Hello, Friends...

[Guest [Te...]]

I'm joining the BenzoBuddies group because I'm tapering off Xanax. I started my taper from a beginning point of 3 mg/day and am currently at 2.5 mg/day and working to get down to 2 mg/day. Some days I make my (present) goal and some days I do not. My ULTIMATE GOAL is a regular dosage of ZERO mg/day! I was diagnosed with Panic and Anxiety Disorder, (mild) OCD, and Clinical Depression about 20 years ago. I didn't start taking a regular dose of Xanax until about 8 years ago. Prior to that I kept a bottle in my purse for emergencies. Back then, I used the medication only very, very rarely--as a last resort-- because I noticed a big increase in depression the following day and I dreaded that rebound. Somewhere later along the way, I began using the medication more frequently. NOW...I have come to the conclusion that Xanax keeps my mood unstable and often very down. All my usage has been prescribed by my psychiatrist, but to be fair, always at my own request. I have lots of personal resources for help with my current taper, most significantly a long-standing meditation practice and a great mindfulness teacher that I meet with weekly. Obviously though, since I'm joining the group, I still feel the need for more support. Thanks, Tea Garden

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  It's almost impossible to use benzos "as needed" for a long time without becoming dependent on them.  Congratulations on your taper so far.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

 

[[on...]]

Welcome Tea Garden! You are right in suspecting that xanax might be some of the reason you are not feeling good. Like you I was prescribed it for anxiety and panic disorder- thirty years ago in my case- and it is only after tapering off it with my last pill May 31st- that I realize for many years the xanax was making me feel sick- because of the withdrawal between the doses. Since xanax is so short acting you can get withdrawal between your doses and also you can build up a tolerance to it after long term usage. I can say as hard as withdrawal from the xanax was  - it is a great feeling to be free of the xanax after so many years on it. Best of luck to you on your taper and you will find benzo buddies to be a great source of encouragement and support!

[Guest [Te...]]

Thank you for the welcome.

[Guest [Ka...]]

Welcome TeaGarden; I am off Xanax for almost 8 months. I used it similar to you, started small, when it became very often (4 mg Rx/daily) it made me sick all of the time, addicted and needed off. The Forum is excellent with all types of info and resources. Peace. Karuna.