5th March 2006
Thrillme, your doctor is right in tapering you, though the taper rate seems extremely fast to reduce you by a full 30% all at once. What is happening to you right now is you are experiencing results of too fast of a taper.
You need to schedule an appt with your doctor, review and print out and take relevant sections THE ASHTON MANUAL to the appt to discuss the tapering guidelines in the manual. Its online and free, by Professor Heather Ashton in the United Kingdom.
Sometimes doctors are not as supportive as they need to be. Many just don't truly understand the REAL nature of the drug, which isn't always as printed in medical literature. But, that is their only frame of reference. You must do your homework and know your risks and your options. Decide for yourself what you feel is best for you, and then be adamant with your doctor to receive the support you need. Seek to clarify any misunderstanding and have reciprocal education about the best way to go about the taper.
You will learn from ASHTON that you need to be switched from xanax(short half life) to valium(long half-life); both are benzodiazepines. The longer half life will provide you with a smoother bridge taper. The shorter half life of the xanax results in sharp peaks between doses. The valium bridge taper will likely eliminate much of what you are experiencing. Follow the bridge & slow taper guidelines in THE ASHTON MANUAL, and you should be fine. Whatever you do...do NOT abruptly stop taking a benzodiazepine or you risk seizure. Seizures are thought to be rare, but are REAL-----all one has to do is read the threads on this Board to see the number of people who have experienced benzodiazepine withdrawal seizure or know someone who has. It is something to take all precautions against.
I know all this is scarey, and many of us feel the same as you...if we knew then what we know now we would have NEVER allowed ourselves to be put on this path....but, we get there and we have to get ourselves out. You CAN do it:)
You need to schedule an appt with your doctor, review and print out and take relevant sections THE ASHTON MANUAL to the appt to discuss the tapering guidelines in the manual. Its online and free, by Professor Heather Ashton in the United Kingdom.
Sometimes doctors are not as supportive as they need to be. Many just don't truly understand the REAL nature of the drug, which isn't always as printed in medical literature. But, that is their only frame of reference. You must do your homework and know your risks and your options. Decide for yourself what you feel is best for you, and then be adamant with your doctor to receive the support you need. Seek to clarify any misunderstanding and have reciprocal education about the best way to go about the taper.
You will learn from ASHTON that you need to be switched from xanax(short half life) to valium(long half-life); both are benzodiazepines. The longer half life will provide you with a smoother bridge taper. The shorter half life of the xanax results in sharp peaks between doses. The valium bridge taper will likely eliminate much of what you are experiencing. Follow the bridge & slow taper guidelines in THE ASHTON MANUAL, and you should be fine. Whatever you do...do NOT abruptly stop taking a benzodiazepine or you risk seizure. Seizures are thought to be rare, but are REAL-----all one has to do is read the threads on this Board to see the number of people who have experienced benzodiazepine withdrawal seizure or know someone who has. It is something to take all precautions against.
I know all this is scarey, and many of us feel the same as you...if we knew then what we know now we would have NEVER allowed ourselves to be put on this path....but, we get there and we have to get ourselves out. You CAN do it:)