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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JONO_IN_ADELAIDE on August 21, 2011, at 18:41:42
I decided that stopping alprazolam "cold turkey" would be dumb, there is no pressing rush.
I cut my dose back from 1mg three times a day to 1mg twice a day six months ago, without any issues, now I have gone down to 0.5mg in the morning and 1mg at night, will hold there for 2 weeks, then try and go down to 0.5mg morning and night.
My goal would be to stop taking it every day, and just take a pill when I feel the need, and let the antidpressants and risperidone look after the daily anxiety.
No apparent withdrawl reaction so far, maybe feeling a little more tense/anxious, but that could just be power of suggestion
Posted by Phillipa on August 21, 2011, at 19:23:03
In reply to Alprazolam taper, posted by JONO_IN_ADELAIDE on August 21, 2011, at 18:41:42
Jono before I learned a thing about meds I could cut or change benzos no problems at all. Way back when I was put on mepbrobamate and cold turkeyed it one day. I did have 5mg of valium three times a day at the time. Back then I saw a doc not often remembering him being kind of shocked that I could do that. Didn't know what he meant. Way before computers. Sounds like a good plan to me and you have the resperidol to deal with anxiety. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 21, 2011, at 19:42:29
In reply to Re: Alprazolam taper » JONO_IN_ADELAIDE, posted by Phillipa on August 21, 2011, at 19:23:03
Thanks Phillipa :)
Even if I fail, atleast I'll know that I have an ongoing need for Xanax, and that I'm not just taking it because its there.
I'm pretty sure I'll have an occasional need for it, taking it in the same way people take headache pills, keeping it on hand and taking one when I feel the need, rather than swallowing one twice a day every day.
Starting CBT in a few weeks - who knows, maybe that will cure me haha
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 22, 2011, at 19:52:49
In reply to Re: Alprazolam taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 21, 2011, at 19:42:29
Day three of taking 0.5mg am and 1mg pm - feel a bit nervous, but nothing intolorable.
I think I'll hold it at this level for a total of 2 weeks, then cut down to 0.5mg am and pm, then see where I'm at.
Posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2011, at 21:53:14
In reply to Re: Alprazolam taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 22, 2011, at 19:52:49
Doing well!!!! Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 23, 2011, at 19:56:28
In reply to Re: Alprazolam taper » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2011, at 21:53:14
Not sure how long I should stay at this doseage level before I make the next step down.
I'm thinking 2 weeks at 0.5mg am and 1mg pm, then reduce to 0.5mg am and pm for 2 weeks, then 0.5mg pn for 2 weeks...... that woud mean a 6 week taper in all.
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2011, at 21:53:04
In reply to Re: Alprazolam taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 23, 2011, at 19:56:28
So resperidol will be replacement for ativan? If so sounds reasonable. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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