How do I taper off? I've been taking 1 mg of Xanax 2-3 times a day for about 2 weeks? Can I just stop taking the meds or should I taper off? How do I do it?
Tracey don't quit all together!!! I repeat do not quit cold turkey!!! That is very dangerous. A benzo withdrawal is one of the most difficult drugs to withdraw from. Actually with my experience as a pharmacy tech and my stay at a detox facility as I was withdrawing from a heroin addiction, I can tell you that an opiate withdrawal is nothing compared to the withdrawal from a benzo. I went to a detox clinic and what I learned was that medications and vitamins used for other drug withdrawal symptoms cannot be used for a benzo detox also you must taper and this is a much slower taper rate than most other drugs and that is because the GABA receptors need time to adjust between tapers. Along with that your symptoms need to be managed or a slow taper rate would be very challenging to overcome period. Vitamins and other over-the-counter items can make the symptoms worse, those things include; valerian root, calcium supplements, melatonin, and pretty much any over the counter sleeping aid. So knowing what you can take and what you cannot take is very important. I know it sounds like a detox is almost unattainable but I witnessed people who were able withdraw and detox successfully at the facility and it doesn't have to be horrible I would definitely, depending on where you live, look into a detox hospital that specializes in Benzo withdrawal. I personally don't have the knowledge or the know how to tell you how to taper, but talk to your doctor they may be able to guide you or recommend a doctor or facility that can, just don't quit cold turkey… I wish you the best. I'm glad you asked before making a decision, and be happy to know that you can live a healthy and happy life after this. Great question I hope this helps!!
Tapering off Xanax XR?
I also have serious panic disorder, for years I have had attacks, been constantly out of breath, been tested for asthma and my oxygen levels are always fine. I have been to the ER and had X-rays of my chest and told I was physically fine even when I felt like I was having a heart attack. I tried two different SSRI's and they also make it ten times worse. Lexapro and Zoloft. I always would try and give it a chance but when I start feeling the onset of intense aggravation I quit taking them because I can't handle it. I have found my only relief from benzodiazepines and have taken them all, have found Xanax to be the best working for me but I have been taking them for so long that I do notice it takes an increase of the dosage to be effective over time. I had a recent scare though when I failed to refill my script when I ran out and went a few days without taking them and ended up having a seizure so be very careful not to abruptly stop this drug because you can withdrawal from them. I'm not saying this will happen to everyone but just be careful. I can't imagine not having access to my meds when having a major attack and anyone who has experienced this knows it can happen at any time without warning sometimes.
Weaning off .75mg xanax?
I was wondering if anyone could help that is/was in a similar situation as I am. I am currently taking .75mg of xanax a day. I am presribed .5mg pills, and I take 3 halves a day. One when I wake up, one mid day, and one in the evening. I want to start weaning off them as I feel a lot better. I know I am on a low dose, but I am SOOOO scared. I can not see my doctor becuase I lost my insurance. I heard that if you cut down .25 mg a week or so, that you will be fine. I just read so much about people having seizures and possibly dying that I am scared to take less. I want to take more just to make sure I am okay! I was going to try to cut out .25 mg of my midday pill but I am just so scared.... can someone please help??
Taking xanax .25mg twice a day steady for 10 days. How should I taper off?
You're on a very low dose for a very short period of time. The prescribing information for Xanax advises not to decrease the dosage by more than 0.5mg every 3 days. Therefore you are very unlikely to suffer serious withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, if you just quit cold turkey. It's still not a good idea, though. You should talk to your doctor for the best advice, but if you choose not to, I would take 0.125mg (half a tablet) twice a day ceasing the night before you have a day off so that you can just rest the following day. The tablets should be scored so you can easily halve them. To be honest, I think you're having so much trouble getting off of it because you only take it twice a day. I think most people take Xanax at least 3 times a day, which is every 8 hours. (The two people above even mention taking it 4 and 5 times a day.) It is a very short acting benzodiazapine and I think after 8 hours (or less) your body begins getting "hungry" for it which is all the anxiety you're experiencing. Most people who take Xanax regularly do not have anxiety like that. Ask your doctor for his/her opinion. Sometimes doctor's will write a prescription for something random when in reality it's to be taken on an "as needed" basis. I am taking Xanax three times a day for vertigo, but most people taking it for anxiety just take it once when they have a panic attack rather than continuing to take it. Some doctors do use it to control anxiety, but it's rare to find anyone taking it under those circumstances who is happy with it.
Am i having withdraws from xanax?
You will almost always experience withdrawal symptom from xanax. And yes, it is the same heightened anxiety for which you took Xanax in the first place. I have been there: I used to take 0.5 mg xanax (once or twice everyday). Eventually, I also wanted to taper off of it because the daily regular use (two times a day) made me feel nothing at all - like a zombie almost. Dont mistake me: Xanax is wonderful- but only for as need by basis; NOT for everyday use. I have experienced withdrawals and I think it was easier for me at that time to taper off as needed. My doctor asked me to taper off by take three a day for a week, then two a day a week, and once a day a week and then done. Wow, really? Not to discount her as an newer MD, the fact is the withdrawal effects are felt as soon as reduce the dose and the doctor is not the one experiencing them, the patient is. However, do not worry there is a solution I tried which worked like wonders. I took this powerful Indian ayurvedic herb called Ashwagandha in capsule form (from vitaminshoppe). I also took passion flower and omega 3 pills eventually. Undoubtedly, I am sure it was the Ashwagandha that was most effective. Take the Himalaya brand or any other Indian brand, they are generally of high doses (this is fine because this herb is found mostly in India anyway). Now obviously, there was a side effect from ashwagandha which I did not want: heightened sexual desire! It is also an aphrodisiac (felt especially when taken in empty stomach), and to be honest, being a single woman, thats the last thing I want when there is not a husband by my side to help with these kind of fantasies. However, if that is a side effect you can bear, then you should be able to reap all the positive benefits like clear stomach in the morning, host of health benefits and most importantly for you, COPING with the withdrawal of xanax itself. I am surprised how effective it was to act as a substitute for xanax while on its withdrawal. My suggestion: Take xanax only as needed (if you want it at all). You never know when you really need it for panic attacks (during which Ashwagandha might not necessarily help). For the remainder of days, take this herb. Trust me, this herb is indeed powerful and will solve your purpose. In some weeks of following this withdrawal procedue, your body will adjust to it and come back to normal.
How to get xanax out of the system FAST?
Well that's not a big problem BUT she better start drinking a gallon of green tea and the same with distilled water or almost any water and B12 will speed this up or water pills.I know this because i have been on 2 mg xanax bars for 10 years and i know what it takes to get it out QUICK and if she needs a little help give her 2 or 3 asprin for a mask lol you picked the right night for that question.She is fine and if anybody says different then there full of ****.
How do I come down off crystal meth if I am too high?
As a current meth addict, I’ve been in this situation before. There are a few ways that you can do this. Thee most effective way is to take an antipsychotic drug like seroquel or zyprexa. Meth causes your dopamine receptors to release massive amounts of dopamine. Antipsychotics antagonize or shut off your dopamine receptors, effectively dulling or completely nullifying the effects of amphetamines or methamphetamine. Another choice would be benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium. They are GABA agonists, GABA being your brains main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Benzos are addictive if over used, and that’s one withdrawal I would rival with opiates from experience. Other pharmaceutical options are gabapentin or lyrica, which can also be addictive. Blood pressure medications such as clonide or propanolol can help by lowering you’re blood pressure which meth increases. There are also a number of supplements that will help reduce the anxiety and other negative side effect or meth. I always have l-theanine on hand for if I take too much. Its an amino acid that is responsible for the calming effects of green tea. Magnesium is another one I take daily because it takes away some of the negative side effects of meth like jaw cleaning and twitching. Magnesium acts on your NMDA receptors, which are glutamate receptors, as an antagonist. Your glutamate receptors are exicitory neurotransmitters. Meth causes an influx of calcium signaling at these receptors, and magnesium blocks the calcium from getting through. Most people are deficient in magnesium, which is responsible for over 300 chemical reactions in your body anyway, and Meth use depletes magnesium in your body so it’s beneficial to take after using as well. There are many different types of magnesium that effect the absorption rate of magnesium. Never buy magnesium oxide it is a very poorly absorbed form. I currently use magnesium chloride but I’m going to be switching to magnesium glycinate which is also highly absorbable. If all else fails, and you have no access to any of the above, vitamin c in high dose will cause meth to be eliminated from your blood steam at a quicker rate. Drinking water is another way to eliminate meth quicker as it’s a water soluble molecule. Hope that helps, stay safe out there my friend.
How do i taper off a 10-15mg per day xanax addiction? Please help ?
I am a recovering addict... I am a very active member of N.A. I did abuse XANAX in my using days... In fact XANAX, VALIUM, and KLONOPIN were my 2nd choice drugs next to a big fat JOINT... Anyway thru my experience and by the knowledge of my addictions counselor in the in-patient facility where I first "GOT CLEAN", I learned that even one year in most cases is not enough use of nerve medications to become physically addicted... So at 6 months for you, its more of a mental challenge and I truly do believe that. Your not going to have a siezure and die from it just after 6 months of using xanax... I have actually been told by my counselor "that's not possible" and I do believe it because I quit cold turkey after one year. I started using drugs at 14 and did not clean up till I was 35. I have done about every drug under the sun... At 6 months of xanax use, u can quit cold turkey with no physival problems... Go to a N.A. Meeting and use the knowledge that is passed on to you.. It is proven that only around 10 percent of addicts in recovery are successful. And when u go to a meeting, if its your first one, just listen if u like but if u decide to keep going, u have to vring something to the tables... Recovery is a selfish program and u get what u take... Bring something to the tables to talk about... It works if u work it bro...