Meche1

[Meche1]

Xanax doesn’t work for me anymore unless I keep taking more. I’m tapering off dropping milligrams every 3 weeks. However the physical symptoms, anxiety, depression and panic attacks are unbearable. Anyone have any tips to cope with and get through this?

[Agora1]

Hi Meche1, It takes time and the proper way of weaning off a benzo.

I had been left on a small once a day daily dose of 0.25mg of Xanax for 30 years.

Yes, years when it no longer was effective.

That is when I decided I too wanted off a drug that was no longer working for me.

I found a psychiatrist who specializes in Benzo Weaning. He used the Dr. Heather Ashton

method on me in weaning slowly and safely. And even at that, it still wasn't easy.

Depending how long you were on Xanax as well as the dosage can determine how your

doctor will wean you down. This is quite normal, but under doctor's care you should be

able to get off it completely w/o too much distress. xx

[Meche1]

I was up to 3 mgs per day when I finally realized that this isn’t helping after 30 years also. There are no doctor where I live with any experience with this so that’s why I joined this community.

I’m trying to stay with 2 mgs for 3 weeks, then 1.5 mgs for 3 weeks, then 1 mg for 3 weeks, then .05, .and .025 and finally stop taking this altogether. Just want to get through this ....

[Yellowblueberry]

Take it slowly. Look up deep breathing techniques on line. There are non addictive meds that people don’t develop a tolerance (needing more of it) - like SSRI antidepressants that can help with anxiety. I hope you will feel better soon.

[Meche1]

I’ve been taking 2 ssri s and today I started gaba. My ears are ringing and my head is exploding. But I’m going to gat better soon, I hope. And yes, I’m reminding myself to breathe deeply several times an hour