Posted by jimmygold70 on February 17, 2001, at 5:08:05
In reply to xanax switch? to which?, posted by Daveman on February 14, 2001, at 19:29:35
I don't buy the opinion that longer term benzos are any easier to taper off. They are all hard to taper. I've withdrawn Klonopin and Xanax, Xanax XR for several times each. Let me tell you something: It sucks.
Anyway, there are 2 things which may ease your withdrawal:
1) Take clonidine as needed against tremor and other effects of the withdrawal. It does work.
2) Take Tegretol, then start tapering slowly. Tegretol will not make your withdrawal mcuh easier, but it will make rebound anxiety somewhat lighter, and significantly reduce your chances of getting again on Xanax.Jimmy
> Hi all:
>
> Back again with a different question. I previously asked about Xanax tolerance while waiting for my AD to stabalize my condition (g.a.d-depression-insomnia). At the time it was Paxil, but they switched me to Celexa because the Paxil wasn't working. Am now on 40 mg. Celexa, which has stabalized me to the point where I do not need to take Xanax during the day, but I still need help at night (frightful insomnia). Problem is, when I try to cut back to only nightly dosing of Xanax (got up no higher than 2mg per day), my body rebels! This is due to the short Xanax half-life, no doubt, so I am in daily cold-turkey withdrawal.
>
> I meet with my p-doc Friday to discuss the situation and am going to request a switch to a longer-half-life benzo, so I don't have to take it all the time (better for tapering anyway). Do any of you have any advice as to which one would be best- I'm thinking either klonopin or valium. Ativan looked promising due to sedative qualities (which I need) but it's half-life is not much different from Xanax. Any opinions, particularly if based on personal experince, will be appreciated!
>
> Daveman
poster:jimmygold70
thread:54022
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/54223.html