Introduction

[[Me...]]

I’m 36 and been on Xanax for 10 years...was put on it due to PTSD from a traumatic delivery of my first child. I had no idea just how badly this medicine would affect me. Im just now understanding, nearly 11 years later, that I never should’ve been on this med for longer than s few days. I had no idea. Now I need help as I’m being forced into a fast taper and possible CT. I need all the suggestions I can get. I live in Tulsa, OK.

[[ma...]]

Hello Mendeelen Welcome to Benzobuddies!

 

We are very glad you joined our community.  Benzodiazepines should not be stopped abruptly, the nature of benzodiazepines is that they need to be tapered off slowly.  You could copy some pertinent pages from the ashton manual and show your doctor, ask if he/she will support a slow taper.  We can help you with support, encouragement and taper/withdrawal information. 

 

In general it’s advised to cut your daily dose by somewhere between 5% and 10% every 10 - 14 days.  It’s okay to go slower than this, whatever feels comfortable, the aim is to try to keep symptoms manageable.

 

I would suggest that you familiarise yourself with the Ashton Manual, It is a great resource for understanding the effect benzo’s have on our body.  It provides tapering and withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms 

 

You will find some very valuable support and information on the forum.  Our members are happy to share their personal experiences with you and support you.. Please feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

 

I'll leave you a few links:

 

The Ashton Manual. 

Withdrawal Support

General Taper Plans

 

Please take time to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice.  Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

 

Welcome aboard

Magrita

 

 

[[Sa...]]

Mend,

 

Welcome to BB.  I’m so sorry you were put on Xanax for so many years.  My history is with Xanax.  Please pm me if you have questions!  I will be in my 6th month (post forced CT) tomorrow.

 

SaraSue 

[[Ma...]]

Welcome to BB!

 

My exp is with clonazapm. I just joined a few days ago. Did a voluntary CT (on Day 10 today) as my doctor has hinted at a forced one, and I've wanted to get off for a while now anyway. Thought I'd beat the jerk to the punch. This site has been very helpful and very informative. I didn't even realize that some of the symptoms I'm having are common til I came here. The post "What is going on in your brain" was really helpful (at least I think that's what the name was) to explain why we are going though a lot of this junk before and during WD. I just tell myself daily that this crap will all pass eventually.

 

I would like to know just what kind of doctor forces a CT, a possibly life-threatening event. *disgusted* So much for the part of the Hippocratic Oath, where they swear "do no harm" and "for compassion, not for gain". Gotta love the lip service. Mine threatened me with a CT cause I had the audacity to question why I wasn't told this stuff was so addictive and hard to get off of. Told me maybe I ought to get another doctor.

 

Devoutly hope things go well for you!

[[ea...]]

I just wrote you a reply and that darn computer demon made it disappear. Being a nurse did not hep me at all with benzo wd. I worked on an acute psych unit for several years and in a detox center for another year. And NONE of this prepared me for going through benzo wd. I was forced to go CT off a huge dose of Klonapin,  Ambien and 2 ADs. And I am not sorry at all that I was forced to. I am GLAD that happened. I am now so much more healthy, happy and full of living now.

The one thing that being a nurse helped me with was just a basic understanding of how our brains work and how benzos work on our brains. In all truth, all my 30 years being an RN did not help me at all deal with benzo withdrawal. It came as an enormous shock to me.

Do try to design at least a fairly moderate taper off. Going CT is not safe despite the fact that many of us had to. Even a fast taper is better. The one danger of CT is seizures, and they rarely happen. But you just never know and you might be the one person who has a seizure. Most seizures will not kill you but nor are they a good thing to experience. Some think going CT makes a worse WD. I don't know about that as I have seen many people on BB who taper  and suffer just as bad.

east

Let me know how you are doing.

 

[[Fo...]]

Sorry your doc not helping at all!!

Educate him with the ashton manual

Hope it is sorted and you can taper with the Xanax experts on here

Dick