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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Daveman on February 14, 2001, at 19:29:35
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
Posted by judy1 on February 14, 2001, at 20:06:50
In reply to xanax switch? to which?, posted by Daveman on February 14, 2001, at 19:29:35
Hi,
Klonopin is a good choice because it will be easier to taper off of than xanax. You really shouldn't rely on a benzo to sleep- it's one of the easiest ways to develop a tolerance and find yourself increasing the dose. As you taper off, try not to go over a 10% reduction a week- it really helps prevent withdrawal. Ask your doc for ways to address your insomnia- I'm sure lots of people on this board will have suggestions. Good luck, Judy
Posted by Joy on February 14, 2001, at 20:09:00
In reply to xanax switch? to which?, posted by Daveman on February 14, 2001, at 19:29:35
I take .75 Xanax generic up from .50 at night time only. My pdoc prescribed 1 mg now at night time since I have insomnia also from my AD. I would think if you weaned down ever so gradually on the Xanax it would be okay. You could ask your pdoc's opinion if he/she thinks you should change over to another benzo, or wean down Xanax slowly. Many people think Xabax us the best of the benzos for some reason. I don't really know. In any case, I'm glad the Celexa works so well for you.
JoyHi 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
Posted by Daveman on February 16, 2001, at 19:46:30
In reply to Re: xanax switch? to which? » Daveman, posted by judy1 on February 14, 2001, at 20:06:50
> Hi,
> Klonopin is a good choice because it will be easier to taper off of than xanax. You really shouldn't rely on a benzo to sleep- it's one of the easiest ways to develop a tolerance and find yourself increasing the dose. As you taper off, try not to go over a 10% reduction a week- it really helps prevent withdrawal. Ask your doc for ways to address your insomnia- I'm sure lots of people on this board will have suggestions. Good
luck, JudyHey All:
PDoc switched me from Xanax to Klonopin for anxiety and subsequent tapering. He also gave me a sample of Remeron to try for insomnia. Interestingly, he said Remeron has a somewhat "paradoxical" effect in that it is more sedating at 15mg than 30mg! Anyone got any opinions about that? Well, I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Daveman
Posted by JohnM on February 16, 2001, at 21:11:37
In reply to xanax switch? to which?, posted by Daveman on February 14, 2001, at 19:29:35
I've been on all the medicines you speak of and I'd call myself an expert. To get off the Xanax use Klonopin. Xanax had a nasty "addictive" quality for me and I don't recommend it to anyone. Ativan or Valium, while they are good medicines, won't keep the Xanax withdrawals at bay well enough. You'll find that Klonopin won't give you the "mood enhancing" qualities that Xanax has, but it is a potent medicine and is sedating and will keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. In fact, (after a few weeks) I found myself splitting the 0.5 tablets into quarters and even eighths for use in the daytime for panic/anxiety symptoms. Ativan was a rather unremarkable medicine (for me at least). Valium or Hydroxyzine HCL may be useful to you say 6 months or a year down the road, if your antideppresant and/or Klonopin doesn't control your GAD/depression well enough. But use the Klonopin to get off the Xanax.
Posted by Daveman on February 16, 2001, at 21:36:41
In reply to I'd recommend using Klonopin to get off Xanax, posted by JohnM on February 16, 2001, at 21:11:37
Thanks, John! Xanax has made me nervous for the entire time I've been taking it (6 weeks) due to its addictive qualities (quick "high", followed by the inevitable dropoff-reminds me of my "youthful" experiments with mind-altering drugs, which I thought I'd left behind oh, say two decades ago:)) Also I was already starting to experience the upward "tolerance" spiral (see my first post) which I've learned is so common to Xanax.
Thanks also for your suggestion of Hydroxyzine. I looked it up and found I'd heard of it under a different name, Atarax, but not for use as an anxiolytic. Interesting that my PDoc didn't mention it-he has brought up Buspar, which seems to be among the least favorite med of people who post on this board. Anyway, it's Klonopin for now, first dose tonight at bedtime, wish me luck:)
Daveman
> I've been on all the medicines you speak of and I'd call myself an expert. To get off the Xanax use Klonopin. Xanax had a nasty "addictive" quality for me and I don't recommend it to anyone. Ativan or Valium, while they are good medicines, won't keep the Xanax withdrawals at bay well enough. You'll find that Klonopin won't give you the "mood enhancing" qualities that Xanax has, but it is a potent medicine and is sedating and will keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. In fact, (after a few weeks) I found myself splitting the 0.5 tablets into quarters and even eighths for use in the daytime for panic/anxiety symptoms. Ativan was a rather unremarkable medicine (for me at least). Valium or Hydroxyzine HCL may be useful to you say 6 months or a year down the road, if your antideppresant and/or Klonopin doesn't control your GAD/depression well enough. But use the Klonopin to get off the Xanax.
Posted by kate9999 on February 17, 2001, at 2:49:38
In reply to xanax switch? to which?, posted by Daveman on February 14, 2001, at 19:29:35
I was just put on Neurontin for mood stabilization but have found it very effective for my anxiety. I also have a relative who was switched to it to replace her Ativan for insomnia. AFAIK it's an anticonvulsant that acts on GABA which is the same neurotransmitter the benzodiazepines target.
I'm assuming it doesn't have the same risk of tolerance/addiction as the benzo's but I don't know for sure. Worth looking into. I'm sure others have more info.
> 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
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
This is the end of the thread.
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