Xanax interdose withdrawals? Cognitive issues?

[[Md...]]

Everybody struggles with acceptance in the beginning, Mdfox1, and it can take some time to reach that place. But we do reach that place. It’s certainly not an easy thing to see others around you getting on with life… a life you also once lived, a life that appears to have now passed you by. It can be a deeply painful experience. You might even consider it a grieving process… grieving the loss of ones old life. It takes time. But, one of the upsides (if there are upsides) to going through this process, is that I know that once recovered, I will appreciate the simplicity of life so much more than I ever did prior to this experience. Just keep working your way towards that place of acceptance, Mdfox1.

 

Thank you for the words of inspiration. Yes, it’s definitely a grieving process, and what makes this so difficult for me is that doctors have not been able to figure out what has caused my pain. Some have said nerve damage due to the tooth extraction (even though the pain originates in a completely different part of my mouth, and there is nothing wrong with the teeth where the pain originates), while others have said it’s psychosomatic and hypersensitive due to the amount of trauma I endured during the tooth extraction.

 

So yeah, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. The Xanax keeps the pain at bay, but I hate being on this stuff, and want to be free from it.

 

I also don’t even understand why Xanax seems to be the only thing that alleviates the pain (I even tried oxycodone, and it didn’t do anything).

 

The whole process has been terrifying, and I believe I am suffering from PTSD from both the dental trauma pain, as well as being on Xanax, feeling like I am in shackles. Sometimes it is just unbearable, and my mind goes to a very dark place. It’s like a living nightmare.

 

Thankfully, I have an amazing support system that really help me get through those dark moments.

 

Sorry to vent so much on here.

 

[[je...]]

I don't know where your pain is and if it could be muscle related? Benzo's are very strong muscle relaxers. I got on Clonazepam because of severe muscle pain in my jaw and not even botox that numbs the muscle made any difference. But the Clonazepam took it away completely.

 

These drugs should not be prescribed for pain. It does not treat the cause but only masks the pain. Then you get dependent with so many other issues on top of it and if you get tolerant there's a whole new level to manage. And when you're off, the original condition just returns.

 

I know at the start when you realise the magnitude of what is happening to you, it's really overwhelming. But I promise, it gets better. You'll get through this. Most people who stick with their taper eventually get off and the majority recover to live a normal life.

[[Md...]]

I don't know where your pain is and if it could be muscle related? Benzo's are very strong muscle relaxers. I got on Clonazepam because of severe muscle pain in my jaw and not even botox that numbs the muscle made any difference. But the Clonazepam took it away completely.

 

These drugs should not be prescribed for pain. It does not treat the cause but only masks the pain. Then you get dependent with so many other issues on top of it and if you get tolerant there's a whole new level to manage. And when you're off, the original condition just returns.

 

I know at the start when you realise the magnitude of what is happening to you, it's really overwhelming. But I promise, it gets better. You'll get through this. Most people who stick with their taper eventually get off and the majority recover to live a normal life.

 

My pain originates at the top of my two front teeth, then spreads into my gums, then up the center of my face, and into my ears. It’s all pressure pain, crushing pressure pain that just doesn’t seem to stop. It’s completely debilitating.

 

The weird thing is that the tooth that was extracted was a far back bottom molar, but I guess it’s all the same nerve that runs throughout.

 

But yes, my GP originally thought it was muscle related, so she prescribed prednisone and some muscle relaxers (tried a couple), which didn’t do anything.

 

If it is muscle related, then I don’t know of any muscle relaxers as strong as these benzos, and if it’s nerve damage, then there really isn’t any kind of medication that can address it. Both Carbamazepine and Lyrica are supposed to be for nerve pain, but I tried that and it didn’t do anything either. Maybe I didn’t take them long enough.

 

There’s also another weird thing called atypical odontalgia. It’s basically unexplained tooth/gum pain that occurs after a tooth extraction or some other type of oral manipulation. Interestingly enough, I found a girl on TikTok who suffers from it, and guess what she takes to address the pain? Klonopin.

 

Atypical odontalgia is incredibly rare, and they don’t quite understand how it happens, but anxiety and depression always seem to be related to it.

 

Anyway, I’m probably getting off topic now, but unfortunately it is the reason I got hooked onto Xanax.

 

[[Md...]]

I don't know where your pain is and if it could be muscle related? Benzo's are very strong muscle relaxers. I got on Clonazepam because of severe muscle pain in my jaw and not even botox that numbs the muscle made any difference. But the Clonazepam took it away completely.

 

These drugs should not be prescribed for pain. It does not treat the cause but only masks the pain. Then you get dependent with so many other issues on top of it and if you get tolerant there's a whole new level to manage. And when you're off, the original condition just returns.

 

I know at the start when you realise the magnitude of what is happening to you, it's really overwhelming. But I promise, it gets better. You'll get through this. Most people who stick with their taper eventually get off and the majority recover to live a normal life.

 

What if you can’t ever get rid of the underlying pain? My pain was beyond debilitating before I got on Xanax. I was bed ridden, actually.

 

So I’m honestly thinking about maybe just cross switching over to Klonopin until I can figure out a way to resolve my underlining pain.

 

Many people who have what I have (pretty sure it’s atypical odontalgia/idiopathic facial pain) have to stay on Klonopin for life because the physical pain is just too much, and there’s no cure for it yet. Doctors and dentists barely understand it.

 

Btw, did you ever get rid of your jaw pain?

[[je...]]

It's very likely your underlying condition will return. Mine did. It's tough. I struggle really badly. It's a catch 22 really because I feel I've exhausted all options in my case and benzo's were the only thing that worked.

 

Yes, some people can stay on it for life without any problems others cannot. The problem is we don't know which category we fall into until it's too late. I actually did consider it before I found this forum and knew what benzo's were. But my fear of being stuck in tolerance withdrawal and the severity of that pain far outweighs living with the jaw pain. Somebody on here decided to stay on benzo's and got severe tolerance withdrawal and couldn't even taper. They wrote a warning about it. Their life was absolute hell. The story is very upsetting so I always ask first before I link it. That was one of the reasons I decided to get off. I can share it if you want.

[[Md...]]

It's very likely your underlying condition will return. Mine did. It's tough. I struggle really badly. It's a catch 22 really because I feel I've exhausted all options in my case and benzo's were the only thing that worked.

 

Yes, some people can stay on it for life without any problems others cannot. The problem is we don't know which category we fall into until it's too late. I actually did consider it before I found this forum and knew what benzo's were. But my fear of being stuck in tolerance withdrawal and the severity of that pain far outweighs living with the jaw pain. Somebody on here decided to stay on benzo's and got severe tolerance withdrawal and couldn't even taper. They wrote a warning about it. Their life was absolute hell. The story is very upsetting so I always ask first before I link it. That was one of the reasons I decided to get off. I can share it if you want.

 

Catch 22. Exactly. I know my pain is debilitating, and right now Xanax is the only thing that makes me function. So I think I just want to switch to Xanax XR or Klonopin to prevent the interdose withdrawal symptoms, and start functioning better.

 

Will I eventually build a tolerance withdrawal and go through a living hell? It’s possible. But I’d be in a living hell right now with the pain, so I’m wiling to take the risk. Besides, my only mission in life at this point is to finish raising my kids, then I just plan on partying until i croak. I honestly don’t want to live passed 65. I’ve had a long, hard life already and would rather just go out Chris Farley style, as opposed to slowly deteriorate over the years in some retirement home.

 

Not trying to sound grim here, but I think it’s just the reality of the situation, and like you said, it’s a catch 22.

 

Gotta pick your poison!

 

[[Md...]]

It's very likely your underlying condition will return. Mine did. It's tough. I struggle really badly. It's a catch 22 really because I feel I've exhausted all options in my case and benzo's were the only thing that worked.

 

Yes, some people can stay on it for life without any problems others cannot. The problem is we don't know which category we fall into until it's too late. I actually did consider it before I found this forum and knew what benzo's were. But my fear of being stuck in tolerance withdrawal and the severity of that pain far outweighs living with the jaw pain. Somebody on here decided to stay on benzo's and got severe tolerance withdrawal and couldn't even taper. They wrote a warning about it. Their life was absolute hell. The story is very upsetting so I always ask first before I link it. That was one of the reasons I decided to get off. I can share it if you want.

 

Btw, have you found anything that helps with your pain, aside from the benzos? Also, may I ask what caused it?

 

Despite my previous message, I whole heartedly would love to get off Xanax and find some other medication that could address the pain issue.

[[je...]]

As I've mentioned, I feel I have exhausted all options for myself. This is after 6 years of consulting different specialists and trying different drugs and non-drugs, but you might not have exhausted all options for yourself. You are asking all the right questions because tapering is tough, withdrawal is tough and then facing your pre-existing condition after doing all this is tough. You need to know why you're doing this. If you don't understand what the pay-off is, then you'll likely give up after the first hurdle.

 

For me, I was never going to let a doctor cut me off again from a prescription - it was a terrifying experience, I was never going to let a drug dictate my life decisions and I was absolutely not going be to a hostage to tolerance withdrawal. The thought of going through what that person went through is just unimaginable.

 

Our purpose here is not to convince people to stop using benzo's. We help those who want to taper, get off safely and functionally. I do however want to give you all the information so you can make an informed decision. My doctor did not do that for me. I did not have the option of informed consent when I was put on benzo's and I don't want you to feel let down by the benzo community in the future if perhaps something goes wrong. As you can see, I'm not sugar coating anything. I'm not telling you withdrawal will be easy, your tooth problems will go away, or saying that all people who stay on benzo's forever will suffer from tolerance withdrawal. We just don't know. All you need to do is make an informed decision.

 

You say you only want to live until 65. I don't know how old you are now. But if (and I'm not saying you will) you get tolerance withdrawal, will it wait until you reach age 65? What if you reach tolerance withdrawal within the next two years? I believe I started showing signs of tolerance withdrawal after 1.5 years on the drug at age 44. What then? Are you okay to live with those consequences? If so, then great. I just have to present the possibilities, keeping in mind, it also might never happen. We just don't know, that's the problem for all of us. Or if your doctor decides he's not going to prescribe anymore and you need to taper in six weeks (that's what happened to me)? So many people on here are struggling to find professionals to continue to prescribe and we suspect it will get increasingly difficult for long term prescriptions as regulators are cracking down on doctors. These are some things to consider. I know how hard it is when you struggle with chronic pain and have to make these decisions. I am sure you'll do what is best for you and we'll support that. You might even want to make a decision you feel is right for this moment and revisit it in the future.

 

Now to get back to your other question regarding Xanax XR and Klonopin. I know you're not considering Valium for your specific situation due to the pain aspect as you feel Klonopin would work better in that regard, so I understand. I would not cross to Xanax XR because we do have members who still get interdose withdrawal even on the XR. I think Klonopin would be a better option in terms of half-life.

 

I hope I don't sound insensitive, I honestly will support whatever you decide without judgment. I know what was right for me, might not be right for you. I do feel though I need to be true to myself and give you all the information I have access to.

[[Md...]]

As I've mentioned, I feel I have exhausted all options for myself. This is after 6 years of consulting different specialists and trying different drugs and non-drugs, but you might not have exhausted all options for yourself. You are asking all the right questions because tapering is tough, withdrawal is tough and then facing your pre-existing condition after doing all this is tough. You need to know why you're doing this. If you don't understand what the pay-off is, then you'll likely give up after the first hurdle.

 

For me, I was never going to let a doctor cut me off again from a prescription - it was a terrifying experience, I was never going to let a drug dictate my life decisions and I was absolutely not going be to a hostage to tolerance withdrawal. The thought of going through what that person went through is just unimaginable.

 

Our purpose here is not to convince people to stop using benzo's. We help those who want to taper, get off safely and functionally. I do however want to give you all the information so you can make an informed decision. My doctor did not do that for me. I did not have the option of informed consent when I was put on benzo's and I don't want you to feel let down by the benzo community in the future if perhaps something goes wrong. As you can see, I'm not sugar coating anything. I'm not telling you withdrawal will be easy, your tooth problems will go away, or saying that all people who stay on benzo's forever will suffer from tolerance withdrawal. We just don't know. All you need to do is make an informed decision.

 

You say you only want to live until 65. I don't know how old you are now. But if (and I'm not saying you will) you get tolerance withdrawal, will it wait until you reach age 65? What if you reach tolerance withdrawal within the next two years? I believe I started showing signs of tolerance withdrawal after 1.5 years on the drug at age 44. What then? Are you okay to live with those consequences? If so, then great. I just have to present the possibilities, keeping in mind, it also might never happen. We just don't know, that's the problem for all of us. Or if your doctor decides he's not going to prescribe anymore and you need to taper in six weeks (that's what happened to me)? So many people on here are struggling to find professionals to continue to prescribe and we suspect it will get increasingly difficult for long term prescriptions as regulators are cracking down on doctors. These are some things to consider. I know how hard it is when you struggle with chronic pain and have to make these decisions. I am sure you'll do what is best for you and we'll support that. You might even want to make a decision you feel is right for this moment and revisit it in the future.

 

Now to get back to your other question regarding Xanax XR and Klonopin. I know you're not considering Valium for your specific situation due to the pain aspect as you feel Klonopin would work better in that regard, so I understand. I would not cross to Xanax XR because we do have members who still get interdose withdrawal even on the XR. I think Klonopin would be a better option in terms of half-life.

 

I hope I don't sound insensitive, I honestly will support whatever you decide without judgment. I know what was right for me, might not be right for you. I do feel though I need to be true to myself and give you all the information I have access to.

 

You don’t sound insensitive at all, and I sincerely appreciate your thorough response. You’ve also brought up some excellent points here, which again, I really appreciate. Lots of food for thought!

 

Btw, concerning your jaw pain, have you ever tried cold laser therapy?

[[je...]]

Yeah I've done low laser,  no luck. 

[[Md...]]

Yeah I've done low laser,  no luck. 

 

Damn. I’m really sorry to hear that. Some people have to do multiple treatments in order for it to work, I’m assuming you did as well? Also, how do you manage your pain? Is it something you’ve just learned to cope with? And may I ask how the pain started? You really don’t need to answer that if you don’t want to.

 

Btw, I’ve decided to try and cross over from Xanax to Valium. I started a thread on it. I would love to get your feedback!

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=279207.0

[[je...]]

I'll have a look Mdfox1. I just need some time to do a plug in to the Ashton Manual, I can't just do it in an hour or so. As I said before, with my current mental capacities it takes me a lot of time to do mental stuff and with crossovers I double and tripple, tripple check that I haven't made typing or calculations errors and then you also need to double and tripple check my work.