I've been on Xanax since age 15 I'm 54 :( help

@londonex, hi there, thank you for reaching out, my purpose for posting this comment was based on all the comments I have read in the last few years from people who were struggling with fear about not being able to find someone to help them with their benzodiazepine prescription, the reasons were varied from doctors who were retiring and basically leaving their patients alone to get help, the new doctors and also younger ones were not interested in getting involved with these drugs, they were educated about them and at the very least they would provide a patient with a two week supply. The other problem was that the doctors who did provide them their meds were caught up in a the negativity surrounding benzodiazepine and some started pressuring their patients to withdraw, in some cases the withdrawal process was much too fast but they didn’t care, I was a victim of this and sadly all it did was increase my anxiety so the outcome was a disaster. I have posted many comments about this and the shaming I was put through, I never abused my medication and did my utmost best to stay on the same dose, believe me, that was so difficult to do because it’s very well known that you tend to increase over time because your body gets used to the medication. I had to get cancer before my doctor started easing up his pressure but he put me in the care of the pharmacy and I hated this arrangement for many reasons. I know that benzodiazepines were always frowned upon because they are addictive but that didn’t stop the doctors from prescribing them because they worked very well and it made things easier for the doctors who were getting busier with more patients, a quick fix for them and a possible life time of stress and struggles for the patient. I also believe that the opioid crisis which is another travesty of wrong doing got bigger all the time, another highly addictive drug and so they put everything together, thus creating another crisis, it’s a well known fact that you can’t mix benzodiazepine and opioid, it will definitely cause overdose.

@londonex, hi there, thank you for reaching out, my purpose for posting this comment was based on all the comments I have read in the last few years from people who were struggling with fear about not being able to find someone to help them with their benzodiazepine prescription, the reasons were varied from doctors who were retiring and basically leaving their patients alone to get help, the new doctors and also younger ones were not interested in getting involved with these drugs, they were educated about them and at the very least they would provide a patient with a two week supply. The other problem was that the doctors who did provide them their meds were caught up in a the negativity surrounding benzodiazepine and some started pressuring their patients to withdraw, in some cases the withdrawal process was much too fast but they didn’t care, I was a victim of this and sadly all it did was increase my anxiety so the outcome was a disaster. I have posted many comments about this and the shaming I was put through, I never abused my medication and did my utmost best to stay on the same dose, believe me, that was so difficult to do because it’s very well known that you tend to increase over time because your body gets used to the medication. I had to get cancer before my doctor started easing up his pressure but he put me in the care of the pharmacy and I hated this arrangement for many reasons. I know that benzodiazepines were always frowned upon because they are addictive but that didn’t stop the doctors from prescribing them because they worked very well and it made things easier for the doctors who were getting busier with more patients, a quick fix for them and a possible life time of stress and struggles for the patient. I also believe that the opioid crisis which is another travesty of wrong doing got bigger all the time, another highly addictive drug and so they put everything together, thus creating another crisis, it’s a well known fact that you can’t mix benzodiazepine and opioid, it will definitely cause overdose.

@londonex, hi there, thank you for reaching out, my purpose for posting this comment was based on all the comments I have read in the last few years from people who were struggling with fear about not being able to find someone to help them with their benzodiazepine prescription, the reasons were varied from doctors who were retiring and basically leaving their patients alone to get help, the new doctors and also younger ones were not interested in getting involved with these drugs, they were educated about them and at the very least they would provide a patient with a two week supply. The other problem was that the doctors who did provide them their meds were caught up in a the negativity surrounding benzodiazepine and some started pressuring their patients to withdraw, in some cases the withdrawal process was much too fast but they didn’t care, I was a victim of this and sadly all it did was increase my anxiety so the outcome was a disaster. I have posted many comments about this and the shaming I was put through, I never abused my medication and did my utmost best to stay on the same dose, believe me, that was so difficult to do because it’s very well known that you tend to increase over time because your body gets used to the medication. I had to get cancer before my doctor started easing up his pressure but he put me in the care of the pharmacy and I hated this arrangement for many reasons. I know that benzodiazepines were always frowned upon because they are addictive but that didn’t stop the doctors from prescribing them because they worked very well and it made things easier for the doctors who were getting busier with more patients, a quick fix for them and a possible life time of stress and struggles for the patient. I also believe that the opioid crisis which is another travesty of wrong doing got bigger all the time, another highly addictive drug and so they put everything together, thus creating another crisis, it’s a well known fact that you can’t mix benzodiazepine and opioid, it will definitely cause overdose.

I was on 2 mg of Xanax for about 10 years (prescribed in Korea). When I returned to the States in 2015, I got wild reactions from doctors. So, I began decreasing Xanax gradually, and ended up on Buspirone (Buspar), 15 mg 3x/day. I also take Gabapentin to assist in quieting anxiety. This of course with lots of therapy, which you may not be able to have? I suggest you see a Psychiatrist again and try to find other anxiety drugs (non-benzo’s) that might help you taper off Xanax.

Saying a prayer for you in your situation. I know how alarming such a thing can be.

Can you please explain what “ put me in the care of the pharmacy” means?

Hi Sears, thank you for reaching out to me, I posted a rather lengthy message but it came from the heart combined with undo stress. When I said that he put me in the care of the pharmacy it meant that he didn’t want to deal with me regarding my benzodiazepine, so now he provides me with the allotted amount I’m given and the pharmacy will advise me when I’m permitted to pick up my prescription. I truly feel demeaned by this process but at least I’m not having to get into ongoing arguments about my dosage and how long I have to wait for a refill. In the long run it’s less stressful for both of us, he’s not abandoning me as my doctor which is more than I can say for others who were. I have issues with some of the staff at the pharmacy who are often too vocal about my situation and I don’t need this, frankly it’s none of their business, I get my therapy from those who are experienced in this field.

Taking a benzodiazepine nowadays is not for the feint of heart. It’s getting worse everyday. I am so happy I am no longer dependent on a benzo. It wasn’t easy getting off but totally worth it. There’s absolutely no way I could live not knowing if or when a doctor was going to yank my script. I now use propanolol as needed for anxiety, and must say it’s been very helpful.

@sears, I totally relate to you, it’s a ball and chain that I drag around and totally limits my life. I am in therapy and working hard to get better control over myself, I didn’t just seek help with my addiction, I went much deeper into the event that started this whole situation. It’s slow going but I feel confident that once I put the negative stuff away once and for all, only then will I be able to gain control over the physical condition. I am very happy for you that you’re free of this stress and it gives me hope that I too can do this, thank you.

@sears, I just wanted to add that I’m unable to take proponolol due to it being a beta blocker, I’m asthmatic so this med would be dangerous to use in my case, I have also tried Gabapentin and the side effects were profound, Buspar didn’t agree with me due to adverse stomach pain so long story short, there were some attempts made to wean me off benzos to no avail. A few months ago the pharmacy filled my prescription and gave me Ativan which I take but it was a different brand, they were confident I would be fine but I wasn’t, perhaps they used different fillers in the drug but when I took it my symptoms were like I was having a coronary event. Unfortunately I couldn’t take them and it took the better part of a week to get the right ones. It was truly horrible to experience what full withdrawal felt like not to mention how powerful these meds are.