Xanax question

I have been using 1 mg of xanax to sleep at night and sometimes take .5 mg during the day. My psychologist told me I should think about going off them. I have read that you should not go off abruptly as there could be side effects. Does anyone know what those side effects would be. Also, since I don't take that much, would it affect me? Also, I am afraid I won't sleep if I stop taking them. I tried Ambien and Restoril and they did not work. Last, does anyone know if there is anything wrong with just staying on the xanax long term (I have been taking it for about 3 months now). I appreciate any help.

hi kitty,

the following link to rxlist's page on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz_ad.htm>adverse reactions</A> of xanax (aka alprazolam) might be some of the information you're looking for. about half way down it talks about "withdrawal seizures upon rapid decrease or abrupt discontinuation." further down it talks about physical and psychological dependence, the risk of which is increased with higher doses and longer durations. that's probably why it's not a good idea to be on it too long.

you mentioned that your psychologist thought it would be a good idea to go off them. has the doctor who prescribed them told you how long you'd be on them?

hope you find the answers you are looking for.

splash

14 years ago a doctor prescribed Xanax for me when I went through a divorce after 23 years of marriage. I was out of town and he was not my regular doctor. I noticed that it would stop my anxiety attack for about 20 minutes and then I would be more nervous than before and unable to sleep. After about 5 days I realized the Xanax was making my anxiety worse. When I got home my neurologist told me that if I wanted to throw them out to go ahead. I had no problem as I had only taken about 4 in a 5 day period.

I would read the information in the previous post and try to go to off of them if that is what your doctor recommends. Absolutely do not just stop taking them if you have been on them for a time. Your doctor should be able to tell you how to back off of them slowly, and if it is necessary for you to go off them slowly.

I found a counselor and went to him for a couple of years in the beginning and here I am 14 years later and very happy. I haven't had an anxiety attack in 12 years. Take care and if you have good instincts listen to them. If you have a good doctor talk to him.

Kitty - You are lucky to be taking Xanax™ (alprazolam) for such a short period of time, but it will be a long haul to come off them if you don't want to risk withdrawl syndrome. Staying on sleep medication long term is not a good idea, unless you absolutely have to (eg in agoraphobia). The first while that you are off the Xanax, you may have trouble sleeping, but you do have to retrain the body to sleep on it's own.

BENZODIAZEPINE WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS

COMMON - anxiety, insomnia, headache, dizziness, tinnitis (ringing in the ears), loss of appetite, tremor, sweating, irritability, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, heart paplitations, orthostatic hypotension (when you get up too fast, you faint).

RARE (usually when taking very high doses for a long time)
- muscle twitching, confusional psychosis, paranoid psychosis, convulsions, hallucinations, delerium tremens.

As was said in the above posts, lower the dose slowly (eg. decrease by 0.125mg per week).

You can still have problems because Xanax has such a short half-life. If you have serious problems with withdrawl effects, and can't lower the dose any lower, there are strategies like switching to a long-acting benzodiazepine (eg Valium) which leaves your body more gradually, thus it is less likely to cause withdrawl symptoms.

Since you are taking a relatively low dose already, and only for a short period of time, you may be able to stop taking the drug abruptly. I wouldn't, though. You really should just wean slowly from the Xanax over a week or two. This really should be long enough. Talk to your doc about it. Expect a couple of sleepless nights, as well, as your body adjusts to life without the drugs.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam

Thank you all for your responses. Based upon your info and linking to that other site, I am probably taking a small enough dosage that nothing would happen if I were to stop. For now, I can't see any reason to stop as I am sleeping for the first time in yrs.