dont know this person to know the time it will take for them. they also may not have someone watching over them, etc,, and this is not a site to give medication doses,etc its a site to share feelings, discuss, symptoms and offer support..

[Cherie762]

sorry to have stomped on your thread, you should be fine if you have any more doubts or questions type in tappering of xanax in the search medhelp box, you will likely be lead to the addiction community, this does not mean your a drug addict, its just a place to get a lot of good information about different medications. If you dont want to talk to your Dr. ask your pharmicist, they are usually vey open to talking to people.  god bless you can do it !!! Cherie

[Cherie762]

Oh by the way Shawn  Dr. Robert Gould in the addiction forum on  a post made by another writter agrees with me WOW a real doctor agrees with me tapering off night time xanax and in this case it was 1 whole mg should take no more than  3 weeks.I was being extra cautious and generous in my time frame.  keep on studying Shawn and be open to the idea that you dont know everything  and people on here have a vast aray of knowledge.

[Cherie762]

Dear Shawn I am not a doctor and this entire site is set up of people to help people .I am a medical professional licesed and all, not only that but .5 tablet of xanax  ( 1 per day ) is a very low dose and should be fairly easy to taper off of, I know this because Ive seen it done and I discontinued taking xanax myself. so Shawn based on your premise this entire web site should be closed down because most people on here oh about 99% are not doctors as is clearly stated several times through out. We who try to help not harm, offer opinion  and options meant to give the person asking questions some insite, I doubt if you would find a doctor saying my advice was false for such a very small dose. tapering off is the best way to get off xanax, and im betting the wqritters addiction is far more psychological than chemical. Good luck with your studies. And rest assured Ill take your advice under consideration, if people where at risk of being held libel I can assure you no one would try to help anyone on here, so Im sorry but you Shawn are wrong,

[kalmkidd]

im sorry cherie but your wrong a yr of a benzo especially xanax is gonna require a much longer process of tapering. and i also don't think you should give out this kind of advice you are no doctor and could cause someone harm and be held accountable.

Shawn(Student Psychotherapy and BH) DCC

[Cherie762]

try snapping the pills in 1/2 take 1/2 for 2 weeks every night at bedtime, then snap the pills into 1/4 take 1/4 every night for a week. then tak 1/4 every other night for a week , then you should be ready to stop.