Hi

I've been on and off of meds for my PD for almost 17 years. I've been cured twice during this time. Right now, I am in the worst condition that I have ever experienced, and I have been on xanax for 3 years (0.25 x 3 or 4 / day).

The first time I was on xanax was when I was 18 and I was on it for about 9 weeks. My dosage was 0.5mg x 3 a day. Did no tapering. I just got better by week 9, and one night I forgot to take it to a friends house. I did just fine without it, so I just quit.

The second time was when I was 21. 0.5mg x 3 a day, but after about 10 weeks, my doctor then switched me to klonopin. I think it was 5mg(or the the yellow-green tab) x 2/day. After another 2 years or so (still on klonopin), I was switched to paxil. (I was on paxil for about 2 1/2 years and quit. The brain shocks were terrible)

Now I'm 35. I've been on xanax for 3 years. This time, 0.25 x 3 or 4 /day. I really think I require 0.5, but I keep it at 0.25 just to feel better about myself.

I have never been on benzos this long, and I fear a lot of things when the time comes to quit. Has anyone here quit xanax after taking it for a long period, and without switching or cross tapering?

Thanks.

I was on xanax for about a year and was then weened off it. I built up a high tolerance making it useless. It was replaced with clonazapem .5mg and I have been on that since. Very good for stress. The xanax is more for panic attacks. The other med that is now favored by most Doctors and patients alike is Ativan for a variety of reasons. I've never been on it but have heard great reviews on it. If you're having the panic attacks, perhaps you should ask your Dr. if maybe you can switch over. You need to be weened off the xanax though as that med is very addictive. Take care......Ed

Hi Irish,

Thanks for your reply.
Same situation here. I think I built a tolerance to it and it's really doing anything, and it's only a mental dependency. That's why I want to keep it at 0.25mg and never above that. I thought ahead of myself and thought it may be easier to quit that way.

I'll keep this thread updated, since I'm really planning to get off of it soon.

I have used ativan only, .5 mg and have had great success. It is fast acting and last for a good while. As for gettign off, I always ween very slowly. Good luck and God bless

Thanks birddog.

It's very encouraging to hear success stories. If getting off xanax is going to be difficult for me this time, I will ask my doctor if switching to Ativan can be an alternative.