I have been taking xanax since 2001 for anxiety/panic disorder. I started out at a low dow but gradually doctor increased to .50 mg 5 times a day. I was actually doing well and even forgetting to take the next to last dose, so I decided it was time to taper off. This has been at a very very slow pace, a 1/4 of a tablet a month. I have now gotten down to 1.75 mg per day. Up until this point, I have done quite well with very minor withdrawal. Now since being on this dose for the past week, everything is coming back. I know with doctor has told me to go back up to the last dosage if this happened, but in my mind I have come so far, I don't want to go backwards. On the other hand, I don't want to feel like this. Any suggestions?

Hi Smama,

Do you have the MWC program or are you working with some kind of therapy to help you cope with the thoughts that come as you reduce the meds? The reason I ask is because if you haven't done anything to change your thinking, you may wind up having to take the meds again because it may very possibly be your thinking which caused you to have to take meds in the first place.

Thanks Don53 for replying. You are very right.
I have gone through Lucinda's program 3 times and will again start tomorrow. I also have been in one on one counseling for a couple of years. I have tried so hard to change my ways of thinking and I had done quite well until recently. But as life as its ups and downs, mine has been in turmoil recently (son & husband heavy into alcohol, plus I myself am sick waiting on disability). Definitely, I have started my negative thinking again, but one good thing is that I realize it this time. For the time being, as much as I hate to, I am going back up on the Xanax, until I can get my thinking back under control. Thanks so much for your honest opinion. I appreciate it.
Sheila