Feel like Im losing myself,my mind,everything

[Brittany7460]

Does anyone have any experience with benzos for anxiety/panic attacks?

[Agora1]

I do Brittany7460, how may I help you?

[Brittany7460 in reply to Agora1]

I've been taking alprazolam, xanax daily a little over 3 years. Yes I've had to slowly increase my dosage over the years because of tolerance build. Im prescribed 1.5 mg twice daily. I've been trying to slowly wean myself to 2.75 mg daily but having a hard time. Im having anxiety in between doses and find myself taking multiple doses, as in tiny pieces(sometimes they help mentally) but i try to never go over my total amount of mgs Im prescribed for the day. Ill give an example.

My doses for today are 1.5 mg around 12 pm

0.25 mg(a fourth of a 1 mg tablet) around 2 pm

1 mg around 8 pm

Then 0.125 mg(a half of a fourth of a 1 mg tablet) around 10 pm

So a total of 2.875 total for the day. Im still feeling panicky but scared to take more. Im already freaking because I fear of overdose. Not so much the mgs but how many doses I've taken for the day.

[Agora1 in reply to Brittany7460]

Brittany, it just so happens that I know what you are experiencing since I went through this same thing when on Xanax. You have built a tolerance to it and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms even though on the drug. Once Xanax is no longer working after being on it for a time, you will get symptoms letting you know that your brain is not happy that you are trying to withdraw. I was on 0.25 mg of Xanax for 30 years. (left on it by a doctor who never told me it wasn't a forever pill)

You are going to need to be guided by a psychiatrist who can wean you off the benzo safely and slowly. The method used for myself was by Dr. Heather Ashton expert Benzo withdrawal. She uses Valium substitute in weaning off Xanax. Valium is used because of it's longer acting substance. Because of the length of time I was on Xanax, the process took me 2 years to get off the med. Of course it won't take you that long because you have been on it for only 3 years.

There is a chart on the internet showing the cuts made in dose every 2 weeks never going back up on a dose once you have lowered the dose. If you type in Dr. Heather Ashton, Benzo Withdrawal Method/UK....you should be able to see the chart used which you can then print out and show it to your doctor. DO NOT attempt to reduce the dosage on your own. As you can see, the symptoms slip through plus you need the guidance and support from a professional.

I'm here if you have any other questions. I am Benzo Free and the feeling is Amazing. I wish you good luck, it can be done without too much discomfort. xx

[Elaine1963 in reply to Agora1]

Awesome response, we may not be doctor's but I appreciate the way we respond to each in this community.

Thank you to Agora1 and every person that has taken the time to respond with such care and concern.

We are Strong and Awesome.

[Brittany7460 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you and i agree with everything. It sucks. I know withdrawal is scary but so is overdose to in my mind. Its like I fear either path I choose.

[Hidden]

I was on Ativan and then later took klonopin. I am not sure if those are benzos

[Brittany7460 in reply to Hidden]

Yes those are both benzos. Please read my response on other post it'll explain. Its a lot to explain. I apologize

[Hidden in reply to Brittany7460]

i read it. I am sorry you are going through that. I took Ativan when I was in highschool because I was getting panic attacks in class. I took it once a day but eventually had to stop after a month. I couldn’t function. I was always tired. Then when I went to a trade school I was on klonopin. I found the klonopin to be better. I only took it if I really needed it. Then once I became homebound I stopped taking them as I wasn’t getting panic attacks in the house. I never had all ill effects from them.