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XANAX withdrawal
I found out the hard way how difficult it is to get off Xanax. My MD never warned me of this . 3 days with no Xanax sent me to the ER with 300 BP.. horrid headache, nausea. I thought I was dying or having a stroke . ER team did a brain scan to check. People must be made more aware of this. Check with your Pharmacist. I did not have this problem with Prozac...quit easily.
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Welcome, @fhkrph95. Good question. Tapering off a benzodiazepine safely and reducing the risk of withdrawal symptoms can take a long time. Tapering is most successful when you have the support and supervision from a medical professional. Mayo Clinic advises that you work with they physician who originally prescribed the medication for you. It is also helpful to have your doctor's support close by.
Are you still being seen by your prescribing doctor?
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2 ReactionsI am still being seen by my provider, however, he is not well informed about the dangers of withdrawing from psychiatric meds. Most providers are not . Up until a few years ago, providers continued to prescribe these meds on a long term basis, not realizing how such meds, like benzos, can alter the architecture of the brain by downregulating the GABA receptors. Now we know better, but so many people , including myself, have already been harmed because of this lack of knowledge in the medical community.
I implore all providers to become familiar with the dangers inherent in long term use of benzodiazepines and the suffering that these medications cause and find ways to help the thousands of people who are struggling with this issue.
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4 ReactionsI found myself taking .5 mg Xanax too often, realizing I was becoming addicted. I researched and found a psychiatrist in Great Britain who successfully freed clients from years of large doses of Xanax By slowly replacing it with Valium and then slowly weaned them of the Valium, which is easier. I convinced my physician to prescribe me Valium and then slowly went off it. It took months but worked.
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1 ReactionGlad to hear that the valium taper worked for you. You are very fortunate that it did. Enjoy every minute of your benzo free life. God bless !
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1 ReactionHeather Ashton?
I don't recall the name of the British psychiatrist.
I have severe bedbound long Covid. Xanax calms my multiple neuro inflammatory symptoms including nasal congestion.
Part of me wants to continue as it is the only thing that allows me relief.
Then I read horror stories of dependence. Not sure whether to continue or quit. Either way life is hellush.
If you continue do so with the thought that it will diminish in effectiveness over time. Which way makes life the least hellish?
@bajjerfan are you speaking from personal experience? There are so many stories of people here who continue on low doses for 5-10 years ….
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1 Reaction@pmukerji
No. It's just that it's commonly stated that Xanax efficiency wanes over time. If I had to choose I'd take my chances with the long term relief. I do take PreGabalin/Lyrica and will likely be on it for the rest of my days. Not many side effects, but the relief it provides is well worth the alternative. Plus I have other complications. Don't know your age, but I'm 77 so not much useful life left.