Im at the end of xanax taper...need help!!!

[[wa...]]

If anyone has advice or similar experience... Please help or share!!

 

So this is my situation...

I moved to a new city and state about 2 months ago...prior to leaving I was on methadone for 7 years, and 4.5 year on xanax. I was prescribed 3 .5's per day, but actually taking 3-4 mgs per day. I switched from methadone to sub's since that would be easier to taper, then I left the state with 60 sub's and my last full pescription of xanax.

I have no insurance or resources where I moved to, so I knew I had to taper fast.

In 2 months I have gotten down to 3mgs of subs and .125 mgs of xanax per day. Surprisingly with only slight physical withdrawal. Most of it has been mental. A little bit of leg cramping, and some night harder to sleep than others.

However as I am getting down to the end of what I have I really need to stop... Xanax first. I do have a few phenobarbital that were prescribed to me from detox. (6 32.5mg tabs)

I have tried 2 days now to not take any xanax...but I am working 80 hour weeks on my feet and I get so light headed and cave in to taking that little bit of xanax everyday. I only have 3  .5s left...so I really need to stop asap!

And if I do stop, how long will the withdrawal last off .125 mgs/ day???

Any advice would be great! Thanks a lot!!

[[Ch...]]

Here's an excerpt from my post on your intro thread, maybe you've already seen it, but if not, here's the pertinent part:

 

 

You've just about got this as far as the Xanax taper, in my opinion.  When I tapered Xanax, I tapered to .0625mg and then stopped, so at .125mg you're about one cut away, in my opinion.  I first tried to stop at .25mg and it caused nearly intolerable symptoms.  I went back on at .25mg and continued until I reached .0625, at which point I felt no additional symptoms when I stopped.

[[wa...]]

Did you feel any long term withdrawal?

[[Ch...]]

Did you feel any long term withdrawal?

 

Yes, I did, but I think it could have been avoided had I not made the mistake of trying to stop taking Xanax at .25mg.  Before that things were going pretty smoothly.  I had some anxiety and insomnia but nothing else.  Once I brought on the more intense symptoms when I tried to stop at too high of a dose, it changed everything.  I then sought answers online and found this forum.

 

Preventing symptoms is critical, in my opinion.  Once they come on, it seems they can linger a long time.

[[wa...]]

I'd have to agree! Do you think the phenobarbital will help? I only have the 6 tabs so I would only be taking it for a few days. I also have Seroquel to help with sleep...but I'd prefer not to take any more meds.

[[Ch...]]

I've never taken Phenobarbital, but I believe it's a drug that's been around quite awhile so there should be a lot of info about it.  If you're concerned about seizures, they are fairly rare and nearly always associated with cold turkey withdrawal from much higher doses than you're on, if that's any reassurance.

 

You can ask in Other Medications if you don't get any answers in this thread.