quitting xanax

[worrywart627]

I have been prescribed xanax for the last 11 years. I`m currently taking 6mg. daily. I`ve recently discovered that I must quit within two months! for reasons I`d rather not discuss. Three days ago I saw my doctor and explained this dilema to him, he started me on Lexapro 10mg. daily. Please share any advice you may have so as to ease this transition as safely and comfortably as possible. Thank you

[snowflake620]

please be very careful i am just getting over w/d's from xanax and i did it cold turkey i was taking 0.5 mil 1x a night for 6 months to help with sleep well i noticed that here at the end they weren't really helping and taking anymore just made me so sluggish the next day i could not function so i just quit never did i think i was addicted to them well boy let me tell you my body saw it differently,i had every withdrawal sympton listed and a few not listed it has been 12 days and i am still having symptons sleeplessness,nightmares when i do manage to fall asleep,dizziness,clouded thinking anxiety,edginess, mood swings cold sweats,hot flashes,chest discomfort,depression,ringing in the ears really severe, blood pressure spikes,headaches,muscle aches,diahrreah(spelling?),heart palpitations just to name a few so far no seziures thank god ( and i do every day ten times a day) not to scare you but to warn you to be very careful please and good luck to you if you have any questions please feel free to ask and i will do my best to help


your in my prayers,god bless
snow!

[avisg]

Slow taper is the way to go ,if you dont go slow there can be life threating side effects .Bob gave you some really good info... good luck

[Bob641]

I'm in the process of withdraw from Xanax too, I did 10mg daily, maybe 12 or 14mg occasionally for over 3 years. I'm now at 5mg.Believe, it is not easy at all. Unfortunately there is no any drug that can help you to ease withdrawal effects. Well, for anxiety and panick attacks there are some, but be certain they are not benzos or you'll be changing an addiction for another. For the muscle cramps, headaches, etc, a heating pad will help, an iced pad for the headaches, some Tylenol PM to help you sleep and please do not withdraw too quick or you will be at risk of seizures. I don't know, two months are too quick according to my experience and some info I gathered in the internet in other sites specialized in benzos.
Good luck

Bob