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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by onlymeisee on July 9, 2001, at 14:17:54
I have heard so much bad about xanax withdrawl. I have been taking 2mg for 3 years. I have heard how most cannot taper straight from xanax, they have to be switched to something else first. I have read how even a 6% cut causes bad withdrawls. I am writing this to ask if ANYONE has come off of xanax with few problems? Thanks
Posted by kid_A on July 9, 2001, at 15:50:31
In reply to Xanax, posted by onlymeisee on July 9, 2001, at 14:17:54
http://www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/benz04.htm
Posted by Amy Blue on July 9, 2001, at 15:52:17
In reply to Xanax, posted by onlymeisee on July 9, 2001, at 14:17:54
I went off Xanax cold turkey and I don't recommend that route. I got very ill, mentally and physically.
If you've been on 2 mgs for 3 years it sounds like you haven't developed any sort of tolerance. However, your body is physically dependent on it so you need to go down slowly. I would suggest you taper very slowly in order to avoid withdrawal. There is a lot of hype out there - both good and bad - but you have to remember that everyone is different. Try lowering by 0.25 mgs/day every 2 weeks. I know it sounds slow but it will be WORTH IT if you don't have withdrawal.
Also avoid all stimulants - caffeine, sugar, simple carbs - because these may cause your anxiety to increase which will not be good in conjunction w/ lowering Xanax.
Good luck!
Posted by Amy Blue on July 9, 2001, at 15:58:15
In reply to Xanax, posted by onlymeisee on July 9, 2001, at 14:17:54
Also if I were you I would avoid reading anything about benzo withdrawal, etc., once you have developed a safe taper schedule with your doctor. Be aware that many doctors do underestimate the amount of time you need to taper benzos. I think Kid-A's post about the % doseage taper is good. But some of those links have some scary stuff that you may want to avoid if you're already anxious about the taper process.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 9, 2001, at 21:54:17
In reply to Xanax, posted by onlymeisee on July 9, 2001, at 14:17:54
> I have heard so much bad about xanax withdrawl. I have been taking 2mg for 3 years. I have heard how most cannot taper straight from xanax, they have to be switched to something else first. I have read how even a 6% cut causes bad withdrawls. I am writing this to ask if ANYONE has come off of xanax with few problems? Thanks
YMMV. Some people have a lot more trouble tapering than others. But anyway, switching to a long-acting benzo should help, and it's not that big of a deal -- the trick is finding the equivalent dose (equivalence charts give you a general idea but the exact equivalent dose varies from person to person). Tapering very slowly (like 10% per week) should also make it easier. Some people find that anticonvulsants (Neurontin, Depakote) or the MAOI Nardil can make it easier to decrease their dose of benzos (you should start taking these while still taking the benzo; Neurontin is the easiest to use).
-elizabeth
Posted by onlymeisee on July 10, 2001, at 13:28:54
In reply to Re: Xanax » onlymeisee, posted by Elizabeth on July 9, 2001, at 21:54:17
Hi, thanks all for your replys! I am feeling stuckk here. I can't find a doc thats one of the problems. Thats why I was wondering how to taper myself. My doc lost her lisense. No other docs will see me..I have tried them all. I live in a town...small small town and they are having major crackdown on drugs and the last doc i seen even told me...I will not perscribe you xanax right now because they are the police are investigating it all so close. I am alone in this. If I go far out of town they then think something is funny like maybe you are seeing more then one doc. I wish I would have never been put on this freakin Monster. The medical community is what did this. I never got hooked on anything till the doc gave me this for panic, now im hooked and shes gone and once again the medical profession is not caring about withdrawls. They dont even think they are real. I live in the most backwoods place there is. They know nothing. I am going to try to cut 6% a month..thats slow but I tried 12% for two weeks then 12% more and had horrible reaction. I cant go into a hospital but even if could would be scarred after what they have done getting me hooked on these things and now leaving me hanging on my own. Who knows what would happen to me if they had full control over me. I just want my life back and Im so scarrred that I cant find it. So many say you cant do it straight off of xanax, you have to be switched to valium as the best way..but I cant..where will I get them...they took my docs lisense for not keeping correct files as well as other things but all the other should lose it as well for not caring. They litterly slam the door in my face, they are to scarred to help I guess. Drugs are so bad in this small town we have been on 20/20 and dateline. PPl have signs hanging on the houses telling their families stories. I need my medician though, Im not a drug dealer, I have panic attacks. I will get sick without it but they wont help me. Do I write the papers? If I do you have to sign your name and in this small town word gets around and will start trouble for me im sure. Hard to belive im in the usa. Then again is beginning to sound more like the usa. Sorry so long, Just dont know what to do now.
> >
I have heard so much bad about xanax withdrawl. I have been taking 2mg for 3 years. I have heard how most cannot taper straight from xanax, they have to be switched to something else first. I have read how even a 6% cut causes bad withdrawls. I am writing this to ask if ANYONE has come off of xanax with few problems? Thanks
>
> YMMV. Some people have a lot more trouble tapering than others. But anyway, switching to a long-acting benzo should help, and it's not that big of a deal -- the trick is finding the equivalent dose (equivalence charts give you a general idea but the exact equivalent dose varies from person to person). Tapering very slowly (like 10% per week) should also make it easier. Some people find that anticonvulsants (Neurontin, Depakote) or the MAOI Nardil can make it easier to decrease their dose of benzos (you should start taking these while still taking the benzo; Neurontin is the easiest to use).
>
> -elizabeth
Posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 1:39:22
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by onlymeisee on July 10, 2001, at 13:28:54
> Hi, thanks all for your replys!
You're welcome.
> My doc lost her lisense.
Yikes! What for? (Not that the reason was necessarily legitimate.)
> No other docs will see me..I have tried them all. I live in a town...small small town and they are having major crackdown on drugs and the last doc i seen even told me...I will not perscribe you xanax right now because they are the police are investigating it all so close.
I know what you mean. It's a lot harder to find a good pdoc in a small town than it is in a large metro area near a major medical centre.
A lot of doctors are afraid to prescribe controlled substances, even benzodiazepines (which are in one of the least-controlled categories). In New York, doctors are now required to write triplicate prescriptions for benzos (just as they would for a Schedule II drug, such as morphine or amphetamine). As a result, they're returning to the older, more toxic drugs. Effective law, huh?
> The medical community is what did this. I never got hooked on anything till the doc gave me this for panic, now im hooked and shes gone and once again the medical profession is not caring about withdrawls.
Now, let's not get into blaming the drugs. Benzos for panic are a totally reasonable and legitimate treatment, and no doctor should be faulted for prescribing them for this indication. The problem is that so many doctors are unwilling to continue your (legitimate and reasonable) prescription because of (often unjustified) legal fears or puritanical attitudes.
> So many say you cant do it straight off of xanax, you have to be switched to valium as the best way
Valium isn't such a great choice. A lot of doctors use Librium. My choice would be Klonopin or Tranxene.
> they took my docs lisense for not keeping correct files as well as other things but all the other should lose it as well for not caring.
Keeping thorough records is important, but these other doctors who won't provide adequate treatment are guilty of much worse transgressions, IMO.
> I need my medician though, Im not a drug dealer, I have panic attacks.
You're far from alone.
-elizabeth
Posted by onlymeisee on July 11, 2001, at 11:51:47
In reply to Re: Xanax » onlymeisee, posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 1:39:22
> > The lisense was taken for several reasons, and legit forsure I guess. Well over medicating was one. I was on 12 mg xanax as well as most of the patients. Patients getting meds in there name for him, not keeping records,not taking the appropriate classes when time,not paying fines, drunk driving unpaid fees, you name it! I dont blame the drugs at all for this, like I said they helped them panic but I do blame the doctor. Like I had said, I never had this problem when I used to do street drugs including xanax but I get into the medical profession and now look at me. They said they took her lisense for fear of what harm was being done to the public but they should have had someone in there ready to take her place to make sure ppl get there meds. They either don't care or don't realize just how bad ppl need there meds once they are on them for long periods of time. If I would have taken the xanax like I wanted as needed I would have been fine, but the doc said no keep it in my system at all times to control the panic, noone ever told me about the withdrawls, noone told me I could get this addicted and then suddenly nooone there to contiunie giving me this stuff and not even willing to help me taper. I just wish they knew more about this. Has anyone ever tapered from xanax at a slow rate and still been able to function? Any sucess stories at all? I have to be able to function on a certain level.
Hi, thanks all for your replys!
>
> You're welcome.
>
> > My doc lost her lisense.
>
> Yikes! What for? (Not that the reason was necessarily legitimate.)
>
> > No other docs will see me..I have tried them all. I live in a town...small small town and they are having major crackdown on drugs and the last doc i seen even told me...I will not perscribe you xanax right now because they are the police are investigating it all so close.
>
> I know what you mean. It's a lot harder to find a good pdoc in a small town than it is in a large metro area near a major medical centre.
>
> A lot of doctors are afraid to prescribe controlled substances, even benzodiazepines (which are in one of the least-controlled categories). In New York, doctors are now required to write triplicate prescriptions for benzos (just as they would for a Schedule II drug, such as morphine or amphetamine). As a result, they're returning to the older, more toxic drugs. Effective law, huh?
>
> > The medical community is what did this. I never got hooked on anything till the doc gave me this for panic, now im hooked and shes gone and once again the medical profession is not caring about withdrawls.
>
> Now, let's not get into blaming the drugs. Benzos for panic are a totally reasonable and legitimate treatment, and no doctor should be faulted for prescribing them for this indication. The problem is that so many doctors are unwilling to continue your (legitimate and reasonable) prescription because of (often unjustified) legal fears or puritanical attitudes.
>
> > So many say you cant do it straight off of xanax, you have to be switched to valium as the best way
>
> Valium isn't such a great choice. A lot of doctors use Librium. My choice would be Klonopin or Tranxene.
>
> > they took my docs lisense for not keeping correct files as well as other things but all the other should lose it as well for not caring.
>
> Keeping thorough records is important, but these other doctors who won't provide adequate treatment are guilty of much worse transgressions, IMO.
>
> > I need my medician though, Im not a drug dealer, I have panic attacks.
>
> You're far from alone.
>
> -elizabeth
Posted by Alan on July 11, 2001, at 18:15:37
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by onlymeisee on July 11, 2001, at 11:51:47
>The medical community is what did this. I never got hooked on anything till the doc gave me this for panic, now im hooked and shes gone and once again the medical profession is not caring about withdrawls.
Now, let's not get into blaming the drugs. Benzos for panic are a totally reasonable and legitimate treatment, and no doctor should be faulted for prescribing them for this indication. The problem is that so many doctors are unwilling to continue your (legitimate and reasonable) prescription because of (often unjustified) legal fears or puritanical attitudes.
-elizabeth
=======================================I feel that I must respond in agreement with elizabeth regarding seemingly archaic views on benzos.
A very informative page about panic disorder is worth viewing I think:
http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html
I'm not sure of the history of disputes about benzos on this bulletin board but this comprehensive overview clarified allot of issues for me regarding panic disorder and it's treatment with medication.
Do you have an opinion of it's content elizabeth?
Would love to know your opinion...
Alan
Posted by Elizabeth on July 12, 2001, at 19:37:25
In reply to Re: Xanax }} elizabeth, posted by Alan on July 11, 2001, at 18:15:37
> A very informative page about panic disorder is worth viewing I think:
>
> http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.htmlI'm too tired to read this right now, but remind me to look at it later. (email me at cybersquid_400@yahoo.com, that's more reliable than reposting)
-elizabeth
Posted by gilbert on July 12, 2001, at 22:06:24
In reply to Re: Xanax » Alan, posted by Elizabeth on July 12, 2001, at 19:37:25
Thanks Alan this was so informative plus I love the data about how benzos are not just band aids for panic while ssris are the true cure. There are so many so called experts out there proselytizing that ssris are thr True cure because they effect low serotonin levels.......This 29 page document proves what I have been screaming on this board for months. Most docs push ssris due to forces in the marketplace. The most up to date panic and anxiety websites and pdocs do not use ssris as first line treatment for panic. Tolerance and or poop out on ssris for panic patients is far more prevalent than benzo tolerance or poop out. Panic is a long term progressive illness and long term use of benzos is not only the safest choice but the most effective with the least amount of side effects. The whole ssris must be used for comorbid depression is just another tact to get docs to prescribe ssris for panic when they shouldn't be. Most panic patients once treated with benzos do not have depression once they are stabilized on daily benzo monotherapy and are able to go out in the world and function again. Most ssris users still need benzos for breakthrough panic episodes..........on and on and on sorry for ranting but this article is my new panic bible.
Thanks
Gil
Posted by Alan on July 13, 2001, at 8:39:09
In reply to Alan thank you.....benzos vs ssris, posted by gilbert on July 12, 2001, at 22:06:24
> Thanks Alan this was so informative plus I love the data about how benzos are not just band aids for panic while ssris are the true cure. There are so many so called experts out there proselytizing that ssris are thr True cure because they effect low serotonin levels.......This 29 page document proves what I have been screaming on this board for months. Most docs push ssris due to forces in the marketplace. The most up to date panic and anxiety websites and pdocs do not use ssris as first line treatment for panic. Tolerance and or poop out on ssris for panic patients is far more prevalent than benzo tolerance or poop out. Panic is a long term progressive illness and long term use of benzos is not only the safest choice but the most effective with the least amount of side effects. The whole ssris must be used for comorbid depression is just another tact to get docs to prescribe ssris for panic when they shouldn't be. Most panic patients once treated with benzos do not have depression once they are stabilized on daily benzo monotherapy and are able to go out in the world and function again. Most ssris users still need benzos for breakthrough panic episodes..........on and on and on sorry for ranting but this article is my new panic bible.
>
> Thanks
>
> GilYes, the same for me. There is so much ignorance out there regarding benzos and ssri's in relation to panic disorder that this was a revelation to me too! I have been on the receivng end of the puritanistic attitudes that elizabeth mentioned at the expense of about 10 years of my life until I found the right pdoc that knew what the hell they were doing. Some myths die hard I guess.
They understood that what the drug co. reps were telling them about the effectiveness of ssri's alone to combat truly chronic anxiety disorders without "withdrawl" was loaded.
Alan
Posted by Elizabeth on July 15, 2001, at 18:10:20
In reply to Alan thank you.....benzos vs ssris, posted by gilbert on July 12, 2001, at 22:06:24
> There are so many so called experts out there proselytizing that ssris are thr True cure because they effect low serotonin levels.......
That's bizarre (well, it's not bizarre, but it is remarkably misguided). People with panic disorder are usually hypersensitive to serotonin agonists. SSRIs often make panic worse initially. It can be very hard to wait for the adaptive changes (tolerance, really) that result in decreased anxiety and panic.
> Most docs push ssris due to forces in the marketplace.
They're also reluctant to prescribe benzos because they are afraid that patients will get "addicted" and sue them or something.
> Most panic patients once treated with benzos do not have depression once they are stabilized on daily benzo monotherapy and are able to go out in the world and function again.
I don't entirely agree. There are a lot of people who need both a benzo and an AD (though I question whether SSRIs are the best choice).
-elizabeth
This is the end of the thread.
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