Worrying about Xanax

[Rathgar]

I started reading about all the bad press with xanax lately and how doctors are being told to get patients off xanax and not to prescribe it.
I have been taking xanax for 25 years. I honestly don't believe I would have functioned as well as I have without it.
I realize it's addictive and I do worry about trying to get off it - I envision having to go to rehab or something.
Anyone know people who are on xanax long term? (or any meds like it?)
Any positive advice (I am starting to get anxiety about taking anxiety meds!
Thanks

 

[Rathgar]

anyone any advice , thoughts?

 

[triceps]

Hi Rathgar. I was on Xanax for at least 20 years before weaning myself off of it and switching to Klonopin. It did wonders for me and I honestly don't think I would've gotten married or have a career without it. I don't know what dosage you are on but I switched when I had gotten to 3mg total/day. My withdrawal took over two months with some side effects but I tapered back very slowly. I personally feel it is the absolute best medication for general anxiety and panic they have yet to develop. My advice would be to continue on it as long as it's still effective for you, perhaps the rest of your life if it still works.

 

[Cuchculan]

I was on Xanax for 10 years. The time I picked to come off it I just happened to be in hospital. The way it was done with me was they put me on a higher dose of something new. Simply stopped the Xanax there and then. They left me on the higher dose of this new medication till the Xanax was out of my system. They then began to lower the new medication down. Bit by bit every day. No withdrawal symptoms at all. So a smart doctor would easily know the right method to use. I seriously felt nothing at al. I came off by choice. As was said above, if they still work for you, keep on taken them. The bad press was all about some famous people who died. They were all on Xanax along with lord knows what else. But they were taken far too much every day. They wanted to charge their doctors in a few of the cases. For handing out too high a dose per day over a long period of time. What we would take is normal and safe. Some of these singers were be giving up 10mg a day. I mean the average person may only be told to take up to 3mg a day. That is 1mg three times daily. You also have to factor in these singers were taken other things as well. Loads of different things. We wouldn't be doing that. So ignore the bad press.

 

[Rathgar]

Hi Triceps and Cuchculan,
Thanks for your responses. I have had a very bad few days.
Are either of you still on any medication? Doctor wants me back on Lexapro or Celexa - I have tried all of those before and never felt any relief from anxiety and panic.

 

[Cuchculan]

I came off them. On something different these days. Klonopin ( Clonazepam in Ireland ) is what I take now. Along with Remeron. ( Zispin in Ireland ) You go from country to country and they have different names for the same medication. Maybe ask to try something you never tried before. Clonazepam is similar in nature to Xanax but it is a slow release form of medication. No instant buzz feeling. It is also a benzodiazepine, so some doctors might be against it these days.

 

[triceps]

I'm on lexapro and Klonopin. They help quite a bit but am still terribly anxious each morning.

 

[Flipmartin]

I’m on fluoxetine and lorazepam (Ativan). My therapist is pushing me hard to get off the lorazepam. I’ve taken it for about 15 years. Most of that time was as needed, maybe once or twice a week. But over the past year I’ve been taking more and taking it everyday. It got to the point where I was taking 6mg a day. Now I’m down to 4.5mg a day after slowly tapering down. It absolutely helps with my anxiety a great deal. But my therapist thinks I need to go back to just taking it as needed instead of every day. I’m conflicted but am following her advice. I’ll move down to 4mg a day in about a week. Not really looking forward to it as she said I could get increased anxiety as I lower my dose.

 

[Cuchculan]

Rebound anxiety is common when reducing or coming off of medication. Bit like the mind is aware of what you are trying to do and it will stop at nothing to make you feel bad.

 

[Rathgar]

Hi Rathgar. I was on Xanax for at least 20 years before weaning myself off of it and switching to Klonopin. It did wonders for me and I honestly don't think I would've gotten married or have a career without it. I don't know what dosage you are on but I switched when I had gotten to 3mg total/day. My withdrawal took over two months with some side effects but I tapered back very slowly. I personally feel it is the absolute best medication for general anxiety and panic they have yet to develop. My advice would be to continue on it as long as it's still effective for you, perhaps the rest of your life if it still works.

Triceps - why did you decide to get off xanax and why switch to klonopin? Hoping to gain understanding of how to move forward with all of this

 

[triceps]

After all those years it seemed like I would need to up my dose, that the Xanax just wasn't as effective for me. The Klonopin isn't as powerful initially when you take it but is longer lasting.