Xanax Withdrawal

[Guest [un...]]

Hi,

I have been on Xanax for 25 years.  Remarkably,  I have not developed a tolerance to it until the past few months.  In reading over your site, I recognize that I am in Relative Withdrawal at 4 mg. per day.  I have been careful not to up that dosage.  I am more than desperate to get off these wretched life-ruining pills, yet at the same time am terrified after researching the possible seizures and dangers of withdrawal.  Right now I am in the process of looking for a new psychiatrist after the last one I saw (only once) gave me Klonopin to which I had a bad reaction.  I am hoping that the new psychiatrist  will prescribe a Valium crossover, yet hope I don't have a similar reaction to that.  This whole thing is terrifying because I have been on it for so long that I wonder if my body will even be able to reject the Xanax.  So, that is where I am right now--ready to embark upon a long and frightening journey--yet one which I know I must do for my own health's sake.  I am hoping to get help on this site with tapering information, experience from others who have "been there", and general support.  P.S. I have my son's wedding coming up at the end of May and don't want to be in the throes of W/D for that either!

[[Be...]]

Hi and welcome to BenzoBuddies, unforsaken.

 

I believe you have come to the right place for information and support on getting off Xanax.  I am amazed that you didn't develop tolerance withdrawal before now but so glad you recognized that continuing to go up in dose wasn't the best solution in the long run.  I was on a similarly short-acting (but half as potent) benzo for nearly 20 years and tapered off by dry cutting my .5mg pills.  Often you can start that way and then switch to another method like titration or substitution if things get too rough.  At 4mg Xanax you are on the equivalent of about 80 mg of Valium so I don't think the substitution method is a viable option right now.  In case you aren't aware of the pros and cons of the different methods, here's a link to some information about them:

 

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

 

Make yourself at home and look around.  You will find a lot of people in a similar situation and I believe there's an entire thread devoted to Xanax taperers.  You can do this!

[[St...]]

Hi unforsaken,

 

It's always good to be informed but try to remain positive, many people don't have a problem coming off. I have a friend that tapered after 30 years of use and had no problems, she just felt bad for a few weeks after but that was it. I cold turkeyed from 4.5 mg after over 20 years and I'm healing up just fine. You'll get through this, I'm glad you found us, welcome 

 

Star

[[sh...]]

Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

It takes someone of great courage, strength, and determination to free themselves of benzos, and I want to commend you on your decision.

 

You'll find a lot of help here. Many have done tapers with Xanax, so you're not alone in this one bit.

 

I'm glad you found us! Let us know if you need any help,

 

Shane

[[Ca...]]

Hi there!

The peeps on here r experts.  I can relate to your story...although I arrived at tolerance after 1 month.  I took my last xanax 5 months ago.  I just got home from the Bahamas yesterday.  I was in a wheelchair all week due to withdrawal.  I AM better than I was a fe months ago, but only 5% better.  If my child was getting marryed in May....i wud be nervous about communicating with family i havent seen in a long time.  If I were u I'd up my dose then start the taper after the wedding.  ALTHOUGH there is no gaurentee you'll be as sick of me.  Everyone is different. (hate to recommend any one to take this poison for longer) On average, withdrawal can last anywhere from a few months to (extreme/protracted 2 or 3 yrs)  Anyone please correct me if this is wrong.  Let us know what you do, and how u r doing. hugs x

[[ch...]]

Welcome Unforsaken,

 

I am doing a straight Xanax taper after over a decade.  I never reached tolerance and only took Xanax at night.  There are a lot of us tapering Xanax and there is a thread dedicated to Xanax w/d.  http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=43272.new;topicseen#new 

 

We are all at different stages and are learning from one another.

 

The general rule is to cut 5% every 14 days.  What strength pills do you have?  Will your doctor give you .25Mg's?

The .25mg will make it easier to make the smallest reductions.

 

This is doable, Unforsaken.

 

Charlie   

[[Fe...]]

I am also a 25 year Benzo user with no real problems until last year. I never made it up that far but I am very small. I tried to c/t and taper with no luck and ended up in the hopspital with panic attacks but I had a lot going on. We are all different. Maybe the link above will help you. I have heard of people with hardly any problems at all tapering. I didn't know about this site or even what kind of real problem I had. I do feel a lot better mentally but I am having some not so good physical Klonopin withdrawal.

Good Luck!!!!!

I will write more later

[[an...]]

Hi Unforsaken, When I read your post I had the same thought Candy did, that May is coming up fast! I thought the dead of winter would be ideal to hide at home and get past this but it's going to take longer, maybe a lot longer! I dont want to go back though. But when I have to be around a group of people I get over excited very easily. Then I cant sleep very well. I too have my niece's wedding in May...Welcome! I love this place, especially when I can't sleep.