Need to taper off Xanax faster than I'd like

[[Me...]]

Hello! I was prescribed  .5 of Xanax in March 2016, but have been taking .25 since May 2016. My doctor wants me to come off it completely, and fast. I have about a month and a half to be able to do this, and was wondering how difficult it will be from my current dose of .25. I'm not too sure of exactly what is going on with me, but for months now I have been suffering from what I can gather is tolerance/interdose wd symptoms. Fatigue/exhaustion, tingling/burning in hands and feet, high bp, increased resting hr, muscle aches, muscle weakness, brain fog, respiratory issues, dizziness, the list is never ending. I've been to so many doctors and specialists and have had more tests than ever before and all say I'm healthy. I want to be rid of this awful feeling and on my way back to living my life well. My question is, when is it safe to "jump" from Xanax? I know my dose is low, but I've tried cutting my .25 in half and always on night 2 or 3 my body goes nuts and I can't hold on after that... but I know I have to! Would it be better to cut down to .125 for a few weeks before jumping, or just get it out of the way now at .25? I have no choice with the fast taper unfortunately otherwise I would gladly do a longer slower one!

 

Thanks for any and all advice!

[[me...]]

I think it is doable, and I also think, that if you put in a "good faith" effort to cut down, you can probably talk your doctor into a few more weeks if necessary. He just needs to see that you are serious and working at getting off.

 

Obviously jumping at that dose is probably not a good idea for you.

 

The fact that you tried to cut in half, and couldn't hold it, means that that cut was too much. A 50% cut is huge! even at low dose, and especially at low doses. I'm not familiar with Xanax and how cuts can be made, but hopefully someone here can help you figure out how to make much smaller cuts, either via titration or dry cuts. Smaller cuts will be MUCH easier to handle, then you can often taper down more quickly than if you had done large cuts and holds.

 

Also check on the support thread for Xanax withdrawal.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=74309.0

[[be...]]

Your symptoms are all classic symptoms of someone who tapered too quickly. Am I correct that in the past you reduced 50 percent in just two months?  No, I would not simply just stop now  at .25. That is a fairly high dose to "jump" from. It is the equivalent of 2.5 mg of Valium.  I would use all the time you have...the entire six weeks that you have.  Stopping  suddenly or too quickly may cause severe symptoms.

[[ly...]]

 

 

Why do you have to get off in 6 weeks? 

 

I would cut your .25mg in quarters and see if you can handle dropping .0625.  Your wd comes on at 2-3 days which is what I have experienced with xanax.  If the .0625 cut is too much you can cut one of the .0625 pieces in half and drop by .03.  I have been cutting by .03 since the summer and it's not too bad.  I think you should wait at least 2 weeks between cuts.  This stuff can catch up with you and you need to give each cut enough time so that you know you have seen all of the wd.  Listen to your body.  I never cut if things are bad. 

[[Me...]]

Thanks everyone. I have felt awful the entire time being on this. I feel like I lost all of 2016. I was prescribed it at .5 once per day to help with anxiety/sleep. I didn't like the way the .5 made me feel so I started to cut them in half after 2 months. I don't want to up the dose and I'm pretty sure all of my symptoms have to do with tolerance/interdose withdrawal. I just want to be rid of it and at this point the 50% cut is way too difficult for my body. I just don't know what to do. Everyday is physically and emotionally draining. I felt much better before I ever started taking it! My worst symptoms are extreme  fatigue, tingling, tinnitus, muscle aches, and weakness in limbs. Some days are better than others. My doctor wants me to cut the dose in half every couple weeks  until I'm done with it but I physically can't do it. I tried and I started having serious palpitations and rapid hr after a couple days. I'm sure I could get at least one extra script if I show I'm actively trying to taper, but I feel like he doesn't understand just how difficult this is for my body. Mentally I don't ever want to see this pill again... but physically my body can't handle such a large cut. 

[[ly...]]

 

 

Are you having all of these sxs at .25mg or are you at .125mg?  These symptoms are, unfortunately, pretty common in wd.  Maybe if you provided a timeline (signature) people could be more helpful.  I've had all of that and more after large cuts.  It takes time for your brain to adjust.  What dose are you on, how much was your last cut and how long ago?  Are things getting better?

[[Th...]]

I had a really hard time with tapering that last bit of Xanax. I wound up staying on it through my pregnancy because I tried to come off too fast. 2.5 months sounds doable though. Very doable. Maybe try a liquid titration and use the whole 10 weeks. Good luck.

[[Th...]]

I'm sorry you said 6 weeks, still think you can do it 💪

[[Me...]]

Thank you so much! I am very hopeful, it's just so scary! I'll work on making a timeline. Honestly I've had most of these symptoms since May 2016, they just get unbearable after I try to cut the dose in half by about day 2 or 3. I only take one dose a day at night (not upping it at all) and I'm wondering if that is why I have been so miserable all year. I feel somewhat better after that nightly dose, but not much. The tinnitus has gotten so bad recently too. I haven't even been able to go to the movies since May because of how bad it affects me. I can't wait to be off of this and on the road to feeling well again!!

 

Question though... I currently have .5 pills that I cut in half. I know I can't handle another 50% cut if I cut it in 1/4's, but if I ask my doctor for a script for .25 since that's what I'm taking anyway , would it be easier to cut that into 1/4's and try taking away 1/4 at a time? Or is that still too fast? I honestly have been so sick and miserable all year that if I knew I wasn't going to send myself into a seizure or something life threatening I could probably just  push through the wd symptom.

[[Me...]]

Also, would it help to switch to Valium? She did mention that as a possibility while tapering.

[[ly...]]

 

 

It would be easier to cut the .25mgs.  That's what I've been doing for a while now.  If you cut them in quarters that would be .0625, a much more "friendly" cut but still high at 25% (if you are at .25mg now).  I've been cutting .03mg per month since I hit .3.

 

If you get the .25's you would still have the rest of your .5's which can be cut in 8th's if you end up needing a longer taper.  I wouldn't keep cutting at the level you are now.  It's just not worth it to be so ill.  I'd push-back with your doctor.  I know that everyone wants to get off as soon as they can...but the price of rushing can be high.

 

I did not cross to valium and I am very glad about that decision.  Some do well and others have big problems.  I'd rather stick with what my brain is used to.  It's been fine.  I would only cross if my taper becomes impossible.  I stopped having any interdose wd a long time ago.  Most wd sxs are long gone - probably due to more sensible cuts.

 

Hope you feel better soon.