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Sunday, April 07, 2013

1 year off Xanax

I've been off Xanax one year as of tomorrow.  I rarely take .125 xanax when under intense anxiety situations like seeing the dentist.  I'm still shocked that I got off so easily but I really let my body set the schedule.  When my body and mind felt ready, I decreased but not until.  You have to be really self-aware to use this method to come off of Xanax.  Recently I was diagnosed with a moderate form of sleep apnea and the doctor told me he was considering putting me on Klonopin but after being on Xanax for over thirty years and taking just under two years to wean off,  I was reluctant to go back on a benzo.  I'm grateful that instead of Klonopin, the doctor put me on Melatonin which I think will work better for me.   Being off Xanax and not having withdrawal symptoms to deal with has been wonderful.  I have occasional bouts of anxiety but I  use mental tools (CBT or DBT) to get past them.   I'm learning to be a good friend to myself.   I'm still on Cymbalta and Zyprexa but neither of them is as addictive as benzos.