How to taper off anti-anxiety med

before i begin, i have gotten some preliminary input from a neighbor who is a pharmacist at mayo, and i have written to my primary dr. thru my medical portal and will call for an appointment if i don't get a written reply from her. i am wanting actual info from any of you who have tapered down from an anti-anxiety med and how long and what procedure you followed. i've got high anxiety and am not going to do any research to find out how difficult the taper is but i'm guessing it won't be easy and will take time. at bedtime i talk 25mg. seroquel, 15 mg. temezepam and progesterone (i'm 73 yr. old female); i believe i am overdosing on these 3 meds and want to eliminate thru slow taper the temezepam, an anti-anxiety med and just be on the 25mg. seroquel and progesterone.

can any of you give me some info as far as how to make this taper?

Hi TRNRMOM. If you're determined to go off your med temezepam (Restoril) it really would be good to get some direction from your doctor. I have no experience with temezepam, but see it's a benzo/sedative. I have been weaned off of a benzo in the past (Ativan) and it was rough going with distressing withdrawal symptoms. It took weeks...actually months, for me to get off of the Ativan, though I was taking it daily for a couple years. It's also possible sleep issues could be an issue, which can in turn be an issue for bipolar disorder. Plus, given your age, I'd think it would be extra important to have a doctor's support along the way, even if you are a very healthy 73 year old. Your concern that you are "overdosing" on your current mix, makes me wonder if they are affecting you in a concerning way.

Agree with BirdDancer, this is definitely doctor-level stuff. Restoril is easier to come off than Klonopin, that is for sure, but it is still a benzo, so, it will not be fast or easy. I have come off it twice and it took a few months, that is for certain. But you can do it.

Good luck!!

BTW, do you have bipolar 1? That is a pretty low dose of Seroquel and, if you do have the illness, you are very fortunate to be getting by on so little medication. Good for you.

yes, diagnosed in my 30's with bp2 (hypomania with no depression) and sleep issues have been ongoing for years. i'm trying to be as pro-active about this taper as possible: i believe my age and ability to tolerate this med. combo are all a factor and i've wanted to hear personal experiences with bento taper (tho i know each of us is different) but will contact my dr. for appt.; have gotten great taper schedule thru pharmacist neighbor and have left message for new psych nurse to see if i can get an appt. the 25mg. seroquel plus progesterone used to work for sleep but can't even remember why temezepam was added. thanks for input and if anyone else has experience with taper, i'd love to hear but please, don't put too much fear into describing; all of us are going thru such trying times dealing with this pandemic....

Hi TRNRMOM. The list of possible withdrawal symptoms could be extensive. We don't all experience all or the same ones. As I was being weaned off my Ativan, my worst were gastrointestinal distress (upset stomach, indigestion, heartburn), anxiety and rapid heartbeat, which could be dangerous. Seizure risk, which could be dangerous/fatal, as well, is another possibility. These possibilities are reduced by being weaned off slowly. Again, the speed recommended can vary based on various factors. As I wrote, age and length of time on it are just a couple. May I suggest that you not solely rely on your pharmacist friend for directions on this. The most concerning thing, in my guess, is your benzo reduction.

As bpcyclist wrote, for most people 25 mg of Seroquel is not only a small dose, but an extremely small dose. As you have bipolar type 2, serious mania is likely not an issue, but even hypomania can be concerning, not just in terms of behavior, but in terms of causing a crash into depression. You keep writing about overmedication, but from many others' point of view, you could be undermedicated. You must discuss this with a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist, if you care about your mental health. Again, age issues play a role in prescribing and reductions. For you, perhaps you will be well served on a reduced mix. For me, your current mix (with the benzo) would be no more effective than likely a stick of gum.

i am seriously taking all of your responses to heart. i've left a message for a new psychiatric nurse but can probably find a psychiatrist with the medical background which might be needed. i've never taken more than 37mg. of seroquel for sleep and it used to work. i've learned after 40 yrs. to manage and maintain stability; never had depression all these yrs. unless a particular incident in my life occurred and i think it was more like brief sadness/grief for only a day or so. thanks for all your input.