Hello. Desperately need help with long-term xanax addiction...

[[da...]]

I have used xanax off and on, mostly on, since my twenties and it has been very effective treating panic. I was originally prescribed this by a doctor. I am now 45. So basically I have a very longterm addiction. I am worried. I have lived in the UK for ten years, and xanax isnt available here so I've had to buy online. I am also, this past year, prescribed Lorazepam. I had thought that I could get off xanax by just taking lorazepam, but I've tried, and that awful chest tightness torture that is all to familiar to me as the first sign of withdrawal sticks its claws in, and I have to keep taking xanax as other benzos dont seem to substitute for xanax. Is this true? How can I safely come of xanax? I've done hospital detox before, it was awful given it was a 'cold turkey' quit - never again. And about 9 years ago I also slowly tapered off it successfully, which was far less of a nigihtmare, But is there a chance I can safely come off xanax slowly now, nearly ten years on - or am I looking at lifelong addiction given the length of time I've taken these pills for? I don't want to die coming off this drug. Or have some horrid seizure. Or come off, then three months down the line have some awful withdrawal out of the blue or have awful panic symptoms come back full swing. I am afraid, and would be grateful for some advice and support. Thanks

[[Bi...]]

danicali,

 

Welcoming you to BenzoBuddies.

You will find plenty of support here.

 

If you have any questions, let us know.

Others will be around to weigh in shortly.

 

If you would like to add a signature: Signature

 

Billy.

 

 

 

 

[[pi...]]

Hello danicali,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies! Although you have been on benzos for a long time, you will find people here that successfully tapered off after long time use.  It can be done.  Both the xanex and lorazepam are short acting benzos so I'm not sure that substitution would be worth it. 

 

Do you have a doctor on board with your taper?  I did a crossover to valium to complete my taper. Valium is much longer acting and can be kinder to your system as you reduce amounts.

 

Please feel free to ask questions and also visit the Taper Boards.

 

pianogirl

[[La...]]

Hi and welcome, I am a long time benzo user too, over 20 yrs , I cold turkeyed ativan and dec and sure know what you mean about the chest tightness, and with me a feeling of not  being able to take a deep breath, I am now tapering my other benzo temazepam and going very slowly, I just keeep reminding myself that I can breathe and its withdrawal although it does get scary, it is my worst symtom. We are here for support. Ladygrace

[[sh...]]

Hi danicali,

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

While it may seem like there's no other option but to stay on Xanax, it's very doable to free yourself from the benzo. You said you've done it before, so I'm sure you'll be able to do it again.

 

Ct is generally dismissed when coming off benzos, as it can create far more problems, like protracted withdrawal and seizures but, this can be avoided by doing a slow taper. Like pinaogirl said, both Xanax and Ativan are short acting. You can always choose between titration or substitution if you feel dry cutting will be too much. I've left you a link below to the Ashton Manuel, which has some good information about what benzos do to us.

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/

 

Try not to look at this as the end of the road but, the beginning of a new adventure.

[[Ch...]]

Welcome Danicali,

Yes, you can come off Xanax, just take your time.  I didn't cross over to Valium but am tapering just from Xanax after very longterm use, too.  As you can see in my signature, I'm getting there.  The last part takes the longest so I'm not rushing it for the same reason that's already been mentioned~~I don't want protracted withdrawal. 

Best of luck!  You can do it.

Challis

[[lo...]]

Hi Danicali,

 

Yes you can get off. I took Klonipin for 11 years and got up to as much as 10mg per day, along with 150mg Tramadol for pain. I had tried to quit a few times but kept putting it off because the acute withdrawal was so bad. Eventually I developed such severe bladder pain and urine retention that I had to quit. Even my doctors discouraged quitting. They said, "If you quit, what are you going to do for the pain and neurological issues?"

 

My answer was that I'd figure it out later. I just didn't want to drown in my own urine. Anyway, I tapered for three months and then quit altogether eight months ago. It's been really awful but worth it. In retrospect, I would probably taper longer. The initial withdrawal was so bad I figured I'd just get it over with as soon as possible no matter how gruesome. I think I might have had an easier time if I had tapered longer. Nevertheless, I'm beginning to feel like a normal person now and am very glad I did it. I still have problems but each day I get more hopeful and feel more like a normal person. I didn't realize how much the benzos had stolen my life until I quit them. It's a long road but even at the worst parts, you will feel like you are taking back control. I'm 51 and I'm glad I didn't wait longer. You can do it. It's never too late.