XANAX Support Blog: If you're tapering Xanax/alprazolam, join in the discussion!

[[mr...]]

Hi Mrs,

 

How long does the pill need to sit in the water before you can shake and extract your dose?

 

Thanks.

 

-Ray

 

About 7.23 seconds. :laugh:

 

LOL, I'm being goofy, I know...but it doesn't take long at all for it to dissipate for me!  I have the 0.25mg white pills.  And I take the generic version of Xanax (alprazolam).  I cannot speak for the 0.5mg, 1mg, or 2mg bars.  And, if there are different manufacturers, the pills may take different amounts of time to dissipate.

 

You could also crush the pills into a fine powder before mixing in water, if it is a concern of yours.  I know some people do this as well.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Mrs.

[[Ra...]]

Mrs, can you point me to a thread or response where you detail how you dissolve your Xanax and your procedures?  I know you've already done it a million times and I don't want you to have to do it again, but I'm in the process of trying to make some decisions and I know you've been successful, so need to know the details.  For instance, I had heard that Xanax doesn't dissolve well in water.  Do you use vodka?  Someone does, but I can't remember who now.  Thank you!

 

Hi Rabbit,

 

There is a lengthy post I'd made a while back on the how and what I do personally, found here: http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=79163.msg1049215#msg1049215  It may help you get started.

 

You currently dose 1mg at noon, and 2mg at 8:30pm.  I am assuming your larger dose in the evening is to help you sleep, correct?  If insomnia was/is a problem or a concern, it is good to keep your dose in the PM larger than the AM, I believe.  I have not done this myself, but I've never had issues with sleeping.  The taperers that have had issues with sleep have done exactly what you have, in keeping that dose bigger.

 

If you have interdose issues, I would suggest reducing your dosages evenly along your taper, rather than eliminating one before the other.  Interdose was an issue for me, so I've reduced my four doses evenly along my entire taper, in order to keep dosing four different times per day.

 

Using water has never been an issue for me.  No, I do not use vodka.  You will read in my post, above, but so long as you mix well your solution of xanax in your water, and remove your dose immediately after mixing, you will be fine.  If you let it sit for a while, it will begin to settle out and to the bottom.  No big deal, so long as you mix well.

 

Since you dose 1mg at noon, and 2mg at 8:30pm, I would suggest using 2x the amount of water with your PM dose as you do with your AM dose.  This will make math easier in figuring out how much you are reducing with each mL of water you remove.  For instance, if you choose to use 100mL of water for your noon dose, I would suggest using 200mL of water for your 8:30pm dose.

 

I would also suggest to use a little larger water solution overall.  This may be a little annoying in the beginning, because you may choose to remove 2-3-4-5mL per day for reductions, but it will be nice towards the tail end of your taper, if you need to slow things down significantly due to symptoms.  A larger water solution means more dilution of your xanax dose, and the ability to have smaller reductions, if needed.  Again, you might not find this important right now, but you don't know if you'll need it until it's too late   So it's good to plan for it in the beginning, I believe. 

 

Last mention, I would not suggest carrying over any solutions longer than 24 hours from when you mixed it.  Xanax does lose its potency, so it is good to mix fresh on a daily basis.  I mix fresh every morning, since cortisol levels are highest at this time and I want to be sure I have the freshest dose in the AM to combat this.  It's a tiny little thing, LOL, but if you are sensitive to the drug, it might not be a bad idea

 

Hope this helps you get a head start, friend   Let me know if I can help in any other ways!

 

Mrs.

 

Thank you Mrs.  I'm going to copy and paste this into a document I can save on my computer so I don't have to ask again.  I can't thank you enough for your kindness and thorough answer.  God bless you!!!

 

Rabbit

[[Ma...]]

Crickets.  The insects chirping in my brain causing the tinnitus are crickets.

[[Be...]]

I sprayed Raid in my ear and got rid of the  crickets, gotta do both ears at once tho...

[[Be...]]

ps, just joking, dont anybody spray Raid in their ears please 

[[la...]]

 

Hi Lacey,

 

That's a bummer about the e-cigs for you.  But you're right; perhaps you can order them online where they do have nicotine in them, to help bridge the gap for now

 

I only mention making sure to move at a pace that works for you, because I noticed you reduced on January 12th, and it's only January 18th -- six days later.  The standard reduction is no larger than 5-10% cuts, every 10-14 days.  You're barely half way to this timeframe, and you mentioned reducing again tomorrow. 

 

Yes, it will hurt along the way to some degree, of course...but if you reduce too much too quickly, it's the type of thing that accumulates over time and then WHAMMY -- you're hit hard, and not much you can do to get back to your previous baseline except wait the weeks-to-months it takes for your body to heal.  You might "get away with it" for the first 2-3 cuts or so...but it wouldn't be long before trouble came.  The reason for my mention is gauging how you handled your first attempted cut.  If you were one of those persons who could handle a little faster taper, that cut probably wouldn't have affected you as it did, you know? 

 

All just my opinion, of course, and based off of my experiences and observations.  And my apologies if I seem repetitive in advice, friend -- I just care about you and don't want you to find yourself in a spot you'll regret   I hope things continue to go well for you! 

 

Take care for now,

 

Mrs.

 

Don't worry about sounding repetitive, I appreciate the advice a lot.

 

Yeah, it has been 6 days, and I'm going to lower the next one tomorrow.  So that will be 1 week between reductions, and this first reduction was 6.25%.  That doesn't seem to be all that bad, as the Ashton Manual recommends lowering 5-10% every one to two weeks.  I'm well within that time frame and dosage size.

 

I know how I felt when I lowered too quick (25% reduction), and I don't feel anywhere near that bad.  I mean, I don't feel good, but I didn't feel good before tappering either.  I'm just going to keep an eye on some of the symptoms I've noticed throughout this process (eye flutters, head pressure, palpitations, etc..) And, hopefully those give me an indication on when is a good time to make the next reduction.  Currently I am not doing too bad in those departments.

 

I think I am going to spread some more of my dose out though to hopefully help the interdose withdrawal.  Maybe take another .125mg (from my bed time dose), and take it in the afternoon.  In the afternoon I felt ok, but by night had some high anxiety while at the Casino.  Bleh....

 

 

[[VC...]]

ps, just joking, dont anybody spray Raid in their ears please 

 

Yeah, don't try that at home. Benzy, you're a hoot. But right now the crickets are winning the race 

I feel ya, MamaShoShanna ... got me some crickets, too....ugh.

[[Ra...]]

Oh man, I hope I don't get crickets   

 

 

V, how are you feeling? 

[[Be...]]

my tinnitus is one of my worst symptoms, but its monotone, several different pitches going on but no "movement", like chirping, that must be even more annoying..

 

although I saw a horror movie that said "we're ok until the crickets stop chirping"....I never forgot that, especially when outside at night and they all stop chirping at once, that really does happen, and Ive wondered a time or two if the boogie man was coming...although that was years ago when I was 45, I dont get scared now..

[[VC...]]

Well, Rabbit, I was just typing a note here when I saw yours. Thanks, friend.

 

Everything was going better for a couple days - not as many irregular heartbeats on the machine, fewer meltdowns, not so many surges...yay! But today went a little south by supper time. I don't know if I over-did it with this adrenal exhaustion (tried to run some errands instead of staying housebound) or just some benzo-kickback, or maybe it didn't help that I kept ruminating about some hurtful things that recently happened in the family. I couldn't shut the doggone stuff off! So I unraveled a bit tonight. Kept feeling intermittent palps, stomach gurgling after some chocolate, and the BP machine shows every other reading as "irregular." I'm gonna stop checking my BP while...although it's been my gauge this past week or so. Sorry to drone on about it. I'm sure tomorrow will be better.

 

Also, I was told dark chocolate would lower cortisol - any of you heard that? Seems the caffeine is not a good idea with palps.

 

I need a security blanket, I think. Sigh.

Feeling a tad bit depressed.

VC

[[Ra...]]

Ah V, I'm sorry today was not a good day.  Ruminating is one of my worst characteristics (a little OCD).  I never feel better when I do it, but it sometimes seems like I can't help myself.  It's awful isn't it?  I hope you feel better tomorrow honey.

 

Hugs!!!

[[VC...]]

my tinnitus is one of my worst symptoms, but its monotone, several different pitches going on but no "movement", like chirping, that must be even more annoying..

 

 

I hear you, Benzy. I'm sure if we all held a microphone in our ears, we'd hear a symphony up in here  Mine is high-pitched...must be soprano. Weeee!

 

 

Hey Rabbit, thanks so much. Sometimes we just need to ventilate 

I'm feeling quite OCD myself lately. Just need to get out of the mental rut with family...they haven't been supportive so I'm trying to just be thankful for the support and understanding I *do* have here with BB and friends like you.

Hugs back...

[[mr...]]

I hear ya, V past few days have been decent, but I got hit with a few things just recently too. No worries, friend -- this too shall pass.

 

I so, so wish we didn't have to go through this stuff...but I'm grateful that we all know each other because of it.

 

Here's to the big window and higher baseline that will soon follow this wave of ours, VC I welcome it with open arms, yes Lord!

 

I'm going to go lay down & rest. I'll most likely be back on a lil later though Take care until then

 

Mrs.

[[la...]]

Well, Rabbit, I was just typing a note here when I saw yours. Thanks, friend.

 

Everything was going better for a couple days - not as many irregular heartbeats on the machine, fewer meltdowns, not so many surges...yay! But today went a little south by supper time. I don't know if I over-did it with this adrenal exhaustion (tried to run some errands instead of staying housebound) or just some benzo-kickback, or maybe it didn't help that I kept ruminating about some hurtful things that recently happened in the family. I couldn't shut the doggone stuff off! So I unraveled a bit tonight. Kept feeling intermittent palps, stomach gurgling after some chocolate, and the BP machine shows every other reading as "irregular." I'm gonna stop checking my BP while...although it's been my gauge this past week or so. Sorry to drone on about it. I'm sure tomorrow will be better.

 

Also, I was told dark chocolate would lower cortisol - any of you heard that? Seems the caffeine is not a good idea with palps.

 

I need a security blanket, I think. Sigh.

Feeling a tad bit depressed.

VC

 

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling so good V

 

I don't think cortisol in and of itself is bad.  It's a control signal for nor-epinephrine, and adrenaline (which are important to keep under control).  I doubt chocolate is going to have anything other than a placebo effect, but you are right that caffeine can trigger palps.  Cigarettes, give me them too.  I've been avoiding caffeine for a while now.

[[Be...]]

chocolate is a HUGE NONO for heart palps, tinnitus too, as well as general withdrawal symptoms..

 

you'll learn to avoid the "family issues" at all costs as well, unless ya wanna settle the score,,,,

 

I just walked away, unless I had just had it with someone, then the poor soul caught ALL  my withdrawal symptoms because I would just let it go all over them if they pushed the issue...

 

after witnessing a few meltdowns, they leave me alone now!!!

[[VC...]]

Thanks, Mrs, and I hope you rest well. Always appreciate your timely words of encouragement, even as you're going through your own stuff. You have a gift, you know. Grateful you're on this forum.

 

Benzy, I thought so - that chocolate was a no-no, but some other benzo-support group told me this. Crazy. With hx of A-fib, I really can't afford any caffeine boost. And family stuff - well, they think I'm neurotic. No empathy. It hurts. I should let it go. Gotta figure out how to deal with them without wrecking my mental/emotional health. Wait. I think the benzo already did that. Thanks for the support, buddy.

 

Lacey, I think you're probably right although I've been calling these things "adrenaline surges". Last year I lost about 25 lbs not being able to eat because of this. Then I realized I was not eating carbs (no appetite and only reaching for paleo foods when I *could* eat) so I forced myself to eat better and add a few carbs back... because super low carb is stressful on the adrenals, i later discovered. Hope your weekend is going okay. 

 

 

 

 

[[Be...]]

oh, I didnt know lack of support was the "family issue"... in that case, going postal on them probably isnt a good idea... I just go postal so theyll take their BS elsewhere...

[[la...]]

Lacey, I think you're probably right although I've been calling these things "adrenaline surges". Last year I lost about 25 lbs not being able to eat because of this. Then I realized I was not eating carbs (no appetite and only reaching for paleo foods when I *could* eat) so I forced myself to eat better and add a few carbs back... because super low carb is stressful on the adrenals, i later discovered. Hope your weekend is going okay.

 

Hey V.

 

My Weekend is going about as good as I could hope for it to go I guess.  Not awesome, but not awful either.

 

I'm curious about you mentioning adrenal exhaustion.  Why do you say you have this?

[[Fl...]]

ps, just joking, dont anybody spray Raid in their ears please 

 

Yeah, don't try that at home. Benzy, you're a hoot. But right now the crickets are winning the race 

I feel ya, MamaShoShanna ... got me some crickets, too....ugh.

 

I kept trying to think of how to explain what the sound was like and that's it....crickets!  Perfect!  And, right now mine are loud......

FB

[[Fl...]]

I sprayed Raid in my ear and got rid of the  crickets, gotta do both ears at once tho...

 

Well, now it all makes sense

FB

[[Be...]]

[[...]]

You know what, I've decided to space the 3 mg dose into 4 even .75 mg doses. 8AM-2PM-8PM-2AM.. I'll bear with the symptoms as my body takes time to adjust to this new pattern. After I've adjusted to a schedule, I'll start the taper. Hope nobody labels me a quitter!

[[mr...]]

You know what, I've decided to space the 3 mg dose into 4 even .75 mg doses. 8AM-2PM-8PM-2AM.. I'll bear with the symptoms as my body takes time to adjust to this new pattern. After I've adjusted to a schedule, I'll start the taper. Hope nobody labels me a quitter!

 

Buddy, that ain't what quitters do. This is a move of someone getting serious about kicking the benzo, if you ask me. Takes a plan, serious stability, and T-I-M-E to get free from this thing. This drug ain't no little thing you're dealing with! Sounds like you're taking it serious to me.

[[Ma...]]

chocolate is a HUGE NONO for heart palps, tinnitus too, as well as general withdrawal symptoms..

 

you'll learn to avoid the "family issues" at all costs as well, unless ya wanna settle the score,,,,

 

I just walked away, unless I had just had it with someone, then the poor soul caught ALL  my withdrawal symptoms because I would just let it go all over them if they pushed the issue...

 

after witnessing a few meltdowns, they leave me alone now!!!

 

 

 

must......have.......chocolate.......must.......have.........chocolate..............must............. :D :o :D

                               

[[Ma...]]

my tinnitus is one of my worst symptoms, but its monotone, several different pitches going on but no "movement", like chirping, that must be even more annoying..

 

although I saw a horror movie that said "we're ok until the crickets stop chirping"....I never forgot that, especially when outside at night and they all stop chirping at once, that really does happen, and Ive wondered a time or two if the boogie man was coming...although that was years ago when I was 45, I dont get scared now..

 

Play a few tinnituses and it would be the orchestra from Hell.  Today I actually thought....maybe I really do have animals living in my brain.  After thinking those lovely thoughts for a spell, I slapped myself out of it, shouting silently "IT'S THE BENZOS, WOMAN!"