*My next Xanax cut & an an XR question

[[Iw...]]

 

  I am new to the forum on 7/17/17. I am making my cuts impromptu depending on how stable I feel on a given dose. Over the past 5 days it appears that I am stabilising on 2 x .5 mg and a .25 dose in the evening. Is it OK to hang on to this level until I am fully assured that I am comfortable at this level? Or is it better to stay with a formal time schedule?

Also I am using immediate release Xanax. I was thinking of asking my Dr in my next appointment to switch me to extended release Xanax. Has anyone made this kind of switch and if so is the dosage amount the same between the immediate release and the extended release ?

 

[[ly...]]

 

 

Hi Iwill,

 

It's fine to stay where you are until you are more sure you have stabilized.  In fact, that's a very good idea.  It's best to taper based on your symptoms and not a calendar.

 

I don't think I'd go from regular to extended release xanax.  I had to transition from XR to regular when I got to 1mg because the XR does not come in less than .5mg tabs and they cannot be cut.  In order to continue the taper I had to go to regular.  I didn't like it much and it took a little time to adjust to the short duration.  So, you may as well stick with the regular release because you'll be back there soon enough.

[[Iw...]]

Thanks! That was great info that I would never have gotten from my psych. There is no race to get off this stuff. He told me that he would prescribe the Xanax for me indefinitely . Its just that the likelihood of not being able to get it if something happens to this Dr that makes Xanax more like a curse than the blessing that it as to me.

 

  When I am used to this current pattern that I am taking,  I may ask my Dr to start giving my doses in .25 mg IR tablets. I have until Oct to figure that out. Knowing that XR doesn't come in .25 helps me too.

 

Thanks much

[[ly...]]

 

 

My pdoc was the same way - "you need to be on this the rest of your life".  Yes, you'll have to get some .25's - they will even help now with cutting smaller pieces.  My pdoc kept prescribing the higher amounts, eventhough he knew I was taking much less, and I just stock-piled...in case.  For the last .10mg I went to liquid xanax (intensol sp?) and diluted it - it was impossible to cut the pills any smaller (was cutting .25's into 1/8ths) and I didn't want to deal with a scale and weighing.  The liquid was much easier than I thought it would be.