Long time Xanax tapering update

[[Ra...]]

Hello, so I’ve been popping in to read some posts from time to time since I joined a few months ago. Just wanted to give an update to my harsh new reality since I decided to start taping off my Xanax. On 11/11/23 I did my first cut. I was at 3mg of Xanax daily 1 mg taken 3 times daily. I cut my nightly dose to .50 which I wish I did not do that huge of a jump starting off. But I had already went about a week or 2 weeks with that cut before I realized that was a mistake. So I got through that it took me 2 months to get the courage to try another cut, because I am still going through the withdrawals of the first cut. They are not as aggressive as they were but my symptoms are noticeable. I did a cut of  .25mg so about a week ago instead of my nightly dosage of .50mg I’m taking .25mg now so total a day is 2.25mg. I think due to the way my body and mind has responded to this my next cut will be either with my morning or afternoon dose. This has been incredibly difficult. I have had so many side effects I can’t even list them all but the major ones are headache, insomnia, trembling, numbness, chest pain, eye pain,  hot and cold episodes and increased anxiety. I will continue to go as slow as I feel I need to go and when I get to the point where I feel I physically or mentally cannot go any further I will wait on cutting any further. This for me is definitely going to be a very slow process but I still am hopeful that I can get there. For those who are going through this nightmare with me, I hope we all can see the light at the end and just encourage ourselves to be patient and reward ourselves for the small victories daily that we accomplish. And making it through another day to me is a huge accomplishment. Sending hope and positive thoughts to all 

[[Ma...]]

Hi, 

sorry you’re going through this, it’s horrible.

i cut based on my symptoms and started with the evening dose since my symptoms were worse in the morning.

i didn’t do the math but i think you’re making big cuts. I did the same and like you paid the price.  Thanks to the information on this site, well into my taper I used a razor and jewelers scale to make cuts. If i had a day that symptoms lessened, i made a small cut. If i had to wait for what seemed like a very long time, I didn’t make a cut.  

the Ashton manual that is referred to on here and published everywhere provides a really good guideline for a taper schedule.  

Slow is best.  It was surprising to me that when I expected a rough time from a cut it didn’t happen and when I thought it was going well , all hell broke loose.  It definitely took some time for my mind and body to adjust to every cut.  

Stick with it, we do heal.

[[Ra...]]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and journey with me. I will look into getting a scale to do more precise measurements that may help a lot. I’m just using a pill cutter. From what I’ve read my cuts are smaller than what most clinics do, they suggest they will have you off within 6-8 weeks. That’s definitely not what I want because there’s not possible way I could manage staying functional physically or mentally. I was thinking a realistic goal to be at maybe 1mg daily would take me around 12 months, but I’m really just going with how I feel with each cut. This last cut is tough so I may just wait for a while. Best of luck to you 🙏🏻

[[Ma...]]

Amazon has scales that are fairly inexpensive.  Doing it without it so inexact you could end up cutting too much or accidentally adding to the dose.  The symptoms will subside as you adjust to less of it.  They may not go away as you taper but the goal is reducing to the point of elimination in the most tolerable way.  

Keep at it

[[Ma...]]

My dear benzo buddy, on 12/9/23 I was told by my dr to start tapering and in the exact same fashioned as you. I was on 3mg and reduced to 2.5. This equates to a 16% cut approx. clinics typically only cut 5-10% which is still too much with Xanax. I learned this the hard way as well. About two weeks into my cut I lost my job bc the withdrawals were ungodly. I was barely functioning. I could list all the symptoms but I’d be going on too long and I wanna help you to not repeat my mistake. 1) detox clinics are not recommended for benzos bc they are too rapid and end up leaving people in protracted withdrawal and possible life long damage. Cold turkey NEVER DO!! Anyway, I was suffering at the same 2.5 during the time you are and I went on on to the benzo coalition information page and found a dr in my state that specializes in benzo tapering using the Ashton manual which I HIGHLY suggest you read through and through before you end up hurting yourself even more.2) I actually beg you to not cut anymore until you research the Ashton manual and find yourself a dr who will work with you. Please don’t hurt yourself anymore hun, I made this mistake before finding the manual and a dr and almost ended my own life. Xanax is a short acting benzo and withdrawals are brutal I’m sorry to report. The best course of action is to find a dr willing to work with you and the manual and do a SLOW VALIUM TAPER. This method has allowed me and 1000s of others to be in well a tolerant withdrawal, granted I’m not normal but the worst hell I ever experienced has drastically subsided for now I hope. Most people crossover just fine in general from what I read on here. So as of 2/17 seeing the specialist I am now transitioning from Xanax to Valium. Valium is the gateway to freedom for most although it’s a long process it’s the least of the evils. I’m only in stage 1 of the transition and it’s not easy but it’s no where near as bad as a straight Xan withdrawal I promise you. Please feel free to hit me up with anything I support you 🩷🩷🩷🩷