[kitty]

I saw your post below and hope you can help. I have been taking 1 mg of xanax ea night to help sleep. I started w/.25 about 3 mo ago. Now, I am not sleeping much again and want to increase the dosage. However, I am about to do DE IVF(a form of in vitro fertilization) and told them I am taking xanax and they told me it is ok now, but I have to stop before the procedure which will probably be in 3 wks. My psychologist told me she thought I could have w/drawal symptoms if I just stop. Do you think this could happen on such a low dose. Is 3 wks enough time to start lowering the dose. I am also afraid I won't sleep at all if I stop (I was only sleeping about 2 hrs a nite). I appreciate any help.

[CamW]

Kitty - The daily dose of Xanax™ (1mg) that you are taking is fairly low. A majority of people would not have any problem stopping this dose cold turkey. The only side effect that would be expected would be a return of insomnia.

If you have any concerns on withdrawl, you could lower the dose to 0.5mg, starting a week or so before the fertility procedure and stop taking it altogether a day or two before the procedure. You should not have any problem with stopping the Xanax (except for the return of insomnia).

You could start lowering the dose now, if you prefer a slower weaning process, but it really shouldn't be necessary. Xanax has a very short half-life and it should be clearing your body within a day.

Since you are starting to raise the dose of Xanax over time, you might be starting to experience tolerance to the drug. It might be wise to talk to your doc about using a different sleeping aid. Perhaps something like Desyrel™ (trazodone) or the newer Starnoc™ (Sonata™ in U.S. - zaleplon). I would not worry about changing meds until after you've gone throught the procedure, though. You have enough stress right now.

As to what to do if your insomnia does increase as you lower your Xanax dose. This I think you would have to talk over with your doc &/or psychologist. I am not versed in the art of reproductive pharmacology. Both your doc and your psychologist may be able to help you with nondrug alternatives to help you relax and go to sleep (eg. warm milk - it does work; relaxation via imaging; etc.)

Sorry that I cannot be of any more help. - Cam

[kitty]

Thanks so much for your suggestions, I will ask my dr about those other sleeping aids. I had tried Ambien and Restoril, but for some reason they both had the opposite effect and I was literally up all night.