Benzos Xanax less than 2 months... How do I get out?

[coachm]

2 weeks 0f .25mg 3 times per day
5 weeks of .5 mg 2 times per day

I had some major health scares that triggered panic attacks in early August. I've had possibly the best "check-up" that has ever happened... long story involving multiple cat scans, MRI's, X-Rays, EKG's, Stress Tests, and eventually a heart cath...

I'm 41, 100% healthy. I have 3 great kids and a great wife. I want to stop the xanax because it makes me dizzy/lightheaded and it's getting old, plus I just don't think I need it any more since I'm through the woods on my health scare. I still feel anxiety nearly all the time but I think it's because of my fear of this drug. I have several family members that have been benzo dependent for years and I don't want to be in that boat.

Is this a short amount of time, should I taper or just try to stop cold turkey?

I took .375 yesterday 2 times. I feel the same as I felt taking the .5's, but that's only one day. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

 

[ComfortablyNumb95]

Just taper down, reduce your daily dose gradually until you feel comfortable stopping it altogheter.
With that dosage Im not sure if you would go trough WDs but better safe than sorry isn't it?

 

[bunge]

I would taper down in the fashion you have been, half your dose every 5-7 days and see how you get on (be sure to inform your doc so that its on medical record).
I dont think your dose and length of time using alprazolam will mean you get much more in withdrawal symptoms then a bit of increased anxiety and (if you take a dose before bed) some insomnia but I dont think it will get beyond mild discomfort.
Draw up a withdrawal schedule and try to stick to it but also be kind to yourself, as some days you might get more stressed or anxious then usual and need a little extra then your scheduled dose allows. Dont beat yourself up if this happens, just start the next day as a fresh slate and continue your schedule where you left off.
Also remember that your not an out of control addict on an insanely high dose so the risk to your health in withdrawal is likely minimal and because you have nothing to hide, the doctor is your friend in this. Dont hesitate to seek the doctors advice as well, your doctors has your medical history and generally all doctors are happy to help patients stop taking addictive medications (especially benzos.lol.
Good luck

 

[coachm]

I hear ya. That's why the .375. I actually tried to cut to .25 in the am and .5 in the pm last weekend. I made it 3 days and then had terrible anxiety in the pm on the 3rd day. I went back to .5 twice a day for the next 4 days.

The thing is I'm not myself, my memory is shot, I get anxiety over going to work (in a job I love, btw). I'm just thinking getting off of these will bring me back to normal. Should I be calling doc about getting on a longer acting benzo. I've been recommended Klonopin by friends that have been through similar anxiety bouts...

 

[LilbabiC]

You should call the doctor about the proper way to taper off an express all your concerns to him/her and see what's available.

 

[bunge]

I would try to get off the alprazolam first and see how your anxiety levels react when your sober. The rebound anxiety from short acting benzos can make you think that your anxiety is alot worse then it actually is (ive experiemced this myself).
Long acting, less intense benzos like clonazepam would be an option if your anxiety becomes unbearable but clonazepam can be really nasty to withdraw from itself, just do a bluelight search for 'clonazepam withdrawal' and you will be able to read for yourself because the threads on it are legion.

 

[coachm]

I'm honestly thinking the short acting is kicking my butt. I took .375 at 9:00 am and never got relief. I just took a half a pill and am hoping to function where I can go to work. I'm going to call the doc in the am and try to switch to a longer acting one. I'm just not healed yet and interdose withdrawal keeps creeping in daily and my nerves are shot. Klonopin and a taper schedule at the end has to be better than the hell I'm in now...

 

[deathlol]

Valium or Klonipin would be your best bet for tapering off, since they have longer half lives and build up less tolerance.
If I were you, I'd go cold turkey and endure it for a week or two, having the occasional beer to stabilize things. That would be the quickest, most efficient yet uncomfortable way. I've suffered from WDs through recreational use of benzos, and although for a few days I would have done anything for a pill, I just took deep breaths and smoked lots of pot throughout.
I'd recommend also a bit of Benadryl here and there, the sedation will help. Don't overdo it though, higher dosages will accelerate your heart and leave you quite stimulated.

It'd also benefit you to cut caffeine out of your diet for at least the time being.