Xanax Taper

[EmmaEllie]

I've been on .5 mg daily for going on 6 months now. I want to get off them and Psych is willing to help taper. He said it should only take 2 months. He said first month at .25 daily, then next month at .25 every other day. Does that sound about right??...

[Hidden]

Sounds a little too fast to me, EmmaEllie. Slow, slower, slowest, is the best way to taper. You have to let your body dictate how long it will take to taper. You do this by paying attention to your withdrawal symptoms. The idea is to be able to function in your daily life and not let the withdrawal symptoms take away that ability.

When I was on Clonazepam and made the decision to stop, I found Benzo Buddies Community Forum to be extremely helpful.

Here is the link....

benzobuddies.org/forum/inde...

[EmmaEllie in reply to Hidden]

Ok.. thank you...

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

Benzo Buddies was a good support group xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Yes they are, Agora. 🙂

[EmmaEllie in reply to Agora1]

I went to the website and put it on my quick access page...I read a few.. very inspiring

[b1b1b1]

It sounds OK to me because .5 is a very low dose. I had a faster taper from 3.5 mg of Ativan. It was down by .5 every two weeks, and I was fine.

[EmmaEllie in reply to b1b1b1]

Ok... i'm just looking for help.. just don't want to be on these too long

[guynfl2chat]

Yes however you might need a .50mg as you taper to .25. In other words .25 and then .50 next day is ok for a week or so. Don't rush it and make sure you feel ok. I take xanax as needed but I have not taken for a full 6 months straight. However even if I take it a few days in a row I taper off slowly as well. Never cold turkey.

[EmmaEllie in reply to guynfl2chat]

As with most people, I never meant to take it this long. I started taking it to help sleep as I've had insomnia for years and years... then it helped get me through a couple months of let's say very difficult times. Its time to get off.

[guynfl2chat in reply to EmmaEllie]

Its ok I am not saying you should take it. I just want you to feel comfortable tampering off. Some people take it everyday and that is fine. A doctor needs to prescribe the dosage and see the patient regularly.

[EmmaEllie in reply to guynfl2chat]

My Dr prescribed me 2 mg daily but I'll only take .5 mg..but my goal is to get off these and .5 mg is much easier than 2 mg I would imagine

[guynfl2chat]

I recently had an episode on Friday night. I put myself on the meds for now until it tapers off..I do feel better but it takes time to relieve the tension and uneasiness of the attack. It has happened in the past and it feels the worst but xanax helps me live through the recovery and be logical about how to improve the situation. Lots of outdoor time today and activity. The anxiety still is there but I am.managing it with meds and exercise. I just want to make sure you use some tools.to help.to you as it might not be a straight path to tampering down. Eat well, sleep, exercise, socialize, distract and medicate as you begin to lower your dosage. My max dosage is (2) .50.mgs per day but in high anxiety i can go to (3) pills but it's all very temporary. This is all from my doctor. I follow their instructions.

[Agora1]

Hi Emma, I was left on 0.25mg of Xanax once a day for 30 years.

When I wanted off them because they no longer worked, it was a

long slow process in weaning because of the length of time on them.

I now use other methods to keep my anxiety down. I've long been off

any benzos but do Meditate 3x a day and practice my breathing faithfully.

I wish you well in your tapering. You did the right thing in going through your

doctor. Keep him informed at all times. You should do well since you haven't

been on them that long. xx

[EmmaEllie in reply to Agora1]

Thx Agora1...I hope its a smooth transition. I really don't want to be on them, just don't want to go cold turkey.

[Agora1 in reply to EmmaEllie]

Don't ever go cold turkey with benzos. Stay safe and you will reach your goal.

The feeling has been amazing for me since being off them. xx

[EmmaEllie in reply to Agora1]

I've started exercising again...30 minutes elliptical daily when feasible and walking dogs about 2 miles a day... just looked into starting the meditating thing.. so...I appreciate everyone's feedback🙏🙏❤️

[Agora1 in reply to EmmaEllie]

Good for you Emma in exercising. Moving your muscles is just another way

to reduce the adrenaline. Finding the right meditation for you will help immensely.

(it must be done each and every day and not just when you feel anxious)

I am on Lexapro which has helped without the side effects that benzos gave me

of lethargy and spaced out. We're here to support you through this.

You are in a good place right now and it will only get better as you take this

different path. xx

[EmmaEllie in reply to Agora1]

I was thinking of going with the lexapro.. cause I know it's supposed to help with anxiety and depression

[Agora1 in reply to EmmaEllie]

It has been an excellent drug for me. It was given to me while in

the hospital at lunchtime each day. They had said it works better with

food and so I've kept that schedule. Never once have I gotten sleepy

after taking it. The biggest plus is that I got my life back. Wish you that as well xx

[EmmaEllie]

I'm considering buspar or gabapentin...maybe lexapro or vybriid.. that's what my psych recommending to deal with the anxiety cause I want off the benzo...my goal honestly is to be off everything if that's possible..I suffer from depression to so its a fine line to walk... been through some real dark tough days.. I'm saying I'm considering those cause right now my worst issue is the constant internal vibrations/ jitters I get in mainly my legs... but when its real bad it seems to be all over...I know its anxiety.. been dealing with anxiety for over 30 years.. but my drinking masked the problem for decades..quit drinking cold turkey in November... Day by day is all we can do..or at least me for now... I'm glad I found this site as it helps to hear and relate to others who going through similar stuff or have made the transition off the meds

[Agora1 in reply to EmmaEllie]

It's a great safe site to be a part of. We learn from each other xx