Looking for anxiety and benzo withdrawal support

[BillCalif]

Hi, I've had an occasional-use Alprazolam (Xanax) prescription for 10 or 20 years, and never had a problem with it (used it once every few months), but during recent travel I unintentionally become somewhat dependent on it, which triggered anxiety and panic. My psychiatrist has transitioned me off the Xanax and onto 1mg Lorazepam (Ativan) per day instead, and I will soon be tapering off of it while also increasing dosage for Fluoxetine (Prozac). It would be very helpful to me to meet other people who have dealt with weaning or tapering off a benzo drug like Lorazepam and how they dealt with any withdrawal. I'm just generally looking for supportive people to communicate with to help each other through situations of anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, and drug withdrawal. Also looking for second opinions (particularly from medical professionals) if the treatment plan I'm on seems appropriate. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Bill, it’s a difficult process. I recently came off of a 30 year addiction to Benzodiazepines (Klonopin) followed by a 30 year addiction to various antidepressants. In between that time, I had to incur a withdrawal from 15 years of prescription Fentanyl for back pain. I am currently drug free for 30 days and doing okay. It takes a lot of dedication, some suffering, and a strong will, but can be done. My anxiety meds were not doing me much good so I made the decision (with my doctor) to end that treatment. It took several months which is fast but I was used to withdrawals from the fentanyl which is way worse than the anxiety meds. Maybe a blessing or a curse, idk, but I made it to the other side. Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to answer.

[012703060610]

I had been on Klonopin for 10 years before I got pregnant. Clearly needed to wean quickly. I was on 10mgs ambien and 2gms klonopin for about 5 years. At the time, ambien was actually ok for pregnancy per what to expect when when expecting, but klonpin certainly wasn't. For all of my pregnancies, I was able to wean off a benzo pretty quickly. Within a month. That is likely too fast for many, but for some reason I don't get the same withdrawal issues as many. Yes, I was a little more irritable and my sleep suffered. I may have had a few headaches if I recall. The sleep is probably what got the best of me for the tapering.

Anyway, I recently changed from klonpin to valium (it has anti inflammatory properties) and will be used long term due to physical diagnosis I have. It sounds like you are also doing a mini cross taper by moving from Xanax to Ativan. Essentially, they want to transition you onto a longer acting half life (Xanax is the shortest) as Ativan is longer. This makes weaning easier as the longer half life meds stay in the system to help. However, I think you'll be able to come off the 1mg in pretty short order. It isn't a huge dose....but make sure you take it slow. This may mean getting .5 tablets as a next step and then maybe even cutting those in half eventually. On all of my tapers, I reduced each week. It's a journey for each individual, but can say it can be done. It never interfered enough with my job so it is possible to come off responsibility and safely.

[maza1]

Like you I had to wean off one antidepressant that didn't suit me and at first I went on to 20mg Fluoxetine and I felt dreadful but with my GPs help I stuck with it and after a few weeks I began to feel like myself again but after a very stressful home like with my granddaughter being very poorly I had to return to my doctor as my anxiety and depression had come on one again my doctor persuaded me to up my dose to 40mg a day and after the first couple of weeks I got back on track , At first I thought Fluoxetine wouldn't help me but I can say persevere with it until it's in your system it may take a few weeks but you will feel better, Good Luck x