SCARED to DEATH.

[Mandapanda17]

hey guys. well, I went to see my GP today, he wants to cut me off 2mg daily off xanax cold turkey and he prescribed me an anti-physcotic called Respirdal (I think?!?!) Needless to say this has thrown me into a huger panic than I ever thought possible! Obviously my GP doesn't want to deal with me anymore, he wants a phsyciatrist to deal w/ me and I have no insurance coverage for that, so I've been on the phone with the county for the last hour, and now I have an appt. to fill out paperwork, but won't have an appointment for probably two months.. this is ridiculous, i'm so scared to cold turkey off xanax, and I'm also NOT taking any medication thats for bi-polar or schizophrenia. I'm NOT either of those things...I'm a recovering addict who was having severe panic attacks! I really just needed to vent, as I sit here in tears, with no one at my house, I didn't know what else to do. Its wrong for him to try to cut off xanax cold turkey? Am I right or wrong? I just want to see a doctor that can help me taper for gods sake. Doctors are ridiculous!! I called the office back and told them that I'm not going to take the anti-phsycotic meds., now just sitting here waiting to see if he'll refill my xanax until I can be seen by mental health so someone can help me taper. I hope everyone else is well today, i know I'm not :(

[Coolio Hernendez]

i KNOW YOU WILL BE FINE.....Hang in there.

[Mandapanda17]

hey there, well they're taking me down .5 g a week for 3 weeks. not thrilled about it, but at least I can see a doctor every week and don't have to cold turkey. I'm afraid of not sleeping at all too.. scary thing!! I'm on lexapro too, so we'll see how that works by itself I guess here pretty soon. thanks for the response, sorry you're having problems too.

[Fergman]

It's a very disturbing withdrawal from benzo's.  they took me off klonopin and replaced it with lexapro.  supposed to help with the panic.  maybe does, maybe not.  unfortunately, i've turned to alcohol and pot to relax me. When there's stuff out there to help, it should be offered.  I cannot get any help from my doctors, psychiatrist with this persistent insomnia.  they just look at me and say, "how about Ambien or Lunestra?"  My insomnia requires a barbituate.  Have to go foreign to get them.
You'll cope.  I just hope you're not experiencing panic attacks.  In that case, I would see another doctor.

[Mandapanda17]

thanks! going to a doc. today that hopefully will help me quit and taper the proper way! My GP is an IDIOT, I'm NEVER going to him again.. he's about 65 years old, and I noticed on the wall yesterday that he went to med school in Hawaii. ugh.. I hate him right now! I was a mental mess yesterday!! I'm trying to recover, not be a mess! :) Wish me luck today!

[wayway1414]

Wow, what an idiotic care provider!!! Quitting benzo's cold turkey is VERY dangerous! It could even be fatal. I am pretty sure that Benzo's are one of the only drugs, that when quit, the withdrawls can be fatal!!!!! I know it can increase the chance of seizures!!! I heard that weaning off of Xanax is supposed to be a very long process. Like maybe going down a quater to a half of a miligram a week.......at the most!!! And even that i think is to quickly!!! You should let your CP know that you are very scared about what could happen to you from quitting something like that so quickly!!!!
I also think you should Google Xanax and how to wean yourself off and quit!
Good luck!!!
P.S. Sorry about all the exclamations. lol. I'm just a little shocked @ your CP!!!

[Mandapanda17]

LOL, I just wrote you a note :) I'm so glad you were here today too! ttys! xo

[SFgirll853]

I am glad to hear you are feeling better.  Me too!  I went and got all of the supplements.  I will let you know tomorrow how it goes! I feel much calmer so maybe its venting and the supps already.  The nutritionist said they could absolutely take effect right away.  I am glad you were here today.  

[Mandapanda17]

thanks you both :) I'm a little calmer now than I was earlier. venting about it helps a lot. I'm just happy I'm not dumb enough to do what the doctor says and take the anti-psycotic meds. I'm definitely a drug addict NOT schizophrenic. geez.. thanks again to both of you for your support! :)

[road2recovery]

I am so sorry about this...This doctor should be giving you enough to do a good taper..Benzo's are nothing to play with , and he should know this...ERRRR!!!
I think there is a taper plan for benzo's in the health pages, not sure...Let me know if you find one...Again, i am sorry thing has happened to you!!
r2r

[Soon2BMrsTurner]

I just wanted to tell you Im thinking about you , I just went through the same thing with my PCM that was supposed to be tapering me off the ultram and he just decided it was ok to CT even though he told me he wanted me to taper over the next few months, I called the doctor over that clinic to make sure he didnt do that to anyone else so I hope that they make sure of that, I had to call my GYN that just did my surgery and now he is helping me taper , Doctors are jerks sometimes its like they dont mind giving it to us but when we want off or want help they are against it , Its crazy, But I wanted you to know im thinking about you =) good luck

[Mandapanda17]

the stupid GP called and is giving me a couple weeks more of xanax now. anyone know how fast I should taper that/and or what dosages(I've been taking 1.5mg-2mgs a day)?? I guess hes giving me 30 more .5mg pills. I told him I will NOT be taking the anti-psychotic meds he prescribed. what a jerk... thanks to all of you!!

[Mandapanda17]

I'll go read that too, you hang in there too!!! We have to :) xoxo

[SFgirll853]

It sounds like you and I are going though similar situations.  You are doing the right thing by continuing to see doctors and get help.  I am so panicky its crazy.  I dont know anything about respirdal.  Maybe try some of the supplements that ArmtheHomless recommended on my post like 5Htp and others to get you through?  I am going to go get them all tonight.  Hang tough girl..xo  

[Mandapanda17]

thanks so much! I hope he does too, waiting to hear back from them at the moment. I can't believe doctors are this stupid sometimes!! I'm glad to hear that you agree about the respirdal, I couldn't believe the things I was reading about it. my roomate also agreed, she IS Bi-polar and her doctors don't even want her on anything that heavy!

[avisg]

respirdal is a very  heavy duty med They use it for any diffrent things now .I hope he agrees to taper you off .We are here for you