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Weaning off Xanax

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Posted 5/24/2011 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

I have been dealing with anxiety and depression all of my life. I have taken many medications over the years. For the past four years I have been taking .5 mg of Xanax nightly at bedtime. I no longer want to be on this medication. I have tried to wean myself off of it and have had horrible withdrawals. I am going to a new psychiatrist on Thursday that specializes in addiction. I'm a little apprehensive because I don't know what he's going to prescribe me. I don't want to get hooked on anything else. I'm trying to manage my anxiety in more natural ways.

Does anyone have any experience with gettig off this drug? Thanks.

-britt <3
Posted 5/24/2011 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Xanax for years.  Be glad that you just have to take .5 nightly.  I am prescribed .5 morning, noon and night.  I cut out the noon dosage several years ago but still need the morning and night dose.  I have been told that once on this drug you will be on it the rest of your life.  I wish I had known what lthe doctor was giving me when I first started taking it.  I was in such a mess that I think I would have taken poison had the doc. said to.  Just .5 should be fairly easy to get off of by taking something else.  I wish you luck.  I know what you are going through.
Posted 5/24/2011 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Anne,

Thanks for the encouragement. I will need the luck..

Britt <3
Posted 5/25/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
I am tapering off ativan right now - I water titrate it and it's going very smooth.

so far I am off 40% and it's taken me 8 weeks to get here.

10-20% each month is a safe taper.
Posted 5/25/2011 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
I weaned off Xanax about a year ago.  it was not easy as I was taking more than you but well worth when all was said and done!  I recently started taking b-complex twice a day and 200 mg of niacin before bed allnd have not slept this well in years!  I was diagnosed with GAD, anxiety,depression, BP1, etc.  Have been on all meds, could not or would not tolerate them.  I cut out caffeine, sugar, processed foods, restaurant foods and alcohol - anxiety almost gone.  Started walking/running/exercising at least three days a week and have not been depressed in a long time.  Started a vitamin regiment that has greatly improved my moods, energy and general outlook.  It works for me, may not work for everyone but we all have to find our path to wellness.

Good luck!

Gem

Posted 5/25/2011 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
d829

Can you explain water titration ?

Posted 5/25/2011 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I put my pill into 100ml of water and remove 1ml each day but not exceeding 20% in 30 days.

there is a video here which explains it

I don't do mine exactly like this but close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igvQQnXctn0


she does not use the cylinder in the video
I do...and think it's important
I not only measure my water with it
I then shoot my cut into it to measure my cut.

I put 100ml of water into a 4oz jar
place my ativan in it and let dissolve
I shake the jar then quickly
remove my daily cut with a oral syringe
and I drink twice during the day from the jar of drug water.

Post Edited (d829) : 5/25/2011 8:53:43 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/25/2011 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Is there anyway to use the water method with capsules ?

Thank you for your quick response.

Posted 5/25/2011 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the responses. I'm still a little confused about the water titration method but I will look up more about it online. I have been exercising and taking a lot of supplements to help with my depression and anxiety. I know that getting off this stupid Xanax is going to be tough. I really hope this psychiatrist isn't going to be mean about it. Have you guys ever heard of the Ashton method? I feel like this would work well.

Thanks again for the responses and support,

Britt <3
Posted 5/25/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
if you only dose once at night titrating will be easy for you plus you can add some melatonin at night to help you sleep.

I know the ashton method I tired once and failed because the valium made me very depressed and very sleepy but I am going to try again at a lower dose if I fail again I am just going to have to taper off ativan directly.

according to ashton's eq. chart you would need 10Mg of Valium...that's not a low dose or high but it is a dose that can cause issues switching and coming off.

when people come off valium they get a lot of muscle issues and stomach issues.

you can always do like I am doing - titrate lower then switch to valium when you hit a wall- if you hit the wall.

good luck
Posted 5/25/2011 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hey d829,

I don't have any of the supplies for the water titration but I'm going to ask this new dr about it tomorrow. Thanks again for the advice.
I'll keep you posted,

Britt <3
Posted 5/25/2011 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
my doctor didn't know anything about the liquid titration I had to explain everything to him and he was for it. There are many people out there who have had success using titration to get off these meds.
Posted 5/25/2011 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
IWantToSmileAgain

I used the Ashton Method to wean off of 4 mg of Ativan and it worked extremely well for me.  It is a long slow process but no withdrawal sx so I was pleased with that.

Good Luck,

Kitt

 

Posted 5/26/2011 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
hey guys,

Thanks for the support.

Kitt,

Do you think my new dr will go for the Ashton method? I asked his secretary if that was his usual protocol for benzodiazepine weaning and she said she didn't know. I know that most Drs are leery to prescribe benzos but I really don't want him to try and give me anti seizures or something.
I'm glad to hear that you had success with the Ashton method, I hope that it will work for me as well.

-britt <3
Posted 5/26/2011 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I too used the Ashton Method to taper off valium...I have been weaning off the last 5 mgs since late last fall.  I had several set backs that kept me holding for longer than I intended (Shingles and the death of my sister) but it is good to go slow.  My doctor never heard of Ashton and would have had me off in two weeks however at my insistance he gives me enough pills so I can wean at my own rate.  That is important to know before you start...is the doctor going to support you.  I had a friend who started a slow Ativan wean and all of a sudden her doctor decided he was not going to prescribe them to her anymore.  Good luck...you can do it!

Donna

Posted 5/26/2011 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Donna,

I'm sorry to hear about your sister. :( i couldnt even imagine losing a family member while trying to do this.

I'm glad that the Ashton method worked for you. I hope this new doctor will be supportive but honestly I have no idea..I'm scared.

I'll keep updating and thanks for the support.

-britt <3
Posted 6/11/2011 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
how are you doing ?
Posted 10/15/2014 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I know this is a very old post, i am so desperate to get back to normal again been on xanax for 10 years it's my dream to get off of it, i have become a prisoner to xanax, I was wondering how you are doing? and if you are still off xanax? and if you can please tell me anything elses that helped you get off of it.
I have very bad PD (panic disorder) but wish i knew now what i knew 10 years ago about this drug as well as so many natural remedies.

Thank you
By the way i signed up just to reply to this post i hope i am doing this reply right

Precious Gem said...
I weaned off Xanax about a year ago. it was not easy as I was taking more than you but well worth when all was said and done! I recently started taking b-complex twice a day and 200 mg of niacin before bed allnd have not slept this well in years! I was diagnosed with GAD, anxiety,depression, BP1, etc. Have been on all meds, could not or would not tolerate them. I cut out caffeine, sugar, processed foods, restaurant foods and alcohol - anxiety almost gone. Started walking/running/exercising at least three days a week and have not been depressed in a long time. Started a vitamin regiment that has greatly improved my moods, energy and general outlook. It works for me, may not work for everyone but we all have to find our path to wellness.


Good luck!



Gem

confused
Posted 10/15/2014 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, SmileAgain!
And yes, it CAN be done. My daughter had severe panic attacks and she was glad that Xanax was there for here for the year or so that she needed it... She was always aware of NOT wanting to become mentally addicted to any of the Rx drugs...
I know some will say, 'trust your dr...you can't do it without him...'... oh yes you can...(This IS a personal choice not telling you what to do)
Anyway, my daughter stopped the 'regular' taking and only used them when absolutely necessary...she also started taking half a pill... After a few months she stopped. She had a dr visit for some other reason and he questioned her about WHY she hadn't been refilling her Rx...and she said "I stopped taking them"... he was shocked, not overly happy, but finally listened to her and said "Well, ok"... What she DOES do...(like some alcoholics) is keep a Rx bottle of them in the med chest... She learned other techniques, yoga, takes alternative supplements, etc...it all helped. Good luck to you. It CAN be done. One of the main things to 'get over' is "FEELING GUILTY" about taking them... just act more casual...you will KNOW when the time is right and when to taper off...but taper...don't go cold turkey! :) Good luck with love!
Posted 10/15/2014 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on a low dose of Xanax on and off for over 40 years and i have never had any withdrawal symptoms when going off it. Sometimes I think we expect those symptoms so they're even worse than are real. Wean yourself slowly by taking half the dose, etc. so you don't feel panicked...that's what I always did when starting to feel better and I never had any problems.
Posted 10/15/2014 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Here is a helpful link:

On-line drug weaning information: (to be used in conjunction with, not substitution for your doctor's instructions)

http://www.theroadback.org/

 

New members, please start your own link of introduction, so that we can retire these older threads.:)

This way we can properly welcome you as well!!

Scaredy Cat

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