I depend on the Xanax to get any sleep. Over the years Ive needed them just to live a normal life, like others. I suffer badly from multiple P.T.S.D. The last couple years Ive found that Ive needed to increase the dosage. I have a huge dependency on the medicines, I have terrible withdrawals. Seizures,no sleep and other bad problems with out the medicine. I beg someone who can please tell me how to quit them. Like I said, 20 years now. Before Xanax I took Valium. They dont have any effect on me now as Ive tried to find a few ways to get away from pills. Ive been on medicines since the age of 7 and I am 49 now. Is there hope? Anything that is safe to switch to. I have recently tried discussing this with my mental health doc. and now I am afraid she may just stop me all together. That's more fear than I can handle. Is there anything that can help me/another drug perhaps? Xanax is a bad drug. I say this ONLY because I know what its done to me. Appreciate any help! Would love to share with anyone else needing help. Thanks!
I have been on Xanax now for 20 yrs. I need answers to my problem. I cannot sleep naturally.
Question posted by Wanda2of4 on 9 March 2012
Last updated on 28 July 2018
4 Answers
hi I have been on Xanax for twenty five years I was on four 1mg four times a day I grew up with a nervous dad with problems and of course my own problems and just living in this world with screwed people trying to bully you until you had enough had very long time panic attacks and there worse now more then ever anxiety is just disgusting I am 51 years old feel like I am one hundred and half dead so maybe two years ago I just did not want it any more so I just stopped two now I am only on two Xanax I guess its like anything else if it stops working you just stop but now this year my anxiety is worse and I feel I need three so I am going to talk to my physiatrist to put me back on three it is meds or death sometimes I feel like just quitting and giving up I wish I could afford holistic meds but I can't so if I do not feel like jumping to my death I have no other choice bad depression in my family I take Ambien to sleep I am going to look for a natural sleep med if you like email me we can chat blondie1530 aol you are not alone
Dear Wanda:
I'm sorry to hear about the anxiety and PTSD (I have that too.) I completely understand what you are going through. I was on Xanax for 10 years then up to recently my doctor put me on Ativan been on it for year it seems to work. There are times when I get real upset the anxiety takes over my emotions. I take more meds than I'm supposed and then I run OUT I'm sh** out of luck until next appt.
As far as, the sleep there are vitamin supplements called Melatonin it promotes sleep for me it takes approx 45 minutes until it kicks in. I have been taking it for a good three years. There is another sleep aide called lunesta, my husband takes it he says it works wonders for him.
Your doctor will tamper you off of it, you should not go cold turkey because it can cause seizures. Work with your doctor and gradually wean you off the meds... hopefully.
Hang in there and good luck.
-Blondie
I know how you feel I have to come of Ativan. I have been on them 12 year's. You do get dependent on them. You build a tolerence and they get to where you have interdrawl. They do the reverse of what they use to do. You need to take something like Vistaril for sleeping or a homeopathic sleep aid like tart cherry Juice. You MUST taper off slowly . Cut it by 10% a week or 2, what ever is comftorable. It is hard. I get the shakes and stomach aches and that is rough. God Bless i hope all work's out. If you could go on the Ashton way it would be easier but even my Doc won't agree..
Hi Granny,
What's the Ashton way?
Hey Thor, you can find the ashton manual online just google it
Yes, thank you, but since I have a super slow Dial Up Internet connection, maybe someone can be so kind as to explain it to me. I'll appreciate it.
I thank you very much. I took the ativan yrs. ago. Back then they took ahold of me and I know how rough it must be. I was able to taper them off pretty easily. That was when I was about 18 yrs old. I started having granmal seizures in my mid 20s. I dread them so badly. They scare the heck out of me. Im at a point now, that my family is afraid to leave me alone if I dont get sleep ffor a night. I was diagnosed with diverticulosis a few mos. ago and during this time with my stomach, I went into a bad one. Im tired of being so dependant! Then again Im afraid of a doc. not working with me. I wish I could tell you what to do. Them Ativan are a hard ones as well. God bless and again, many thanks. Its good to see theres such a great support group for people here! :)))
Hi Wanda,
Several years ago I read an article by a pdoc who said he puts his patients on long term Xanax and explained how he gets them off it. One thing he said is you need to do something about the original reasons for taking Xanax. In your case you need something else for sleep. There are lots of other non addictive sleep meds. I use Trazodone + Benadryl. I don't like how they make me feel, but I do sleep. So you need to find other sleep meds. But then the only way to get off Xanax is to taper super slowly. I think that pdoc used to reduce the dose once every 1 or 2 months, and you have to reduce it very little.
I suppose you have heard of Klonopin? That's the latest Benzo Docs like to use. I don't know why they think it's better or safer. From what I can see it's stronger and after taking Klonopin even only 10 - 15 days in a month, I find that Ativan no longer works for me like it once did. I need a Benzo occasionally for anxiety, but I like to use the least amount of the weakest one there is. I used to take .5 mg of Ativan or Xanax. But this new Doc I have gives me Klonopin and it's messing me up rather than helping me. It does last longer. So if you were to switch to it, you might be able to take less for awhile, but you would soon become hooked on the Klonopin like you are now to Xanax.
I think if you want to try and get off Xanax just take very little less each day, and see how you do. I agree with you about not telling the Doc. They should know better than to try and abruptly stop a Benzo, but I have heard of dumb Docs that did it to people. So I'd try and do it my own. If you succeed, then you can tell the Doc.
I wish I could have been of more help.
Thanks so much! Yes Ive tried everything. I believe you are right about the doc. situation, unless shes willing to work with me, Ive tried klonepin on occasion. I found it to be more like a valium. Thats an excellent idea though, work my self down off the xanax to more of a klonepin kind of drug. Its tough on the nights when I cant sleep, I relive my entire life in my mind, sorta like an old movie progecter. Its good to know Im not the only person with the sleep problems. I just requested a new therapist. I hope next week I can find someone who can understand. If I dont have the xanax, its hell. Thanks very much and you have been very helpful! :))
I take Xanax for 1 reason, sleep, have been for 20 years. Once a year or so I just quit for a month or so with no side affects or anything. It ain’t that hard
Related topics
xanax, anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders, sleep, dysautonomia
Further information
- Xanax uses and safety info
- Xanax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax (detailed)
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