DrugBuyers.Com: Is this Xanax W/D??

IMO benzo w/d is about as close as I can imagine being truly insane must feel like. I'm torn on what's the best method to use when one finally gets the nerve to start tapering. I've tapered from xanax, valium, ativan, bromazepam, nitrazepam, clonazepam, triazolam, and more, and it seems that no matter what, it is sheer torture. After coming off Valium (long half-life so it's relatively painless..... NOT!) I'm not sure whether i'd rather spend 2 whole weeks in a mental and physical bizarro-world praying for death and not have to worry about seizures and other bad effects that are more common with the fast-acting & fast-leaving benzos, OR pick a benzo to taper with that has a bit shorter half-life (a week or less for all metabolites!) and then take an anti-seizure med along with it to keep that danger away until your body starts taking over production again. I"ll have to run that past the Doc... I just know I WILL NEVER go through benzo cold turkey (or even fast-taper) again, even if it means tapering for years.

To the original poster, you may have no trouble since it's been only 2 weeks, but generally most folk recommend tapering much more slowly than that, say dropping by .25mg every week or 10 days, then staying there until all is normal and then cutting the dose a shave more and see how that feels.

Best thing I can recommend is to do a google search on benzobusters and also on Dr. Ashton Method xanax withdrawal (the links may have already been posted above.. if so, sorry!) That is a great resource of info on most things benzo-related, although they definitely have an anti-benzo stance. I'm anti-benzo too, but after this long trying different meds to feel normal, i've had to come to the conclusion that benzos are the only thing that actually does what I need it to do... talk about love/hate...

Good luck, don't worry, if you're jittery cut out as much stimulants (even caffiene & cigs) and you should be just fine. Also try to stretch those muscles or get a little cardio-action going if you can, as AWFUL as that sounds when you're feeling that way. I have found that just riding the stationary bicycle in the house for a bit while watching TV helped me to get that adrenaline-shakey feeling more under control, and water water water water water drink plenty of water. I don't know if it helps or is placebo, but I know those tricks helped pull me out of the depths of hell..

L

ETA: Your doc seems to be on the right track. Catapres (clonidine) is a heart med IIRC and will help you with the shakes and jitters. I highly recommend that and menant to mention it. I'm not sure what the other drug is by the name given, so unfortunately I can't help there. Good luck and don't stress too hard on this - the more you worry and freak, the worse you make the symptoms seem..

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Edited by Listvoer (09/14/04 12:13 PM)