Going off of Xanax

Posted by bvgrammy @bvgrammy, Nov 23, 2016

I have been taking Xanax for 25 years for Fibromyalgia and Anxiety. I am trying to wean myself off of it. Has anyone done this?

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jul 8, 2019

Hi - hoping to check in with some of you who have talked about going off of alprazolam (Xanax) and get an update on how you are doing. I think that your experiences will be beneficial to all those posting in and reading this discussion.

@kmayall - how has your medication change off of alprazolam (Xanax) gone? What will you be taking instead?

@bvgrammy - wondering where you are at now with your taper off of alprazolam (Xanax)? Have you had more headache, extra hunger and heart racing as you've gone down?

@rascal1 - are you now taking another medication in place of the alprazolam (Xanax) you were taking previously? If so, what are you now taking?

@lizdorn - since you are no longer taking alprazolam (Xanax) for sleep, what medication did your doctor prescribe instead? Has the new one been effective for you?

nikkiresnik | @nikkiresnik | Jan 5, 2021

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @kmayall - I'm sorry to hear that your experience trying to taper off of alprazolam..." + (show)

Help.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 5, 2021

In reply to @nikkiresnik "Help." + (show)

Hello @nikkiresnik, Welcome to Connect. Are you trying to taper off of Xanax?

sears | @sears | Jan 7, 2021

In reply to @nikkiresnik "Help." + (show)

Switching over to Valium per the Ashton method with my doctors guidance has been very helpful.

dianrib | @dianrib | Jan 27, 2021

Yes it's hard.
Take less.taper off slowly...
Keep MD informed. Take care

dysphoric | @dysphoric | Oct 7, 2021

I was prescribed .5 mg a night for insomnia due to tapering off duloxetine (cymbalta). I’ve decided now after taking it for 6 weeks that it’s not helping. Can I just stop taking it? Thank you 🙏

Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Oct 7, 2021

In reply to @dysphoric "I was prescribed .5 mg a night for insomnia due to tapering off duloxetine (cymbalta). I’ve..." + (show)

@dysphoric Hello and welcome to Mayo Clinic. You will see that I moved your post to a long standing discussion that is talking about getting off of Xanax. This way you can connect with other members that have stopped taking this medication.
Have you consulted with your MD about just stopping it or if there is a need to taper down even with the low dose?

dysphoric | @dysphoric | Oct 7, 2021

In reply to @amandaa "@dysphoric Hello and welcome to Mayo Clinic. You will see that I moved your post to..." + (show)

I have not discussed stopping the drug with NP that prescribed it. Thank you

help4meandu | @help4meandu | Oct 8, 2021

In the past I took a low dose of Xanax for few years .25 mg and experienced rebound anxiety by afternoon. Dr switched gradually to Klonopin similar dose. This med works better for my anxiety.

loribroda | @loribroda | Nov 5, 2021

I am also trying to wean myself off of it. I have only been taking it for about two years, at first it was three a day, then he put it down to two a day, now I am trying to get down to one a day. I have sleep apnea and have very bad nightmares so I take it at night, which really doesn’t help. I tried to quit on my own completely and it was hell!