Saw neurologist. Withdrawal or anxiety symptoms ?

[[Ja...]]

 

I am a 49 year old male. Quit alcohol in 1989 and was sober for 16 years. Attended AA. Never been to treatment. Went through a difficult divorce in 2006. Diagnosed with anxiety and prescribed xanax and ambien. Started drinking again that year. Quit everything 18 months later but had numb and tingling sensations. Saw a neurologist. Had MRI etc. Nothing wrong. Condition persisted for 3 or 4 months and I ended up seeing a pain specialist. Prescribed xanax, ambien and hydrocodone. Mixed meds with alcohol for the next 3 1/2 years. Quit drinking in December 2011 after a DUI - 1st. Decided I wanted my clean life back. Wish it was that easy. No alcohol since December 15, 2011. Quit ambien cold turkey in Januray and tapered off xanax from 2MG a day to 0 in three weeks. I had been taking 4 MG of xanax but had cut the dosage back to 2 MG by October 2011. Had tapered off hydro in June 2011.

 

Numb and tingling sensations started when I quit alcohol and got much much worse when I stopped the xanax.

 

Symtoms start when I wake up and progressively get worse over the day. Can feel it in my face and head and througout my body, arms and legs. Seem to be hyper sensitive to touch especially on my legs. Really have no life like this. Last year at this time I was rock climbing and skiing... Now its hrd to leave the house. 

 

So.. Saw a neurologist today. He doesn't think I have a serious neurological disease but is conducting a nerve conduction study tomorow. He also doesn't believe it is withdrawal. His initial thought is that I a have parastesia from general anxiety and thinks the best solution will be to take the smallest dosage of xanax that will control symptoms. Dr. is comfortable with me being on xanax indefinately as long as I don't drink alcohohol.

 

I'm worried about staying on the drug forever but I'm more worried about feeling the symptoms I have every day. Planning on have nerve test done tomorrow and then I guess making a decision. WOW.

[Guest [Pf...]]

How long since you stopped this stuff?  This sounds like withdrawal.  Anxiety may be in play, but not just anxiety.  Why does he not think it is withdrawal

 

The doctor may not have a problem with your taking a small dose of xanax, but the question is whether it will help you.  Maybe it will, but not necessarily.  So that is the question.

 

[[ba...]]

Doses of xanax  may start small but end up big

[[Co...]]

Hi, I have experienced parasthesias and nerve pain since coming off klon and morphine...it started with itching pins and needles in my feet and has progressed. It also worsens as the day goes on...showering is painful...recently started cymbalta which really didnt help...my primary doc believes it is from meds and sent me to neuro...she does not believe its from meds, oh and my right foot and toes twitch 24/7...anyway neuro did a nerve velocity test...she says its not completely normal...says I have small nerve fiber neuropathy but she doesnt know why...did you get your B12 checked...mine is normal...at this point just want the pain to stop...started elavil about 2 weeks ago...it hasnt helped yet but pharmacist says relief would be gradual. I dont know if this helps at all...Im pretty sure its wd not anxiety. At this point I really dont have much anxiety at all. There are many threads on this topic, so you could do a search. Good luck on your test.