Weaning off 3 types of medication

[Lynn380]

Hello my name is Lynn, Well i don't know where to begin. Well i was a opiate abuser over a year ago due to a very bad relationship, not that i dont blame myself. My Dr started me on suboxen which i am almomst have completlety out of my system and definatley over my addiction of opiates. My Dr put me on zoloft and 2mg xanax and zoloft 50 mg. I did not feel that the zoloft help me but the xanax has helped me sleep, but now im up to almost 8mg of xanax a day and tampered off the zoloft. Now i finally want to be drug free because i look back in my life and the happiest i ever remember me being is when i was on no medication at all, so all i need to do is wean off the very high dose i take of xanax. What my questionis is how to do it, how long it takes, and what to expect?

Thank you,
Lynn

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You have already received some good advice and information.  Since you have such a strong clear motivation to get off of all medications, you are certain to be successful because you know how to stick it through.  Xanax can be particularly difficult, but not always. You are on a high dose now, so tapering slowly and switching to klonopin at the end and some anti seizure medication the very last week is what you have to do, and have all of this  monitored closely by your doctor.  I would suggest tapering in phases...phase one getting down to the 1 -2 mgs level/day, and learning how to sleep without xanax, maybe substituting some short term use of ambien if necessary.   Once you are there, then start a 4 week tapering process, decrease dose and frequency, so last week you are on lowest dose possible every third day, covered by klonopin , and when stop covered by some antiseizure medication for about two weeks...and that should be a safe and effective regime to consider with your doctor.

[Jaquta]

You should speak to your doctor about an appropriate taper.
Xanax is potentially addictive so care may be needed with withdrawing.
Withdrawal symptoms may include: anxiety, tingling in hands or feet, sensitivity to light, sleep disturbances, cramps, tremors, muscle tension or twitching, poor concentration, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, appetite loss, sweating, changes in mental state, etc.
I think that klonopin is sometimes added to help prevent seizures.
The expert here is better able to answer your questions.

Good luck and congratulations on overcoming your opiate addiction.

[Lynn380]

Thank you for your quick responce well I told my Dr. that i didnt feel the zoloft is helping me and he swtiched me automatically to Cymbalta and i had an allergic reaction so i just stopped entirely it wasnt easy but the xanax helped a great deal cuz i was able to sweat and sleep a lot of it off. Don't get me wrong i still feel alittle strange sometimes from going off zoloft but i knew it was for the best, but like i said now i'm going to struggle with xanax and i know its going to be a battle. I just need the info on how to do it properly and avoid a seizure or any major withdrawl symptoms.

[sflynnb]

You are very, very lucky that you were able to taper off the Zoloft without side effects. Read my post I just did titled "Zoloft Withdrawl Unbearable". I'm sorry I don't have any tips as I have never been on the other drugs, but I can assure you if you made it through without the side effects and withdrawl from Zoloft, you can probably handle anything. This is by far the worst I have ever felt in my life. I wish I would have stuck to my guns and not started the meds in the first place.