Getting off Presciption meds

[backtothefuture]

Hi All,
I have a big prayer request and I know you will not think badly of me for sharing this.
I have been on prescription Xanax for over 20 years. It was first just at night time before bed.
When I had the 3 root canals 15 months ago and just about had a breakdown the doctor added a extended release 0.5 xanax in the morning and at dinner.
After watching all the Michael Jackson stuff, I decided to start getting off this stuff. Its a bad time, with my dad and mom so sick and my husbands brother dying and my husband maybe with out a job in a few weeks, but I am going for it.
4 weeks ago I eliminated the 5 in the evening 0.5 dose. I have been in terrible pain ever since. Especially in my Fibro spots. I just keep telling myself that God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of Love and power and a sound mind:clap2: But the pain is pretty terrible and I am in pain most of the time anyway.
I see my doctor this Thursday. I don't want to add the Xanax I have not taken back in. Or I don't want to add anymore drugs to cope without it.
Not easy, but this is how I want to do it.
If anyone else here has tapered off prescription drugs, I would love your input, or how it all went.
Please pray that I will be able to continue on. Even if it takes a year to do this, I really want to do it.
Thanks,
Nancy:o

[Barry]

Hi Nancy.
Wow dear that is rough and tough girl!
You got courage I tell ya!

I'll be praying!
I do not have any advice one way or the other because I do not have any knowledge of these particulars. So I'll just pray.
Barry

[Paige]

Prayers Nancy (and a question).

Does anti-inflammatory med help with fibro? If so, I've found something completely natural that works as an anti-inflammatory in our bodies. It is serrapeptase, which is a natural enzyme that our bodies manufacture when we are young, and quit producing when we age. I seriously injured my back two weeks ago while moving my mom cross country and into her new house. I began taking these, and was able to heal very quickly (and function very well) from a badly pulled muscle in my back. The product I'm taking is called "SerraEzyme" and each capsule provides 80,000 I.U's. To take it therapeutically (which I suspect you would have to take while dealing with fibro) you'd take 4 of them every 6 hours on an empty stomach.

Heres the web address in case you're inerested:

www.GoodHealthUSA.com

Paige

[backtothefuture]

Thanks Barry and Paige for the prayers and info. I will go to the web link Paige and check things out. Things like Advil do work, but I can't take them with my stomach ulcers:( So I am really kind of up a creek. I spend a lot of time praying through my pain.
I have been on some forums that deal with getting off all kinds of medicine's and according to most of the people there, I should be doing a lot worse:confused:
Thanks,
Nancy

[Amie]

Nancy,

I'm glad that you are not quitting cold turkey. Pill withdrawal is typically not immediate and you could experience seizures, vomiting, and muscle pain among other things.

I've never heard of Xanax being used for pain. I thought it was used for anxiety and depression. Whatever though, long term use WILL affect your memory negatively - especially your short term memory. It doesn't matter if you don't increase your dose over that long term period, it just matters that it has been a long time.

I know this because my mom is a prescription drug addict and that, at least used to be, one of them. It can also cause bipolar symptoms and more.

You are worth this and I am SO PROUD OF YOU for opening up. Perhaps your doc can help you find some free counseling. They might equip you with tools that will support your effort - making it easier for you to accomplish what you want.

Best wishes sis,

Amie

[Me Again]

many people have found meditation to be helpful with pain. Deep breathing. A recent technique that I've learned is Heart Rhythm Method. It is simple. Find your pulse, breathe in for 8 beats, out for 8 beats. While doing so, visualize breathing in peace and comfort; then visualize breathing out pain. Once the pain begins to lessen, visualize breathing out peace and comfort to the world.

I've not heard of the product Paige recommended, but I'm going to check it out. I have a chronically sore back. Muscles spasms abound.

I agree with Amie, Nancy. You are indeed a brave person. I am honored to know you. You inspire the rest of us greatly. God has blessed us through bringing you into our lives.

thank you for sharing.

[backtothefuture]

Oh you guys really make my day!
I always know I can be honest with you and you will support me.
I am taking the tapering slower I decided. Will talk with my doctor on Thursday. The Xanax typically has not been for pain, but for my anxiety. I think its going to be hard to tell if the pain I am having now is from the withdrawal maybe I have had or the stress I am under. My mom was at target this week and I found her hysterical at the prescription counter. My dad had been really mean to her and she was shaking all over at 87 years old. After I sat down with her and calmed her down, I did notice the tension in my arms and back was unbelievable. So maybe I am just in a lot of pain from all that is going on. What ever, I am down one dose. One more to go on the time released, but not for a while till I get through this round. I just keep telling myself, I can do this and I am going to!
Thank you for all your support.
Blessings,
Nancy

[~Katherine]

If anyone else here has tapered off prescription drugs, I would love your input, or how it all went.
Please pray that I will be able to continue on. Even if it takes a year to do this, I really want to do it.
Thanks,
Nancy:o

It might take a year but in the meantime I think you'd experience relief. I have a friend of many years who has tapered off and is no longer on those things. She was on several things for pain mgmt. She has spinal damage from a wreck in the 90s. She manages pain in other ways now. Raindrops essential oils therapy (pretty amazing considering her level of pain which is for the rest of her life) and also reiki, which was wonderful for her and me (and I was just under a lot of stress). Let me know if you'd like to communicate with her and I'll forward her email to you, and in the meantime I can call as she's not very good at keeping up by email.

[Me Again]

we have a reiki practitioner up here in TC. Works? I might give her a call. I'm really into trying any kind of alternative medicine.

[backtothefuture]

Hi all,
Just checking in really quickly. The tapering of my medicine is going really well. But I have another hurdle to get over. I have 2 frozen shoulders:eek: Kind of hard to type and even harder to wash your hair;)
My husband may be out of a job shortly, so have an appointment with an orthopedic Dr in two weeks while we still have insurance.
Ain't life grand:biggrinbounce:
Thanks for all the prayers and suggestions.
Nancy