Need help in getting off Xanax

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Posted this morning, I cannot find the post now.

Anyway will try to post once more.

Trying to get off Xanax but have had trouble even with this lower dose.

Only taking 0.5 twice a day at present but unable to go any lower. On your site, it does have a tapering chart going from 4mg of Xanax adding Valium.  Trying to cut pills and divide by four is not working.

Just looking for someone to help with how much Xanax and how much Valium and tapering from present does.  So charting this.

Assume but not sure yet that Valium and Xanax is available in liquid form.

Thanks,

 

[[Ch...]]

So, first let’s get your information in what we call a ‘signature’, if that’s okay.  More people will reply.

 

Go up to Profile, (next to My Messages), then to Forum Profile. Fill in your benzodiazepine information like what you’re taking, how you’re taking it, any taper history.  If doing this is difficult (it was for me when I was new here) I can do it for you.

 

By the way, 1mg daily isn’t a low dose. Glad you’re here for help with this.

[[Ch...]]

Great, you got it! I signed my name when someone asked for a ‘signature’. 

 

Okay, hang in for a few minutes while I write some thoughts, and I’ll post again when I’ve finished writing.

[[Ch...]]

My only experience is with short-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax. I tapered from 2mg Xanax after 8 years of use.  Haven’t ever taken a long-acting benzodiazepine so I’m not personally in favor of switching over unless the original benzo is impossible to taper.  So let’s talk about how you take Xanax.

 

Xanax is effective for about 4-6 hours then withdrawal symptoms usually start in. I dosed four times a day which kept that from happening.  Your struggle might be from taking .5mg twice a day.  Any thoughts on moving to .25mg four times a day to see if that helps?

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The idea of using Valium is only from what I have read.  Also, my family doctor told me to consider this.

If you think this is the route I could do 0.25 four times a day.  The question then is 0-5 tablets won't cut into quarters with a cutter, so I assume I would then go to a liquid if available.

Then if this is the case and I go to 0.25 four times a day how do I cut down from that point.  I assume after X amount of time to taper to 0.5 three times a day and so on. 

Is this viable?

Thanks,

[[Ch...]]

I think it’s worth a try to move to .25mg four times a day before considering Valium. It’s a long switchover process and Valium is very depressing. But good to have it as an option.

 

It sounds like your doctor is supporting your options. That’s huge. If he’d prescribe pills that are .25mg then it’s much easier to split as you go lower. That’s exactly how I tapered from 2mg to zero.

[[Ch...]]

And I’d highly recommend staying with the CBD oil. It shows promise as far as healing brain cells (neurogenesis) and is known to help with anxiety.

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Will check on 0.25 tablets and go that way. 

 

Would appreciate information at some point on where to go from doing 0.25 four times daily to taper off more and some kind of recommended schedule. Going to the doctor next Thursday, February 20 and would like to have some ammunition for discussion with him.

 

Realize this is relative to how it affects me personally as we are all different and react differently. I am able to monitor this. 

 

Yes, working with a doctor and have a prescription for any Cannabis products available. As you may know, it is legal now in Canada.

 

While information on CBD for therapeutic purposes is in its early stages, it does seem to help. I am taking it for anxiety and back pain which can be severe at times.

 

Cannot thank you enough, makes a big difference having this support.

 

 

 

[[Pa...]]

We can help prepare you for your visit next week, but for the time being keep us posted on how this schedule works out. 

[[Ch...]]

Will check on 0.25 tablets and go that way. 

 

Would appreciate information at some point on where to go from doing 0.25 four times daily to taper off more and some kind of recommended schedule. Going to the doctor next Thursday, February 20 and would like to have some ammunition for discussion with him.

 

Realize this is relative to how it affects me personally as we are all different and react differently. I am able to monitor this. 

 

Yes, working with a doctor and have a prescription for any Cannabis products available. As you may know, it is legal now in Canada.

 

While information on CBD for therapeutic purposes is in its early stages, it does seem to help. I am taking it for anxiety and back pain which can be severe at times.

 

Cannot thank you enough, makes a big difference having this support.

 

You bet. Check with him about the .25mg tablets.  That’ll make an enormous difference in the ease of cutting.

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If I might ask.  What do you think about tablets, liquid, disintegrating tablets, and extended-release tablets?  Believe all are available but will check with doctor.

Is there one of these that might be better for cutting down over time?

 

Thanks,

[[Pa...]]

Hi VDR,

 

I don't have any experience with those tablets, but for tapering purposes, I don't think the extended release or the disintegrating ones would be useful.  Liquid however would be a good choice, are you near a compounding pharmacy or using a solution provided by a pharmaceutical company would be great, as long as your insurance covers it so you don't run into exorbitant costs.

 

Pamster

[[Ho...]]

Most extended release tablets are not to be crushed, chewed, or dissolved in liquid, because then they lose their extended release properties.

[[Ch...]]

Replying to your PM here...

 

Appointment is tomorrow, and you wanted to be prepared.  Have you tried spreading out your doses of Xanax yet? If that’s working for you, I’d personally stick with that and see how it goes.  You were going to ask the doc about getting .25mg tablets for easier cutting.  Hopefully he/she will be amenable to this.

 

Will put this thread on notify so I know when you’ve replied.

 

Challis

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Ok, thanks, will keep you posted.

 

VDR