I realized I didn't explain that very good. You start by skipping a day for a week or there about, so it would be take on day one then skip day two then take day three and skip say four etc. for around a week and if you feel Ok. then you go take on day one, skip days two and three and take on day four and skip days five and six etc. You slowly extend the days off till you can quit all together without the panic coming back real bad. If it starts to come back then coast along for a few extra days where you are till you feel comfortable. You were on a small dose so you should be able to quit fairly fast but if you try to quit too fast you will get rebound and have to start over again. Once you are off don't feel bad if you have to still take it a couple of times a month. At that dose you won't have to taper and because of the long half life you will get some good from it for days. Skipping days is the preferred way to do it if you don't want to get dependant, but only if you intend to do it long term which you don't I gather. Good to see you are going to try without it. You may find you think clearer. My comprehension is way better since I got off ativan. I still have some valium and have only once had to take it. I've thought about it but just knowing it was there if I needed it made it possible to do with out it. Feel free to ask if you get part way and are not sure if your doing it right. You may get some stomach upset or other effects as you quit but they will go away. The only one to watch for is that the panic doesn't increase. If you haven't been following the program then you should study some of the relaxation techniques because anxiety will try to sneak in. What you need to do now is learn to handle any anxiety that crops up. Eat proper, sleep proper, and think happy thoughts. Again good luck.
Thanks Davit. Also for explaining the half-life. :) So if I didn't take one last night...then I take one tonight and alternate every other night for a week? Or are you saying only cut out one day this week? Sorry for all the questions - I wanna make sure I do this right! Thank you again for the help!
The head ache shouldn't be from the xanax. Don't stop the xanax cold turkey or your panic will increase. Taper it. and if you find you need it some time do it. Your anxiety is Ok because it is still in your system. It will take a few days to completely be gone. Again taper it. Skip one day for a week and then two days for a week etc. or there about. You will have to figure out how long to taper it. Your mind will have to get used to doing without it. At least xanax with it's 24 hour half life is easy to get off. If you don't know what half life is it means that in 24 hours half is gone and in another 24 hours half the remaining is gone, etc, till it's all gone. So you still have some in your system. Good luck.
I decided to go out last night to celebrate my Win in Court...I have been wanting to get off of the Xanax anyways, so I didn't take it last night and had a couple drinks. I went to bed fine with no anxiety and slept pretty good. I woke up with a horrible headache...but my anxiety seems to be ok so far. I was taking 1/2 of the lowest dosage that is prescribed, which would only be .125 mg at night but have for a couple months. I figure the headache is normal for withdrawal, but would it hit me that quick? Does anyone know what I might expect if I completely go off the Xanax? - or should I do every other night to begin with? Other than the headache and being a little tired, I feel the best I have in a long time! - and no I don't plan to quit meds and take up drinking either! lol Please give me any advice so I have a heads-up on what to expect!
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