Death in the family have been on xanax 3mg once a day since feb 21 can I c/t

[[am...]]

Was on ambien over 12 years and stopped/tapered the last few months, started to feel somewhat better.    Had a death in the family and started on 3mg  xanax at bedtime every single night since feb 21 2012, can I just cold turkey?  My eyes are so sensitive to light.  I know xanax you go into withdrawl after  just a few hours because it is so short acting.  I know you can switch to valium and taper but don't want to if I don't have to, can I just stop?   

[[Bi...]]

ambien,

 

Welcoming you to BenzoBuddies.

 

You will find plenty of support here.

 

Others will be along to weigh in shortly.

 

Billy.

[[Ho...]]

Hi ambien,

 

I don't advise c/t. Even though you've only been on xanax for a month or so, your brain could still protest to such a jolt. However, I don't think you need to go through a slow taper either.

 

If it were me, I'd cut out .5 mgs and live with that for a few days to see how I feel. If I felt ok, I'd hold that for 10 days or so, then cut out another .5 for 10 days. I'd continue like that if I felt ok. If I did start having symptoms, I might make my cuts smaller, (.25 mg).

 

Because you've been on this drug such a short time, dragging out a slow withdrawal might lead to tolerance withdrawal. We want to avoid that if possible.

 

You need to listen to your body. If at a .5 mgs cut, you feel it, you might want to try a .25 cut. Let your body guide you. With each cut, give yourself several days before you decide on the next cut.

 

That's my opinion. Other members may have other ideas.

[[am...]]

I am so confused because I truly don't want to put any more of this poison into my body but my eyes are so sensitive to light right now.  I am also getting migraine auras off and on.    It  has been 4 weeks so, and I am not arguing just trying to understand, is putting more of the poison in my body the best way to go?  Will it cause me even more damage putting more in me?  If you all think it is good to keep taking it please tell me what to do.

 

I have been taking 3 1mg xanax tablet all at the same time every evening.  The doctor prescribed it for me 1mg 2x a day but the grief was  and is still so overwhelming I took the full days dose and one extra all together to just blink out and sleep hard at night.  I took none at all during the day.

 

Night before last I took 1/2 of a 1mg tablet and last night I took two full 1mg tablets and bed.  I feel so poorly, can this stuff cause water retention and weight gain this rapidly?  My fingers are so swollen I can't get my rings on that I usually wear.

[[Ho...]]

I understand that you're concerned about continuing with this medication but I'm concerned that you could feel much worse than you do now if you discontinue this medication abruptly.

 

Have you discussed this with your doctor? I think you should.

[[am...]]

I have it was supposed to be just short term due to the family member death but now he wants me to continue it due to my nerves.  I have a stalker and am stressed all the time over it.  I don't want to be damaged by this and do not want to take anymore but he won't hear of me tapering or quitting it.

 

That is why I am now here so let me know what you think.  If I just stopped what would happen?  Is my eyes being really sensitive to sunlight all of a sudden the result of me only taking .5mg saturday night and only 2mg sunday night?  All the days I was taking 3mg at bedtime I did not seem to have this. 

 

If you really think it is wise to continue on what dose should I start back on tonight?    How long would this withdrawl take?  Can it have caused this sudden huge weight gain that happened since the first day I took it?  Could it also be causing the water retention and finger swelling? 

 

Thanks so much

[[Ho...]]

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Let me first say that you will not be permanently damaged by this medications. Any symptoms you feel now or during a taper will rectify them selves with time.

 

To answer your question, if you discontinue this medication abruptly, you could feel very ill. There is a possibility of seizure. 3 mgs is quite a high dose. I wouldn't recommend you stop taking it abruptly.

 

If you would like to come off it, you could try my suggested taper in my first post to you, keeping in mind that this is only my opinion and I'm not a doctor. There may be others that have different opinions.  I'm not suggesting you stay on the medication if you want to come off it. I'm suggesting that you stop taking it gradually so as to keep any withdrawals symptoms manageable.

 

As for you other questions, you could call a pharmacist. They have a huge amount of knowledge about medications..far more than I can provide you. I've not taken xanax so I don't know what sort of side effects it could have.

 

Maybe some BB members who have more experience with xanax will have more to offer you.

 

 

[[...]]

Hi ambien,

 

I went cold turkey from Ativan, and Ambien.  I would not suggest that anyone do it that way.  I am fortunate that I did not have a seizure, which is a distinct possibility if one abruptly quits taking a benzo.

 

I also had a sensitivity to light, along with a host of other withdrawal symptoms.  Keep asking questions.

 

the best to you

 

pj

[[Mi...]]

Hi Ambien!

 

Welcome, you came to the right place for information and support for getting off the xanax.  I'm sorry you are struggling.  Since you have only been on it about 4 weeks, you are way ahead of the game.  You are wise to be concerned now about the negative effects of taking it longer term.

 

I too took xanax for a short period of time, my daily dose was lower but I took it for longer than you.  My entire nervous system was sensitive coming off it, including my eyes being sensitive.  I would suspect you might be having some withdrawal symptoms from cutting your dose for 2 days running in too large of an amount.  I would not stop cold turkey.  I would taper gradually, but you can probably do it faster than someone who has been on it longer term.  Since you have been on it only for about 4 weeks, you could do as already suggested and take 2.5 mgm tonight and for a week and see how you feel.  If you tolerate that okay, then go to 2.0 mgm for a week.  Then to 1.5 mgm, and then to 1.0.  If all okay, at that point you might want to go down by .25 every week until off. 

 

Hang in there!  You can do this.  Sending you positive thoughts for healing and strength for the journey.

 

MiniMinnie

[[am...]]

Then since I took 2mg last night, the last time I took 3mg has been a few day should I just start at the 2mg or go back up to the 3mg at bedtime.  I was only taking at bedtime or evening, just one time a day, not around the clock as prescribed.

 

Mini  so you also think it is necessary to taper.  If it is short acting and I go through w/d bascially every day as I only take it once a day how will this help me rather than just cold turkey.

 

Again, I am just asking so I can understand better it isn't me doubting you all as you have been through it.    I quit ambien after 12 years so I know that has damaged me as well.

[[am...]]

Hi ambien,

 

I went cold turkey from Ativan, and Ambien.  I would not suggest that anyone do it that way.  I am fortunate that I did not have a seizure, which is a distinct possibility if one abruptly quits taking a benzo.

 

I also had a sensitivity to light, along with a host of other withdrawal symptoms.  Keep asking questions.

 

the best to you

 

pj

 

 

Thanks, you know how it is though once you want off you don't want to put another one of them in your mouth.  In my head it makes me feel like I am prolonging recovery by continuing taking it.

[[ch...]]

Hi ambien,

 

I went cold turkey from Ativan, and Ambien.  I would not suggest that anyone do it that way.  I am fortunate that I did not have a seizure, which is a distinct possibility if one abruptly quits taking a benzo.

 

I also had a sensitivity to light, along with a host of other withdrawal symptoms.  Keep asking questions.

 

the best to you

 

pj

 

 

Thanks, you know how it is though once you want off you don't want to put another one of them in your mouth.  In my head it makes me feel like I am prolonging recovery by continuing taking it.

First of all, I am sorry that you are suffering so much. You have had a lot to deal with in a short period of time.

I think you have been given good advice here. Even though you have only been on your medication for a short time you are already seeing the difficulty of stopping it abruptly. A short but sensible taper seems to be the wisest course. You don't have to decide everything today. 2 mg to stabilize seems to be reasonable. Do you think you would want to start there? The reason you can't stop it abruptly is that your symptoms may be so bad that you won't attain your goal of being off of it completely. You could have a lot of rebound anxiety and grief that seem worse than the initial feelings.

 

Take a breath. Be kind to yourself. You have been through a lot and you will get through this, too. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here who will help you. As a short term user a long, prolonged taper seems to be unnecessary. .5 mg cuts every bit seems good.

Is it reasonable for you to consider going to a counselor for some support with grief?

Again, I am sorry for your loss and I wish you courage and peace in your heart.

 

LOVE,

Chrysanthemum

[[An...]]

I was in this dilemma too except that I reacted badly to the Xanax reduction and was put on a fast 12 day Valium taper. 

 

I had been advised by my doctor to reduce the Xanax weekly along the lines the others have said though.

 

I also don't advise stopping it c/t as you may have very bad withdrawals and there is also the risk of seizure.

 

You may be one of the lucky ones and have no or few withdrawal symptoms.  However, if you do have symptoms remember they are only temporary.

 

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

 

Angel

 

 

[[Bi...]]

ambien,

 

I agree with everyone else, and I should have stated it upfront.

 

I would not c/t. Your body cannot handle such huge jolts. It could very well cause a seizure.

I tried c/t 4mg of Klonopin once, and it was terrible.

 

Billy.

[[am...]]

Hi ambien,

 

I went cold turkey from Ativan, and Ambien.  I would not suggest that anyone do it that way.  I am fortunate that I did not have a seizure, which is a distinct possibility if one abruptly quits taking a benzo.

 

I also had a sensitivity to light, along with a host of other withdrawal symptoms.  Keep asking questions.

 

the best to you

 

pj

 

 

Thanks, you know how it is though once you want off you don't want to put another one of them in your mouth.  In my head it makes me feel like I am prolonging recovery by continuing taking it.

First of all, I am sorry that you are suffering so much. You have had a lot to deal with in a short period of time.

I think you have been given good advice here. Even though you have only been on your medication for a short time you are already seeing the difficulty of stopping it abruptly. A short but sensible taper seems to be the wisest course. You don't have to decide everything today. 2 mg to stabilize seems to be reasonable. Do you think you would want to start there? The reason you can't stop it abruptly is that your symptoms may be so bad that you won't attain your goal of being off of it completely. You could have a lot of rebound anxiety and grief that seem worse than the initial feelings.

 

Take a breath. Be kind to yourself. You have been through a lot and you will get through this, too. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here who will help you. As a short term user a long, prolonged taper seems to be unnecessary. .5 mg cuts every bit seems good.

Is it reasonable for you to consider going to a counselor for some support with grief?

Again, I am sorry for your loss and I wish you courage and peace in your heart.

 

LOVE,

Chrysanthemum

 

Thank you, it was my Grandma     I will never get over it.      Okay I will stabilize at  2mg at night before bed.  I don't take any in the daytime, never have,  so is that okay just once a day?    How long will I stay on that dose?  What would my first cut be and when?

[[Ho...]]

I'd stay on that dose until some of the symptoms I was having settled down. Once I felt more stable, I would try a cut of .5 every 7 - 10 days and see how I  felt. This is a rapid taper. Someone who has been on it for a longer period of time would go much more slowly.

 

That's what I would do. See how you feel with that. It won't be long until you're off.

 

 

[[am...]]

I was in this dilemma too except that I reacted badly to the Xanax reduction and was put on a fast 12 day Valium taper. 

 

I had been advised by my doctor to reduce the Xanax weekly along the lines the others have said though.

 

I also don't advise stopping it c/t as you may have very bad withdrawals and there is also the risk of seizure.

 

You may be one of the lucky ones and have no or few withdrawal symptoms.  However, if you do have symptoms remember they are only temporary.

 

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

 

Angel

 

 

I wish I could be one of the lucky ones but I was stupid enough to listen to my doctor and took ambien for 12 years and just recently quit that via taper.  Then she died I couldn't deal I had a whole bottle of ambien and almost chugged it was so upset.  Instead went to doctor he gave me the xanax.  I swore never another pill but it was this or kill myself.    Now I feel even worse because I was stupid enough to take more mind altering pills.

[[am...]]

ambien,

 

I agree with everyone else, and I should have stated it upfront.

 

I would not c/t. Your body cannot handle such huge jolts. It could very well cause a seizure.

I tried c/t 4mg of Klonopin once, and it was terrible.

 

Billy.

 

thanks Billy my eyes are so messed up and sensitive to light and my vision gets shaky like when you see cameras in earthquakes.  Has anyone else had the shaking vision thing?  I ask people if they can see my eyes move while it is happening and they say no, it is scary.

[[am...]]

I'd stay on that dose until some of the symptoms I was having settled down. Once I felt more stable, I would try a cut of .5 every 7 - 10 days and see how I  felt. This is a rapid taper. Someone who has been on it for a longer period of time would go much more slowly.

 

That's what I would do. See how you feel with that. It won't be long until you're off.

 

So basically for one month on I am stuck on it for another two months?  And it's okay I am only taking it once a day?    That doesn't make it worse?

[[an...]]

Hi and welcome to benzo buddies.

 

Ambien withdrawal was hell - at least it was for me.  Now you have to deal with this too - getting on a stable dose before tapering is a good idea but in doing that you probably need to spread the dosage out during the day to minimize interdose withdrawal symptoms. 

 

The dose you have been on is rather high - if we use Ashton's figures 10 mg valium is equivalent to 20 mg ambien but equivalent to .5 mg Xanax so you were basically taking the equivalent of 120 mg of ambien every night. 

 

There is a tapering section - you might want to look at posts there and post there too. 

 

 

 

[[Ho...]]

I'd stay on that dose until some of the symptoms I was having settled down. Once I felt more stable, I would try a cut of .5 every 7 - 10 days and see how I  felt. This is a rapid taper. Someone who has been on it for a longer period of time would go much more slowly.

 

That's what I would do. See how you feel with that. It won't be long until you're off.

 

So basically for one month on I am stuck on it for another two months?  And it's okay I am only taking it once a day?    That doesn't make it worse?

 

The only problem with taking such a short acting benzo once a day is that you may feel interdose withdrawals. If you want to split up your doses throughout the day, you could do that.

 

I know it's frustrating to have to taper at all but it's the safest and most sensible thing to do.

 

The thing is, you can make the choice for yourself. The strength of this forum is that you get many different opinions then make, what you feel is the best decision based on all the ideas from our members as well as your own research.

[[am...]]

Hi and welcome to benzo buddies.

 

Ambien withdrawal was hell - at least it was for me.  Now you have to deal with this too - getting on a stable dose before tapering is a good idea but in doing that you probably need to spread the dosage out during the day to minimize interdose withdrawal symptoms. 

 

The dose you have been on is rather high - if we use Ashton's figures 10 mg valium is equivalent to 20 mg ambien but equivalent to .5 mg Xanax so you were basically taking the equivalent of 120 mg of ambien every night. 

 

There is a tapering section - you might want to look at posts there and post there too.

 

Can you guys help me in this thread I am too freaked to even go into a tapering thread again right now my mind barely is wrapping around what you just said.  So my 3mg of xanax was equal to taking 120mg of ambien?  OMG

 

So you are saying instead of 2mg at bed I should split it up and take 1mg every 12 hours?  If so how would that taper go?    If I would take 1mg  2x a day instead of 2mg in evening wouldn't that be like really cutting down a lot almost like cold turkey?  Or is not splitting it up doing it.  I don't know what I am doing.    thanks for your help I am in horrible shape mindwise right now

[[an...]]

if you are going to take 2 mg / day try to take it 3 or 4 times a day (you need to decide which)  -  so you need to divide the daily dose into as equal of parts as you can

 

tapering is a long ways off as you first need to stabilize on a fixed daily dose -

 

if you look at the tapering section there are several different ways it can be done - dry cutting, titration, switch to a different med (crossover to valium for example) ------  start looking at the board

 

 

[[am...]]

Did any of you get terrible itching and rashes on your chest/breasts?  The itching and rash is so intense.

 

I never understood the titration I would rather just cut down as close as I can to the right dose.  So is taking just the 2mg at night good or should I take 1mg 2x a day or up myself to 2mg 2x a day?  That would be more than the 3mg I was taking at bed though.

[[Ho...]]

If you're not having interdose withdrawals, you don't need to divide up your doses. It's up to you.