It works very well and that’s why we have been using it, sometimes I feel so frustrated and scared because it’s horrible to hear how many people are going through the same thing. Honestly if we analyzed most drugs they give to us it would be scary to hear what each medication has the potential to do but we still use them for help and doctors rarely do anything about it until it’s brought to our attention, this is compounded by the fact that they are so very addictive. I mentioned earlier that all the attention came out with benzodiazepines when the opioid addiction problems started, the poor people who were given this drug were told it wasn’t addictive but that was a lie and then the doctors had to reduce and even discontinue giving them to patients. Now we are hearing about all the suffering they are going through and even buying drugs online that are killing them. This is a proverbial nightmare that wasn’t their fault but they are the ones paying for it, my fear is that this sad situation will and is happening to the people who use benzodiazepines. We are told that we learn from our mistakes but this is one very big mistake and now we are hearing about it,

@frouke
I took the seizure medication Klonopin along with the powerful opiod fentanyl without any problems.
The benzodiazepines Midazolam, Lorazepam Valium and sometimes Klonopin are essential in the treatment of a potentially deadly seizure disorder known as status epilepticus. A condition which I've had numerous times.
Don't let the fact that opioids and benzodiazepines are often abused and the cause of their addiction. There are legitimate medical reasons to use these drugs.
Jake

I wish to god , I had the answers . You are not alone . I have severe anxiety due to my husband’s cancer and many other serious issues. I take klonopin and sleep meds . I am terrified but need them to function . It’s been two years . I know how bad they are for you but I am not in a good disposition right now . Have you been on the same amount for years ?Do you have side effects ? You are not alone . I am sorry , 😞 I don’t have the answers .

Has anyone ever recommended that you switch to another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, which has a much longer half life and is easier to taper from.
Hang in there.

I’m a 73 years old female who has been taking a benzodiazepine for over twenty years, for the most part I never had any issues or even concerns about being on this medication. I knew that I was dependent on it, I find this a better word than addicted but I do realize it’s all the same. I never really thought about it because millions of people are dependent on their medication and just accept it as a normal thing, they need it to survive either mentally or physically. In the past number of years there has been a strong shift towards the negativities of this drug resulting from problems that have come about regarding other drugs, i.e. opioids. My sympathies go out to the people who became victims of this drug, it was truly a terrible injustice and resulted in a horrific problem for the many people who were affected and victims of it. Sadly when these tragedies happen it causes a massive landslide taking more people with it. I have read many stories about people suffering from the stress of being caught in this pandemic of another kind, they never had any issues or problems with their medication, in most cases they used it carefully and never abused it, now these same people are suffering from the pressure being put on them by the government and the medical system. It was like reading horror stories about people who used benzodiazepine for years and were later abandoned by the very same doctors who provided it for them. I don’t know how this will run it’s course, at the end of the day we are a world filled with pain and suffering and medication has always been a very big part of it. It’s truly an injustice to all of us who are being affected by this and somehow we must rise above it whatever it takes, this crisis is one of so many that are in our world, all I can say is stay strong and don’t let it take you down, most of all keep your faith strong and positive and hope for better days ahead for all of us.

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.

I was on some form of benzos from my mid 20s until 2018. I was 57. Under medical supervision- 3 doctors one who was neurologist I completed a successful withdrawal that took 7 months. I had a seizure risk at the time from a craniotomy done in 2014. I remained seizure and in the fall of 2018 had my first eeg showing no seizure risk. I have a breach rhythm now which is abnormal from the skull defect created by the craniotomy but is non epileptic. I still remember to this day the taper. Fear excitement. My cognition critical thinking skills improved. Psychiatry engaged in extreme over medication when the answers were behavior change dealing with our trauna hard Boundary setting. I am so sorry this happened to you. You will not die if you get help and begin a supervised taper.I am appalled someone told you this.

You’re a survivor for sure and strong because you went through hell. I agree with what you’re saying and I sincerely hope to do exactly what you’re saying, I have gotten down several times to 0.5 per day, I was so proud. I then went into the pandemic and tried to stay strong but six months later I got a lung cancer diagnosis and it knocked me for a loop. I’m a two time survivor and in remission for two years now so once again I’m challenging myself to stop being afraid all the time and fight back. I don’t know how long God will let me live but I don’t want to give up on myself and I definitely don’t want pity from the doctor because that will only weaken my resolve. I’m glad we had a chance to connect, it really means a lot to me, take care, Frouke.

Benzodiazepines are highly addictive!!! Please have someone take you to an impatient detox center. Do not try getting off this by yourself! It would be life threatening with a risk of seizures!!!! PLEASE, for your life, get help then report these physicians for giving you benzos for 40 yrs. Their licenses should be revoked...permanently!!!!!!!!

@Flowergirl93, I can’t imagine the journey you’ve had with Xanax so far—it sounds incredibly exhausting, especially at this point in your life. You have so many wonderful things, like your kids and grandkids, that you would much rather be focusing your time and energy on. I also understand that you have several physical health diagnoses to manage.

Can you help me understand? Are you looking to get off Xanax completely or are you looking for a local physician who can prescribe it for you?