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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 Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 7:23:43
Hi
Last time I took my Xanax was on 18th of this month. Exactly a week apart. I had been on this med for more than a couple of years at a standard dose (1.5mg a day)
I didn't taper, stopped it abruptly. So far not a slight headache as a withdrawal symptom to bother me. I stopped and nothing happened at all. That has been the case.
However, some here pointed out a phenominal protracted withdrawal. Is there any chance for me to experience protracted withdrawal? I sense nothing of that sort, but considering Xanax's short half-life I with poise believe the time for Xanax to do any harm in my life in the form of withdrawal symptom is over.
What do you think? If you have gone off Xanax, have you ever experienced like me? Were there any new problems emerged after staying off it for a week?
Posted by rvanson on November 28, 2007, at 7:30:14
In reply to Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longer?, posted by Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 7:23:43
> Hi
>
> Last time I took my Xanax was on 18th of this month. Exactly a week apart. I had been on this med for more than a couple of years at a standard dose (1.5mg a day)
>
> I didn't taper, stopped it abruptly. So far not a slight headache as a withdrawal symptom to bother me. I stopped and nothing happened at all. That has been the case.
>
> However, some here pointed out a phenominal protracted withdrawal. Is there any chance for me to experience protracted withdrawal? I sense nothing of that sort, but considering Xanax's short half-life I with poise believe the time for Xanax to do any harm in my life in the form of withdrawal symptom is over.
>
> What do you think? If you have gone off Xanax, have you ever experienced like me? Were there any new problems emerged after staying off it for a week?If you were like most people you should have already had any of the withdrawl symptoms by now.
You are lucky. Most people have to taper off Xanax slowly, so count your blessings. :-)
Posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2007, at 9:10:42
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longe, posted by rvanson on November 28, 2007, at 7:30:14
Someone else is like me when life is good I'm able to just stop a med hasn't happened in years though. You should be fine. Congratulations. Phillipa other than that on any other meds that are kind of taking it's place?
Posted by Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 9:27:13
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longe, posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2007, at 9:10:42
> other than that on any other meds that are kind of taking it's place?
Yes. Provigil 300mg, Prozac 20mg, Neurontin 300mg.
Non-psychiatric meds: Cozaar 100mg for hypertension.
Metformin 1000mg for diabetes and obesity.It was Provigil that helped to keep Benzos away. In fact I was using Benzos to deal with dysphoria. But Provigil effectively kept dysphoria in check that helped me to trash Benzos.
Cheers.
Posted by sonic_gb on November 28, 2007, at 9:31:16
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longe, posted by Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 9:27:13
Mishal,
Did you find that the Xanax actually helped with dysphoria? I ask because I find that benzo's don't help my dysphoric symptoms at all, and that's why I want to taper off. They stopped helping my anxiety when I stopped allowing my Doctor to escalate my dose.
Sonic
Posted by Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 9:46:27
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longe » Mishal, posted by sonic_gb on November 28, 2007, at 9:31:16
Hi sonic_gb,
> Did you find that the Xanax actually helped with dysphoria? I ask because I find that benzo's don't help my dysphoric symptoms at all, and that's why I want to taper off.
Not much. In fact what kept me taking benzos (I used to alternate Ativan and Xanax) was the dysphoria that followed whenever I stopped them. It was difficult to stand for more than a couple of days and I had to go back to either Ativan or Xanax to overcome this dysphoric feeling.
So my dysphoria was a benzo withdrawal symptom.
Now, right after finding out the magnificent Provigil, I could get off benzos without confronting to dysphoria. Besides Provigil has been an excellent anxiolytic for me most probably due to its effect on keeping me focused only on the moment I live. When one is focused on the very moment he lives, most anxieties that associated with past and future becomes irrelevant. Reason: You are only bothered of the current time. Not about the days gone by or the days that are yet to come.
Meanwhile Provigil can itself cause dysphoria especially at retiring hours as its stimulating effects wear off after ten or so hours. It is like a stimulant crash. I found Neurontin very helpful for this Provigil crash.
Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Best wishes.
Posted by bulldog2 on November 28, 2007, at 14:41:53
In reply to Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longer?, posted by Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 7:23:43
> Hi
>
> Last time I took my Xanax was on 18th of this month. Exactly a week apart. I had been on this med for more than a couple of years at a standard dose (1.5mg a day)
>
> I didn't taper, stopped it abruptly. So far not a slight headache as a withdrawal symptom to bother me. I stopped and nothing happened at all. That has been the case.
>
> However, some here pointed out a phenominal protracted withdrawal. Is there any chance for me to experience protracted withdrawal? I sense nothing of that sort, but considering Xanax's short half-life I with poise believe the time for Xanax to do any harm in my life in the form of withdrawal symptom is over.
>
> What do you think? If you have gone off Xanax, have you ever experienced like me? Were there any new problems emerged after staying off it for a week?I remember years ago I taught school in a high stress environment and needed 30 milligrams of valium a day to survive. Every summer when I went on vacation I was able to stop cold turkey without incident.
I've found in the last year on days when I take neurontin I can stop my klonopin. I don't take neurontin every day because it stops working.
Posted by sonic_gb on November 28, 2007, at 15:19:41
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longer?, posted by bulldog2 on November 28, 2007, at 14:41:53
Posted by sonic_gb on November 28, 2007, at 15:20:39
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longer?, posted by bulldog2 on November 28, 2007, at 14:41:53
Hi bulldog2,
I also found that Neurontin and _especially_ Lyrica allowed me to reduce benzo usage. However both made me gain weight uncontrollably. So I just finished withdrawing from Lyrica, which was h*ll, and next I need to tackle the benzo's which will also be h*ll. I'm at a 55mg Valium equivalent, which I believe is quite a high level of tolerance and dependence. Should be fun. I know it won't be as easy as Mishal had it.
Sonic
Posted by pstrait on November 28, 2007, at 15:37:28
In reply to Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longer?, posted by Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 7:23:43
Congratulations! I also just got off my daily xanax regimen. I was only taking .5 a day, and I had not been able to quit it -- had tried multiple times. Finally, when I switched out my ssri for mirtazapine, I was able to do it, and my anxiety is finally down to normal levels.
Posted by bulldog2 on November 28, 2007, at 16:06:11
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longer? » bulldog2, posted by sonic_gb on November 28, 2007, at 15:20:39
> Hi bulldog2,
>
> I also found that Neurontin and _especially_ Lyrica allowed me to reduce benzo usage. However both made me gain weight uncontrollably. So I just finished withdrawing from Lyrica, which was h*ll, and next I need to tackle the benzo's which will also be h*ll. I'm at a 55mg Valium equivalent, which I believe is quite a high level of tolerance and dependence. Should be fun. I know it won't be as easy as Mishal had it.
>
> SonicI only use the neurontin three times a week max and some weeks not at all so there has been no weight gain. I use 1 -2 milliigrams of klonopin a day. Not trying to get off right now. I consider stress a real health problem so I'm okay with the usage of the benzo.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 28, 2007, at 22:25:37
In reply to Re: Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longe, posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2007, at 9:10:42
i stopped a very high dosage of xanax years back
no withdrawal
Posted by qbsbrown on December 3, 2007, at 21:10:21
In reply to Off Xanax for a week. Should I worry any longer?, posted by Mishal on November 28, 2007, at 7:23:43
I stupidly stopped klonopin 1.5mgs cold turkey, after 2 yrs of taking it. I lasted 3 weeks. Anxiety so bad, derealization, panic attacks,not sleeping one minute, almost forgetting my name, address, and phone number.
Given that, i can quit ssri's cold turkey easily. 50 percent of people who quit the benzos do just fine. All depends on your reaction. It sounds your reaction is fine, so go with it, how you feel.
Regards,
Brian
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