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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jealibeanz on April 6, 2007, at 4:51:22
I didn't take my Xanax XR yesterday. I didn't crave it, feel more anxious than normal, feel dizzy, nauseuous, have a headache, etc... none of those typical benzo withdrawal symptoms. I think this is the first day since I started the XR that I took absolutely nothing. There were some days when I was breaking the 3mg tablet apart and just taking small bits... not 3 mg total for the day (I know breaking XR = bad! but my point is I took less than prescribed)
This is after 11 months of almost continuous, daily Xanax dosing. I did have spuratic days several times a month when I was taking regular Xanax (max: 4mg/day), when I'd take nothing at all... purposely, because I'd try to test/discipline myself to see how long I can go, within reason.
People say that benzo withdrawal can be horrible and that Xanax is the worst to get off of. Well, I consider myself already to be off of the "worst offender", since I've switched to Xanax XR. That's probably one reason why I can just stop or not take it at a scheduled time during the day, since it doesn't have that immediate gratification feeling (although the website states they're nearly identical in onset: 1.5 hr for IR, 1.6 for XR... not in my experience). Or, it could be that XR does nothing anyhow, so I don't mind not taking it!
But anyway, I'm sort of proud in a sense. I like that my body doesn't seem to go through withdrawals. I know I haven't been off the XR for more than a day, but I have gone off IR for longer. I shouldn't play around with this too long, since there is that seizure risk... even though I tend to walk around with that "it won't happen to me" mindset, I'd feel pretty stupid if it did in public... or anywhere, plus a seizure would scare me!
I do actually think I could stop completely. My body is physically pretty strong and resilient. I stopped Effexor and Wellbutrin without a taper or ill-effects. I could probably do the same with this med.
This isn't to say I'd like to stop benzo's. No. Not so much. I still have a lot of anxiety since I was taken off Xanax IR. Personally, I'd like it back, since it helps.
I just thought I'd share this story and experience. It makes me feel strong because I don't *need* the medication or crave it, like so many people claim will happen to everyone after extended use.
I should tell my doctor about this. That I feel no difference if I don't or don't take Xanax XR. Haha, I hope he won't take that as an opportunity to stop medication altogether! I'd have to remind him that I have major GAD and have been experiencing symptoms since starting XR... doing nothing will leave me with still experiencing a lot of anxiety.
Ohhh... I'm really not a "model" patient. I tend to be non-complient and play with things. I try not to do that, and always think I'll never do it again, but I do. It's partially so I can have control, and partially just me trying to help myself.
It's good that my doctor likes me and doesn't seem bothered by the things I do, just uses them as guidance for his treatment plan. If I were my doctor, I'd drop the crazy patient! Haha... but it just shows me that I'm not really as difficult or bad a$$ as I think I am... I might not be a perfect patient, but there are much, much worse out there.
Posted by Quintal on April 6, 2007, at 9:52:50
In reply to I consider this to be good..., posted by jealibeanz on April 6, 2007, at 4:51:22
I think that's a little premature JB. When I was taking Klonopin I often forgot to take my night-time dose and felt no ill effects from doing so. You really need to have been off it completely for 2-4 weeks to begin to get an idea of how it was affecting you. If Xanax XR is anything like Klonopin you may get a nasty surprise by the time you get to day 5.
Q
Posted by jealibeanz on April 6, 2007, at 9:59:50
In reply to Re: I consider this to be good... » jealibeanz, posted by Quintal on April 6, 2007, at 9:52:50
> I think that's a little premature JB. When I was taking Klonopin I often forgot to take my night-time dose and felt no ill effects from doing so. You really need to have been off it completely for 2-4 weeks to begin to get an idea of how it was affecting you. If Xanax XR is anything like Klonopin you may get a nasty surprise by the time you get to day 5.
>
> QTrue. I can't say how 2-4 weeks would go. I've never done it.
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2007, at 11:21:15
In reply to Re: I consider this to be good... » Quintal, posted by jealibeanz on April 6, 2007, at 9:59:50
Jelly think you should call your doc what Quintal says is correct. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on April 6, 2007, at 11:56:48
In reply to Re: I consider this to be good... » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2007, at 11:21:15
> Jelly think you should call your doc what Quintal says is correct. Love Phillipa
Oh I wasn't planning on just stopping my medications. I do plan on calling when they reopen on Monday.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 6, 2007, at 12:48:59
In reply to Re: I consider this to be good... » jealibeanz, posted by Quintal on April 6, 2007, at 9:52:50
I know this is off subject, but there were no surprises for me with Klonopin for me after five days OR after 10 years, which I will reach in May. Wonderful, wonderful drug and most definitely helps GAD (although every med affects everyone differently, my disclaimer).
Posted by Quintal on April 6, 2007, at 14:29:38
In reply to Re: No 5th day surprises of Klonopin for me » Quintal, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 6, 2007, at 12:48:59
I'm not sure what you mean Michael. Are you saying you withdrew from Klonopin abruptly for five days and had no ill effects? You really need to off such a long-acting drug for a number of weeks to assess the extent of the withdrawal symptoms, and the severity is obviously dose dependant. My usual dose (which I took for five years and praised it to the heavens all that time) was between 4-8mg, and for short periods as high as 20mg. I'm not saying it's impossible for people to quit cold turkey from these doses and have no withdrawal symptoms but I am very sceptical. Having gone through it many times myself I find those sorts of claims as astonishing as someone saying they quit a litre of vodka/day alcohol habit and didn't have the slightest hangover. It may well happen and it's an interesting phenomenon, but hardly typical of what the average person will experience.
Q
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 6, 2007, at 16:12:13
In reply to Klonopin withdrawal » UgottaHaveHope, posted by Quintal on April 6, 2007, at 14:29:38
I see your point, and our situations are probably very different. I took 1-2 mg for most of the 10 years, and yes I could stop cold turkey (and often did) without any withdrawal symptoms. I cant say I could do that if I was taking 8-20mg like you. Well, probably not. Sorry for my misunderstanding.
With that said, for others that read this, you must know the Klonopin is often prescribed in doses no higher than 4mg. Probably 1-2mg day is average.
This is the end of the thread.
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