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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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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)
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Hi, @kmayall - I'm sorry to hear that your experience trying to taper off of alprazolam (Xanax) was a nightmare. I've had a hard time before tapering off of not an anti-anxiety medication, but weaning off of one antidepressant to go onto another. I ended up in urgent care getting some help (anti-anxiety medication, actually) to get me through it.

You'll notice I have moved your message to this existing discussion, "Going off of Xanax" in the Depression & Anxiety group. I did this so that you could talk with the members in this conversation who've been interacting about the same topic you asked about. If you click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification, you can scroll back through the past and recent posts.

Hoping other members in this thread like @bvgrammy @parus @thankful @lizdorn @mhmann and others will have some thoughts to share about experiences weaning off of alprazolam (Xanax) after long-term use. They may also have some input on the fact that this went poorly for you before and that you are feeling terrified about trying a taper again.

Did you and your doctor already agree that you would taper off of this medication and onto another, or are you still in discussion with him or her about how you will proceed? If you feel comfortable to share, what medication would/will you be starting next?

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Help.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 5, 2021
In reply to @nikkiresnik "Help." + (show)
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Help.

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

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sears | @sears | Jan 7, 2021
In reply to @nikkiresnik "Help." + (show)
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Help.

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

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dianrib | @dianrib | Jan 27, 2021

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

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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 🙏

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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)
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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 🙏

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@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?

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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)
Profile picture for Amanda Burnett @amandaa

@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?

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

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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.

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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!

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olivedog | @olivedog | Nov 17, 2021

Be careful with cbd even hemp oil. I'm on 12.5 mgs of atenolol a beta blocker. They both together fight for liver enzymes
Causing bradycardia...this happened to me. Check all drug interactions before use....you do not need your heart stop beating. Be safe, drugs.com might give you this info...can not remember where I read it, but true. Just FYI . 60 bucks down the drain there, sad cause it worked well!!!!!

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