Tapering with Ashton method

I am going to discuss tapering off xanax with diazepam with my doctor soon, as described in the Ashton method here https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm

 

I am however, nearly a month without taking xanax at all. But it's been unbearable to say the least. I can't explain everything right now, i'm just overwhelmed. I couldnt get a job because of it.

Do you guys think this is a good idea since i already came off xanax?

Me and my loved ones agree that my doctor tapered way too fast. Check my signature.

Thanks everyone for your support. Keep fightinig.

 

Hi, can you please clarify if you are on Xanax now? 

Tough situation to be in. I’m sorry this has happened to you. 

 

Have a look at this excerpt from the Ashton Manual:

 

https://benzo.org.uk/ashsupp11.htm

 

Reinstatement, updosing

 

A dilemma faced by some people in the process of benzodiazepine withdrawal, or after withdrawal, is what to do if they have intolerable symptoms which do not lessen after many weeks. If they are still taking benzodiazepines, should they increase the dose? If they have already withdrawn, should they reinstate benzodiazepines and start the withdrawal process again? This is a difficult situation which, like all benzodiazepine problems, depends to some degree on the circumstances and the individual, and there are no hard and fast rules.

 

Reinstatement after withdrawal? Many benzodiazepine users who find themselves in this position have withdrawn too quickly; some have undergone 'cold turkey'. They think that if they go back on benzodiazepines and start over again on a slower schedule they will be more successful. Unfortunately, things are not so simple. For reasons that are not clear, (but perhaps because the original experience of withdrawal has already sensitised the nervous system and heightened the level of anxiety) the original benzodiazepine dose often does not work the second time round. Some may find that only a higher dose partially alleviates their symptoms, and then they still have to go through a long withdrawal process again, which again may not be symptom-free.

 

Updosing during withdrawal? Some people hit a "sticky patch" during the course of benzodiazepine withdrawal. In many cases, staying on the same dose for a longer period (not more than a few weeks) before resuming the withdrawal schedule allows them to overcome this obstacle. However, increasing the dose until a longed-for plateau of 'stability' arrives is not a good strategy. The truth is that one never 'stabilises' on a given dose of benzodiazepine. The dose may be stable but withdrawal symptoms are not. It is better to grit one's teeth and continue the withdrawal. True recovery cannot really start until the drug is out of the system.

 

Pharmacologically, neither reinstating nor updosing is really rational. If withdrawal symptoms are still present, it means that the GABA/benzodiazepine receptors have not fully recovered (see above). Further benzodiazepines cause further down-regulation, strengthen the dependence, prolong withdrawal, delay recovery and may lead to protracted symptoms. In general, the longer the person remains on benzodiazepines the more difficult it is to withdraw. On the whole, anyone who remained benzodiazepine-free, or has remained on the same dose, for a number of weeks or months would be ill-advised to start again or to increase dosage. It would be better to devote the brain to solving individual symptoms and to finding sources of advice and support. Advice about how to deal with individual symptoms is given in the Manual (Chapter 3).

 

 

If you do decide to reinstate, I would personally only reinstate to the .125mg. you jumped from. I’d be more in favor of treating the symptoms than reinstatement unless the symptoms are intolerable.

Hi everyone.

I am still off Xanax.

My symptoms have been intolerable really, i can't recognize myself these days. Sometimes i see small spots moving in my sight, i've been more paranoid than ever, hard to concentrate on anything. For days on end all i cant think about are my issues. I feel like i'm going through a mental breakdown.

This is also a period in my life where some big changes have happened. I moved to another country to work less than a month after getting married, i had a very difficult time there and just moved back to my home country and back to my wife. I've been through too much and i feel depersonalized and lost. I honestly don't know if it's still withdrawal or if it was the wrong time to come off Xanax and making big changes.

I will be seeing my doctor soon

 

I really don't want to take Xanax again. Would it be better to take diazepam instead?

 

In short, yes I believe so. I’ve been on both and Xanax is a bugger, IMO. If you are going to follow challis99 advice of .125 mg that would equal 2.5 mg Valium. You can just take the Valium all at once. I’m not exactly sure how long you’ve been off Xanax though. That could make a difference. Care to share?

In short, yes I believe so. I’ve been on both and Xanax is a bugger, IMO. If you are going to follow challis99 advice of .125 mg that would equal 2.5 mg Valium. You can just take the Valium all at once. I’m not exactly sure how long you’ve been off Xanax though. That could make a difference. Care to share?

 

The last pill i took was on august 15. (My signature)

So its been a month and a half by now.

Sorry, I should’ve seen it. You’re in a difficult situation that many others here have been in. Since you’ve been off benzos for a while, to me it wine sad to reinstate. But if your life is so horrible with symptoms and your personal life requires you to work, that’s a tough call too. And there is no guarantee they will work again.

 

I did reinstate back to klonopin years ago, and I wish I didn’t. I was put in a progressively high dose until I couldn’t function st all, if you have a good health provider perhaps the two of you can decide together. I don’t think anyone on this site can make such a serious suggestion for you,

Thanks for your help.

I think i've been having some windows these last  days.

One of the reasons i was under so much stress is that i was just married in July, and moved alone to another country to work and try to get a better life for us. Both me and my doctor agreed i should finish my taper overseas, which ended up not being a good idea. I was already in the tapering process before.

I am back in my home country with my wife, and much has improved.

I have an appointment with my doc today, and i believe he will help me, as he has many times before.

Thanks for your help.

I think i've been having some windows these last  days.

One of the reasons i was under so much stress is that i was just married in July, and moved alone to another country to work and try to get a better life for us. Both me and my doctor agreed i should finish my taper overseas, which ended up not being a good idea. I was already in the tapering process before.

I am back in my home country with my wife, and [/b]much has improved.[/b]

I have an appointment with my doc today, and i believe he will help me, as he has many times before.

 

Great news! 

Thanks for your help.

I think i've been having some windows these last  days.

One of the reasons i was under so much stress is that i was just married in July, and moved alone to another country to work and try to get a better life for us. Both me and my doctor agreed i should finish my taper overseas, which ended up not being a good idea. I was already in the tapering process before.

I am back in my home country with my wife, and much has improved.

I have an appointment with my doc today, and i believe he will help me, as he has many times before.

 

This is very good news. Now that you are back home with your wife the lessening of stress should help with your symptoms.  There will be ups and downs with this process, that's normal. Sometimes it might feel like one step forward and two steps back, but I believe that healing goes on all the time.  You are on a good path now.

 

pianogirl 

Hi guys. Thanks for being here.

How are you all doing? I'd love to hear your experience as well.

I've been having alot of ups and downs these days.. it's hard to tell if you're gonna be alright.

Is it normal to be in a phase where you feel and/or act disfunctional? Like everyday tasks almost become a burden.

Much love to all. God bless!!

Hi guys. Thanks for being here.

How are you all doing? I'd love to hear your experience as well.

I've been having alot of ups and downs these days.. it's hard to tell if you're gonna be alright.

Is it normal to be in a phase where you feel and/or act disfunctional? Like everyday tasks almost become a burden.

Much love to all. God bless!!

 

 

You've almost been off for two months!!! Congrats and yeah!!! I cannot even relate because I'm still tapering and have been doing this for almost two years! Ugh! I'm going through a lot of stress, I'm single... no support and have to find a job feeling just awful and I'm scared.  Be thankful that you have a wife and a job and count your blessings.  I believe you will get better in time. Try to exercise, eat right and drink lots of water.  I've read on here that taking care of yourself is an important step in the healing process.