Cold turkey Xanax

[[Je...]]

Well you guys.. I’m a complete mess, but I’m feeling free. I was trying a taper with crumbs but then something happened where I needed to dose up to .25 sometimes half of a .25 . I’m Day 2 of my withdrawal and it is only noon where I’m at. My symptoms are dizzy and brain fog, some anxiety and heart thudding. Besides that I’m trying to keep positive because it could be so much worse which I have a feeling it’s going to be but not trying to think into the fire, just now. I feel better than my taper though because I actually feel free from it? Oh also I had half a glass of champagne lastnight which was kinda a mistake to do when you have brain fog already. Do you think the champagne may of discredited the first day of being Benzo free? Also for those who don’t know, I started taking half a Xanax to .25 from late December till Sunday. I was self medicating for panic attacks till my husband gets the insurance thru work.

[[...]]

It is true, alcohol should be avoided.  I cannot think of anyone with a positive story about alcohol and benzos.

 

I went back and got a feel for your history by reading your other posts.

 

First of all, you have reason to hope.  You did not take the benzo very long so there is a very good chance you are NOT dependent.

 

However, you still have your "real world anxiety" to deal with.

 

Once your insurance comes in, you will have a choice.  Treat anxiety with benzos or treat it with other means.

 

Look, from everything I see, the benzos do help with anxiety at first but then there is a price to pay for some people.  For some people, the benzo stops working and then you either need to take more of it, or go through months of withdrawal.  And then you still might have the original anxiety.

 

Have you tried other methods to address your anxiety?

 

For example, I have the MTHFR mutation which gives anxiety and depression.  It is probably why I got stuff on benzos.

Perhaps when you have insurance the doctor can check you for this.  I have great success with some special b vitamins to treat it - I can share those if you are interested.

 

Perhaps better if you first try alternate nose breathing (look it up on the web) or other forms of meditation.

 

Also, have you done the simple things like stopping caffeine?

 

Again, be at peace.  It is doubtful you are dependent on the benzo.  If you are sleeping with just melatonin, that is a good sign.

 

[[Je...]]

Special b vitamins, like  B12? Please share more info! I’ve been doing a lot of research and was maybe thinking of asking about hydoxzine(Vistril). And maybe an SSRI? I haven’t been able to drive by myself in months because I litterally get anxiety about everything. I get anxiety about driving because I’m scared to go into panic attack while driving and not being able to get back by myself. I feel though that the Xanax really made my anxiety worse. I probably sound annoying to those who been on higher and longer Benzo use. but for someone who has horrible anxiety like me, something as little as brain fog and dizziness is scary because of how out of control I’m feeling.

[[...]]

I am happy to share with you the supplements that helped me with MTHFR (the cause of my anxiety and depression).  Below I typed up all the details.  But remember, if you don't have MTHFR, then it might not be best for you.

 

From what you tell me, you would do well to see a psychologist (not a psychiatrist which would probably just give you benzos).

 

If you can find a good psychologist, then you might get help right away.  I know you do not have insurance yet but, I bet they would give you a reduced rate while waiting for your insurance to start if you explain you need to pay out of pocket for the first visit.

 

Do yourself a favor, google "psychologists near me" and pick one which treats anxiety.

 

Ok, all that said, here is the treatment I am doing to address MTHFR: 

 

FOR ANXIETY

I take L'Theanine.  I eat 1/2 of this capsule in morning and at bed.

[nobbc]https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036H0CV6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/nobbc]

 

 

TO REDUCE FATIGUE (I take 3 things in the morning):

 

(1) In the morning:  L-methylfolate form of B9 (do NOT take any folic acid, it is in cereals and breads and cheap vitamins, it is bad for MTHFR).

I take 1/2 tablet of [nobbc]https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RR2XHOA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/nobbc]

Take in the morning, before eating, let melt in mouth for better absorption:

 

(2) In the morning: Methylcobalamin (do not take regular cheap B12, it doesn't work with MTHFR):

I only take about ¼ to ½ of the tablet of [nobbc]https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LR5ONY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/nobbc]

Take in the morning, before eating, let melt in mouth for better absorption:

 

(3) On some days, in the morning, a complex multivitamin with normal RDA and the correct type of B vitamins:

[nobbc]https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FYD2CP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/nobbc]

 

TO SLEEP BETTER (I take about 4 things)

 

(1) Two hours before bed, I take Pyridoxal 5’-Phosphate (do not take regular B6, it doesn't work with MTHFR).  Take very little, like 1/4 of the tablet, just let melt in your mouth.

[nobbc]https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006O2IZU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/nobbc]

Note, if you take too much, you might get muscle spasms.

 

(2) Two hours before bed, I take some zinc to help convert glutamate to gaba.  I take perhaps 1/2 of the tablet of:

[nobbc]https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00020ICLC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/nobbc]

 

(3) Two hours before bed, I take Niacin, about ¼ of a tablet of [nobbc]https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INBIPZU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/nobbc]

 

(4) A variety of other things may be of some help:  Magnesium glycinate and maybe ¼ of an advil or aspirin and some L’theanine and chamomile tea and tryptophan.  For emergencies only, Benadry or ½ Unisom really works as long as I only use it for a few days.

 

deactivate commercial link

[[Je...]]

Hmm I will look into that with some professionals. Another question! I saw on a different forum site that someone had said that feeling dizzy and off was a sign that you’re very close to having a seizure, is that something I should worry about?

[[...]]

One of the skills you will develop is discernment of all the different points of view coming at you.

 

One way to develop discernment is to do what you're doing - ask questions of others.

 

I can tell you I have had dizziness on and off throughout my benzo taper - it is a totally normal thing in my opinion.

 

But don't just take my word for it. Continue to ask questions and get all the advice you can.

 

 

[[Je...]]

Well surprisingly I feel a lot better towards the end of today which is odd but I’ll take it

[[...]]

That is wonderful.

Try to do some meditation each day - over time, a daily meditation can really make a difference.

Here are a few places to get started: