I am experiencing more intense withdrawal symptoms than I thought I would. How long will these last. Anxiety, heart racing, Weakness and terrible stomach pain making it hard to eat are not all but the worst.
I am currently tapering off Xanax. I only took 0.25mg once a day for 4weeks. How long will I suffer?
Question posted by Tate4 on 6 Nov 2019
Last updated on 8 November 2019
Added 6 Nov 2019:
I have been taking 1/2 of a .25 for four days. My doctor told me to take that dose for a week and then I should be able to quit taking it. Does this sound right?
3 Answers
Inactive
7 Nov 2019
I too, have come off low dose Xanax (I was .50 mgs, tapered to .25 for 3 weeks.. then stopped). I was on longer than you though, 7 months.
What I can tell you though is that coming off even a low dose can be very rough. The slower you taper down your dose, the easier it will be. You just cut yours down by 50% in one dose (as I did), which is a big jump. Your brain needs to adapt to the lower quantities of medicine...
Now that you've done 50%... you have 2 options. 1) Hang tight until you stabalize, then do the rest of your wean with smaller cuts. (You can use a razor blade to shave off bits and maybe hold a dose for 5-14 days to see how you feel. Once you feel okay, you can cut again... or 2) Updose a little bit until you feel better, then try the wean.
I would recommend #1 if you can.. it should get better in the next few weeks. Everyone is different.
Good luck!! I am on month 4 of stopping and it's been pretty crazy... but keep in mind I was on Xanax much longer than you.
Tate4
7 Nov 2019
Thank you! When you stabilize will your symptoms go away or just ease?
Inactive
7 Nov 2019
That’s a good question… I never weaned properly, so I never did stabilize at all. I would imagine your symptoms good quite a bit less and are manageable… But perhaps they go away? I’m not sure, I would use your best judgment to see if you think you could take another cat.
Inactive
7 Nov 2019
That’s a good question… I never weaned properly, so I never did stabilize at all. I would imagine your symptoms are quite a bit less and are manageable… but perhaps they go away? I’m not sure, I would use your best judgment to see if you think you could take another cut.
Tate4
7 Nov 2019
Just wondering your opinion. I admit I know almost nothing about withdrawal but have been reading this week and was wondering since I have only been on Xanax (actually 25 days) on such a low dose could some of my symptoms be my body wanting more instead of straight withdrawal. My doctor acts like it should be a problem at all
Inactive
8 Nov 2019
Yes, it is your body wanting more of the med (that is what withdrawal is, either trying to wean off or stopping, your brain is relentless is asking for more). I'm sure you won't deal with these symptoms long, 4 weeks is not much time, so I wouldn't worry too much. How smart that you are stopping now...
I understand this class of drugs (benzodiazpenes) helps many, but it does come with a cost if you take then more than a few weeks and want to come off them. Xanax is the hardest of all drugs to discontinue due to it's short half life (harder than heroin or opiates). Trust me, I was shocked when I stopped (my Dr assuring me the whole time I would be just fine), then read (and experienced), just what it takes to truly heal. It takes many people months, even years to fully recover.
God Bless and don't worry! This period of discomfort should pass soon!
Tate4
8 Nov 2019
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I have also been shocked at my symptoms just because I was told it would be fine and there wouldn’t be any. I am thankful for people like you willing to give much needed advice to strangers!! Thank you again!
Chrissmile
7 Nov 2019
Melatonin. It's natural you can take 20 mgs. And it works.
Tate4
7 Nov 2019
Thank you! I wills definitely get some!
Rathmullan
6 Nov 2019
Sorry you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Your doctors advice concerning taking 0.125 mg for a week sounds right.
All the best and take care for now.
Tate4
6 Nov 2019
Okay. Thank you so much for tour response. I couldn’t find anything about short term use only long term symptoms!
Related topics
xanax, anxiety, pain, generalized anxiety disorder, withdrawal, heart, tapering, stomach pain, stomach, symptom
Further information
- Xanax uses and safety info
- Xanax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.