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How To Stop Xanax Intake?

Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2014

Question: I have been taking Xanax since beginning last year. I went two weeks without it during thanksgiving and I was very sick. I had no appetite, I was numb everywhere, and I mean even my genitals. I wanted to die. im an ultra runner and I lost weight that I couldn't afford to lose. anyway, I got more so I could feel better because I was in a constant fog and I couldn't feel anything anywhere on my body. I did some reading and read that klonopin or valium were best to wean from X. I have 270 klonopin but I don't know how to do the math to figure out how much to take each day and how often to lessen the doses. can someone please help me. im desperate. I just need a so-called-chart of a how-to to get off this stuff slow to make the effects less "painful". im used to taking a lot of X, anywhere between five 2mg pills to ten or more 2mg pills. I know that's a lot of medication. I would appreciate a how-to that I can follow each day in layman's terms. someone please help.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Need more info Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query I will help you withdraw from Xanax slowly but in order to start that I would like to know a few more details 1. Why were started on Xanax and what was the prescribed dose? 2. Do you consume alcohol as well and how much? 3. Do you have any medical co morbidities like hypertension, diabetes, etc? 4. What is your height and weight? 5. Do you engage in any other forms of recreational drugs? Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (9 minutes later)

I was started on Xanax for anxiety, started at 1mg. I have no other health problems except forof and on depression which I am being treated for currently. I am 64 inches 100 lbs. but because I stopped over those two weeks over thanksgiving I lost about 5-7lbs b/c I was so nauseas I could not eat anything. not I do not take any other recreational drugs. a beer maybe once a week at the most.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: Hello Detailed Answer: Thanks for the detailed reply Here are my suggestions to you 1. Since you have been on very high doses of xanax it is possible that you are undergoing withdrawal symptoms of xanax 2. I advice you to under go de addiction of Xanax at a rehab centre as some of the side effects are very XXXXXXX 3. Clonazepam is not always necessary to relieve yourself off Xanax, we usually give Clonazepam 0.25 mg at night, it is safer and longer acting than Xanax 4. We advice the patient to undergo a step wise protocol where Xanax is reduced slowly by 20% every 7 days to 10 days until it is totally stopped 5. It is very important that the patient is engaged with physical activities during the de addiction program. Acute withdrawal is subsided with injection diazepam or lorazepam I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back. I am sorry for the short delay in my response, I just came back from the hospital Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar