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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Phillipa on April 17, 2011, at 20:02:54
In reply to need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Abby Cunningham on April 16, 2011, at 23:15:15
Abby I feel it was when the pdocs said just switch to another benzo and it will be fine. Believed so it happened. Also times I just stopped it especially during nursing school and was fine. I was misinformed by myself as thought valium was the strongest. And for me when xanax failed me during a hard time in life years ago. The pdoc then said what works for you I said valium (first ever taken) so he gave me valium. When back to work after filling RX took 5mg of valium and immediately felt the calm. I was fine. Sometimes I guess ignorance can be bliss. Phillipa
Posted by Agomelatinehope on April 18, 2011, at 15:03:37
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » Abby Cunningham, posted by Phillipa on April 17, 2011, at 20:02:54
Today it's been terrible. I had to visit my psichologist and once there I don't know what has happened to me. I've started to cry and my body to shake like if I were terrified or traumatized. I know it is the withdrawal side effects but it is very very scary :(
Posted by Abby Cunningham on April 18, 2011, at 17:54:14
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » Abby Cunningham, posted by floatingbridge on April 17, 2011, at 0:19:07
Hi FB,
the main reason I want off the alprazolam is that I feel it is unhelpful to me .... I do notice some memory problems. I have been on this drug for over 20 years and I HATE the withdrawal, if I don't take my allotted daily dose. It is physically addicting to me and I would love to come off it. But I have horrible w/d sx's. Extreme anxiety, unable to sleep, depersonalization, derealization, inability to put thoughts together, etc.It's an insidious drug.....it sneaks up on you and makes you dependent and addicted. When I was able to taper off it I felt so much better, even slept better without it! Now this would be my third try off it and I think the kindling effect has gotten hold of me.
For instance, if I were to be in a foreign country, as I was in February, and suddenly find myself without it, I would go through torture in withdrawals :(
I hate that I ever got hooked on it, and perhaps I will ask my doctor for Lyrica just so that I can taper further.
I'd like to ask you what side effects you experienced from the Lyrica?
Abby
> Abby, may I ask the reasons for your taper? I'm curious. I have been taking 1.5mg of the XR version (generic), and recently am trying to recurb to 1.0mg. (Is recurb a word?)
>
> I use varying amounts of regular release as emergency med, sometimes just to get to sleep when it's rough. I haven't been xanax-free since my kid was born (quit it for pregnancy). (Somehow.)
>
> I haven't been able to drop below .25mg. since. However, I don't know if I have the skills or nerves (literally) to forgo xanax, and am not sure I should, if I can keep it low.
>
> Do you have unpleasant sides or memory issues?
>
> I had thought about the Valium cross-taper, but after a recent bout of med trials, thought it wise to stay with the benzo that my body knows.
>
> However, one of my trials was Lyrica. It made me dumb as dirt, but I was able to drop waaay down on xanax. Just a thought. Lyrica had serious sided for me; however it was an easy-on, easy-off med. If only I had secured my seat belt before the ride started :P
>
> Made withdrawal from my snri of years use possible. Stopped the head zaps.
>
> Good luck to you. I am curious what you think.
>> fb
>
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 18, 2011, at 19:14:27
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Abby Cunningham on April 18, 2011, at 17:54:14
>dose. It is physically addicting to me and I would love to come off it. But I have horrible w/d sx's. Extreme anxiety, unable to sleep, depersonalization, derealization, inability to put thoughts together, etc.
>
> It's an insidious drug.....it sneaks up on you and makes you dependent and addicted. When I was able to taper off it I felt so much better, even slept better without it! Now this would be my third try off it and I think the kindling effect has gotten hold of me.
>
> > Abby, may I ask the reasons for your taper? I'm curious. I have been taking 1.5mg of the XR version (generic), and recently am trying to recurb to 1.0mg. (Is recurb a word?)
> >
> > I use varying amounts of regular release as emergency med, sometimes just to get to sleep when it's rough. I haven't been xanax-free since my kid was born (quit it for pregnancy). (Somehow.)
> >
> > I haven't been able to drop below .25mg. since. However, I don't know if I have the skills or nerves (literally) to forgo xanax, and am not sure I should, if I can keep it low.
> >
> > Do you have unpleasant sides or memory issues?
> >
> > I had thought about the Valium cross-taper, but after a recent bout of med trials, thought it wise to stay with the benzo that my body knows.
> >
> > However, one of my trials was Lyrica. It made me dumb as dirt, but I was able to drop waaay down on xanax. Just a thought. Lyrica had serious sided for me; however it was an easy-on, easy-off med. If only I had secured my seat belt before the ride started :P
> >
> > Made withdrawal from my snri of years use possible. Stopped the head zaps.
> >
> > Good luck to you. I am curious what you think.
> >
>
> > fb
> >
>
>Have you considered switching to another benzo for tapering? Klonopin lasts a lot longer, and its effects might resemble Xanax somewhat. Valium has such a long half-life that you can feel it for days after a single dose. Valium is in some ways ideal for tapering. Once you get enough in your system to mitigate withdrawals, it will basically self-taper by eliminating so slowly.
With Valium you have to keep in mind, though, that there is an initial burst of effects, followed by less potent effects that last for around 3 days. So you can't gauge the dose based on how well it works for the first hour or so. You should keep taking more until you find that it is still working even a few hours after taking some.
I would not worry about getting addicted to Valium. It has an extremely long half life, so you can take it once a day, which makes taking the pills less habit forming. I also don't enjoy the effects, but you might find the opposite.
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 18, 2011, at 19:46:58
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Abby Cunningham on April 18, 2011, at 17:54:14
I just read your post where you said you were unable to tolerate Valium. Some benzos cause me to feel depressed as well, and Valium is one of them.
You may want to look for additional benzos that have long-half lives, and see if you can tolerate any of them.
Librium may work, although it may feel too similar to Valium.
Another one that might work is Tranxene.
One or both of those may share a metabolite with Valium, though, in which case it probably would cause the same problems.
Here is a chart that found using a Google search:
http://www.pharmer.org/forum/discussion-prescription-and-otc-meds/benzo-comparison-chart
Note that some of the ones in the chart aren't available in the US.
Posted by floatingbridge on April 18, 2011, at 21:54:38
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Abby Cunningham on April 18, 2011, at 17:54:14
Abby,
When I last tried to taper xanax, I had incredible physical and psychological discomfort, but didn't recognize it as the taper until my doc pointed it out. I brushed him off, but after reconsideration, took my minimal dose and, *poof* all gone :(
So besides being dumb as dirt? Like thinking (really) maybe I had had a stroke? Well, I had horrible rage episodes. I don't mean angry. I was practically foaming. I was terrified I had finally lost it. I could see myself yelling uncontrollably and couldn't stop. Maybe three times. I frightened everyone who knew me, my doctors included.
O.K. besides that. I cried every darn day, and my depression skyrocketed. Plus no pain relief.
It was only after withdrawing from Lyrica, which for me was uncharacteristically easy, I discovered the silver lining. I was not suffering a single head-zap. (Once I had them but
good for over a year. Thanks, effexor.)Oh yes. Afterwards a number of independent sources said I had been slurring my words. Great. And I don't imbibe anything recreationally.
However, I would use it or some have suggested neurontin to get around snri withdrawal. I'd know in advance.
Others had suggestions about withdrawing. Trileptil (sp?) was mentioned. Post a query. See what bites.
Good luck. I so dislike dependency when it is only maintaining it's self-created status quo.
I'd love to hear any profess or updates.
Good luck. Ask me anything else.
fb
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 18, 2011, at 22:25:48
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » Agomelatinehope, posted by floatingbridge on April 17, 2011, at 9:45:38
>
> I do wish you luck. So is the diazepam is showing some benefit? You are making quite a steep taper. Very best with this. You are brave.
>
> fb
>I suggested basically tossing the Xanax pills and getting his withdrawals covered by Valium. Valium is relatively fool-proof. After the initial rush, which lasts on the order of 20minutes, it then gets absorbed into all the fatty tissue in your body and re-releases slowly. If you get enough absorbed into fatty tissue in the beginning of your withdrawal, then you might be able to coast along and not take diazepam for a while, since it comes out of your fat at a slow and steady pace.
Posted by Agomelatinehope on April 19, 2011, at 8:47:18
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » floatingbridge, posted by mtdewcmu on April 18, 2011, at 22:25:48
My depression had just worsened to such extent that I couldn't take it anymore so this morning I took one Prozac pill to help with the alprazolam withdrawal symptoms. I'm feeling quite better now.
Do you think it is a good idea to take Prozac until I'm completely clean from alprazolam?
Thank you
PS: So right now I'm taking:
-Alprazolam 0.125mg (last stage of withdrawal)
-Diazepam 5mg (Switching from Alprazolam)
-Prozac 10mg (To cope with the depressive symptoms that I'm experiencing in the withdrawal)
-Agomelatine 25mg (Taken at night to help with sleep and to counteract the sexual side effects caused by prozac)
Posted by floatingbridge on April 19, 2011, at 10:29:38
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Agomelatinehope on April 19, 2011, at 8:47:18
I don't know. If it can get you through a steep taper, yeah, maybe, and thank goodness. Unless you have trouble kicking prozac.
How long have you been off prozac?
Hopefully others will chime in. I usually only know about my own meds.
fb
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2011, at 19:50:01
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » Agomelatinehope, posted by floatingbridge on April 19, 2011, at 10:29:38
Very long half life to prozac and l0mg isn't a lot low dose. If working why not? And it takes days for the prozac to completly leave your system. Isn't it five weeks if consistently taking it? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2011, at 19:51:03
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » Agomelatinehope, posted by floatingbridge on April 19, 2011, at 10:29:38
Very long half life to prozac and l0mg is a low dose. If working why not? And it takes days for the prozac to completly leave your system. Isn't it five weeks if consistently taking it? Phillipa
Posted by sigismund on April 19, 2011, at 21:59:15
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Abby Cunningham on April 18, 2011, at 17:54:14
The more you take the worse you feel.
The worse you feel the more you need.
Posted by agomelatinehope on April 20, 2011, at 3:36:45
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by sigismund on April 19, 2011, at 21:59:15
Well, I got to say it's working!
Prozac is really helping with Xanax withdrawal. I got rid of the depressive symptoms from Xanax withdrawal in a matter of hours.
Last night I even slept better
Prozac is easy to withdraw (at least for me) so I think it might be the solution to completely withdraw from Xanax.
PS. Prozac was the only med that allowed me to withdraw from Cymbalta. It seems that it's a good "Withdrawal med". :)
Posted by floatingbridge on April 20, 2011, at 9:33:07
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by agomelatinehope on April 20, 2011, at 3:36:45
Very good news.
Are you still following your schedule?
Posted by Agomelatinehope on April 21, 2011, at 5:50:59
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » agomelatinehope, posted by floatingbridge on April 20, 2011, at 9:33:07
Well people. GOOD NEWSĄ :D
Last night I decided not to take Xanax anymore (I was taking 0.125 anyway) so I just took Valium 5mg. And you know what?
Today I feel how the apathy is fading ! I got more energy and feel more like "myself".It was Xanax which was keeping me in this apathetic state of mind all this time !
If I find myself again in the need of taking a benzo, under no circumstances I'm going to take Xanax again (I'll use Valium instead). In fact, I have just thrown the remaining Xanax pills I had.
I'm sure that the Prozac Pill I took 2 days ago has also shown some benefits in this final withdrawal stage.
Now I'm going to take valium 5mg for one week and then valium 2.5 another week.
Then, I hope I will be able to say I'm clean from benzos...
Posted by floatingbridge on April 21, 2011, at 10:12:23
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Agomelatinehope on April 21, 2011, at 5:50:59
That's great. And good luck going forward.
So, just to keep up.
You tapered and it was terrible.
Prozac came on board very briefly.
Then diazipam did the trick?
Well however, congratulations. You just dumped one tough drug!
Posted by Phillipa on April 21, 2011, at 19:49:11
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » Agomelatinehope, posted by floatingbridge on April 21, 2011, at 10:12:23
That is the way the detox unit I worked on also did it. Congrats!!!! Phillipa
Posted by Agomelatinehope on April 25, 2011, at 16:55:51
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on April 21, 2011, at 19:49:11
Well, I just wanted to make you know that I'm Xanax free!!
It's been a horrible experience but I can now function normally and my mind is almost completely restored.
Right now I'm just taking diazepam 2.5mg before sleep
:)
Posted by floatingbridge on April 25, 2011, at 18:45:14
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Agomelatinehope on April 25, 2011, at 16:55:51
Excellent news :)
You really did it. And in relatively short time. Congratulations! I'm very glad.
Thank you for the update.
best,
fb
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2011, at 0:26:15
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also » Agomelatinehope, posted by floatingbridge on April 25, 2011, at 18:45:14
Well if you can do it so can I have been at 1/3 of a mg of xanax with l0mg of valium for about a week now. Tonight less xanax. A bit of healthy competition!!!! Congrats to you and clear headed so soon? Phillipa
Posted by Agomelatinehope on May 6, 2011, at 4:46:48
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2011, at 0:26:15
Hi...
Unfortunately, This isn't over yet...
Last 2 weeks I've been feeling like crap (dizziness, unable to focus, mood swings, apathy, etc).
It seems that this withdrawal lasts longer that I expected and the only possible way to function meanwhile is to take an SSRI
I didn't want to take Prozac because of the sexual side effects but I have no choice. Is either that or feeling like crap all day long until this feeling goes away (and I've had a lot of patience) but I can't take it anymore. I'll be on Prozac during a couple of weeks or so and then I'll try to withdraw from meds again
By the way, Did agomelatine counteract Prozac sexual side effects? I can't remember now
Posted by Agomelatinehope on May 16, 2011, at 11:20:46
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Agomelatinehope on May 6, 2011, at 4:46:48
I tried to stop taking Valium but the dizziness from the Alprazolam Withdrawal appeared again. So I guess this just needs more time.
I'll try to quit Valium in one month. I hope that by then, my brain is fully recovered from what Alprazolam has done...
Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2011, at 19:17:22
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Agomelatinehope on May 16, 2011, at 11:20:46
Yes give it time to get used to none. Better luck next month. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on May 25, 2011, at 21:57:06
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by Agomelatinehope on May 16, 2011, at 11:20:46
Get some Valium in the 2mg strength pills..... by breaking them in half, you can do reductions of 1mg at a time, make the withdrawl process easy.
Strange how we all differ..... I had been taking alprazolam 1mg tid for 6 months, and recently reduced it to 1mg bd without any issues at all.
Best of luck!
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2011, at 22:23:19
In reply to Re: need advice to tapering off xanax also, posted by jono_in_adelaide on May 25, 2011, at 21:57:06
After seriously 41 years of one or another of the benzos same here isn't it strange? Recently just stopped lexapro after a year of low dose but the darned thing is luvox 50mg can't get off that? Any ideas why? Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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