xananx withdrawl

[Momwifedaughter]

If you are going to have a seizure from xanax withdrawl - when are you in the clear from that? I tapered my xanax xr 0.5 mg dose down from 4x/day to 3x/day to 2x/day to 1x/day and now have been completely without any for over 3 days - today is the worst for me. I am anxious and having headaches. Am I at the peak or, is it going to get worse?

[Agora1]

Momwifedaughter, What was the time period of your cutting back on dose. Every day? Once a week? or more?

[Momwifedaughter in reply to Agora1]

it varied - I went from 4x/day to 3x/day to 2x/day pretty quickly - maybe over a 2 week period or so, I stayed at 2x/day for about 3-4 weeks then, went to 1x/day. (I am also taking sertraline 150mg if that matters) and, seeing a therapist for CBT

[Agora1]

Hi: it was a little fast. I did 2 week increments cutting dose slowly. The thing is not to go back up on the dose so now that you are not on any Xanax, try to stay that way. It is normal for the anxious to be a little vicious at first. After all your brain is like a kid having a tantrum that you cut him off. Headaches also a part of the process. Everyone is different in how long they stay in the healing process. It could be a couple weeks or months. Each day the brain will get adjusted to no more benzos. One day, you will wake up and feel alive again, in control again, clear headed again. Keep in touch with us. We will support you. Be proud, stay strong..

[Momwifedaughter in reply to Agora1]

wow. thank you so much for your reply. That is what I was thinking - now that I have been without for some hours over 3 days to NOT take anymore. Insomnia and headaches are my biggest challenge at the moment and I can deal with that. I just don't want to have a seizure

[Agora1 in reply to Momwifedaughter]

You should be safe at this point. Please continue using relaxation and calming thoughts to help you through this healing period and even after. We will never really be completely without anxiety, there will always be a little part of it that lives within us. But accepting and not allowing it to take control again will pull us thru.

[Momwifedaughter]

Thank you. I made it through last night. So, I am to day 4 without any xanax. I am actually starting to feel a little better. I was able to sleep a little last night with the help of melatonin.

[Momwifedaughter]

I wanted to give an update since, I know people may search and find this thread. You CAN come off xanax. I am not talking about a huge dose, or an abused dose - but, rather a prescribed dose. I am now 11 days without any xanax xr. My last and lowest dose was 0.mg xanax xr 1x/day at night.

I am seeing a psychologist that specializes in behavioral therapy - specifically CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and it is really helping. This coupled with my 150 mg zoloft daily is a life changer for me. I am also taking 25mg of hydroxyzine as needed in the evenings - if I feel even slightly anxious at night, I take one to help me sleep. Because, a lack of sleep only amplifies my anxiety.