Confused about tapering from Xanax Please help

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Hi Patrick,

 

I hope you can get some relief.  I know this has to be scary and frustrating for you.  Please take care and let us know how you are doing.  Maybe with the ER doing a  through check on you,  that may ease your mind.

 

I also wanted to say while I was on the CT that I had some of the symptoms you are having like trouble breathing and I went to the ER as well and they gave me nitro and then they said it was all anxiety and gave me a prescription for Ativan.  I did not fill it and was not satisfied with their answers to my problems.  It is a shame that the medical doctors I have gone to know nothing about benzo withdrawal and do not understand how benzos affect us.  I hope the doctors you are seeing are able to give you the information you need to feel better and move forward.

 

Julia

[[pa...]]

Long day at the er, saw a nurse and 2 doctors who all of them disagree that what I am going through are withdrawals, they said my intermittent doses are low and since they were not taken only for 5-6 days straight that it would not cause my horrible symptoms. But again they can’t answer where is my dizziness is coming from, one doctor thinks it’s after covid effects since I had covid back in April. So their answers made me more anxious and upon arriving home I got a bad anxiety attack that make my symptoms worse. I am sorry if I my story is confusing but I want to cry so bad because I don’t what I am going through, and if my suffering will ever end.

[[ba...]]

Oh Patrick. I think what you really wanted were answers from the hospital. If they had told you it was withdrawal, you could accept it.  Your still very much in the mindset, which is normal, that doctors have the answers to reactions to psychiatric drugs.

 

Do you need the validation by the medical community to see this as withdrawal? Their are benzo wise providers out there, we can help you find one, and evaluate your situation.

 

Many people become dependent fast, a week can do it. I was fully dependent after 2 weeks my second time around after taking it for another problem. I could not believe it. 2 weeks @ .75 and I was full blown dependent on xanax.  Others in here can say the same.

 

As the ER ruled out anything medical, I think you need to consider that this is withdrawal. The majority of health care providers do not believe psych meds to be addictive, no matter how long or how much, and especially at low dose, or short term usage.

 

The majority of us have learned this after doing exactly what you did. Some doctors often don't even believe in dependence at all, and will cut patients off cold, even after high doses and many years of taking them.

 

I was put into Cold Turkey by a previous psych doc after he told me I was using too much xanax and quit prescribing it. He said I would be over it in 3 days. It took 2 years. That was about 20 years ago.

 

From here, it's up to you. Do you want to stay in the forum and work through what we suspect is withdrawal?

 

How can we help you?

 

We really do care, and are here to help, whatever you need.

 

[[to...]]

Hi Patrick,

I am so sorry that you are so upset.  Know we are here and as Baddove said, we do care!  I was like you in that I kept going to the ER when something was wrong and I was having stroke and heart attack symptoms - scary!  Once I was in the ER, they asked me so many questions and once they found out I had anxiety problems, they immediately would give me ativan. They always said my issues were health anxiety.  Then I would start feeling better and all the symptoms I went there for would go away and they would send me home.  Strange thing is that I did not realize that at the time.  I did not realize this until I found BB and found out that what I had  gone through was a cold turkey before being reinstated on xanax. 

 

I see that you have been on BB since 2011, did you taper from another benzo before?  I am just trying to help with figuring out how to help you best.

 

It also looks to me that you are thinking this is benzo withdrawal and from all that you have shared, that is what I would think too.  I kept trying to find a doctor to tell me what was wrong and I never did. 

 

I read some about covid and dizziness and what I read says that can be a symptom when you first get covid, I could not find anything that shows dizziness as a symptom after 4-5 months of having it.

 

If you tapered or were on a benzo before this, it would explain some things like why you could be suffering with withdrawal now. 

 

I really hope you will get better soon and I know this is so hard to deal with - the really not knowing exactly what is going on - but thinking it is withdrawal.  Since you have been to the ER and also the ENT, had an MRI and blood tests with no conclusion of a medical condition, it sounds like my definition of benzo withdrawal but that is my opinion.

 

After I was reinstated on xanax, I would asked my therapist about being on the xanax so long as I did not want to become addicted to it and he told me that as long as I was taking it as prescribed that I would be ok - That was a lie!  I had not found a psyc doc, a regular MD, or any other specialist that told me what I was experiencing was a cold turkey, it is like they just do not know anything about benzo and withdrawal.  That was my experience.  I will tell you this - once I started tapering, I started to get better and there are so many symptoms that I had that were severe that are now gone.  I have other issues and symptoms but not the severe ones I had on CT.

 

Let us know what we can do to help you!

 

Julia 

[[pa...]]

Thanks For the reply Julia. I was on anxious( it's a Benz) for GI issues in 2011. I took it for 3weeks and tapered off, it was not hard at all, maybe a few days of discomfort. Now with these symptoms I am experiencing, sometimes I think to myself if I should reinstate and taper slowly to get rid of these nasty symptoms I have. But I know it might take time to stabilize. My other concern is since i was taking It only as needed and not everyday, how would i start a taper? Would i take it everyday or just once a week or twice and start the taper from there??

[[pa...]]

Also my primary doctor prescribed me Hydroxyzine Pam 25mg, told me it would help with anxiety. Is it safe to be on it or is it bad idea. Thank you so much for your answers.

[[to...]]

Hi Patrick,

Sorry it has taken me a while to respond.  I am having a rough day today myself.  I hope you are doing better.

 

I have read when someone does a taper and they do well that sometimes when they try to stop the benzo the next time it is hard.  I really do not know if that has anything to do with your situation or not. 

 

I am really unsure what to suggest right now.  It is hard to know if reinstating will help you or not.  When I reinstated it took almost a year to stabilize but I was on the CT for 7-8 months and on a much higher dose and had been taking it daily for a long time.  I will see if I can find anything here on BB where someone has a similar situation to yours.  I agree that with your situation - how would know what to do and how to taper.

 

My doctor prescribed Hydroxyzine for me too but it did not help me but I do not know much about it.  I have read others have tried it on BB.  I am putting some links for you to read if you would like more info on that.

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=76542.msg1032653#msg1032653

 

This is for withdrawal support and it may also be helpful.

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=110.0

 

Let us know how you are doing.

 

Julia

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Hi Patrick,

 

Just wanted to check in and see how you are doing.  I hope things are better for you and that your dizziness is at least a little better!

 

Let us know how you are , we are here for you.

 

Take care.

[[pa...]]

Hu, sorry for the late reply. I am still doing the same, dizziness, tinnitus, brain fog, vision problems, anxiety, saw another doc who said it might be vestibular disorder, but not sure. Still struggling every single day and afraid of the next. Whatever it is I have to be patient and see what happens.

[[to...]]

Hi Patrick,

Sorry you're still having all these issues.  There are so many people here, including me, who have vestibular problems from the benzo and tapering.

I added a link in a previous post to you and the link takes you to a thread where people are and have been dealing with vestibular problems from benzos. If you check that out, the people on that thread may have some suggestions on how they cope and get better.

Hope you're better soon.

Julia

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BWS.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=128947.0

This is the thread. I hope this helps.

[[to...]]

 

Also here is more information from that thread.

 

Here's a link to a website that gives information about vestibular problems. This particular page discusses various medications, and it has some key facts about benzodiazepines.

 

http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorders/treatment/vestibular-medication

 

If you're having any trouble with the link, have a look at the first section here:

 

"Can Medication Help Me Feel Better?

 

The use of medication in treating vestibular disorders depends on whether the vestibular system dysfunction is in an initial or acute phase (lasting up to 5 days) or chronic phase (ongoing).

 

During the acute phase, and when other illnesses have been ruled out, medications that may be prescribed include vestibular suppressants to reduce motion sickness or anti-emetics to reduce nausea. Vestibular suppressants include three general drug classes: anticholinergics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. Examples of vestibular suppressants are meclizine and dimenhydinate (antihistamine-anticholinergics) and lorazepam and diazepam (benzodiazepines).

 

Other medications that may be prescribed are steroids (e.g., prednisone), antiviral drugs (e.g., acyclovir), or antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin) if a middle ear infection is present. If nausea has been severe enough to cause excessive dehydration, intravenous fluids may be given.

 

During the chronic phase, symptoms must be actively experienced without interference in order for the brain to adjust, a process called vestibular compensation. Any medication that makes the brain sleepy, including all vestibular suppressants, can slow down or stop the process of compensation. Therefore, they are often not appropriate for long-term use. Physicians generally find that most patients who fail to compensate are either strictly avoiding certain movements, using vestibular suppressants daily, or both."

 

[[pa...]]

Thanks for the reply, I was aware of the vestibular issues due to withdrawals from your previous posts. I started a supplement called L-Lysine few days ago and for the first 2-3 days I felt most of my dizziness was going away which made me jump from happiness. Then gradually it stopped working. I know Lysine is a antiviral supplement so I wanted to give it a try. Im still taking it and hope I am not making my vestibular system go lazy and thus slow down healing. Any inputs.

[[to...]]

Hi Patrick,

I had not heard of L-Lysine before.  I am glad it helped you for a couple days and sorry it seems to have stopped working for you.

 

I read that some people that have  Meniere's symptoms (dizziness, loss of balance etc. ) have had some benefit from taking L-Lysine but it said it can take some time to work.  If what you are experiencing is from WD, I do not know if this will work for you.  Did your ENT doctor say this was a possibility?  Did you say he said something about therapy? 

 

From all I have read, the vestibular system has to adjust and compensate after the WD is over or the benzo is gone from the system.  In your case, you are not on the med anymore, it may just be taking some time to get better if it is WD from the xanax.

 

I hope you will get better soon.  I know how upsetting this can be.  I had a really bad bout of this last night and thank goodness it eased up by this morning, not gone but better.

 

I also understand the fear that this will not go away.  I have had this for some time now and it is very hard to deal with at times because sometimes it just comes out of nowhere and it freaks me out but I have a lot of days when it is very tolerable.  I just have to do things to not agitate it like walk too fast, lean over, look up too long etc.

 

Keep the faith, I believe this will get better with time.

 

Julia

[[pa...]]

Thanks Julia, I hope you feel better as time goes on. I am just waiting for the phase where it can be tolerable so I can start working and somehow function. As always Thanks for your support.

[[to...]]

Thanks Patrick - I appreciate it! 

[[to...]]

Hi Patrick,

Wanted to say I hope you are getting better.  I know this is difficult. 

 

Julia

[[pa...]]

Hi Julia, I am still struggling everyday with dizziness and anxiety. A tiny better than last few weeks but I don’t know how this will be going. I’m 6 weeks now without benzo, and till now I dont know what I am experiencing are withdrawals or a vestibular disorder like vestibular neuritis or vestibular migraines. My whole symptoms point out to a vestibular disorder though. Could be withdrawals I don’t know. How about you, are you feeling better? Are you recovered 100% ?

[[wi...]]

Hi Patrick,

 

I just wanted to say I feel your angst.  Xanax is a horrible drug to taper off. I have just begun my taper off Xanax about 6 weeks ago and have made many mistakes in my reductions.  The side effects from X are, like other benzos, horrible.  I was experiencing interdose w/d for nearly a year before I got on BB and I thought I was suffering from some weird disease and got very worried that I might be days away from a heart attack due to the shallow breathing and palpitations.  I want to send you encouragement to hang in there this is sheer hell and I have to take it one minute at a time to get through side effects with deep breathing, prayer and telling myself that I'm doing better than I know and that these weird and mentally taxing side effects are just my CNS waking up and beginning to recalibrate , it's a wild ride.  Take care of yourself and keep posting.  You'll be through with this one day. We both will...no more tranquilizers..what a joy to think of that!  Remember these are potent drugs.

[[to...]]

Hi Julia, I am still struggling everyday with dizziness and anxiety. A tiny better than last few weeks but I don’t know how this will be going. I’m 6 weeks now without benzo, and till now I dont know what I am experiencing are withdrawals or a vestibular disorder like vestibular neuritis or vestibular migraines. My whole symptoms point out to a vestibular disorder though. Could be withdrawals I don’t know. How about you, are you feeling better? Are you recovered 100% ?

 

Hi Patrick,

Glad you posted.  Sorry you are still struggling  but glad you are at least a little bit better.  I can not say that this is withdrawal for you but xanax and tapering can cause issues with the vestibular system.  That is what I have and I also had a ENT doctor tell me it is from the xanax in my case.  I am actually a little better with that since I started making smaller cuts a couple weeks ago.

I am better but not 100%, more like 50% better.  I will take that as this dizziness and off balance is very uncomfortable. 

 

Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.  I hope things get better for you soon!

 

Julia

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Hi Patrick,

I hope you are getting some relief from the dizziness.

 

The following is a link to a BB post that you may find of interest.  It is called What is Happening in Your Brain and it is full of information.  It helped me to understand what is happening to me as I go through this.

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=232042.0

 

Take care.

Julia

[[ba...]]

Patrick

 

Your dizziness, even to extreme is very typical in withdrawal. It is your vestibular system, which benzo's mess with, resulting in acute headaches and  loss of balance, often with extreme spells. Most of us get this at some point, as I said, very common. It will pass in it's own time. Have hope, this is temporary.

 

Please read this info sheet in the forum, I think it will help.

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=128947.0;topicseen

 

 

[[pa...]]

Hi guys, I have a question about when after being off benzo we start getting windows and waves. Thanks

[[ba...]]

Every one of us will experience a unique withdraw experience. we will have most of the same symptoms, but our time frames of adapting or unique.

 

As to windows and waves, again there is no magic point. Some of us never get Windows. Others get them with some regularity.  They will come eventually, but be patient if they take their sweet time to show up.

 

You could have a pretty decent day followed by a really bad one. This is normal. It is the irregularity of our body trying to adapt.

 

Prepare for bad spells before they happen. Start practicing your coping skills now. That way, they are always there for you, and in all honestly my coping skills, or "toolbox," does more to relieve my symptoms than the medication.

 

There are many items you can add to your toolbox, and you can use whatever is most effective day by day. I have a really big box, and rotate what I do, usually based on my need for relief and my energy.

 

Breathing exercises are generally the first place to start

Then exercise that is doable, whatever you like. I am a big yoga person, and also go to the gym and work very hard about twice a week.  Dancing. Biking. Cleaning house, Walking. Throwing hoops. The more we move without pushing into pain, the more we are loosening muscle tightness, and if we really work it, getting an endorphin rush.

 

There are many kinds of meditation. Sometimes one is not effective on a certain day, so I will move to something else

 

Hydro massage (If you have access to a hydro massage bed, usually in gyms.) Learn self massage. I run my hands up and down my side body, to my inner thighs to my feet, then come back up using  my hands to rub my outer thighs.  Buy a massager. Use it on your feet, generously. When something hurts, gently stroke it. Professional massage, or rolfing. Acupuncture. The list should keep expanding as you find new things that help, and find what works best at any time.

 

Guided meditation. affirmation meditation. Many more. I like using mandala beads at times, however, that is  a very long and focused meditation.

 

Tapping 

 

And distraction is crucial. TV. Computer Games. Listening to music you love.

 

Cultivate a positive mind set (takes practice)

 

These behaviors are far  more likely yo lead you to windows.

 

 

 

 

 

[[pa...]]

It’s been 2 months off since my last dose. I stopped ct, now my symptoms are ramping up. Dizziness is not letting go, anxiety, bad thoughts, depression. I want to consider reinstating and tapering off but I don’t know who can help me. I wanna go see mu doctor about that but he thinks all this is not withdrawals. Can someone please help. Thanks.