Withdrawal?

[[...]]

Hi!  I am not sure if I could be having withdrawals.  I was prescribed Xanax .5 mg to help with having an MRI 5 years ago.  I only took it for that but my doctor kept it open to help me deal with anxiety over some health challenges.  I didn't take it again for a couple of years but then began to take once a week for sleep.  I have never felt the need to take during the day but sometimes wake up and can't stop the thoughts enough to get back to sleep.  I only take half a pill (.25) and usually once a week, maybe twice.  I quit taking it 5 weeks ago because I was concerned that I may start leaning on it too much after taking it 3 nights in a row while on a trip.  The first week I felt fine but have dealt with a terrible headache on and off ever since.  No sleep problems or anxiety, just feel crappy all the time.  Could it possibly be withdrawal or something else?  Thanks for any help!

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  It is possible to become dependent on benzos, even if one doesn't take them every day, especially over several years.  Your symptoms are probably from withdrawal, and hopefully you'll start feeling better soon soon.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to find  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that. 

 

Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these and other symptoms are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Post Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

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

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

 

[[pn...]]

While your symptoms are probably from the benzos, it never hurts to have yourself checked out. It helps to know that the symptoms are "just" the benzos.

[[no...]]

Hmmmm. Using Xanax once a week should not result in dependency or withdrawal. Xanax is out of the system pretty fast, so you really shouldn't develop a dependency.

 

When the drug is in someone's system more often than it's not, that's when people start having problems

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I know it doesn't seem like I could be having withdrawals but the timing seems right.  Could I be a light weight?  I developed what I think is tinnitus last Saturday (sounds like a wave rushing in my head) and have a horrible headache today.  The headache has been there since a week after I stopped the xanax (5 weeks ago) and varies in intensity each day.  It doesn't consistently hurt in the same place either.  I think my doctor will dismiss it if I go to see her since she prescribed it.