Going off of Xanax

Thank you for response!

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?

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.

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

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.

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!

Not trying to be a Smart Alec, but Xanax 0.5 mg is a next to nothing dose. If it has helped you all these years, why taper off of it? There a numerous mental status changes that occur as one ages......and not necessarily related to the Xanax. And Carolinlv, you're right....where do you go except to a .25 which is like a crumb and more than likely will not be accurate dosing by attempting to cut it. My guess would be your increase in anxiety/depression was probably due to your B/P meds and statins. Changes in mental status may simply be due to the aging process, "age related." Just my opinion! I am 75 and found that to be true. Getting older is not for wimps!

I’m 66, take 20 of Lexapro and Bupropion 300 daily. I still get anxious and use .25 Xanax once daily. I told my Dr I’m concerned about using it due to its connection with memory loss. He always tells me not to worry (lol) Chronic worry is my problem. I also use 50 mg of Trazodone at night to sleep. Sometimes I just want to get off all of this

I have. I was taking it for 40 years for Fibromyalgia and Anxiety and 3 years I decided it was time to go off of it with the help of my Dr. Yay! I did it but it took a year. I am so proud of myself but sometimes I do miss it.

By the way it was not easy.