Posted by sukarno on April 12, 2005, at 19:23:21
In reply to Re: Doing ok now » sukarno, posted by ed_uk on April 12, 2005, at 10:46:37
Hi Ed! :) Unfortunately, I don't think I'm able to reduce the Xanax at this time. I did attempt a taper in 2003 and only reduced the dose by 0.125mg, but woke up sweating and breathless with tachycardia and anxiety. Definitely Xanax is very hard to taper, whereas I had little trouble tapering Valium or Tranxene.
I'd like to get off Xanax someday as long as there is something else there to stop the panic attacks.
I've noticed a problem with lack of cross-tolerance between Xanax and Valium. One does not substitute well for the other in my experience. I've quit Valium (5mg 4x/day) and substituted it with Xanax (0.5mg 4x/day) and 4 days later experienced significant withdrawal symptoms from Valium (insomnia, nervous wreck, sweating, rebound anxiety, seeing spots, problems with visual accomodation and double vision..even saw an eye doctor for it not knowing it was Valium withdrawal). Xanax didn't seem to "cover" for the Valium.
Conversely, switching from Xanax to Valium is worse. I noticed muscle cramps all over my body and a sense of paralysis along with severe anxiety (and that was from being on Xanax for only one week). I raised the Valium temporarily and then all the withdrawal was gone, except for some muscle cramps that were mild.
I've been on Xanax daily since October 2002 at 1mg 4x/day by prescription from a psychiatrist, and now just see a GP.
I've read Dr. Heather Ashton's website on Valium substitution and am giving that some thought.
Have you heard of her? I think she is popular in the UK.
Apparently most people can taper using Xanax alone, but it doesn't seem to be the case with me. Luckily I don't feel any psychological dependence on it, but the physical dependence is severe.
At least it works as it did from the beginning. Zero panic attacks (or very rarely), whereas prior to medication years ago I had 3 to 5 panic attacks per day. :(
I don't like the cognitive effects and they persist. Feeling like everything you've done is a "dream". I don't forget things, but that sense that nothing is real enough is very bothersome and I'd like to be off all drugs someday if possible.
I hope tianeptine can control the panic disorder. If not, I thought about going back on imipramine even though it really raised havoc with my heart.
I am desperate for something that won't interfere with or dull my mind and at the same time won't cause dependence, so should I want to quit, it will be easy.
Thanks for listening.. I think I've rambled on and on. hehheh.
poster:sukarno
thread:474445
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/483485.html