[Claritytoo]

I'm down to .5 mg of xanax. In the beginning I had tremendous physical pain that lasted several days than subsided to general body pain along with dizziness, headaches, nausea, jitters,Than I stepped down another .5 mgs. With that I have moderate physical pain and a lot of cramping, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of concentration, jitters, and just today feelings of panic. I will try to work with the feelings of panic. In the past I didn't know it was panic, I just thought I was losing my mind. So this time I will try to work through it. I have a psychiatrist but he is 100 miles away and I can't drive that far. So I won't see him for quite some time. I have a t however and that makes better.

[whispers_inthedark]

please go to the ER or another doctor. you can die from benzo withdrawals. be safe!

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by whispers_inthedark

please go to the ER or another doctor. you can die from benzo withdrawals. be safe!

Thanks for the advice. I have done a lot of reading and am aware of the dangers. I have started specific vitamins that help with brain activity. I am staying hydrated and making certain I get some protein each day. I have another three weeks of this. Today I feel pretty bad but by the end of the three weeks I should no longer have withdrawal symptoms. Than I can step down again. Only next step down won't be .5 mgs. I'll do half of that. It is a nasty detox and I plan on never taking a benzo again.

[OliverB]

Be careful.... also... Getting off xanax is extremelly hard since it has a really short life, some people prefer to go from xanax to klonopin and then valium since it is easier to go off of them, the reason it is the longer half life of klonopin and valium.

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by OliverB

Be careful.... also... Getting off xanax is extremelly hard since it has a really short life, some people prefer to go from xanax to klonopin and then valium since it is easier to go off of them, the reason it is the longer half life of klonopin and valium.

Thanks but I should be ok once I get through the next couple weeks. I forgot to mention my psychiatrist increased my Zoloft to help with depression.

[OliverB]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

Thanks but I should be ok once I get through the next couple weeks. I forgot to mention my psychiatrist increased my Zoloft to help with depression.

If you can do it safely, it's perfect, but don't push too hard. If you feel you are having too much withdrawls symptoms or they laste too long, reconsider to go to another benzo first. I tried to stop xanax and it sent me to ER, it doesn't happen to everybody, some people can do it directly, just take care

The Zoloft increases, if you have been taking it for a while and it helps you, can be helpful to reduce benzo withdrawl. But the increase can also cause paradoxical effects -with meds being extra cautious is a good thing-.

-The Zoloft increase, gabapentin to pregabalin and stopping Xanax sent me ER few days ago, so I had to stop Zoloft, return to gabapentin and instead of stopping xanax directly I take klonopin, anyway, I succesfully stopped benzos twice in the past directly and without too much effort. Meds can be unpredictable and dangerous. Stay safe.-

[whispers_inthedark]

this is why i'm lucky to take it as a prn a couple times a month when im feeling really jacked up and that's it. i'm glad you're doing it safely but so sorry you're dealing with this, i'm sure it's not fun!