Please Help! Withdrawal symptoms or Underlying Condition?

[[ri...]]

I've been on Xanax for four years because of a panic disorder I had seven years ago. The doctor prescribed me Xanax on a as-needed basis when my anxiety had gone away. I didn't want to rely on the drug to sleep so I decided to taper off on my own.

 

I'm on a very low dosage. 0.25mg. I've taken it every night for 4 years just to help me sleep and probably the same dosage when I was under a lot of stress or if I was suffering from a hangover from the previous night. Never took them when I was drinking.

 

I don't know what happened but I read a post where it said if a person used these drugs for a long period of time they'd have serious consequences in the future. My ignorance didn't know that I was reprogramming my brain to be used to these pills.

 

I've started taking half of 0.25mg for 2 months now and was planning to stop completely in the next month but now I'm experiencing anxiety like I never have. Can such a low dosage do this to you?

 

Can't go into markets, stores, on public transport or be in a social environment without having a full blown panic attack and I don't know what to do. I constantly have anxiety and can't leave the house without having a beer or two. I'm extremely sensitive to sound and have sharp pains in my head, wouldn't call it a headache but rather a stabbing sensation on my right side.

 

I refuse to take more Xanax.

 

I just recently decided to see a psychiatrist and he prescribed Pristiq and Valium.

 

I'm afraid of taking them. I don't want to be on another horrible roller coaster, yet I can't control my anxiety.  I'm here because I don't know if this is just withdrawal symptoms, if I'm suffering from depression or if this was a condition I had all along and didn't know until I reduced my dosage.

[[me...]]

Even though you're on a "low" dose, you've been on xanax for 4 years and a 50% reduction is likely to bring on symptoms such as you describe, which are classic benzo w/d symptoms.  We suggest tapering no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days.

 

[[ri...]]

How do I taper off of 0.25 Xanax? I'm willing to do anything just really don't know how to measure this as I'm on such a low dosage. Should I start taking Valium? There are so many suggestions, don't know which one to choose! 

[[Lo...]]

How do I taper off of 0.25 Xanax? I'm willing to do anything just really don't know how to measure this as I'm on such a low dosage. Should I start taking Valium? There are so many suggestions, don't know which one to choose!

 

I'm wondering the same its hard I'm at 0.125mg right now so i cut 50% of the 0.25mg and it suckssss omgoshh does it suck

[[ri...]]

What are you experiencing?