Weaning Off Of Xanax

[AKBSRTEKT3]

Hi everyone,

I have never been a prescription medicine taker except for antibiotics when sick. For 3 years I have taken Levothroid for low thryroid levels, but that was it. I am a single mother of two and was recently let go from my mortgage related job because of the declining house market in Michigan. I began to have mild panic attacks, but had no idea what they were.
I went to my doctor and she freely prescribed me two medications- Lexapro and Xanax. She gave me no warning or no details regarding what would happen when I stopped taking either one. I chose to take only the Xanax because the other was for depression also. I did not want to be taking 2 prescribed drugs.
Taking the Xanax the first week felt like magic. I was calm and had no panick attacks or anxiety. It seemed like a "miracle cure." That was until about 4 months later when I decided I was better and would just STOP taking them. The literature from the pharmacy did say to contact your doctor of course, but I thought since I am a healthy 30 yr old it would be no problem.
OMG! I went "cold turkey" for a week. I literally felt like I was dying. I couldn't sleep at all for 48 hours at a time, had muscle twitches, double vision, profuse sweating while freezing cold and terrible panick attacks right in my own house. I did not leave my home the entire week. I barely could make it to the mailbox.
During the week I kept thinking that the next day would be better. That never happened. It only seemed to get worse. So I went in for a visit to my doctor. She calmly told mt that this was typical of withdrawal and that I would have to "wean" myself down. I was so angry! I told her of my misery and asked why she hadn't told me this BEFORE I started taking them. Even the pharmacy's attched info did NOT tell how horrible it would be to stop taking them.
I am doing better now, but it's been 2 months and I still am not completely off them. I just wondered if anyone had the same experience??? And how you handled it or are handling it?? I still wonder when I will be able to stop them 100%??
AND I also wanted to get my experience out there so that no one else takes being given Xanax lightly. I thought it would be like taking an antibiotic or Motrin. I HAD NO IDEA OF THE COMPLICATIONS. I'm afraid the prescriptions sometimes are handed put to freely. PLEASE just be aware and do your research. Xanax can be a life saver, but it also can literally be life threatening (most common-seizure and/or stroke I now know) when stopped.

Thanks to anyone who responds,

Alicia

[steitieh]

For how long have you taken it? was it regular (daily) and what was your daily dose?




Rami

[AKBSRTEKT3]

My dosage ended up at 4mgs daily. My panic attacks ended up being severe after I started having them more regularly. I am down to 2mgs daily finally, but often feel the need that it isn't enough. I don't the relief I did with the higher dose obviously. Maybe I shouldn't stop taking them altogether?
But that week of withdrawal is the worst thing I have ever experienced. Worse than a c-section...at least that "pain" got better every day. The withdrawl was so scary that I told myself that I had to get this stuff out of my system.
Not sure what to do now.

[AKBSRTEKT3]

I really would love to know if anyone has had a similar experience? Also which is worse? Getting off the Xanax completely? Or living with high anxiety and/or panic attacks?
After reading some of Jacckey97's posts everyone seems very pleased with Xanax (except that it's short acting). Has anyone tried to go off of it and then decided it was better to go back on Xanax and stay on them?
My doctor said that most people eventually build up a tolerance and have to take higher doses to get the same calming effect.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[hamiltonkrewe]

Hello,
I think Xanax has very positive place in treatment for those with higher levels of anxiety. I was disabled and did not work for years suffering from major panic attacks that would lead to agoraphobia. I tried almost every type of anti-depressant that came out in the past 15 years. I was never able to tolerate the major side effects that went along with those medications. I was told by my last P-doctor that I probably lack an enzyme that breaks them down so it was high doses of these medications staying in my body causing these horrific side effects. (Anyone ever hear of that?) When I first took Xanax like with you it was very effective. I had very few side effects and I became employed after not working for over four years. I stayed employed for over five years while on Xanax. I have had some very stressful things happen and thought I was having some breakthrough anxiety but think there may be more to it. I see my doctor next week and will see if a medication adjustment or change will improve things.

You said you had “mild panic attacks” One may question prescribing Xanax for mild panic but it seems it did help you and you make no mention of a current panic disorder so maybe it was a good idea. Your doctor should have told you the need of weaning off the drug. Did you have a follow up appointment when you got the prescriptions? I’m surprised your doctor gave you a four month supply without seeing you or giving you better directions.

I went off my prescription cold turkey a couple times so can understand and am compassionate to your discomfort.

I was told by my doctor it takes about a year to wean off Xanax (3mg/day) without uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Hope you feel better soon.
Dave