withdrawal xanax

[[Su...]]

Please help me get off this poison.  Thank you.

 

 

 

SunShine324

[Guest [ou...]]

Please help us help you by telling us your history.

How much Xanax are you taking? How often?

Do you take any other drugs?

Better yet, take some time to create a signature.

Regards.

[[Su...]]

.5 3 x a day - over two years - digoxin, visaril, lumigan eye drops....

do not know how to create a signature....thank you....

 

 

 

 

SunShine324

[Guest [ou...]]

First things first. Creating a signature is simple.

Click on 'Forum Profile' under 'Profile', then scroll down to the Signature box,

type in your info and click on 'Change Profile' at the bottom.

 

Regarding your other drugs, I mostly meant drugs that could affect your nervous system,

like Visaril, although I think you meant Vistaril, which brings to the matter of names.

It's generally better to use generic rather than brand names,

like hydroxyzine, since brand names differ from place to place.

 

Regarding your problem with Xanax (alprazolam),

you should probably do some research first and discuss it with your doctor.

The best place to start is probably the Ashton Manual; there is a link in my signature.

You should definitely read Chapter II.

There is also a rather informative topic on the various methods of withdrawal.

Long story short, the most common withdrawal methods are direct tapering

and substitution tapering, usually with Valium (diazepam).

 

Some people can withdraw directly from alprazolam, while others find it hard;

as you can see from my signature, I failed a direct taper.

If you decide on a direct taper, I could share my schedule if you'd like;

just because I failed, it doesn't mean you would too.

 

If you decide on a substitution taper, there are several options:

1. You could follow Ashton's 5th schedule (.5mg alprazolam = .5mg clonazepam).

2. You could follow Ashton's 8th schedule (.5mg alprazolam = 1mg lorazepam).

3. You could check out my own schedule (there is a link in my signature).

 

If you can't decide or your doctor won't prescribe "high" doses of diazepam,

you can always begin with a direct taper and consider a substitution if things get tough.

 

Best of luck.

[[Su...]]

I want a direct withdrawal.  Thank you.

 

Taking .5 for two years - this is really poison....

[[ly...]]

 

 

What size pills do you have?  Get some .25mgs if you don't have them.  It's easier to reduce your dose in smaller increments by cutting up the .25's.

 

I did a direct taper off xanax.  It's generally recommended that you don't cut by more than 5-10% every couple of weeks.  You should taper based on your symptoms and not on a schedule/calendar.

 

If you are taking 1.5mgs/day your first cut should not exceed .15mgs.  I'd probably cut .125mg (a quarter of a .5mg pill) and see how that goes.  Xanax wd usually hits day 3-5 and then lessens over the next week or so.  If the .125 cut produces too much wd I would add back in .0625.

 

Just go slow and try not to let wd sxs get out of hand.  Keep things mild.  Adjust/reduce your taper as needed.  I'd wait at least 2 weeks between cuts to make sure you have seen all the withdrawal and to give your brain time to adjust before you cut again.

 

I went way too fast during the first 1/2 of my taper and it caused alot of problems.  I'm sure I would have avoided much suffering had I gone slow from the beginning.

 

Best wishes to you.

[[Su...]]

Thank you for the information and I have started somewhat weaning a little and am now taking one and a half pills a day.  Hoping to do this fast and safely. 

[Guest [ou...]]

Thank you for the information and I have started somewhat weaning a little and am now taking one and a half pills a day.

Hoping to do this fast and safely.

 

I'm confused. Were you taking .5mg 2 or 3 times daily?

In the former case, you've just made a 25% cut.

I don't mean to scare you, but any cut above 12.5% is risky.

 

Fast and safely do not go together;

it's either slow & safely or fast & furious risky.

Better to slow down.

[[Su...]]

Is .5 a small dose of xanax?