I have sleep anxiety (brain won’t shut up) and take 1mg Xanax at bedtime. My doctor is restricting my dosage, and while I do want to be free of it, I’d prefer to be able to sleep & not go through withdrawal. I’m afraid of how this process will affect my ability to do my job (CSR phones for a major insurance company where 90% of calls are hostile. I’d find another job but I enjoy working from home & the salary, not in a financial position to take a pay cut).

I’ve been reading about PAWS lately, which heightens my anxiety about going off benzos. My doctor wants me to go to a psychiatrist to get reinforcement that I need the Xanax. I know they won’t prescribe but he sounds willing to continue if they agree it’s better than not having it.

I’m down to a month & a half supply before I have to ask for a refill. I’m also about to start diagnostics & treatment for iron deficient anemia, which is daunting emotionally & financially. My life is fixing to be a shytshow (compared to the normal suckiness).

I’m looking at CBD pills/capsules because I don’t like the taste of edibles so I imagine I won’t like the oil. 250 mg gummy had very little effect. Should I just start at the next closest dose & work my way up? Or is there a way to know the equivalent to a 1mg Xanax? I understand Xanax has a half life but the other stuff confuses me. Chemistry was not my strong suit in school.

Also, would a therapist in addiction be more helpful than a “let’s dig into your psyche & fix what’s wrong with you” approach. I’m aware I have deeper seated issues, suspect I have borderline personality order but unless that would help me stay on my meds, I’m not ready to go there yet.

If you’ve read all this, thank you. As my doctor usually responds with my tangent emails, it’s a lot. Why on earth he isn’t charging me yet is beyond me.