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.
They ran out of Prozac and they ran out of Xanax and it was a very difficult week of hallucinations, sickness, and pain from other peoples pain. You can do this! 👍🏼🇨🇦💪🏼
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🥰
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🥰
Thank you for this positive encouragement. It's the first manageable suggestions and best support I've had. People with only good intentions suggest I get out and do more and it's not something I can face. Therapy and psychiatrists are not options either. Adding another doctor to my mix would not be doable right now. Unfortunately, I'm dealing with some physical stuff , too. I have shoulder and back mri's this week. I'm hoping my rotator cuff doesnt need a repair. I've had one done and the 3 month PT is brutal. I know I couldn't handle it right now. Also have chronic back pain nothing has helped. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm and my annual ct to check on it is in two weeks, follow-up with the thoracic surgeon a week after. All this said, I am also 72 years old. Back in December, I was an active 72 year old, but that is not my current state. As I write these things, I know why the anxiety is through the roof and the medication was helpful at one time. It's just not anymore, so I sit and worry about all these things. I know worry doesn't help, but I can't seem to stop. It's a constant cycle now. I am going to take some baby steps though and try to get out and walk again. I was able to do so three days last week. A step in the right direction! Your ideas make me think that if I could just busy myself at anything other than wallowing, I would find improvement. Your pic is lovely, and you appear even younger than my own daughters. Thanks for helping out an old lady! This has been very therapeutic to discuss with you. Thank you and I'll try to put that armor on as you suggested!❤️❤️
.5mg. Xanax is
equivalent to 10 mgs. Valium. Not really a small dose. You also have to keep in mind that at some point that .5 will
stop working and become ineffective.
I'm a 73 yr old man with Parkinson's (early stages: tremors and feeling well thanks to diet, sleep, exercise, and socializing; and 0.5mg Xanax--difficult to find a quack doc' here in CA who will prescribe it, but it helps and I've been taking Benzos for decades. At one time I was up to 2mg (of either Klonopin or Alprazolam). I'm dependent, but take it only as needed when I'm in a manic mode (I'm Bipolar) or feeling quite anxious in large social groups. It helps, I don't abuse it, and it may be causing some aphasia (trouble finding the right words to us when speaking), but I'm alive and adapting to the aging process and my illness. I've spoken to some clinicians who told me that it's OK for me to continue taking the medication. It all depends on you, the individual. I won't offer any suggestions. Do what you feel is best for you. I monitor my daily life experiences on a spread sheet--use a sleep app to maintain good sleep hygiene, cut out nearly all processed foods and sugar, am able to see how I'm progressing or declining, and work on what I can to be at my best. I don't let many things bother/affect me, don't own and never have owned a TV since being out on my own at age fourteen. I've managed to cut back on all of my prescribed medication with telling my doctors--get free med's from the VA as a disabled Vietnam vet--combat-related injuries and Agent Orange exposure, as well as drinking contaminated water while stationed a Camp Lejeune. What's helped me most is having a caring, loving, supportive wife and being able to let go of many negative feelings about the past while being grateful for all the things I've been through and excellent people and places I've met and traveled to. I keep going forward, no matter what, listen to others without being judgemental, and do what's best for me and those around me. Sure, Benzos have negative side effects, but some days do quite well without taking any, some nights I'm unable to sleep without them, and I have .25mg tablets which sometimes works as well as .5mg's, and I keep 1 or 2 or the .25mg's with me in case of anxiety or panic attacks. Good luck and be well.
Helo! I'm new in this online gathering and I have questions about Xanax. I am 74 years old and I take 0.5 Xanax occasionally to control anxiety and depression. I developed ME/CSF in 2022 and the struggle with this monster cannot be described adequately. A number of doctors threw their hands up once they took my history and recognized ME/CFS. I live in Greece and my current local doctor prescribe 0.5 Xanax for occasional use because I have suffered a terrible family incident in 2019 when I was separated from my family in the US (long sad terrible story). ME/CFS is almost unknown in this country and the go-to solution is to feed you depression medications by the bushel which I HATE ( and threw away completely after a 10-week withdrawal odyssey that thankfully succeeded). Xanax, however, has had decent success in controlling my disintegrated mood and, recently, my increasing difficulty walking. Sleeping is a struggle but Night Ade serotonin does a decent job, although I wake up a bit "drunk." Occasionally, I bypass the serotonin and take one 0.5 Xanax which delivers a bit more shuteye.
Does anybody in this helpful gathering have similar circumstances and impressions? Should I be concerned abt getting addicted to Xanax? My doctor says Not to worry. But my experiences with psychiatric drugs is AWFUL. Xanax, however, does the job without any discernible trouble, at least for now.
Any ideas/personal stories re Xanax will be highly appreciated. And I wish good health and happiness to all in a world that seems to go awry by the DAY!!!!
Helo! I'm new in this online gathering and I have questions about Xanax. I am 74 years old and I take 0.5 Xanax occasionally to control anxiety and depression. I developed ME/CSF in 2022 and the struggle with this monster cannot be described adequately. A number of doctors threw their hands up once they took my history and recognized ME/CFS. I live in Greece and my current local doctor prescribe 0.5 Xanax for occasional use because I have suffered a terrible family incident in 2019 when I was separated from my family in the US (long sad terrible story). ME/CFS is almost unknown in this country and the go-to solution is to feed you depression medications by the bushel which I HATE ( and threw away completely after a 10-week withdrawal odyssey that thankfully succeeded). Xanax, however, has had decent success in controlling my disintegrated mood and, recently, my increasing difficulty walking. Sleeping is a struggle but Night Ade serotonin does a decent job, although I wake up a bit "drunk." Occasionally, I bypass the serotonin and take one 0.5 Xanax which delivers a bit more shuteye.
Does anybody in this helpful gathering have similar circumstances and impressions? Should I be concerned abt getting addicted to Xanax? My doctor says Not to worry. But my experiences with psychiatric drugs is AWFUL. Xanax, however, does the job without any discernible trouble, at least for now.
Any ideas/personal stories re Xanax will be highly appreciated. And I wish good health and happiness to all in a world that seems to go awry by the DAY!!!!
my personal experience with .5 mg Xanax was really good for quite a few years. Within the last year, I have started to experience some serious depression and my anxiety has increased. I would love to just stop it and not feel this, but my body said absolutely no when I tried for a week. I ended up sitting on the couch, unable to eat during this entire effort. I do not agree with your doctor that it is not addictive. My cardiologist and my general practitioner believe it to be a very low dosage, but that does not mean it’s not addictive. I will be 73 very soon and don’t know if I’m metabolizing things differently or what the change has been, but I am definitely feeling it. I have an appointment in two weeks with my doctor to discuss what we’re going to change to get me off this drug. I absolutely do not feel it is doing any good any longer. I’ve also lost over 25 pounds since this brain fog started. In my personal experience again, I say beware. Good luck working through your decision and I hope you find something workable for yourself.
At first I thought I posted this awhile ago. LOL. I was on Xanax for over 25 years. A few years ago, my Dr. said I have to choose, Xanax or my pain med. Of course I cannot go off my only pain med. I would never function at all. So I went off my Xanax. His plan was WAY to short. The withdrawals were BAD right away. So I did it MY way and I told the Dr. what "I" needed to do. It took me about a month or so of slowly weaning myself off, little by little. The Dr. cannot rush you on this. Then from the time that I went off Xanax, I no longer could sleep. MY mind was racing. Of course my anxiety was not good, but I had done enough therapy in the past, I was able to handle my anxiety, but I NEEDED to sleep without my mind going crazy with thoughts all night. I ended up being given a stupid antihistamine for my anxiety. OF COURSE it does not work, but I usually can fall alseep.
Thank you for this positive encouragement. It's the first manageable suggestions and best support I've had. People with only good intentions suggest I get out and do more and it's not something I can face. Therapy and psychiatrists are not options either. Adding another doctor to my mix would not be doable right now. Unfortunately, I'm dealing with some physical stuff , too. I have shoulder and back mri's this week. I'm hoping my rotator cuff doesnt need a repair. I've had one done and the 3 month PT is brutal. I know I couldn't handle it right now. Also have chronic back pain nothing has helped. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm and my annual ct to check on it is in two weeks, follow-up with the thoracic surgeon a week after. All this said, I am also 72 years old. Back in December, I was an active 72 year old, but that is not my current state. As I write these things, I know why the anxiety is through the roof and the medication was helpful at one time. It's just not anymore, so I sit and worry about all these things. I know worry doesn't help, but I can't seem to stop. It's a constant cycle now. I am going to take some baby steps though and try to get out and walk again. I was able to do so three days last week. A step in the right direction! Your ideas make me think that if I could just busy myself at anything other than wallowing, I would find improvement. Your pic is lovely, and you appear even younger than my own daughters. Thanks for helping out an old lady! This has been very therapeutic to discuss with you. Thank you and I'll try to put that armor on as you suggested!❤️❤️
Sometimes a stranger can be less judgmental than our family… Sometimes:)
The most important thing is to have somebody who is relatable. Good luck with your shoulder. Just remember each thing that you put off and procrastinate will be even more difficult to achieve later.:(
In regard to health deal with those things as soon as possible because you have enough to contend with🪬🙌🏼 Baby steps💕
my personal experience with .5 mg Xanax was really good for quite a few years. Within the last year, I have started to experience some serious depression and my anxiety has increased. I would love to just stop it and not feel this, but my body said absolutely no when I tried for a week. I ended up sitting on the couch, unable to eat during this entire effort. I do not agree with your doctor that it is not addictive. My cardiologist and my general practitioner believe it to be a very low dosage, but that does not mean it’s not addictive. I will be 73 very soon and don’t know if I’m metabolizing things differently or what the change has been, but I am definitely feeling it. I have an appointment in two weeks with my doctor to discuss what we’re going to change to get me off this drug. I absolutely do not feel it is doing any good any longer. I’ve also lost over 25 pounds since this brain fog started. In my personal experience again, I say beware. Good luck working through your decision and I hope you find something workable for yourself.
When one's life collapses like mine did one's ways of thinking are a bit distorted thanks to despair. Throw in the terrible money problems and life in Greece (not so romantic as most tourist magazines will tell you) and you get the picture. I'm not young any longer and I can't "brave" things as so many of my relatives remind me, so I struggle just to survive. Xanax at these very low dosages helps with sleep and getting through for yet another day. As I type this I also struggle with vertigo, a bitch of an ailment that refuses to badge. Overall, this is my own "battle for survival" which often seems lost. As for metabolism at our age yes, it does change significantly (another cycle of mysteries) and I can literally feel it in my bones. We got to persevere though, right? Thank you for taking the time of responding to my post and God bless!!!
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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.
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1 ReactionThey ran out of Prozac and they ran out of Xanax and it was a very difficult week of hallucinations, sickness, and pain from other peoples pain. You can do this! 👍🏼🇨🇦💪🏼
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI'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🥰
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsThank you for this positive encouragement. It's the first manageable suggestions and best support I've had. People with only good intentions suggest I get out and do more and it's not something I can face. Therapy and psychiatrists are not options either. Adding another doctor to my mix would not be doable right now. Unfortunately, I'm dealing with some physical stuff , too. I have shoulder and back mri's this week. I'm hoping my rotator cuff doesnt need a repair. I've had one done and the 3 month PT is brutal. I know I couldn't handle it right now. Also have chronic back pain nothing has helped. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm and my annual ct to check on it is in two weeks, follow-up with the thoracic surgeon a week after. All this said, I am also 72 years old. Back in December, I was an active 72 year old, but that is not my current state. As I write these things, I know why the anxiety is through the roof and the medication was helpful at one time. It's just not anymore, so I sit and worry about all these things. I know worry doesn't help, but I can't seem to stop. It's a constant cycle now. I am going to take some baby steps though and try to get out and walk again. I was able to do so three days last week. A step in the right direction! Your ideas make me think that if I could just busy myself at anything other than wallowing, I would find improvement. Your pic is lovely, and you appear even younger than my own daughters. Thanks for helping out an old lady! This has been very therapeutic to discuss with you. Thank you and I'll try to put that armor on as you suggested!❤️❤️
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI'm a 73 yr old man with Parkinson's (early stages: tremors and feeling well thanks to diet, sleep, exercise, and socializing; and 0.5mg Xanax--difficult to find a quack doc' here in CA who will prescribe it, but it helps and I've been taking Benzos for decades. At one time I was up to 2mg (of either Klonopin or Alprazolam). I'm dependent, but take it only as needed when I'm in a manic mode (I'm Bipolar) or feeling quite anxious in large social groups. It helps, I don't abuse it, and it may be causing some aphasia (trouble finding the right words to us when speaking), but I'm alive and adapting to the aging process and my illness. I've spoken to some clinicians who told me that it's OK for me to continue taking the medication. It all depends on you, the individual. I won't offer any suggestions. Do what you feel is best for you. I monitor my daily life experiences on a spread sheet--use a sleep app to maintain good sleep hygiene, cut out nearly all processed foods and sugar, am able to see how I'm progressing or declining, and work on what I can to be at my best. I don't let many things bother/affect me, don't own and never have owned a TV since being out on my own at age fourteen. I've managed to cut back on all of my prescribed medication with telling my doctors--get free med's from the VA as a disabled Vietnam vet--combat-related injuries and Agent Orange exposure, as well as drinking contaminated water while stationed a Camp Lejeune. What's helped me most is having a caring, loving, supportive wife and being able to let go of many negative feelings about the past while being grateful for all the things I've been through and excellent people and places I've met and traveled to. I keep going forward, no matter what, listen to others without being judgemental, and do what's best for me and those around me. Sure, Benzos have negative side effects, but some days do quite well without taking any, some nights I'm unable to sleep without them, and I have .25mg tablets which sometimes works as well as .5mg's, and I keep 1 or 2 or the .25mg's with me in case of anxiety or panic attacks. Good luck and be well.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHelo! I'm new in this online gathering and I have questions about Xanax. I am 74 years old and I take 0.5 Xanax occasionally to control anxiety and depression. I developed ME/CSF in 2022 and the struggle with this monster cannot be described adequately. A number of doctors threw their hands up once they took my history and recognized ME/CFS. I live in Greece and my current local doctor prescribe 0.5 Xanax for occasional use because I have suffered a terrible family incident in 2019 when I was separated from my family in the US (long sad terrible story). ME/CFS is almost unknown in this country and the go-to solution is to feed you depression medications by the bushel which I HATE ( and threw away completely after a 10-week withdrawal odyssey that thankfully succeeded). Xanax, however, has had decent success in controlling my disintegrated mood and, recently, my increasing difficulty walking. Sleeping is a struggle but Night Ade serotonin does a decent job, although I wake up a bit "drunk." Occasionally, I bypass the serotonin and take one 0.5 Xanax which delivers a bit more shuteye.
Does anybody in this helpful gathering have similar circumstances and impressions? Should I be concerned abt getting addicted to Xanax? My doctor says Not to worry. But my experiences with psychiatric drugs is AWFUL. Xanax, however, does the job without any discernible trouble, at least for now.
Any ideas/personal stories re Xanax will be highly appreciated. And I wish good health and happiness to all in a world that seems to go awry by the DAY!!!!
Cheers, Anestis
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Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionmy personal experience with .5 mg Xanax was really good for quite a few years. Within the last year, I have started to experience some serious depression and my anxiety has increased. I would love to just stop it and not feel this, but my body said absolutely no when I tried for a week. I ended up sitting on the couch, unable to eat during this entire effort. I do not agree with your doctor that it is not addictive. My cardiologist and my general practitioner believe it to be a very low dosage, but that does not mean it’s not addictive. I will be 73 very soon and don’t know if I’m metabolizing things differently or what the change has been, but I am definitely feeling it. I have an appointment in two weeks with my doctor to discuss what we’re going to change to get me off this drug. I absolutely do not feel it is doing any good any longer. I’ve also lost over 25 pounds since this brain fog started. In my personal experience again, I say beware. Good luck working through your decision and I hope you find something workable for yourself.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionAt first I thought I posted this awhile ago. LOL. I was on Xanax for over 25 years. A few years ago, my Dr. said I have to choose, Xanax or my pain med. Of course I cannot go off my only pain med. I would never function at all. So I went off my Xanax. His plan was WAY to short. The withdrawals were BAD right away. So I did it MY way and I told the Dr. what "I" needed to do. It took me about a month or so of slowly weaning myself off, little by little. The Dr. cannot rush you on this. Then from the time that I went off Xanax, I no longer could sleep. MY mind was racing. Of course my anxiety was not good, but I had done enough therapy in the past, I was able to handle my anxiety, but I NEEDED to sleep without my mind going crazy with thoughts all night. I ended up being given a stupid antihistamine for my anxiety. OF COURSE it does not work, but I usually can fall alseep.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSometimes a stranger can be less judgmental than our family… Sometimes:)
The most important thing is to have somebody who is relatable. Good luck with your shoulder. Just remember each thing that you put off and procrastinate will be even more difficult to achieve later.:(
In regard to health deal with those things as soon as possible because you have enough to contend with🪬🙌🏼 Baby steps💕
Baby yourself. You deserve it.
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsWhen one's life collapses like mine did one's ways of thinking are a bit distorted thanks to despair. Throw in the terrible money problems and life in Greece (not so romantic as most tourist magazines will tell you) and you get the picture. I'm not young any longer and I can't "brave" things as so many of my relatives remind me, so I struggle just to survive. Xanax at these very low dosages helps with sleep and getting through for yet another day. As I type this I also struggle with vertigo, a bitch of an ailment that refuses to badge. Overall, this is my own "battle for survival" which often seems lost. As for metabolism at our age yes, it does change significantly (another cycle of mysteries) and I can literally feel it in my bones. We got to persevere though, right? Thank you for taking the time of responding to my post and God bless!!!