Xanax taper and struggling

[[Ho...]]

I have been on Xanax for a few years now, but started using nightly to sleep and sometimes during the day for panic attacks, or before social gatherings. I have been using daily for going on 2 years. I have been trying to taper due to me losing interest in life. I was doing great, going from 1.5 mg nightly to .5 and was feeling awesome. All of the sudden I got anxious during the time of my period, almost manic-like, and updosed back up to 1.5 mg for about a week and a half now. Do I need to start my taper all over? Can I go back down to the .5? I’m having a really hard time. I was also having really bad night terrors and woke my husband up crying in my sleep. I do take Prozac daily but I am a nervous person regardless. Need some advise please!!

[[Re...]]

Hello @[Ho...]

Welcome to BenzoBuddies, I am glad you found us! 

I approved your first post to get your account going. I am certain our Buddies will soon comment to share their thoughts and own experiences. 

I will make sure to check back tomorrow, this time I have to go, unfortunately. 

Take care!

RR

[[Re...]]

Hello (again) @[Ho...], 

Our members do report instense sympoms during their period, this seems to be very common. I absolutely understand you updosed because of this. But, I do not have this exact experience, I am a male. 

Could you tell us, how long it took you to get to 0,5 mg from 1,5 mg? The usual recommended taper rate is a 5-10% reduction of your previous dose every two-three weeks (link), but generally individual, symptom-led tapering. Benzo withdrawal is the most tolerable when not rushed, that is what I read here often.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal seems to have this unique property, that the symptoms come in waves then disappear again, only to come back later. These are called waves and windows (link). Many of our members report being hit by withdrawal after symptom free periods of different length.

In my opinion going down in your dose is very much possible, but generally reducing slower might benefit you the most. How much you reduce now, depends on your symptoms and your individual experince. In my opinion, you could target a dose that is a bit higher than 0,5 mg, and try to stabilise - of course discuss this with your prescriber. 

The other thing to remember, is keeping in mind that these medications are very potent, even 0,5 mg fills significant percentage of our receptors already. As you go lower and lower in your dose, consider going even slower. 

I am sure our Buddies with a similar experience as your will comment soon to share their experiences.

Take care @[Ho...], 

RR