Going off of Xanax

Posted by bvgrammy @bvgrammy, Nov 23, 2016

I have been taking Xanax for 25 years for Fibromyalgia and Anxiety. I am trying to wean myself off of it. Has anyone done this?

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@donrealtesting

My Bottle of Medical CBD says take .5 mg to 1.0. I take the 1.0 mg of the 20 CBD to 1 THC ratio.
Caution to anyone taking the 1 to 1 ration THC to CBD, it can hit you like edibles. Use a small amount, it takes up to an hour before you feel it. Also if you have anxiety, the less THC the better, it can raise your anxiety level to very uncomfortable. THC on the salve aka topical products is awesome, has no effect for a high!, but is powerful on nerves and body pain. CBD/THC topical salves also can also work miraculous on body or nerve pain. Kind regards!

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Agree. The topicals are great for pain. Work quickly and last Approximately 3/4 hours. I’ve not used any CBD or THC products internally as I am concerned about effects on my heart medication and blood thinner.

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Hi, My dad had issues because he was taking blood thinners too. He was only taking a strong topical but was putting around his neck! Ended up with profuse bleeding through the nose that would not stop. He had to stop using it. There is a long list of spices that are blood thinners as well. I guess it depends on the person, and the blood thinner. You are wise to understand that side effect can be very dangerous.

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@artscaping

@rascaI, I goofed. I neglected to attach the link to the question, "what is the difference between hemp and CBD oil." No wonder you asked, "so which one is best?" Here you go....https://honestmarijuana.com/hemp-oil-vs-cbd-oil/.

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@rascal, @Chris, This is a good article. Problem is the science gets very technical. Hemp is the cousin of Cannabis, and was used to make rope and canvas for the Navy back in the day. Stanley brothers have crossed bred it with a Charlottes Web a Cannabis plant, which was named after a girl it helped with epilepsy. So hemp sold OTC in stores legally only contain a small amount of CBD. Medical marijuana and strains cross bred with hemp can achieve different CBDS. Together they are much stronger in both THC and CBD that is not comparable to any hemp products for pain. In short the wide spectrum and content of CBD is going to come from plants with THC found in this need breed of plant called a hybrid. Not found in just pure hemp! So hemp in itself is a waste of money. Hope that helps.

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Personally Xanax has helped me with the anxiety and all the other ailments to many with little time to discuss here I for one weaned myself on alot of the drugs prescribed due to the love o have for my kidneys and liver but I strongly suggest you do this under the supervision of your physician for the withdrawal's can be worse than the symptoms the reason you took them to begin with Xanax takes the edge off the pain if that makes any sense but Xanax and I alone can't deal with the constant pain and fear I will be back on opioids again soon as with most drugs of this class should be monitored by your physician good luck

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@alina23

Hi grannydee
i’ve been takining xanax for 10 years. I don’t even know if it’s possible for me to wean off of 6 to 8 mg every night before I go to sleep. My doctor originally prescribed it with an anti-depressant that was giving me anxiety but I have suffered anxiety attacks previously. We began at 1 mg. When I didn’t resolve the problem they pushed it to 2 mg pills. A few years went by and I was taking 2 2mg pills. here I am 10 years later and I am taking between three and 4 2mg pills. It has affected my memory etc. 1 mg pill does nothing for me, even though it has a short half-life, I’ve tried taking 1 mg during the day when I feel very edgy. I just lost my family and it’s a tough time to try to wean off but I know I’m hurting myself by tapering up instead of down. Regardless of my emotional status. I’m currently overseas for work and my job just ended but I will be here another two months so I feel a little bit trapped in a foreign country trying to figure this out. Any suggestions? Thank you for taking the time to read this:/

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Would love to know the name of your doctor! 40 years ago I was diagnosed (finally) with ulcerative colitis/Crohn's and while pregnant, pneumonia, rectal bleeding and hospitalized Prednisone was the main course Iv for quite sometime then pill form that last for years that being said pain meds were out of the equation and after the birth of my daughter and much pleading it fell still falling on deaf ears the requests for relief is futile! Being an air force brat growing up my dad was tough as wit leather and he raised me to be tough sometimes to tough so for a long long time I kept quite all the while in excruciating pain! Being told there is nothing wrong with me by mainly relatives because I didn't complain to them or my doctor's has taken a different turn my name should be alongside of the long-term warning signs of steroids! What do you say or do to get the relief? The mri's, cat scans, yada yada yada should speak volumes ! 50 years plus dealing with it I'm tired

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@johnbishop

Hello @nikkiresnik, Welcome to Connect. Are you trying to taper off of Xanax?

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I am trying to taper off Xanax. I have taken alprazolam .5 mg daily for several years and really want off the stuff. I’m pretty sure it’s now causing increased anxiety and depression. I’m 72 years old and had a litany of meds I was blaming for this issue, but never the alprazolam. Well, with the doctor’s help, I’ve stopped statins and beta blockers. Now, nothing left to stop but 50 mg of Losartan which doctor said stopping is out of the question. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm that needs protecting. Wondering if anyone can help with weaning off this drug?

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@carolinlv

I am trying to taper off Xanax. I have taken alprazolam .5 mg daily for several years and really want off the stuff. I’m pretty sure it’s now causing increased anxiety and depression. I’m 72 years old and had a litany of meds I was blaming for this issue, but never the alprazolam. Well, with the doctor’s help, I’ve stopped statins and beta blockers. Now, nothing left to stop but 50 mg of Losartan which doctor said stopping is out of the question. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm that needs protecting. Wondering if anyone can help with weaning off this drug?

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I was on Xanax for years until our Dad passed away in 2004 of pancreatic cancer, he also had Alzheimer's in the end. I took Xanax mainly for sleep purposes and occasionally during the day for stress. I stopped cold turkey after reading the effects Xanax has on brain function and memory. I'm in my late 60's now and I'm forgetful. Not forgetting where I put things but forgetting topics I'm training on at my new job. Forgetting birthdays of nieces, nephews, et al. I was taking Lions Mane - which is suppose to be good for the brain. I stopped last April '24 when I was rushed to the ER with a clot behind my knee and the vascular surgeon took me off all supplements due to blood thinners they put me on when discharged. Now that I'm off all blood thinners except the 81aspirin - I'm going to resume Lions Mane again. Whether it was mind over matter taking it made me feel I was being proactive. Please do your best to get off the xanax. I've had bad reactions: e.g. anxiety WHILE taking them so something's not right there. Good health and all the best to you.

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I’m going to do my best! Thanks for the support!

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@carolinlv

I’m going to do my best! Thanks for the support!

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You need to ask your doctor to switch you over to Valium. It has a much longer half life and is the gold standard for benzo tapering. You would start out at 10 mgs Valium which is equal to .5 mg. Xanax. I’m 71 and this is how I tapered off Xanax. It’s extremely difficult to taper directly off Xanax due to its short half life. Also google the Ashton Manual which tells you exactly how to taper and has helped so many.

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@sears

You need to ask your doctor to switch you over to Valium. It has a much longer half life and is the gold standard for benzo tapering. You would start out at 10 mgs Valium which is equal to .5 mg. Xanax. I’m 71 and this is how I tapered off Xanax. It’s extremely difficult to taper directly off Xanax due to its short half life. Also google the Ashton Manual which tells you exactly how to taper and has helped so many.

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I googled the Ashton Manual and I’m not sure it would work for me. It seemed like it was for people who were taking higher doses of medication. Taking .5 mg of this drug is considered extremely low, though it sure doesn’t seem like it if I’m late in taking it. I’m not sure where I have to go from .5 for an extended period of time. Tapering down to .25 seems to be the next likely step. I could be wrong though?? How much Xanax were you taking if you don’t mind me asking? I have read that Valium is a good helper for this process because it’s longer acting, so I’m definitely going to ask about that. Thanks for the reminder! Did you just stop Xanax and start Valium instead? I’m really happy that you were successful with this and very grateful for you sharing your experience. I hope I can get there soon. I really appreciate your help!

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