Xanax / Ambien / Alcohol Withdraw. SEVERE Numbness / Tingling - Please Help

[[Ja...]]

:idiot:

 

Quit alcohol 12-15-2011. Numbing / Tingling started within 3 days. I was totally clean and sober for 17 years. 1989 to 2006. Then started 6 year nightmare with Xanax, Ambien, Hydrocodone and Alcohol. Quit Hydro in June 2011. Started tapering Xanax about 3 weeks after stopping alcohol. Quit Ambien when I started xanax taper. Was taking 3 MG Xanax then 2 MG in November 2011. In January 2012 tapered from 2 MG to 0 MG of Xanax over 3 weeks. Numbing and Tingling now occur every day and are debilitating. I am like a Zombie and cannot function. 1 year ago on all meds plus alcohol I was rock climbing and snow skiing. I can't and won't live like this. Considering going back on meds with knowledge that I CAN'T DRINK. PERIOD.

 

seeing Neurologist tomorrow. GP doctor referred me with dignosis of neuralgia. Don't know if this is temporary withdrawal symptoms or if I've done permanent damage with Alcohol / Xanax  - This seems possible if not likely. Know for a fact I can take Xanax and symptons will Improve. This is crazy.

[[Me...]]

Hi Sorry to hear you are struggling.  I have not used Xanax except on a very rare occasion but I am a long term Ambien user.  Are you saying you tapered off Xanax 3mg, Ambien, 10mg? in about 3months?? I am sure someone will chip in here and help you with the Xanax but it sounds way to quick.  I am tapering the Ambien at 5 -10% every 3 -4 weeks (after c/t a Benzo in Oct 2011) and if that is tough going.

[[BY...]]

Hello Jake,

 

 

That's quite a cocktail you were on and I did a mixture of Klonopin, Ambien and alcohol myself at one time. It took quite awhile for my system to reboot itself.

 

It's good to hear your going to have the tests done. Best to be safe when it comes to all of this. I been in for MRI's and other tests and all was fine. If anything, when they do come back good, with no problems, it did give me some comfort in knowing physically I was OK. Mentally was a whole different story, which you probably understand.

 

Hope all the tests come back good.

 

[[Ja...]]

Thanks Meee and Matrix.

 

A little more information.

 

I started the Xanax, Hydro, Ambien and Alcohol coctail 6 years ago.... After 16 years sober all it took was a rough spot in the road of life plus 1 xanax given to me by a friend that didn't know any better.

 

3 years ago I quit everything rapidly. Didn't know better. Had numbing sensations but not as severe as now. Saw GP and referred to Neurologist. Had MRI and all other tests. All Normal. Tried PT and eeverything else. Ended up at pain clinic and got back on all meds.

 

Now.... Quit Hydro in June 2011

 

Started Xanax taper in October 2011 - 3 MG tp 2 MG.

 

Quit Alcohol December 15, 2011

 

Started Xanax Taper from 2 MG to 0 MG in January 2011 - 3 weeks.

 

Quit Ambien CR 10 MG when I started Xanax taper.

 

Numbing and Tingling sensations started when I quit alcohol and got much much worse with Xanax withdraw. I did take 1/2 MG a day for 5 days last weekend so I could function at a planned golf trip. Symptoms improved but not completely. Back off everything for 10 days. Symptoms are really intorerable. I am worried that I have alcohol or xanax induced neuralgia which is a permanent condition. GP referred me to the neurologist because he doesn't know what else to do.

 

I can't live this way and am very close to going back on whatever meds I need to and make sure I don't drink.

 

Any suggestions are appreciated. I would really like to be done with all of it and try to get my life back.

 

Thx. Jake

 

[[Ja...]]

:idiot:

 

Would really appreciate thoughts from anyone that has experienced the numbing / tingling. Think I can hang in there mentally if I get some relief on the physical issues.

 

Thx.

 

Jake

[[Fl...]]

Hi Jake,

Sorry you're suffering.

Consider that you took the equivalent of 10 mg Valium for 5 days last weekend, 10 days ago. A lot of what you're feeling is still withdrawal.  Your GABA receptors need time to up regulate and that 5 day mishap just confused them more.

 

If your symptoms are intolerable and it sounds like they are, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor about getting on a 10 mg dose of Valium, stabilizing and then starting a slow taper from there.

 

Your idea of staying on meds and not drinking won't work, simply because you will need ever increasing doses of benzos to maintain any type of stability.  It's a no win situation.  People do this and recover all the time.  I read yesterday of a 90 year old woman who was able to finally get off benzos (Valium) after very long term use and is now running a little shop.  This is doable! Thousands of people have done it. 

 

I also did a quick detox of alcohol, klonopin and Valium.  The first 2 weeks were beyond horrible.  I reinstated on Valium and am doing a slow, turtle, crawl taper. It has not been easy, but honestly I feel better in every way than at the height of my addiction to alcohol.  I'm far from well. But I'm thinking again and am hopeful.

 

I'm not sure if I've had the same type of neuralgia you are having. My hands and feet and neck/shoulder area have been on fire. Sometimes my fingertips are excruciatingly painful. This is improving slowly.  I have not had numbness. 

 

It's good to get these things checked out, but I suspect time, gentle exercise, good thoughts and very good whole nutrition are going to be your answers. 

 

A big congratulations on quitting drinking! That's huge. 

Flip

[[BY...]]

Hi Jake,

Sorry you're suffering.

Consider that you took the equivalent of 10 mg Valium for 5 days last weekend, 10 days ago. A lot of what you're feeling is still withdrawal.  Your GABA receptors need time to up regulate and that 5 day mishap just confused them more.

 

If your symptoms are intolerable and it sounds like they are, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor about getting on a 10 mg dose of Valium, stabilizing and then starting a slow taper from there.

 

Your idea of staying on meds and not drinking won't work, simply because you will need ever increasing doses of benzos to maintain any type of stability.  It's a no win situation.  People do this and recover all the time.  I read yesterday of a 90 year old woman who was able to finally get off benzos (Valium) after very long term use and is now running a little shop.  This is doable! Thousands of people have done it. 

 

I also did a quick detox of alcohol, klonopin and Valium.  The first 2 weeks were beyond horrible.  I reinstated on Valium and am doing a slow, turtle, crawl taper. It has not been easy, but honestly I feel better in every way than at the height of my addiction to alcohol.  I'm far from well. But I'm thinking again and am hopeful.

 

I'm not sure if I've had the same type of neuralgia you are having. My hands and feet and neck/shoulder area have been on fire. Sometimes my fingertips are excruciatingly painful. This is improving slowly.  I have not had numbness. 

 

It's good to get these things checked out, but I suspect time, gentle exercise, good thoughts and very good whole nutrition are going to be your answers. 

 

A big congratulations on quitting drinking! That's huge. 

Flip

 

This is some good advice from Flip.

 

Went the road by way of doing a Cold Turkey and it was horrible. The tingling numbness and nerve pain was off the chart.

I can't tell you when it will all start to recede, but if you check out OK by the Dr., I can tell you the severity will ease up and you will have some relief from it.

 

M