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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 29, 2011, at 18:48:36
So, I've been taking 1.5mg of Xanax a day for 9 days now, down from 2mg a day (I reduced from 3mg a day to 2mg a day a month or so ago)
Considering I have halved my intake in a month, I feel like it has been quite easy. Going to stay on 1.5mg for another few days (2 weeks in total) then go down to 1mg a day (0.5mg am and pm)
I think after that, I might switch to Valium for the final phase of withdrawl.... any thoughts?
NB - I plan to keep Xanax on hand long term, so I can take one on days when I feel especialy anxious, or feel a looming panic attack, but have decided I dont want to be a slave to it, taking it every 8 hours. On a daily bases, I'll lrt the antidepressants and risperidone keep my anxiety dowb (atleast thats the plan.... if I start getting bad anxiety again, I might have to go back on regular Xanax, but I think the ease of this withdrawl has proved to me that I wasnt addited to it)
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 29, 2011, at 19:39:30
In reply to Xanax taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 29, 2011, at 18:48:36
or, should I stay where I am until I start reaping some of the (supposed) benifits of CBT?
I had one session with the psychologist, but that was just background stuff...... and there was a six week wait for the next session..... which will be in about 1 month.
It just occured to me that it might be better to try and give up the Xanax once I have the CBT training under my belt (or maybe switch to diazepam, and keep taking that ina dose of say 5mg twice a day until I have done the CBT then taper that..... atleast with diazepam there wouldnt be inter dose anxiety to worry about)
Posted by Phillipa on August 29, 2011, at 20:11:16
In reply to Re: Xanax taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 29, 2011, at 19:39:30
I'd continue what you are doing never had problems tappering down on benzos. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 30, 2011, at 0:06:06
In reply to Re: Xanax taper » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on August 29, 2011, at 20:11:16
I've read that only one person in three will become physicaly dependant on benzos even with long term use, trouble is of course, that you have know way of knowing who that one will be until it happens.
Two our of three will get some rebound anxiety, and one out of three can stop them as though they were candys
Posted by floatingbridge on August 30, 2011, at 5:12:19
In reply to Xanax taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 29, 2011, at 18:48:36
Best of luck Jono. You're doing great.
I my expereince, I've often as low as .25 mg instant per day brfore real rebound happened,
Seems that for many, there's a varying last bit that cab be difficult, Valium might bd a good idea.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 30, 2011, at 18:12:22
In reply to Re: Xanax taper » jono_in_adelaide, posted by floatingbridge on August 30, 2011, at 5:12:19
I'm not absolutly fixed on giving up - if it turns out I still need a benzo, then so be it, but it'd be nice to have one less pill to swallow religiously
Posted by floatingbridge on August 30, 2011, at 20:26:09
In reply to Re: Xanax taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 30, 2011, at 18:12:22
> I'm not absolutly fixed on giving up - if it turns out I still need a benzo, then so be it, but it'd be nice to have one less pill to swallow religiously
What's good about tapering, even if it isn't complete discontinuation, is that it will more likely remain an effective med when you really need it..... IMO.
Posted by zonked on August 30, 2011, at 20:42:22
In reply to Xanax taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 29, 2011, at 18:48:36
I think you've made a good, educated choice; and planned carefully for any contingencies.
Good work.
-z
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2011, at 23:31:31
In reply to Re: Xanax taper, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 30, 2011, at 0:06:06
Jono must have been what happened to me years ago as was on mephrobamate with valium and one day just dropped it and noticed nothing. Valium stayed though but boy that doc was in shock that I'd just stopped the mep without feeling a thing. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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