I was trying to get pregnant. I succeeded in having my one and only child at the age of 38, I'm now 56. After having my daughter I went back on the drug which I now think was a mistake, I did ok once I got off. I paid a big price for stopping so suddenly. I had no clue as to what I was in for.After being off the drug for about a week I had a major seizure that landed me in the hospital and then another one while in there. My memory was affected for quite some time but I did recover and didn't take any more zanax while pregnant. I want off but when I try I get extremely nervous and panicky. My body starts jumping around and feel I better do something or I'm going into another seizure, so I take the drug again.I know there's information out there. I wonder what my life would be like without this medicine. I feel I'm sleeping my life away. My daugher or husband wants to do something and I'm too busy worrying about getting my sleep which I accomplish effectively with the xanax. Life has been hard for me and I know sleep is more appealing to me most times than living.I work full time and really, work is my life apart from my daughter.My husband works all the time as do I. I want off xanax but don't know if I can or really if I even should stop. I told my doctor about wanting off and he actually seemed frightened when I told him. Really he didn't think I should even try and if I did it should take months. Whats life like without xanax. Only someone who's taken it and kicked it will know. If anyones out there I'd love to hear your story. Thanks
I've been taking xanax for 30 years. I stopped taking the drug on my own because I didn't want it?
Question posted by purekrystal on 31 Oct 2011
Last updated on 9 June 2023 by rijostaty001
6 Answers
Hello.Iam currently taking xanax .5 which is the second highest dose.I also learned that 0.25 is considered a pediatric dose.I take my .5 twice a day I suffer from anxiety.I manage to get off a year and got very sick from the withdrawal.But my husband is not an easy person to deal with and then I went back on.I realize that a lower doze at least is not as bad as high doses.Unless you are getting bad side effects from it I would just settle for rather a pediatric dose which is 0.25 assuming the side effects will be less or none.I want to taper and go off but due to my stress levels getting so high because my hubby not easy to deal with I will ask my dr give me a pediatric dose .I already did and he said no .But I will try again .Best of luck.
I’m 66 and had been taking Xanax for 33 years. I had a bad Dr. who just kept increasing the dosage til I was taking 4 mg in one dose for sleep. I decided it was time to see a psychiatrist and get off bentos for good. After 4 months I’m down to .75 mg at night and ready to get Benzos free. The first 2 weeks was a nightmare... Anxiety, Acute Insomnia, Depression, and a overall lethargic feeling. The good news is... I’m sleeping better now than I did on Xanax. You can do it. With understanding from family and friends and their support, you can kick Benzos out of your life. God bless
There are a lot of variables. What other meds do you take? If you drink caffeine try stopping g that first. Smoking? Stop. No alcohol. Get a pill splitter and begin taking 1/8 lower each dose for 2 weeks and then another 1/8 for 2 weeks. Exercise, meditate, seek fun activities. Sleep at least 8 hours. Be patient and kind to yourself.
Hello Krystal,
I registered here to answer your post. I also had been on Xanax for 30 yrs and have been on a journey to stay off it since June 2015. All I can say is that it is worth every bit of struggling that you may have. I went off it when basically the doctor who assured me that I was on such a low dose that it was no problem and that I could easily go off Xanax at any time lost his license. I probably don’t need to go into reasons why. I took it as a sign and started my journey. All I can say is that it is worth it! You are worth it! I think that the most important thing that you can do is to seek out information and help if you need it. I didn’t tell a soul. This is probably not the norm. It was difficult to hide. Everyone around me thought that I was sick, starting to take drugs, high, crazy or something like that. I just kept telling myself that this was for me and i was getting better.
I know have horrible protracted symptoms, but I no long crave the xanax and actually stopped feeling the need to carry some with me “just in case”. My journey continues! Very best of luck to you!! We can do this!!! You are worth it!
-Long Road 2 Happy
Hi purekrystal,
I think if you are determined to get off the xanax then tapering slowly would be your best bet. As we do not know the dosage you are on daily,if you could let us know,we could help you more,but sometimes the benefits of taking this med if you suffer from panic severely,it weighs out the risks of coming off,but only you can decide if it s off them you completely want!
If so as i said work with your doc and taper slowly and gradually to stop you suffering bad withdrawels and to prevent seizures as you already experienced the last time you came off!
I wish you luck whatever you decide and keep us posted as to how you are getting on!
Hi all I have been on Xanax since 1986 by dr Leslie solyum in Vancouver aim still on it I take per day now one milligram I don't like the effects of it as well and it's hard to taper off does anybody out there know the long term effects I get like electric shocks feelings and palpitations I heard on doctor say it stops adrenilian production in the body
hey there, i hope that you can get some help with getting off the xanax, im tapering off of percocet, a very slow taper and it will take months my dr said, but the main thing, ill be percocet free one day. so if you really want i suggest talk to your dr and give it a try. i too suffer from the worse anxiety and insomnia and just started taking xanax for that illnesses. i get a good 3 hour sleep if im lucky when i take them. if i dont, im a mess. hang in there. leanne
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- Xanax uses and safety info
- Xanax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax (detailed)
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