Posted by Mark H. on April 13, 2000, at 16:07:25
In reply to Xanax withdrawl - Any ideas?, posted by Tom on April 13, 2000, at 11:32:42
Following up on St. James' suggestion, my doctor uses clonazepam to help people get off the more addictive benzodiazepines.
I took clonazepam every night for a year for periodic limb movement syndrome, and when I stopped taking it, I was mildly stimulated for about 36 hours and that was it. It was incredibly easy to stop in comparison to the weeks of time-distortion and discomfort I experienced when I stopped taking Valium many years ago. For a few people, clonazepam can affect short-term memory, but for most of us there are virtually no side effects.
A milligram of Xanax a day is a very low and well-controlled maintenance dose; it seems to me that you're being highly conscientious and are in no danger of over-using or abusing your medication. Is it possible that you're just expecting too much of yourself at this time?
I share your longing to be drug-free, but at least for myself I know that desire arises in part because my medications ARE WORKING for me. When I go off of them, I tend to suffer right away, and it's a harsh reminder that I should cultivate gratitude that there are effective medicines I can take rather than simply wishing I were different than I am. I'm not suggesting the same is true for you; I just want to offer the viewpoint as one alternative.
poster:Mark H.
thread:29847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/29871.html