Going off of Xanax

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!!!!

Cheers, Anestis

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.

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💕

Baby yourself. You deserve it.

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!!!

Doctors tend to suggest cutting in half and then stopping. In my experience and that of friends, it can take months to get off benzos and withdrawal, unlike alcohol, can actually be dangerous, even causing psychosis. See if you can get a liquid form, or after cutting dose in half, then 1/4, try using longer time intervals, going from say 12 hours to 16 and so on. Treat your brain gently!

Thank you for your help. Have you or friends stopped taking .5 mg of Xanax completely? It really sounds like so little but it’s so daunting. I usually take mine between six and seven in the morning daily. Knowing that it’s a short acting medication and done working within 6 to 8 hours made me think it would be easier to stop taking. It’s not like by 4 o’clock I’m losing my mind and chomping at the bit for another. Sometimes I’m a little more anxious than others, but I wait it out until the next morning. Really trying to get an idea of exactly what to expect. Thanks again!

Xanax's effects lats up to 8 hours but it can stay in your body for 2-5 days.
https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-xanax-3510962/
(I have learned to check the half life of meds (and not only half life of med level in my body but in some cases, like with steroids, half life of biological effect.)

Withdrawal is the hardest toward the end in my experience. Again you can use time between doses as part of a taper once you get down to the lowest level you can- again my experience but based on a lot of research at the time.

I trust your personal experience over Google or a doctor that’s never taken it. Thanks again!