Getting off xanax xr help

[[Iw...]]

I have been on .50 mg xanax xr for 3 years for health anxiety. They stopped working well about 2 years ago and my doc said that's normal and I would need to increase it to work good again. I refused because i knew i would get used to that amount and have to keep increasing.  I weaned off zoloft last year, that was hell but i got thru it. I started trying to wean off xanax this week and I'm not sure if what I'm going thru is withdrawal. I didn't think I would have withdrawal cause I'm on the lowest xr dose.  I cant taper easily because i can't break extended release pills in half. I skipped every other day and did ok but today I'm a mess. I'm crying, anxious and just lethargic.  Is this normal for someone on a low dose who only skipped every other day for 6 days? I took a .25 regular xanax today to try and take the edge off. I started taking a high quality magnesium citrate and omega 3 last October to help with the anxiety after giving up zoloft. I need off these meds to be able to lose the 100 pounds I've gained over 15 years being on and off zoloft. This is the first time I've ever been on xr xanax so I'm in unknown territory.  Thank you

[[Be...]]

Hello Iwillwin1959!

 

We are very glad that you found us!

 

I am sorry that you are struggling with the Xanax. Wise decision to get off the benzo. .25mg is not really that small of a dose for one who is sensitive to this class of medication. Many sensitive folks have found that by doing a symptom based taper reducing 5 - 10% every 10 - 14 days and holding when necessary produces manageable symptoms.

 

I would like to suggest that you do some research on the various boards. Becoming well informed should better enable you to make difficult decisions as well as provide you with the tools you need for a successful taper & recovery.  You will find many knowledgeable members who will support your efforts to be benzo free. I have enclosed a few links below that may help you. Check them out!

 

Wishing you a smooth taper & speedy recovery!

Bella 

 

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Links:

Professor Heather Ashton's

Manual

Boards:

General Taper Plans   

Withdrawal Support (during your taper) 

What's happening inside your brain

Taper Info:

Suggested reduction rate is 5% - 10% every 10 - 14 days 

Create Your Own Taper Plan  by Jim Hawk 

You-Tube step-by-step  Tutorial Video

Other Tutorials:

Visual Tutorials

 

[[Li...]]

Iwillwin,

 

Hi there. You've come to a good spot to get support and answers to questions.

 

While .5 may seem like a small dose, it's estimated by Ashton and others that .5 Xanax is like taking 10 mg of Valium a day. Numbers vary depending on where you look, but all show that fast-acting Xanax packs a punch.

 

My doc put me on time released Xanax a couple of years back and did not tell me. I accused him of writing me a placebo (and don't even know if that's possible). I do know that I could tell a huge difference. He put me on regular Xanax and never said why he changed it or that benzos are dangerous. He's retired now.

 

So, anyway, you taking a pretty decent dose even if it sounds small and extended may impact differently. Everyone is different on that stuff.

 

I'd be concerned about having a pill that can't be reduced, and I think that extended release are not supposed to be broken or titrated. Perhaps you could get regular Xanax which goes down to .25 or a shift over to Valium as in the Ashton book. Either of those would allow you to reduce slower.

 

I've been on Xanax for years but have it down below .3 now. There were some really rough months before I knew anything about benzos and tapering. It's a good idea to look over as much information as possible. Then you can make decisions that work best for you.

 

I hope getting off will go well for you.