Still having symptoms after 7weeks

[[So...]]

I went cold turkey off Xanax 7 weeks ago and still feel horrible. I was on a low dose ( .5 mg ) and was taking it about 4 - 5 days a week, usually 1, sometimes 2 pills a day. Should I still be feeling withdrawal symptoms?

[[St...]]

Hi sophielondon, welcome to BenzoBuddies

 

I'm sorry you still feell bad, sometimes it can take awhile for symptoms to lift. What symptoms are you having? I'm glad you found us, let us know if you have any questions.

 

Star

[[...]]

Hi Sophie, I am sorry you are having problems off the xanax.  Were you on it for awhile?  Even low doses can be problematic. Everyone is different.  This forum is a wonderful support.

  I did a c/t off of a hideous amount of ativan.  I didn't have a lot of physical symptoms, but I did have psychological stuff like anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks and agoraphobia.  I am almost 4 months off.

The first few weeks were awful, but I started having windows and able to sleep a bit better around 8-12 weeks.  You should be over the acute phase, so please hang on.  Time will be your friend. 

Get as much rest as you can, eat well and take very good care of yourself both physically and psychologically.  It will get better!

Hugs, Skyy

[[So...]]

Thanks so much for responding. My most disturbing symptom now is blurred vision and pressure in me eyes/head. Also, immediately when I went off it, I would get a headache if I exerted myself in the least bit.... That's calmed down a bit but has evolved into feeling head pressure / blurry vision when I do anything more than just lay around.  Im definitely feeling panic in waves and bad insomnia. My memory has been bad too. Heart racing, neck tightness, fatigue and other things too i cant even describe. My main question is , Is it possible for the withdrawal symptoms to last this long having been on a low dose 4-5 times a week for 7-8 months?

I had taken .5 mg occasionally for 6-12 months but THEN

began taking it REGULARLY for 7-8 months from June thru Mid Jan :  about .5 mg once a day ( sometimes twice) 4 - 6 days a week. Then I went cold turkey jan 12. Things started to get a bit better by mid February but regretfully I TOOK ANOTHER DOSE for an airline flight 10 days ago and things have been extra bad since then.

It's been tough because the day I went cold turkey in January I started a new job ( corporate, demanding) and have been training / traveling tons for the past 2 months.  I read on the Ashton site that withdrawal can get worse if you go through a stressful time.

I want to say thank you for this site. I've been reading it this past 7 weeks and it has helped me through some really bad days.

[[So...]]

Thanks Skyy.... Just hearing your reassuring words makes me feel better...... Knowing its possible that all this stuff is related to the Xanax really puts my mind at ease..... For now at least. It's really scary at times. Hope you feel better soon.  :) thank you!!!!!!!

[[...]]

Yes, me too with the blurred vision and head pressure.  I have ok vision in the morning and my vision gets increasingly blurred through out the day.  Sometimes I am unable to read or watch TV at night.  I have seen so many people who complain of this.  I had my eyes checked and they are normal.  Most say this symptom goes away.

 

I have seen people who were on low doses for only 8 weeks, that had withdrawal symptoms that drove them here to find answers.  Some people will say that if you are on low doses for short periods of time, you may have a shorter withdrawal period.  What I have seen is, everyone is different and their recovery is unique to them.  I have heard that recovery can take 1 year-18 months and that symptoms can wax and wane over that period.  I hear some say that one day, they suddenly felt normal again.... I had been off and on benzos since 05. I did a cold turkey which was pretty scary and ended up crossing over to valium and eventually stopped that abruptly.  Initially it was awful, but I honestly think that time makes the symptoms manageable.  That dose 10 days ago shouldn't set you back much longer.  The key has always been for me is to keep busy and distracted as much as possible.  Just take it one day at a time  for now, ok?

[[So...]]

 

Thank you so much for telling me blurred vision is a common symptom. Mine is also usually worse in the pm usually! I've become such a hypochondriac with all this so i cant tell you how much i appreciate your words. Also, the part where you said the symptoms can wax and wane was great to hear because it's been confusing to me that it gets a bit better but then worse at times.

Most importantly, just knowing that it's possible to still feel withdrawal makes me feel better so thank you.

 

I will try to relax now and take your advice to take it one day at a time. I really hope you feel better soon.

 

[[Mi...]]

Hi Sophie,

 

I too was on low doses of Xanax for a relatively short period of time.  I tapered fairly rapidly and have been off going on 5 weeks now.  While I have some very good days, there are days when I have waves of all my old symptoms again.  And yes, headaches and pressure and vision problems are there for me too.  Sometimes I cannot do things like writing checks or looking at my bank statement because it is difficult to focus on tiny numbers.  So yes, even on low doses for short periods of time can be a problem when you quit.  You are not alone and all of us here understand what you are going through.  You will heal and get your life and mojo back.  Hang in there!

 

MiniMinnie

[[So...]]

Thank you. I had a good day yesterday but today has been tough so I came to the board and was very happy to hear your message.

My primary care doc told me yesterday that my withdrawal symptoms should have only lasted a few weeks and that whatever I'm feeling is just anxiety.... Advised an SSRI. I really don't want to go down that road.

Then I went to my acupuncturist and chiropractor and they confirmed what you've said ..... That it could take months to subside , even after low doses, for relatively short periods.......So that eased my mind. They said they've helped many people in my shoes.  After my treatments I felt much better too. My vision was much better for the rest of the day.

This board has really given me some peace. Thank you both.

[[sh...]]

Hi Sophie,

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I felt most of what you're feeling while tapering and then after, but since being off, each day I feel myself improving. The symptoms you're experiencing sound very text book, so not to worry; just some classic withdrawal symptoms. The important thing is, you decided to get off before the benzos could cause more damage.

 

Glad you found us