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I have been taking Xanax for insomnia for about 14 years, 1.5 mg per night. I want to stop this medication because it can contribute to falls, especially in older individuals, & I am considered a high fall risk. I have tapered off to 1 mg per night, for one week without any side effects, thus far. The doctor who initially prescribed it, is deceased & I am currently looking for a new primary care physician. Please advise. Thank you.
Replies to "I have been taking Xanax for insomnia for about 14 years, 1.5 mg per night. I..."
You need to find a physchiatrist that is well versed in tapering benzodiazepines. 17 years is a long time to be on a benzo. Good luck. I’ve been where you are right now. It’s tough.
Taper down. Break in half. I'm now 40 years taking it. Only take it to sleep. Half if I have to go with husband, keeps me calm
I have been taking Xanax for a long period of time for sleep as well and have no intentions of attempting a taper. As we age we are all High Fall Risk and being off of Xanax is not going to make that go away. You will also be a fall risk if you don't get the proper sleep and stumble around during the day! As a Director of Nurses I developed many individualized fall risk assessments and plans that certainly took medications into considerations. But there are so many more factors involved. Just my thoughts and opinion. Every sleep aid will pose as a fall risk medication. In fact, if you read the inserts on other medication that you may be on, dizziness is usually included. A physician could order a Therapy Consult from an Occupational Therapist to do a home assessment for fall risk if you feel that might help.
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I would get more than one opinion, from your general
practitioner / family physician, and then possibly a
psychiatrist. See how they compare, as there are a number
of sleep aids out there now.