Yes I have a suggestion. If you can afford it, go ahead and go through with your online consult. You can't go a week and a half with no meds. It would put you at a dangerous risk for a seizure.

Then meet with your new doctor, and carefully feel him out about the benzos. Try to patiently let your doctor do the talking first. They hate it when you go in there and tell them what to prescribe. Really explain your symtoms in detail. Wait until he gets to the point where he asks you what medication you've tried for the problem. Carefully mention whatever benzo you've tried. Guage his reaction.

If he seems open to the idea of treating you with the benzo therapy, you won't have to deal with the expense and uncertainity of OPs. If he reacts negatively, you won't be in a desparate out of meds situation. At that point you don't really have anything to lose with this doctor, just be honest and tell him about your need to turn to OPs and ask him how you should proceed. Tell him you don't want to use OPs anymore, but that you are worried about the safety of getting off benzos now. Tell him you would feel safer if your health could be managed by a doctor that you see face-to-face.

I am tapering from Xanax right now. I have no choice but to get off because my tolerance level quickly grew out of control. I had to keep taking more to get the same anxiety relief. That is the real problem with Xanax. I hope you are using a different benzo. This w/d is hell. I never want to see these things again once they are out of my system.

You just can't quit cold turkey because of the risk of seizure. A really fast w/d would be torturous to me. That is why I've chosen the slow taper method. My husband is a doctor; he keeps my Xanax locked and gives them to me at night on an agreed upon taper schedule. There is no way that I would have the disipline to get off this medication unless my access was strictly enforced. The temptation would be too great. I used to take them throughout the day when I felt panicky or stressed. Now that is not an option. I have had to find ways of coping through a panic attack.

I first got prescribed Xanax by my psychiatrist for panic attacks and an anxiety disorder. My husband was dead set against Xanax to begin with because of the high addiction potential. I told him that it wasn't his business because my psychiatrist prescribed it. My husband was exactly right. Not too long after being on the Xanax, my tolerance level grew and I turned to OPs to supplement.

My husband figured this out after really looking at the credit card bills. He gave me the option of working with him on a tapering schedule or going into in-patient detox. I chose the taper method, but it has been really hard.

I just wanted to give you that warning about my experience with Xanax. I don't want to see anyone go through what I'm am dealing with now.

Feel free to PM me anytime.

TLM2