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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Simus on November 8, 2004, at 8:42:47
I was put on 1mg of Xanax at bedtime for sleep when I first started SSRIs years ago. Several months ago, I switched from SSRIs to Wellbutrin, and the Xanax no longer seemed to have a noticable effect on me. So I wanted to stop taking it altogether, especially after I read that it interferes with REM sleep (and I seriously want to find ways to improve my sleep).
The first night I cut back to 0.5mg and I slept well. The second night (last night), still on 0.5mg, I slept for maybe 2 hours with very poor, nightmare-filled sleep.
Does anyone know anything natural that can help me get through this? Thanks.
Simus
Posted by jujube on November 8, 2004, at 9:10:01
In reply to Going off Xanax - HELP?!!, posted by Simus on November 8, 2004, at 8:42:47
Magnesium and niacinimide might help. I've read that magnesium is essential for good sleep. Niacinimide apparently is important because it appears to make tryptophan work more efficiently. Perhaps taking 500 mg of niacinimide and 250 - 500 mg of magnesium a couple of hours before bed might help. I think that Taurine, an amino acid, is also supposed to help with sleep. And, apparently Valerian Root is supposed to be a good sleep aid. I tried it years ago, and it left me really groggy the following day.
I'm a novice at natural remedies, so others with far more knowledge and experience than me will probably have better suggestions.
Good luck to you. I hope you find something that will help you get a good night's sleep.
Tamara
> I was put on 1mg of Xanax at bedtime for sleep when I first started SSRIs years ago. Several months ago, I switched from SSRIs to Wellbutrin, and the Xanax no longer seemed to have a noticable effect on me. So I wanted to stop taking it altogether, especially after I read that it interferes with REM sleep (and I seriously want to find ways to improve my sleep).
>
> The first night I cut back to 0.5mg and I slept well. The second night (last night), still on 0.5mg, I slept for maybe 2 hours with very poor, nightmare-filled sleep.
>
> Does anyone know anything natural that can help me get through this? Thanks.
>
> Simus
Posted by raybakes on November 8, 2004, at 9:34:45
In reply to Going off Xanax - HELP?!!, posted by Simus on November 8, 2004, at 8:42:47
> I was put on 1mg of Xanax at bedtime for sleep when I first started SSRIs years ago. Several months ago, I switched from SSRIs to Wellbutrin, and the Xanax no longer seemed to have a noticable effect on me. So I wanted to stop taking it altogether, especially after I read that it interferes with REM sleep (and I seriously want to find ways to improve my sleep).
>
> The first night I cut back to 0.5mg and I slept well. The second night (last night), still on 0.5mg, I slept for maybe 2 hours with very poor, nightmare-filled sleep.
>
> Does anyone know anything natural that can help me get through this? Thanks.
>
> Simusfound this abstract on xanax (Alprazolam) withdrawal...
think xanax pushes the gaba receptor, which regulates CRH/CRF from the hypothalamus. So anything that pushes gaba nutritionally might help - magnesium, p5p come to mind...think larry mentioned that niacinamide can help the gaba receptor too.
Ray
Posted by raybakes on November 8, 2004, at 9:37:07
In reply to Re: Going off Xanax - HELP?!! » Simus, posted by jujube on November 8, 2004, at 9:10:01
> Magnesium and niacinimide might help. I've read that magnesium is essential for good sleep. Niacinimide apparently is important because it appears to make tryptophan work more efficiently. Perhaps taking 500 mg of niacinimide and 250 - 500 mg of magnesium a couple of hours before bed might help. I think that Taurine, an amino acid, is also supposed to help with sleep. And, apparently Valerian Root is supposed to be a good sleep aid. I tried it years ago, and it left me really groggy the following day.
>
> I'm a novice at natural remedies, so others with far more knowledge and experience than me will probably have better suggestions.
>
> Good luck to you. I hope you find something that will help you get a good night's sleep.
>
> Tamara
Both said magnesium and niacinamide!! that sounds promising!Ray
Posted by mcp on November 8, 2004, at 15:03:26
In reply to Going off Xanax - HELP?!!, posted by Simus on November 8, 2004, at 8:42:47
You said you went from 1 mg to .5 mg. That is a 50% cut. Go much more slowly. 10% cuts and when you feel comfortable cut another 10%. Xanax is not easy to get off, but you must go much more slowly even at the low dose you were on.
As far as the supplements, check this website
www.supralife.comAll the best
Posted by Simus on November 8, 2004, at 15:27:33
In reply to Re: Going off Xanax - HELP?!!, posted by mcp on November 8, 2004, at 15:03:26
Posted by KaraS on November 8, 2004, at 23:07:56
In reply to Thanks to all - very good advice (nm), posted by Simus on November 8, 2004, at 15:27:33
Simus,
If you try Valerian, keep in mind that about 10% of the population will react to it paradoxically. For that minority it works like a stimulant.
K
Posted by Simus on November 9, 2004, at 7:21:53
In reply to Re: Thanks to all - very good advice » Simus, posted by KaraS on November 8, 2004, at 23:07:56
> If you try Valerian, keep in mind that about 10% of the population will react to it paradoxically. For that minority it works like a stimulant.
Thanks for the warning. It would be just my luck that I would be in that group. lol
Simus
Posted by Simus on November 9, 2004, at 7:29:49
In reply to Thanks to all - very good advice (nm), posted by Simus on November 8, 2004, at 15:27:33
Thanks again to everyone. The magnesium and B vitamins did help a great deal. I also went up to 0.75mg Xanax at bedtime, and I am going to stay there for a little while and then start tapering off more slowly. Last night was much, much better.
Simus
Posted by jujube on November 9, 2004, at 7:53:29
In reply to Doing much better, posted by Simus on November 9, 2004, at 7:29:49
That's good news! Hope your nights continue to get better.
Tamara
> Thanks again to everyone. The magnesium and B vitamins did help a great deal. I also went up to 0.75mg Xanax at bedtime, and I am going to stay there for a little while and then start tapering off more slowly. Last night was much, much better.
>
> Simus
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