Advice on how to taper off Xanax using Valium?

[ZoeCat]

Ran out of my prescription for Xanax early - my fault for taking higher dose per day - as my tolerance has built up. Dr. has had me on this medicine for @ 3 years. Have been trying crazy ways to get enough until can go into dr. For next script. As I hear Cold Turkey is very very dangerous - am going to try and see dr. early. Hope she will work with me to taper me off. The book recommended on this site suggests going off Xanax slowly and substituting Valium - as it is safer to go off Valium. So before talking to dr. any advice on how to taper off Xanax. Is going from Xanax, lowering the dosage, bring in Valium - removed the Xanax all together, then reduce the Valium a good method? Anyone try this - was it successful?
Truthfully - as I have general anxiety disorder, massive anxiety attacks, and agoraphobia - would prefer to stay on a medication - but am so so tired of dealing with drs., who are controlled by the insurance companies. These anti anxiety meds are the only thing that help my "issues." Can leave the house, and function "normally." Through the day. I do not drink - bad reaction to alcohol, pot makes me totally paranoid, and quit smoking 7 years ago. But because of the laws - I can't take what helps without drs and insurance controlling "what's ok." Irony - as I could go buy a giant bottle of vodka and smoke 2 packs of cigarettes with put permission from any "authority." I still find it nuts that any government can tell you what you may or may not do with your body or may take. However since they can - want off and out from under their thumb.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Yes, Valium (diazepam) is often used to taper off Xanax (alprazolam) and other shorter-acting benzos. The slow elimination of diazepam allows a smooth, gradual fall in blood level, allowing your body to adjust slowly to the decreasing concentration of the benzo. With more rapidly eliminated benzos the blood concentration drops rapidly and withdrawal symptoms can occur between doses, because your body has little time to adjust to the lower concentrations.

Lowering the Xanax dosage, while increasing the Valium dose, then removing the Xanax, and gradually tapering off the Valium sounds like a good plan.

I am going to change your thread title to better reflect what your post is asking so that you will get more responses . "Crazy methods - withdrawal" could be about anything. Let me know if you want it changed to something different.

 

[ZoeCat]

Thank you. Fine with new title. I just appreciate the advice. I have tried talking with the dr. - it's actually the nurse practitioner, that I see. But she doesn't seem to really care about my anxiety and condition, just covering her butt - as the practice is in some kind of trouble. So am going in again to try and get her to listen - with copies of the pages from the book on this site. I get the idea - and think it is far safer to go from Xanax to Valium, to nothing. If only I can get them to listen - instead of just writing another script for Xanax and getting me out of there as fast as possible - so they can shuffle through the next patient. Just want off Xanax - and to do it safely! Thanks both for the advice and posting an online version of the book to read.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Yeah, it's often necessary to take responsibility for your health care into your own hands and bring in materials to educate the doctor, as they frequently do not have time to do that themselves and do not have a lot of experience with or knowledge about getting people OFF drugs comfortably. Not that all doctors like that, you have to do it in a way that doesn't make them feel like you are telling them what to do or you think you know more than they do (even if you do actually know more about it than they do ). You could also always try looking for a better Dr who is experienced in getting people off benzos. I wish you the best of luck

You could also look around the forum for other threads relevant to your situation, let me know if you need any help.

 

[Jabberwocky]

heya pal - yeah valium is a great tool for coming off xanax safely. don't slip into the hands of clonazepam - that stuff is the devil. its meant to be used to come off benzos but in my opinion its harder to come off than any other benzo out there!

you can also wean yourself off using xanax, but its a bit more tricky as you head to the lower doses.

what doses are you taking, and what is your schedule? i could give you a brief outline as to how you could lower your dosage slowly in a safe manner, but in the end of the day you'll need to speak to your doctor about it properly.

the bottom line is 20mg (of diazepam) is the MINIMUM THRESHOLD DOSE in order to not seize if you have been on benzos for a long period of time.

good luck with quitting the benzos. it's hard, but you'll make it, and feel so much better when they are out of your life!

 

[purrpilll]

none

I learned Xanax created all my anxiety once fully off it and it was a hard road. I found Librium to be smoothest wd tool. Xanax is a really evil drug. Oh i would take an opiate wd any day over a benzo one, but when done right there are little side effects and about a month of adjustment. Once you get off them fully and get thru the wd you will realize how much better off you are. I was locked behind Xanax bars for ten years. My life in the hands of secretaries who are just starring at the clock to go home. The scrounging in between refills er's hell. Your life and anxiety will be much better without that garbage. We have same diagnosis. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[ZoeCat]

We all deserve dignity!

I wanted to thank all of you for advice, support, and helping a stranger!!!! A good friend - who knew of all the deaths in my family and told of what happened with horror dr. And Xanax - called a friend who had gone through a very similar situation. They called me this morning and told me of the dr. - psychiatrist who safely has weened them down off Xanax slowly, safely, and without judgement! He is calling to get me into see thus dr. who has won awards for 3 years from his patients - which I believe says far more about them then any BS awards from fellow drs! In any case the head of the practice I saw - covered her terrible nurses butt by getting my the referral to see this dr. that insurance requires and just enough Xanax to get me by until new compassionate doc shall take over my case. I have to say I can't stop crying - out of sheer relief and the beautiful act of this person reaching out to help! It was so so needed after the incredible cruel and insensitive nurse practitioner - who gave me this medicine for 3-4 years then when I asked for help getting off as I felt addicted - said I wasn't her "responsibility!" Needless to say I am beyond thrilled I shall never have to see her again! I do not have to go to the ER - my place of most terror after spending almost a year total in hospitals watching people suffer. So very happy about that too! I hope if anything comes out if this - someone else right now - casually looking on this site - finds some help or answer, or direction from reading my fun roller coaster ride with the medical establishment. Both putting me on Benzos - which I admittedly took - but gave me no info on their long term effects. It was reading on this site that woke me up! I am not saying - find god, or never take medicine you need. I am saying - if your dr. /nurse does not listen to you, does not hear you, if their staff treats you like garbage - you deserve better!!!!! Find yourself a dr. Who cares!!! Find one who treats you with respect and dignity!!!! All humans deserve this! Many thanks! Zoecat

 

[Swimmingdancer]

So glad to hear you are getting help! I'm proud of you for persevering until you got the help you needed