Going off of Xanax

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!

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!

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!

Hi rascal1
I’m not sure if you still check this it’s been a while. I started at 1 2mg pill 11 Years ago. One each night along with Wellbutrin in the morning. At this point I’m taking 3 of them to go to sleep at night if not 4. Would you say in your exp if you had success doing Ashton method? Do you find your lifestyle has improved? I know it affects memory firsthand; I have a lot of shame for the amount I take. I’d be happy to come down by half my nightly dose ( 6mg) for a year since it’s been a while. Would you let me know if you had long-term success? I’d love to learn if it’s worth the pain. It’s definitely difficult maintaining the prescriptions, as when they run out doctors always give the strange eyes etc.(even when they are a long-term practitioner.) They are happy to increase your dose over the years but then when you go to refill your 3 month prescriptions, even if it’s over three months, I get the “popper” looks. I feel like in some ways it’s easier for doctors over the past 10 years to prescribe this the meds to me because I’m somewhat well spoken and well put together. I get a few generic questions but nobody suggesting we switch dose or Klonopin or assist with a taper. I know their not crack but they are still very real , very bad addictive drugs.

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 am wondering after the long period of time it’s been since your post if you were successful in weaning off this medication? If so, could you share how you did it? I’m in need of some support right now.

I can't remember the name of the methodology but basically you decrease your amount by 25% every two weeks. So if you're taking 4 mg you would slowly try to wean back to 3 mg after 2 -3 wks - time. Stay there for another two or three weeks and then try to go down again, the rule is 25% but anything less is a step in the right direction. I've been 1 mg for a year now. I'm OK with that. I don't take antidepressants I very rarely drink and I take silica magnesium vitamin C And zinc Daily. (Alongside my Collagen and green tea of course. It's a turkey time of year when the seasons change especially fall. Fall was difficult for me I would always feel a little blue and want to 'up' my medication.
While you're trying to drop this 25% over this next two weeks/18 days, try to look into some different methodologies like tapping cognitive behavior. Deep breathing. It sounds overrated but maybe you can join something or watch a YouTube online. Finally if you can check out Instagram there's a Doctor @nickortner founder of @ thetappingsolution. Remember there is no one size fits all. As long as you're doing better four days out of seven you are winning. Again my experience was for 1 mg tablets per night. After two weeks not only did I go down to 3.5 mg, I substituted one pill for clonazepam Which was about the equivalent dose of Xanax - per pill . The next day I felt a little bit fidgety but I knew the physical part was helping to let go of the addiction. it took me two months almost 3.

I will say that Xanax does not feel the same anymore. I don't immediately feel relaxation anymore. It just helps me sleep..:) Feel free to contact me anytime. I am usually up around now (eu)

Thank you so much for this help! I am very encouraged that you went from a much higher dose than I am taking. I’m only taking .5 mg but I’ve been taking it for at least 5+ years. These side effects are killing me! I have got to quit this as quickly as I can. I can’t handle the hand tremors and the depression. It is definitely a different drug for me now than it was when I started it. Anxiety is massively increased, and now depression added. It’s awful! Could be age related as was suggested, but I hope not.

I'm so sorry I missed the part about depression. Please please go on walks in the morning at night. Adopt a pup or Kitten!
Get involved in some inexpensive beautiful skincare from Korea. Try Amazon tirtir or mixoon.

Make sure you have a fresh pajama to sleep in every night, make sure you have a clean comfy outfit to change into in the morning. I'm not sure if you work at home. This will be a difficult time make sure you shower every day with a shampoo that you love the smell of.
All of these things will help you feel so much better… They are just difficult to push yourself to do. worst case scenario, go on a mild antidepressant and hold off on your Xanax withdrawal for six weeks. As you withdraw from the Xanax you'll have a little bit of support from the antidepressant. Lexapro is good for anxiety. Once you've been on the anti-depressant for two months then begin your Xanax withdrawal. Once you find yourself feelings stabilized after five months or or six months in 2025, probably in the spring you can start a baby garden and slowly wean off your antidepressants. Take one every other day. see how you feel. If, after two weeks it's not working then continue taking them every day. There will always be side effects. There will always be some consequences. You have to ride them out and put your armor on.
Good luck🥰