Took Xanax and Valium - lowest dose - for 18 months

[[da...]]

Hi there,

I was prescribed Xanax after having severe anxiety and panic attacks a year and a half ago.  I started having some leg trembling at night about 8 months ago so my doctor switched me to Valium, stating it would be longer acting.  I felt like I got my anxiety and panic attacks under control last year so I went off of Valium - lowest dosage and did a two month long taper, first cutting the pill in half for a month, then a quarter for a month, then a quarter pill every other day for two weeks.  I felt great going off the medication.  I went off it on November 22, 2016.  Around December 24, 2016, I started to get severe internal shaking at night in my legs.  It would eventually settle down, but by Jan 1, 2017, I started to have it all day long.  I'm now having the internal shaking almost all day long all of the time.  I don't know what to do.  I can barely sleep and I'm so tired all of the time.  I'm also trying to get pregnant and so I really don't want to take any medication.  I don't understand why I'm having these symptoms a month AFTER I stopped taking the Valium.  Can anyone else relate to this?  How long did your symptoms last?  And when did you feel better?  Thanks so much for your help!! 

[Guest [Le...]]

Hello, daisygirl38  - welcome to BenzoBuddies, and congratulations on being benzo-free!

 

The delay in experiencing side effects may be due to the length of time Valium remains in the body, but nothing is really surprising when it comes to benzo withdrawal. New symptoms frequently pop up even as older ones are disappearing. Shaking, or a feeling of inner vibration, and insomnia are very common - I had the shakes beginning several months after I stopped taking Ativan. It may take a while longer before all of your symptoms disappear, but you've come to the right place for support during your recovery. 

 

I'm so glad you decided to join the forum - you'll find plenty of information and support here. Our members have gone through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, so you'll be able to connect with others who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the specialized boards, which can all be accessed from the BenzoBuddies Community Forum homepage. Based on the information provided in your introduction, the following link may be a good starting place for you.

 

  Post-withdrawal Recovery Support

 

When you have a chance, we highly recommend that you take a look at The Ashton Manual, which is an authoritative source on what to expect during withdrawal and recovery, authored by Dr Heather Ashton, who is an expert in the field. It provides a great deal of information that can be very reassuring during any stage of this process, including a list of common symptoms with helpful explanations.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature. This will allow members to see where you are in the process, so that they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

Leslie