tapering off xanax

[worrywart627]

I have been taking 6mg. of xanax all at one time for approximately 9 years. My Doctor has recently informed me that he can no longer prescribe this medication at that level any longer. I`m not being forced to quit entirely but rather forced to restructure the way and the amount I take. I did not want to tell my Doctor that I was taking them all at one time due to the fact that he would feel I was abusing them and perhaps cut me off. Please help me configure a plan that will minimize any discomfort of withdrawal. Also, years ago I made a very valiant attempt to taper off these meds. and could not do it successfully, it was very very hard on me. Perhaps a natural supplement could help, I don`t know. I am grateful to anyone who could help me, as I am in dire need. Thanks

[MrGreen]

My own guess would be the original dose was 2mg x 3 times daily? Just hope it all works out for you. 5.5mg is still one big chunk of xanax. You will need to stay on that amount for a few weeks until your body gets used to the new amount. Then come down another bit. And so on and so on. Hence it can be a slow process.

[worrywart627]

The Doctor is aware of the 6mg. dose he has been prescribing, obviously. He is lowering  that amount or "that level" as of today. What he is not aware of is that I have not been taking them as prescribed. I take all 6mg at one time and there in lays part of my delemma. I need to restructure the amount and the times at which I take them. Yes, I will be honest with him regarding this matter. Thank you for your interest Gina.

[Gina2Westies]

If your doctor can no longer prescibe Xanax to you at "that level" but does not know that you are taking 6 mg, what dose did he prescribe?  I'm just a little confused about that.

Be honest with the doctor so that he can safely and effectively have you come off of it without withdrawl symptoms.

[worrywart627]

My deepest thank you to Mr. Green and cj29 for your informative and prompt response!  Tonight I will be starting the first of my taper, taking 5.5mg rather than the 6mg that I`ve been accustom. I only hope that even such a decrease will not be too much. If either believe so, please let me know. I will follow your advice and tell my Dr. the truth, however I feel he is part of a mechanism known as a pill mill and may not be as interested my well being as he is in his own. I know that he is under investigation by the D.E.A. and wants to "clean house" sort of speak. I will keep you informed about my tapering status. Again, thank you and God bless!!

[cj29]

I agree here with MrGreen 100%  The only safe way to do this is to be ABSOLUTELY honest with your doctor and get put on a SLOW taper schedule in my opinion.  You have been on it quite awhile and it does take some time to get off of it and it can be dangerous if you come off of it too quickly...let us know how you are doing and if we can be of any more help!

[MrGreen]

That is one high dose to be taken all at once. The taper off that would have to be slow. Or you will feel bad withdrawls. You should be honest with your doctor. That is the only safe way I can see for getting off such a high dose. Because you will need nearly the same amount for some time yet. Breaking it down bit by bit over a period of time. We are not talking weeks here. Hence I say tell your doctor what you have been taken and he should understand what is needed to taper you off them. He can't just stop them. That could be harmful to you and he would be aware of that. Maybe Ryan or someone else would have a better idea for getting off such a high dose. Good luck to you.