Hi everyone, here is my delema, I have been suffering painic/anxity for about 3 months now and was taking 0.25 mg twice a day and would go for about a week and not take any at all..the axnity has gotten worse and I am now up to 1mg sometimes 2...can someone help me to figure out a way to taper down to nothing at all...I did try to just not take any for about 4 days and after that my head felt like a big gooy mess...I know someone here has explained this before but I can't find the thread...any help would be great as it seems that the Xanax is not helping me but hurting me..the anxity seems to be worse then before and I am thinking it's due to the drug itself...help!!! thank you so much...Boobetty...

I had to go to a natrual doc. and told him what was going on and he detoxed me from the xanax, can't think what it is called right now where he stuck needle in me oh ya accupunture! I hope you get some kind of releif. I have been taking ativan, but my anxiety has gotten out of control and I am taking St. Johnswort which is helping.
sara

Boo that was my experience with Xanax too exactly. It seemed like a downward spiral when I was prescribed to it. I was presribed 2mg twice a day so you can imagine the addiction. Anyways, because the half life of xanax is so short meaning it doesn't last long, then when it's over I felt more nervous than I did before I took it! My solution was to move to Klonopin which I still take. Now Klonopin is addictive too and I supposed to take 2mg twice a day of it too but I don't. I only take it when I need it and I don't EVER feel that downward spiral effect that I got from xanax. PM me if you have any further questions. I went through this for years. Hope this helps...

I agree Klonopin is the answer. It 'lasts' for a day (24 hours), so theoretically you can dose once daily. No ups and downs like Xanax.

I started Xanax for 4 days and saw the "warning" signs that you are: either in it for the long haul (dosing 3 times daily for......ever) or get out while you can. That is when I made the switch to Klonopin 1mg daily.

About tapering...
I have been thru hydro w/d and I thought that was HELL !

Some people say that benzo w/d is worse...can this be? Either way, in the long run all of my expert reading has claimed Klonopin to be the benzo you need to taper if you expect to gradually quit. Xanax is apparently the worst, or hardest to taper from.

Are there any home remedies (medication as well) for getting off benzo's with minimal discomfort? I am sure the day will come when we may decide to do so.

Feedback welcome.

I don't know any home remedies but I do know that they now make klonopin wafers for this very reason... to taper off. They make them at the 2mg level at which I take them but they go down to .125mg which is less than .25. You can't get either one of those two mg's in the regular klonopin pill. The only problem with the wafers as i see it is that you can't break it in half because the whole thing dissolves in your mouth with a ment flavor. So yes benzos are worse to come off of vs. your hydro w/d but I would strongly suggest getting the wafers and start going down the mg chain until your off. This is just from personal experience so I hope it helps. PM me if you need more info on this subject as I said before I've been through the "ringer" with benzos so I know a little bit about them. Hope this helps...

Hi thank you for all of your advice, I have been told about Kolonipin...I will make an apointment tomorrow to see my doc and ask him if I can swich. So this will help me taper off? like I said I seem to be getting worse and if I can taper off I would be happy due to I already HAVE to take hydro...that in itself is something I will always live with...thanks for your advice all...your the best...let you know what my PA says tomorrow....Boobetty :

If you're not taking the Xanax every day, it's almost surely a psychological dependence, not a physical one. You could switch to long-acting Klonopin and taper down slowly by taking less and less. These wafers sound like they're just a marketing gimmick. If you want to stop taking a drug, you need to just take less and less of it and eventually the dose gets low enough to so you can stop it completely.

But that's for kicking physical dependence. For psychological dependence it's a lot more complicated because unless you're suffering from Xanax-induced rebound anxiety, then breaking up Klonopins won't make your anxiety go away and it probably won't make the benzo craving go way.

U.S. Klonopins are hard to divide accurately because they have that K instead of score marks. But that's probably the least of the problem. The generic forms all have score marks and you can get 0.5-mg tabs. Half of that is a quarter milligram, which is a small enough daily dose that once stabilized at that level, someone could just stop taking it and show no clinical signs of physical withdrawal. It might feel uncomfortable, but that's addiction for ya.

If you're still suffering from the panic and anxiety and don't want to take any benzo to treat it, then what are you going to do? SSRIs? I wish you luck because you're gonna need it as well as needing a good doctor. There are too many PCPs who give out the SSRIs and scare people about the evil benzos. It's all a big lie so the drug companies can make more money from you. And the doctors get rewarded by being given fee vacations. It's no different from the Payola Scandals of the 50s where DJs got paid by record companies to play their songs on the radio. It's illegal.

Trampy

Good post, Trampy. One way to taper off Xanax...

A few years ago I convinced myself I was having a heart attack -- this was after several sessions with former PCP, harassing me about cholesterol levels and telling me I could drop dead at any minute. Loved his bedside manner, setting up the proper expectations.

At ER the doc gave me a "portable" IV of lorazepam (Ativan)& everything got much better within fifteen minutes -- i.e. I'd had my first panic attack. Later, Cardiologist did an ultrasound on my heart and gave my heart a clean bill of health, an Rx for Lipitor and an Rx for Lorazepam, incase of further panic attacks.

My new PCP ended up putting me on Effexor XR for the GAD and lorazepam or clonazepam to help with the insomnia caused by Effexor. In particular Clonazepam would probably be sufficient for my GAD, without Effexor, but I kind of like the norepinephrine/dopamine buzz of Effexor -- have even considered adding a little Wellbutrin to the mix? With Effexor I can now drink anyone under the table - makes your brain strong

Quote:

If you're still suffering from the panic and anxiety and don't want to take any benzo to treat it, then what are you going to do? SSRIs?

That is exactly my dilemma too. Xanax does have ups and downs, Valium makes me too groggy all day. When I go off all benzos then the symptions come back and SSRIs don't work in my case.

It has been my experience (I unfortunately was made a drug addict by one of my doctors with xanax) that tapering off of the benzodiazeppines is one of the most difficult classes of drugs to get off. I did not sleep for 3 months after getting off of them. Not to mention I was @ risk for Seizure that no one made me aware of. YOu can image how upset I was about that!

After I got so sick taling them (they actually made my panic attacks WORSE due to an effect called rebound anxiety) I went to a very knowledgable caring MD that put me on a medicine called EFFEXOR XR. Now while it doesn't treat the panic attack immediately as the benzos do (it took about one month for me to get on the correct dosage) I have NEVER FELT BETTER and the panic attacks / anxiety are CURED!!!
Don't believe people when they tell you that these drugs don't work for anxiety. THese medications (if given properly and taken for the correct amount of time) will leave you feeling far better than you ever did taking xanax or any other benzo) and they WILL CURE panic attacks.

Do some research on this medicine and give it a try.

Good Luck and take care!!

Voyager -- I agree with you about the efficacy of Effexor XR both for depression and for GAD. For me it has been a miracle drug. But, my effective dose of 75mg pretty much precludes sleeping -- so I'm taking Clonazepam to slow down and fall asleep. Frankly, the Effexor makes my brain feel so strong that I don't think I could get addicted to a benzo, while taking Effexor -- atleast not at 2mg of Klonopin every night. Hope those aren't famous last words

I took Effexor XR a while ago and it made me feel funny so I switched to Celexa and eventually Lexipro. What is it about Effexor that makes you feel alert and "strong". Just curious...

Hi all great advice..I have an apointment today to talk to my GP...I am trying to stay off antidepresseants due to the fact that I am overweight and am losing it every day..lost 40 lbs in the last 6 months and taking a antidepressant will slow my motabolizum and I do not want that....so as someone stated I will taper down on the Xanax...I did go cold turkey for about a week and my head was so gooy , couldn't think or write a letter...so I will talk to him about the taper today...however...I still have panic attacts...funny thing is they happen almost religousely in the AM or when I am driving a car...I have not gone past 2mg in a day Ever but it has been three months now that I have been on the gen-xanax and I feel that maybe this is not helping but hurting. As far as going on Kolonipin it scare me as well due to the things I am hearing about sezures and such...I will bring it up to my doc...I also can no longer sleep at night and see about gettting something for that as well....so sick and tired of being sick and tired in pain and panicicky...I am not depressed tho...thanks for all of your advice...I will update what he says today at 3....Boo...

I've been on and off Xanax for 20 years, taking 6 month or 1 year breaks, and never felt any sort of withdrawal, tho sometimes tension headaches made me wish I had one to take sometimes during the breaks.
I didn't have withdrawals from fairly high doses of oxycontin and percocet either after over a year of both - guess I'm just one of the lucky ones! I'm sorry to see so many of you suffer through all of that. Maybe my turn will eventually come around, and if/when it does, I'm glad you guys are here to give me advice.

Take care all...

Wow your lucky...I went to see my GP...he said due to my temporary situation he didn't think it was a big problem and when I don't need them any longer he would cross that bridge...he stated that this is the best he can offer at this time and didn't think that what I was taking was a problem...it's in my head I spose that I am addicted...I do need them they do make the panic get better...and if he will help me taper at the end of my ordeal then I will stick with him...he said if not just try to take less every day and he would prescribe me a sleeping pill...so Xaxax here I go..sure wish there was another way to deal wth this besides benzo's....thanks for all of your advice....Boobetty

boobetty i completly understand how you feel. I absolutley hate being dependent on medicine but I have to keep telling myself that just because I have to take the medicine, doesn't make me a bad person or an addict. Yes, most of these meds like benzos and hydro etc are addictive but if you have to take them then take them! I have been taking either Xanax or Klonopin for almost 5 years now everyday. Am I addicted? Probably... but I have my attacks and I have to have them. I sometimes go 2 or 3 days without taking any benzos and I don't feel anything as far as withdrawls go so I just wanted you to know that these meds are made for our conditions. You aren't abusing them and you have all of us to support you. Hope this helps and PM me anytime if you need advice about any of this. I've been through a lot of it.

Train

I agree train. Although you tend to get dependent on benzos, if you have an anxiety disorder, they help you feel normal so you can deal with life. I have gone off my meds just to find out several days later that I was so stricken with anxiety that I can't leave the house. I would rather not deal with that feeling at all.

Train,

So you take Lexapro? My doctor prescribed it for me but seeing as I'm really paranoid about taking new drugs, I haven't tried it yet.

What has been your experience with it? Was it effective? What about side effects?

I've done some research on it, but that's not the same as getting information from someone who has actually used it.

Anything you can tell me about this medication would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Imago

Hi thanks Train...I think your right because I too go for a few days and dont need them..it depends on the day and the stress I am under...but when they come they do with a small amount of warning ...like the sky is falling on my head...so I try to take 0.25 mg and then if that doesen't work I take another and that useually doese the trick...but I hate the fact that I am now on hydro and Xanax...my doctor seems to think it is not a problem and he said he would help me when the time comes to get off of them. I have a very stressufll life trying to sell my home and it's going VERY slow and so I am very manic about keeping it clean in case that buyer comes and wants it ...crazy...but we are asking a lot of money for this place so we need to make it as best as we can...thanks for all of your IM' s and comments...just one more thing that I have to deal with...Boo

(I posted this under another thread too, but thought this one may be more appropriate) This may sound stupid, but is benzo addiction both physical and mental(habit forming)? Because I have been taking Xanax on occasion and really can't tell any difference except it puts me to sleep, so, I'm very careful in how much I use b/c I am afraid of addiction after hearing all the horror stories here. If I can't tell any difference and rarely use it, am I at risk for withdraws and addiction?

The answer to those questions depend on how long and how much you are taking. If you are taking a large dose for a long amount of time for example, expect some withdrawl problems. I know the physical problems exist as far as the mental goes that again would depend on the reason you take it. Some people can get really hooked on sleeping pills and feel they cannot sleep without them. If you are taking xanax and feel you can't sleep without it, then yes mental addiction would occur.

Went to my GP he seems to think I do not have a problem...I do not however take them at night and I am having problems sleeping...so he said he could give me somthing I just don't want another additing problem on my hands...Xanax scares the heebgeebies out of me....Boo

Boo, I've heard from another member that Restoril 30 mg. works very well for sleep, I'm going to ask my doctor for a script next week when I see her. Best of luck!

Very good posts. I have related question about tapering off with hydrocodone. I have started to taper off and I'm curious what other peoples experiences have been. How long, etc. Last time I stopped cold and that was unpleasant to say the least so I'm trying to taper this time. Thanks for everyone's help.

There are several threads on here about this subject, try doing a search on "hydro holiday" and you'll come up with a good thread with some helpful tips. Best of luck, it's not easy

thx, found a few strings and some good info.

HI..well I have had it...I am so sick of Xanax...it only last a little while and I need to know if anyone can tell me where on the net I can get dosage information on Kolonipin info about it so I can print it out and give it to my doc...this is crazy and I am scared that I am getting too dependant on them..I am taking 1mg a day...can someone help me here..IM me if you want...thanks everyone for all of there advice...I have an 87 year old doc so I have to tell him stuff and he looks new things up in the PDR most of the time..shoot he never even heard of Norco when I went to him three years ago....thanks in advance..Boo

hello...
I was on 2mg Xanax (3xDAY)for three years. reached the sane sitautuionas you and went for somethin else...now I either takes restoil (access-meds.com) ---shiping could take 20 days or order clonazepam )klonopin...all are the same benzo, but the later two are timed reales and can be taken at low levels and last all day. They come in 1mg,2mg...
I curently take the two mg twice daile.

Life is much more even...rare, if any chance of depence, but same end reult...just gradual and longer last.

let me know if I can help.

BooBetty just go to google and do a search for klonopin. You should get all kinds of searches come up. Take a look at some of these and pick one that describes the drug well and take it to your doctor. Don't get scared about the xanax. As soon as you start on klonopin or clonazapem (generic) you will feel much better! Everything will be fine. PM me if you need any more help. Hope this helps...

Thanks Train...did that and did get some really great info, I am very scared about the fact that it is treated for seizurs(SP?) I am so afraid of this..any thoughts on this??..my problem is is that the doc thinks this is a temporary thing due to my home situation...I do not...funny thing is is when ever I have to go someplace..I get really freaked out...like I am suffacating and boxed in and can't breath...as soon as I take a 0.25 it doesn't help...so I take another and end up with 1mg...then it helps a bit but if I am in the car I better get to where I am going....my doc really wants me on a antidepressant and I think will push it if I ask for this drug...I do not want it cause they make you gain weight...I am on my way to being fat free and I will be darned if I am going to live the rest of my 40's as a fat person...thanks for your imput and help...I will update when I get my doc 's answer....you guys are the best here at DB...Boobetty

If you are that agorophobic, you definitely need a good antianxiety med. Xanax and Klonopin are good. If you go off the Xanax after using for a period of time cold turkey then you could have seizures. That is why it is recommended that you taper off them. I have known people that have been using Xanax for a long time with no problems as long as it is not abused.

I also have panic attacks when out in public for some reason. This is a condition I have experienced just for a few years.

Listen Boobetty...
There is no reason for you to feel afraid or ashamed of having panic disorder or agoraphobia. There are literally millions of Americans with this disease and it is a real disease. I'm no doc obviously but you need to be on something else other than the xanax .25 in my opinion because they don't last and you are taking more than recommened. (You won't die from it or anything) It's just that you should get to a point where you are taking the med as prescribed and it should work. No more no less. As far as seizures go, xanax and klonopin and most benzodiazapams are used for treating people that suffer from seizures or have had a heart attack because it simply keeps them calm. Xanax has a downward spiral effect where it kicks in quick and leaves you quick leaving you feeling the same if not worse than you did before. This is why I prefer Klonopin. Now I'm not trying to advertise anything here but I will say this. I just got prescribe xanax xr which is a time released xanax and you won't be reaching for your bottle every 4 minutes because it lasts for about 12. I took my first one today and it seemed to work pretty well. There are also klonopin wafers which dissolve right in your mouth and they work very quickly. So my point is there are options for you. PM me if you need any more info on anything. I will be glad to help!! I hope this helps...
Train

Hi - I haven't read all of the posts here, but wanted to relate my experience (recent) with Klonopin and Xanax.

I was taking about 2 mgs. of Xanax nightly (or more sometimes) to get to sleep, and about 2 mgs. of Klonopin daily. This was due to incredible stress as of late. I've tapered down to .25 (or half) of a .5 Rivotril (Klonopin) one time daily, and 1/2 to 1 mg. Xanax nightly. This process has taken several months, but has been quite painless. I'm hoping within the next month or two, I'm off of them completely. The Klonopin does not make me drowsy, just a little calmer, and the Xanax acts as a short-term sleep aid. I'm employing various methods other than benzos now to be able to sleep and cope with stress, although I certainly understand those who do well with these. If you ever want to quit or cut down drastically, doing a VERY slow taper can really be (I hesitate to say this, but it has been true) do-able.

I'm thinking about taking out the Xanax from my nightly regime, and using Klonopin instead, then just taper off of that. As long as you do a VERY slow taper and can institute methods such as (just for example) exercise, meditation, Chamomile tea, 5-HTP, etc. (these are just what I'm doing, not saying that there are any right ways), it will lessen the anxiety and other major benzo withdrawal symptoms.

Just my experience.

Hi..and thanks for your insite...ok called my doc...he gave me Koloipin he gave me to start with 0.5's...three times a day...I was taking about 1.50 mgs' of Xanax...do you think that is enouph equivalnt to the Xanax...I still kinda feel edgy...but I did wake up this morning and felt pretty good...I didn't meant to rant about the seizers but they do scare the bagezzis out of me so I am going to make sure I take them exactly like they say but for the next four days I am using the 0.5's ..and then I am suposed to call my doc and he will up them if I need it...this is my first day...so we will see...train thanks so much for your help in this...I finley got the nerve to ask for the change...I have a real problem and was ashamed and felt like a drug addict again...the doc's sometimes have a habit of doing that...thanks again...Boo

Yes, .5 of Klonopin 3x a day is the same as 1.5 mg of Xanax. The Klonopin has a longer 1/2 life so you should not feel as edgy as with Xanax. I would not worry about seizures since you are substituting one benzo for another. Having to use a medication in order to have a normal quality of life does not make anyone of us an addict at all.

Hi Boo! Just wanted to let you know I took Klonopin for a couple of years and never had any problems whatsoever. It's good stuff and I think once your body adjusts to it you're going to do just fine! Glad you made the change and one more thing..you've mentioned your weight a couple of times - try the Atkins Diet!!! My friend (51, about 60 pounds overweight) finally talked her into the diet and she has lost 30 pounds It works if you stick to it and drink tons of water. Sorry to get off topic, just wanted to let you know about my experience with the Klonopin.

Great..so I am taking the same as what I was taking on regular Xanax...cool...it really kinda makes me crabby at this point..not sure why..hopeing this will pass...as far as my weight thing goes..yep..I am doing the ADkins diet..I lost 46lbs so far...so it's great...I just hope that this drug will not stop this...thanks for all of your help on this matter...I hope that this crabby feeling will pass as soon as my body gets used to the drug itself..should right...thanks Boo..

Boo, I think that side effect will go away in time. Ironic, because when I started the Xanax I had that same crabby feeling. So now I'm taking Prozac ER once a week, Xanax and hydro 10/500 with the occasional Vicoprofen for my monthly cramps. I'm in great shape

Congrats on your weight loss!! That is fantastic. I can't stress enough to drink lots of water, that's my only beef with the diet. Hang in there!!

Hi..thank you for your thoughts Ligit..I am still on my jurney tho..30 more till my goal and seam to be stuck...that happens...anyway I was reading back on the threads...I feel I do not have a dependency on the Xanax..I have REAL panic/anxity attacts..mostly the funny thing is when ever I go out in the car...that said this drug seems to work well...the closterphobic feeling seems to be gone and I can breath...my only poblem now is as Train told me the sluggishnes and being sleepy...so I hope this will pass like the crabby did yesterday...this is my 5th day so things should be a bit different..and I am happy to read that I can take them when needed...I will tell my doc that they work...get my 90 per month...I just hope that when my home situation clears up, selling my home for the last 6 months, we live in the contry and it's taking forever..got a nice acer of land but people just don't want to travel..why? who knows..it's so peacefull here and we have a big house that is only 4 years old.....anyway when this is finished maybe I can go off them...thanks to all that have helped me...Ligit...thanks so much for your incourgment..it's a long travel but it's a job in itself...seems it gets harder at the end..but I refuse to stop...boo