Xanax, the ONE last barrier to health

[[Zo...]]

.5 - 1.0 xanax at bedtime for sleep and occasionally during daytime for public speaking or panic attack.  Never went over the dosage, used for 8 years consistently.

 

Joining to gage my progress, learn from others and have others learn from me.

 

4 years ago I was "floxed" by a flourquinilone antibiotic, Cipro.  Extreme CNS adverse reaction and I suspect that my Benzo use had something to do with the adverse reaction.  Curious how many benzo users had bad reaction to Cipro.

 

Realized only recently that I may have healed from he Cipro, and perpetuate my illness with xanax.

 

Tapering now for 6 weeks, doing well.  Headache - worst in life after drinking wine while tapering.  One bad night of calf cramps.  I'm actually sleeping BETTER than in as the taper continues.  First 2 or 3 weeks I had insomnia and began the process of allow my sleepless nights to be.  I learned I won't die if I don't sleep.  That is what got me started on xanax to begin with.  Using regular meditation that is helping tremendously.

 

Hoping for continued smooth transition to drug free life...

[Guest [Le...]]

Hello, Zobird - welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

Congratulations on your decision to come off of Xanax - you've definitely come to the right place for support while you figure out a comfortable taper plan. 

 

Sorry that you got floxed, but it's great that you're off to a great start with your taper already!

 

I'm so glad you decided to join the forum - you'll find plenty of information and support here. Our members have gone through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, so you'll be able to connect with others who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the specialized boards, which can all be accessed from the BenzoBuddies Community Forum homepage. Based on the information provided in your introduction, the following links may be a good place for you to start.

 

  General Taper Plans

  Withdrawal Support During Your Taper

 

When you have a chance, we highly recommend that you take a look at The Ashton Manual, which is an authoritative source on what to expect during withdrawal and recovery, authored by Dr Heather Ashton, who is an expert in the field. It provides a great deal of information that can be very reassuring during any stage of this process, including a list of common symptoms accompanied by helpful explanations.

 

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. 

 

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

 

Again, welcome!

Leslie 

[[on...]]

Welcome Zobird! You are on the road to being xanax free. Like you when I first began my taper off xanax I struggled with insomina- but after a month or so I started sleeping better than I ever did on the xanax since I would wake up when the last xanax I took before bed began to wear off. Muscle cramps in the calves is also something I experienced as well. I also meditate and do deep breathing to get through the bad patches. Where are you at now on your taper? What dose are you at?  I wish you the best as you continue your taper off the xanax. You can do this!! I did it after 30 years of continuous use of xanax!