A life ruled by fear...

[[Di...]]

Thank you for allowing me to join this group. I just found out about it, and I really need some advice if possible. I'm 59, and my panic attacks began at age 10. They didn't know much about it back then, just that it was "nerves". I was put on liquid atarax syrup, which is an antihistamine. At age 21 I began taking Xanax at a very low dose, and I'm still on it 38 years later. Over all these years, I have been through every type of counseling, tried tons of different meds, supplements, etc. Xanax has been the only thing that has helped me, as well as a beta blocker because my heart racing/tachycardia is one of my main symptoms. I was taking three .25 mg per day, and have tapered myself down to two .25's per day, 1/2 of a mg. My other doctors had no problem prescribing enough for me to take 1 mg per day, but my doctor of 30 years retired and my new doctor is pushing me to try different things. I am sensitive to absolutely everything; I've never taken anything stronger than a children's chewable Tylenol, and I have a major medication phobia and health anxiety. So my doctor has tried several things, and I just cannot take them. Now he wants me to completely stop the Xanax and try Valium. I filled them, but I'm terrified to stop the Xanax after 38 years and try the Valium. I want to fib to my doctor and tell him I tried it and it gave me side effects. Should I try it? Has anyone made the cold-turkey switch like that? I pretty much have no life; I live in a five mile bubble. I also have other health issues (Meniere's Disease) which causes dizziness and vertigo, and I had an abnormal stress echo a year ago. I have been on a plant based way of eating for a year, have lost 52 lbs and my blood pressure, cholesterol, etc are all great now, no more fibromyalgia pain either. I haven't dated in ten years because I don't want to burden anyone with me. I'm depressed and overwhelmed with everything. I would really appreciate to hear from anyone who has made the switch from X to V, or attempted to and it did or didn't work out. Thank you for listening!

[[ba...]]

Welcome to Benzo Buddies. We are a support and information group for those wanting to get off of benzodiazepines. You have done an awesome job of tapering to get to where you are now.

 

I understand your fear, it is normal given anxiety disorder and the dependence on xanax. There is more than 1 way to finish your taper, valium substition is but one of 3 major methods:

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=9522.0

 

This link explains the mechanism of benzo's, and is a great place to start self educating.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=66397.0

 

Feel free to print out anything you wish, and share it with your doctor. From there, you can formulate a plan, and, you are always free to change it up if it's not working. It can take some trial and error. What works best for me may not be what works best for you. Hopefully, your doctor will work with you, and not force the valium, just based on your fear of it. Hopefully, by presenting information , the two of you can work together to finish your taper in a way that your comfortable with.  If not, it is best not to lie, but do what you need to do. We encourage working harmoniously with your physician, and being both your own advocate as well as being honest.

 

No matter what happens, you will get through it, and we are here for you.

 

In the forums pertinent to your circumstances, you will find other buddies going through their own tapers. This is a good place to ask questions, and receive guidance.

 

Again, welcome to Benzo Buddies, you have come to a safe, confidential informative support group, and we are happy to have you as a member. You can do this, with knowledge and finding coping skills.

 

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand your history so they will be better able to support you. Go to the top of the page and select Profile, then choose Forum Profile, insert drug history/timelines into the text box and click Change Profile.

 

We look forward to reading more from you over the forthcoming days and weeks.

 

Take care,

BB Team

[[Ma...]]

Hey Dizzygirl, welcome to bb.  I am very much with the moderator.  You must advocate for yourself and there will be plenty of material provided to help you do that.  Please fill out that signature, it will give us the big picture and help us give you the best advice possible.  IMO, you should stay on the Xanax, it is a short acting benzo, so a lot of Dr's believe switching to Valium, which is a long acting benzo is easier.  However, a large majority of us coming from Xanax to Valium, had a very rough time.  It is a completely different benzo than Xanax.  Now, you may have an easier time, but believe me, if I had an opportunity to do it again, I would not have switched. 

On the same page you do your signature, the Homepage, you can scroll down and see many different threads that may interest you.  The Withdrawal Support Thread, The Titration Thread, where experts can help you develop a good plan to slowly titrate the Xanax.  We are here.  Please ask all the questions you need.  Love, Mary ♥️