Weaning off of Xanex

[ak1219]

I have been taking .25mg of Xanex for about 2 months in the morning. I started to wean myself off because my Zoloft is starting to kick in on Friday of last week. I changed my dosage to 1/2 of a pill. I've had some withdrawal and was wondering if anyone else has had this and how long the withdrawal lasted? Also I have a big fear about the seizure thing when stopping Xanex, is there a certain dosage that you have to be taking for that to be a bigger risk?

[freeamerica11]

Go to a doctor throw away ALL zanax!!!! Ask for a spin down on klonopin take EXACTLY like prescribed. Over in one week.Then NEVER allow another benzo into yer blood stream.I pray 4 u all.I have been clean off that stuff 4 a while now and my brain still wants them sometimes,I learned the pleasure centers of your brain will actually give u a panic attack in hopes u will reward it with more benzodiazapine.This may happen ten years later.The brain also gives opiate users pain that does not exist.It is the most complex thing on earth scientists still do not understand it.It is your friend and possibly your worst enemy.I believe in the native American story of 2 wolves fighting in the brain good and evil. The one you feed will be the winner.

[chico71]

I have been on xanax for 14 years. I now have found out that xanax can  be deadly. I want to live without having to worry about where i put my pills or do i have tham on me. I wish i would have known what i know now before they precribed them to me ,but i was suffering so bad with anxiety in my early 20s that i wonder what would be better the felling i had before xanax or the fellings i have now. I have never abused xanax and have always seen a phycologist and they have mentioned me tappering off, but they are fearful what might happen. It was explained to me that i have a desease and it is called severe anxiety. Or panic disorder. Just like a diabetic needs his incilin a person with aneity needs what helps them, in my case it ia xanax. I have lived healthy and happy. So if you need it take it. I have no heath problems .

[farley1954]

My gastroenterologist prescribed xanax for me about 2 years ago to help calm my anxiety with abdominal pressure.  The xanax worked great.  I never had tried going off of it because it seemed to work on helping me to relax and my abdominal muscles became relaxed.  About 4 months ago or so I started with mega-hangovers and ear ringing.  I had started seeing a therapist this year and when I told her about the hangovers I also told her about the Xanax.  That's when she told me it was an addictive drug.  I know I am lucky to only have taken 1 mg for a couple of years compared to some people.  I am in the process of weaning myself off.  I did 3/4 mg for a week, then 1/2 for a week and tonight will be my 2nd night on 1/4 mg.  I am a recovering alcoholic of 20 years and I know I would not have taken this "crap" if I knew of the addictive qualities.  I'm hoping by this time next week I will start to feel a bit better.  One day at a time.    

[makingitandhappy]

On Thursday May 20th I ran out of xanax.  I had been taking 2 mg bars twice a day for about 4 to 5 months.  I started out taking the xanax every now and then, as needed for anxiety...then before I knew it I was taking it it every day, then twice a day.  It just got out of hand.  When I couldn't get anymore, I thought I would be fine.  A week after I ran out and had to quit cold turkey, I started getting the shakes, hot and cold flashes, agitation, it was the worst pain I had ever been through.  I couldn't sleep, I would jump if anyone spoke loudly, I didn't want to leave the house.  I vomited, had diarrhea, I didn't eat for 4 days... it was the most painful thing that I have ever gone through.  I was so worried and I didn't even realize that I was addicted until I didn't have it anymore.  Words can not describe the mental and physical turmoil that I was in for at least a week and a half.  I finally went to the doctor...she put me on Hydroxyzine 3 times a day.  No it didn't help tremendously but it did take the edge off.  The point is that I am past the 3 week mark without xanax... I feel great.  SO MUCH BETTER!!  I have been living in a fog for almost half of a year.  I went on this website while I was in withdrawal thinking that I would find hopeful stories but what I found was the opposite.  I just wanted to put something positive on this board.  If you are on Xanax and you are not addicted, STOP TAKING IT or TRY TO GET OFF WITH THE HELP OF A DOCTOR!  Xanax is POISON!  If I could go back, I would've never taken the stuff.  Trust me, you think that you need it but eventually you stop caring about the things that are MOST important to you and before you know it you're addicted to the stuff.  GET OFF OF IT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!  You will be so happy you did.  YOU CAN DO IT!!  

[donut5206]

hi, I have been on xanex for a short time (3 months).  I have a rx for  a small does of .5 mg.  I usualy take it at night to seep. But I have gone 2 or 3 days without taking any. Very recenlty for the past 10 days I  have even needed to take a xanex at work.  I did tha 2 times last week.   I also just started about a week ago on Citalopram for depression and anxiety- 20mg.  I have been on citalopram and also  zolof off and on for the past 10 years.  Could I be having withdrawal symptoms from the xanex from such a short time of taking it?   I wokeup this morning in a cold sweat. not feeling myself like I was out of my body.  My blood pressure can be eratic but I did take itand it was 125/78, so not the issue there. Must be a panic attack.  But am alos concerned if I am beginning to get addicted to the xanex. Any thoughts out there?

[labotomi]

I've just now realized the effects of quitting cold turkey from Xanax.  I've been taking 2mg 3x a day for about a year and ran out about a week ago.  For the past few days I've been feeling so awkward with the symptoms that I could not figure out were coming from, headaches, nausea, dizziness, disassociation, even strong smells like food would make me nauseous.

It doesn't help that I started Testosterone replacement therapy about a week and a half ago.  I was thinking the symptoms were caused by the temporary adjustment of my body to the increased Testosterone levels that I never considered the Xanax at all.

I finally researched Xanax withdrawals and it suddenly hit me that this was the cause.  I took one of my pills (new Rx) and within an hour was feeling much better.  I'm surely glad that I researched this and recognized my symptoms for what they were.

I think I'm in for a difficult process weaning off of the Xanax, but I'll get there and never allow myself to get to this point again.

I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences as It gives me hope that sometime in the future, however long it takes that I can rid myself of this medication

Thank you so much.