Hello,

I am in the process of withdrawing from my xanax that I have been on for years...but the dose just went up and up over the last year and almost five months. I was going to wait until after my surgery...but that won't be for another two months or so...and I really want to be off of these, or almost off and through the worst part of withdrawl, before my surgery. I don't need these pills as I found this Program and learned what I need to know to cope now I also am not going to see my psychiatrist or a counselor anymore either...I have been down that road so many times and I got/get no where. I am the only one that can help myself...with this Program of course. I just started Session One on Sunday night--my second time doing the Program , and I am already feeling more empowered and confident

I am dropping one half pill per week...this will take a long time as I take between 4-6 pills per day now.{2-3 mg.'s of xanax total} The past three days I started feeling the withdrawl...it is bad. My own fault though...I chose to run to the xanax instead of using my coping skills. It almost feels like an anxiety attack...not quite a panic attack...but I get really shaky in the morning and I feel so lightheaded that I feel like my head is so huge it will float away! Also, I am very uneasy...this is not going to be an easy road...but it is time now for me to ditch these pills and use my coping skills this wonderful Program has taught to me. �� I am ready...but my body is retaliating *sigh*

So, has anyone else ever been through this? If so...how did you incorporate your coping skills to ease the actual pain of withdrawl? I actually do best when I am not at home...when I am at home I feel the worst as I am concentrating on it more I believe...when I get out of this house I have so many nice distractions and I can actually enjoy the day more...so I am making an effort to get out each day...even if for a 15 minute drive, I am determined to do this

TIA

~Angel




[This message has been edited by Angel (edited 02-01-2001).]

Boy, I know what you mean. The actual withdrawal process really stinks! I also can identify with not going to a counsellor/therapist anymore. I went for 6 years, and let's face it...I don't want to talk about it anymore! I want to deal with it!

I have been off Prozac (which I did well on) for 3 weeks. The serious withdrawl didn't start until week 2. I'm hoping it goes away soon.

So I guess my "reply" isn't all that much help other than to say that you're not alone! Good luck to you.

Helen

Hi Angel, Oh the Xanax withdrawl. I remember it well. I went off about 3 years ago. I stupidly went of cold turkey after having been on it for 2 years. I just woke up one morning and decided I was done with it.

I remember how I felt and it wasn't fun. I think I had withdrawl for about 3 weeks. I remember being in a fog, being shakey and my face feeling funny. I just tried to keep busy and convince myself that I wouldn't feel this way forever.

Another thing I did was helped me dramatically was that I started to do Tae-BO. I hadn't really done much exercise before then. It helped so much. I think any kind of exercise would. I remember feeling so much better afterward.

I also felt so much better after the Xanax was out of my system. My head was so much clearer. Keep it up those feelings will go away and the rewards will be great. Keep thinking positive that will be a great help.

Good luck. I hope this has helped. Let me know if you have any other questions. Vic

Thank You Helen and Vic for your replies

Helen,

I know exactly what you mean on the counselor...I too don't want to dwell on my 'problems' anymore...I want to deal too! I am so burned out from going and rehashing the past over and over again and again and again...I cannot even talk about my problems anymore...I want to live in the solution and focus on other things...I love the 'Planned Worry Time' this Program teaches us...that is an awesome skill to have

Vic,

Thank You for sharing your situation with xanax with me I remember now how good it felt to have this out of my system...gosh it has been years...but I did manage two times in these past ten years to get off these pills twice...and it felt great Sometimes I wake up and feel 'hung over'...and I do not drink at all...I just never did care for it very much I hate that morning hangover from the xanax...yuck

What dose were you on where you could quit cold turkey without a seizure? That is why I won't quit cold turkey...I don't want a seizure.

Thank you both

Take care


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~Angel

[This message has been edited by Angel (edited 02-01-2001).]

Hi Angel, I was on a very low dose. .75mg I think. When I went off of it I wasn't even aware that seizures were a possibility. I guess I didn't do my homework. I just wanted to me medication free.

good luck to you and take care