Xanax (Alprazolam) is a medication that is prescribed to treat intense anxiety and panic disorders. It is currently among the most prescribed drugs in the United States, and has been for years. The reason that many people turn to Xanax and that doctors give out prescriptions for this medication is simple: because it works. There is really not a more effective medication on the market for sheer anxiety and panic than this one.
The major drawbacks associated with this medication can cause some people to stop taking it. In most cases, it is recommended to avoid using this medication unless you are 100% sure that you’ll need it. Consistent long term usage of Xanax (and other benzodiazepines) is linked to developing dementia as well as other permanent cognitive deficits. These facts are not meant to scare people, rather point out that Xanax is typically not safe for the long term.
For this reason, many people have turned to other medications and/or just decided to quit using Xanax. When you decide to quit Xanax, it is important to work closely with your doctor and/or under the supervision of a professional. Withdrawal symptoms can be serious and extreme compared to most other medications. In fact, for certain individuals, this is the single hardest drug that they’ll ever withdraw from.
Factors that influence Xanax withdrawal
Not everyone will experience the same degree of withdrawal symptoms when coming off of Xanax. For some people it will be a relatively moderate withdrawal, while for others it will be total hell. Various factors that play a role in influencing withdrawal include: time span, dosage, your physiology, and how you quit.
1. Time Span
How long have you been on Xanax? Were you just using it on an “as needed” basis? Or were you taking it for months? Some people have been on this medication for years, taking it every single day. Individuals that have been on it consistently for long periods of time are going to have the most difficulty when it comes to withdrawal.
2. Dosage (.25 mg, .5 mg, 1 mg, 4 mg)
Typically in cases of treating generalized anxiety or social anxiety, a person only will need about 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg to alleviate symptoms. Even for panic attacks, the maximum recommended dose is only 0.5 mg. Since the immediate release version of the medication may need to be taken multiple times per day, it is not recommended to exceed 4 mg daily. Most professionals will not prescribe more than 4 mg to be taken on a daily basis.
3. Physiology
Your personal physiology will play a role in determining how quickly you recover from the withdrawal symptoms. Some people heal faster than others so just realize that your withdrawal experience is unique to you. Not everyone has the same degree of social support or the same opportunities. The way that your nervous system reacts to the withdrawal will be dependent upon your individual situation.
4. Cold turkey vs. tapering
It is actually dangerous in many cases to quit taking Xanax “cold turkey.” Therefore it is not medically advised to just stop taking this medication without having slowly tapered down the dose over an extended period of time. Work with your doctor or another professional if you need help with this process. The person who prescribed you this medication should be well aware that you need to “taper” and should never quit “cold turkey” unless you are already on the lowest possible dose.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms List
Below are some symptoms that you may experience when you stop taking Xanax. Realize that this medication is considered one of the most difficult to quit. People can build up a quick tolerance to the drug and since it works so quickly and effectively, many people become addicted. During your withdrawal, it is important to realize that many of the symptoms you will experience are a result of your brain readjusting to processes without the drug.
- Anxiety: When you stop taking Xanax, your brain no longer has the drug to bind to GABA receptors. Therefore instead of the calm feeling you experience while on Xanax, you may experience very severe anxiety. It may be so severe that you have a difficult time functioning and/or coping. Just know that the severity will subside as time passes throughout your withdrawal.
- Concentration difficulties: Many people report difficulties with concentration while taking this drug, but also during withdrawal. Research has shown that people exhibit cognitive deficits for weeks after taking this drug. If it seems as though you are not able to think clearly, it is likely a result of the withdrawal process.
- Convulsions: This is a condition in which the muscles rapidly contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly. These are especially common if you try to quit taking Xanax in “cold turkey” fashion. It is basically uncontrollable shaking of your body because you have become accustomed to the drug for functioning. These will subside as long as you do an extremely gradual taper.
- Depression: It is extremely common to experience increasing depression when coming off of Xanax. For some people the calmness associated with this medication actually helps with depressive symptoms. The combination of all of the withdrawal symptoms can lead to feelings of deep depression and sorrow.
- Hallucinations: It is thought that when you stop taking Xanax, especially if you do not slowly taper, that neurons become overexcited. The overexcitement is thought to contribute to some individuals experiencing hallucinations. Although this isn’t a common withdrawal effect, some people do experience them as a result of quitting Xanax.
- Headaches: People have reported minor headaches, to major migraine-esque headaches when coming off of Xanax. These can make life very difficult to deal with especially if they are ongoing. It is recommended to make sure you are drinking adequate water and taking over-the-counter headache relief if necessary.
- Insomnia: Perhaps the most common symptom that people experience when withdrawing from Xanax is insomnia. You may not be able to fall asleep at night and instead your mind seems to be controlled by anxiety and stressful thinking. Even when your physical body is exhausted, your mind runs an uncontrollable course that keeps you awake.
- Irritability: Many people report feeling irritable when they come off of benzodiazepines. Some people experience aggression in combination with feeling highly irritable. Recognize that little things may really irritate you during withdrawal.
- Memory problems: Long term use of this drug has been linked to developing dementia. It is not a surprise that Xanax is linked to memory problems during withdrawal. Most people should experience their memory return to normal within a few months into withdrawal.
- Mood swings: Many people have experienced mood swings during withdrawal from benzodiazepines. These mood swings make actions unpredictable and can make recovery difficult because one minute you may feel good and the next very depressed.
- Muscle pain: You may experience an extensive amount of pain in your muscles or throughout the body. This could be a result of muscle tension and could also just be aches and pains of withdrawal.
- Nausea: You may feel nauseated for awhile and/or experience flu-like symptoms especially during the first few weeks of withdrawal.
- Nightmares: It is common to experience nightmares and other sorts of crazy dreams when coming off of Xanax.
- Palpitations: You may experience heart palpitations especially during the acute phase of withdrawal. These are sensations that your heart is beating rapidly, irregularly, or abnormally. These may drive you crazy because they can lead to further anxiety. They will eventually subside if you can relax.
- Panic attacks: Since this medication is used to treat panic, you are likely going to experience panic when coming off of it. The panic may be significantly worse than before you started taking Xanax. This is something that you will have to learn how to cope with. It will eventually go away and/or reduce in intensity, but during the initial withdrawal period it may be extreme.
- Perceptual changes: Changes in perception have been documented during withdrawal.
- Psychosis: Many people experience psychotic episodes as a result of withdrawing from Xanax. If you end up experiencing psychosis as a result of your withdrawal from Xanax, it could be due to the fact that you withdrew too fast. Psychosis as the result of withdrawal does not typically respond to an antipsychotic medication.
- Seizures: One of the huge dangers associated with not tapering off of Xanax is that of experiencing seizures. In cases of benzodiazepine dependency, seizures are a common withdrawal symptom if you cut bait with the medication cold turkey. This is not safe, so make sure you are slowly tapering off or “titrating” down to a lower dose over a period of time.
- Sleep disturbances: You may notice changes in your sleep patterns. It may be difficult to get a full night’s sleep and/or you may experience significant interruptions in your ability to stay asleep. These disturbances can make life even more stressful while trying to come off of Xanax.
- Suicidal thinking: The excessive anxiety may provoke thoughts of suicide and contribute to a person feeling trapped. During withdrawal, it may feel as if you are prisoner to the excessive nervousness, anxiety, and stress that you are experiencing. This will eventually get better, but in the meantime, make sure you have a coping strategy in case you start to feel suicidal.
- Sweating: Most people report extensive “night sweats” when coming off of Xanax. You may sweat excessively throughout the day, but most people report that their sweats throughout the night are significantly worse.
- Tingling sensations: You may feel tingling sensations across your body when you first come off of this medication. These sensations are not easy to deal with and may drive you crazy. Just recognize that this is a well-documented symptom of withdrawal that should be understood.
- Tremors: This is uncontrollable shaking usually in your hands and/or arms. The muscles contract and relax, sometimes in rhythmic frequencies. If these do not go away, you may need to conduct a slower taper.
- Vomiting: Some individuals end up puking as a result of the intense nausea that they experience. Although this isn’t a very common symptom, it has been reported.
Note: Following your last dose, Xanax stays in your system (along with its metabolites) for between 2 and 4 days. Some believe that discontinuation symptoms become most noticeable after it has been fully cleared from the body.
Xanax Withdrawal Timeline: How long does it last?
There is no specific timeline for withdrawal from Xanax. It may take one person a few weeks to overcome the withdrawal symptoms, while recovery for another person may take months or years. It is important to recognize that your experience with any medication is unique and cannot be generalized to everyone. Most researchers have found that people coming off of Xanax go through an “acute phase” (shorter term) which is sometimes followed by a “protracted phase” (longer term).
Acute phase
On average, withdrawal from Xanax lasts 2 months or more. A good rule of thumb I like to go by is the 90 day rule for any psychiatric medication. In most cases, withdrawal symptoms subside by the third month of not taking the medication. This is assuming that you gradually tapered off of the medication – not quit cold turkey. If you quit cold turkey, the withdrawal effects may linger for longer than just a few months.
Protracted phase
There is evidence of a protracted or extended withdrawal phase in which people experience effects for months if not years after their last dose. It is suggested that up to 15% of individuals who have taken Xanax could exhibit symptoms for an extended period of time. These symptoms typically include things like: insomnia, tinnitus, cognitive deficits, anxiety, jerks, muscle weakness, tremors, muscle pain, and tingling sensations. People may experience brain damage if they were taking high doses of Xanax over an extended period of time.
Full recovery
Most people will fully recover from their Xanax withdrawal, but it may take months or years. There is no telling when the person is going to return back to a completely normal state of functioning. If you are dealing with Xanax withdrawal, take the time to focus on engaging in healthy activities. Do things that are good for your mind and body such as: getting natural sunlight, socializing with others, staying busy (e.g. at a job), exercising, and eating healthy.
My personal experience coming off of Xanax
I had taken Xanax immediate release as well as the XR (extended release) version. I was on the immediate release version for about a year, and I took the XR version for about a year and a half. They worked wonders for my anxiety and honestly I don’t know that I would have been able to make it through a year of my high school without them. I was plagued by severe social anxiety as well as general anxiety. This drug did what it was intended to do – reduce my anxiety.
Coming off of it was no fun, but I was lucky that I wasn’t put on a super high dose. The withdrawal experience was nothing short of a nightmare for me being a teenager at the time, but it was still easier than Paxil. My withdrawal symptoms lasted for 6 to 8 months, so I am well aware that the process takes awhile. My doctor didn’t even tell me to taper off of the medication, so that probably made things worse than necessary. Always make sure that you taper off of these drugs so that you can avoid dangerous effects of quitting cold turkey.
If you have been withdrawing from Xanax and would like to share your personal experience, many people would appreciate it. Sharing your experience helps people realize that they are not alone in this struggle and that full recovery is possible. I am living proof that you can make it out from Xanax withdrawal.
I was only on xanax for six weeks, I had been on it in the past but very short time. I am currently on day 51 of xanax cold turkey and it has been hell. Most symptoms have left, but fluctuating blood sugar is my current symptom which is awful, because it can spiral quickly into a terrible episode. Though, they are getting shorter and less common. My tips are meditating daily it will change how you feel and will be able to separate withdrawal from your anxiety issues.
Eating in the morning is key and something that will keep your blood sugar level up such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. While staying hydrated and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. Keep a granola bar on hand for emergencies. My experience will be shorter due to the dosage and time I used but this sucks and have learned my lesson to never take these f*****g things again. I truly sympathizes anyone who is going through this.
I’m in the same boat. I only used it 3 times a day .25 and weaned myself off by the end of one month, I’m 7 weeks into it and still having issues sleeping and some tingling that comes and goes with stress.
So glad I found this site…I have been on xanax for over 20 years. I increased my dose years ago and then was on .25 every night but sometimes would wake up in 4 hours and take another 1/2 to sleep. I went through a year of depression and would take more on those days. After reading how bad benzos are I decided to quit cold turkey 3 weeks ago…the side effects are getting worse.
For me my body aches so bad I can’t move…I rollerblade 14 miles a few times a week and weight lift, I have a day or two where I can do this, but not regularly like I used to. The thing that is really bad is grinding my teeth,I am concerned about this as I’m pushing my new crowns out. Also tingling in my fingers, toes and tongue. Total loss of appetite or wanting to eat. I’m so tired I barely make it through work and come straight home and sleep a few hours and then am up for hours.
My psychologist gave me something else (not a benzo) for at night which helps, but again for a short period of time. The body aches, more like PAIN, are increasing, that I thought I may have a serious illness, but I see it’s part of this withdrawal. I went cold turkey off of effexor years ago, it was a weekend deal, night sweats, horrid dreams and insomnia. It only lasted a few days. At three weeks I feel like I’m getting worse. I have no desire to start the xanax again, but am not sure if I can function.
Also, my moods are up and down. No way I can be in a relationship right now so I’m becoming a loner and live alone. Just pushed a good guy away for no reason. I do need to eat better and am thinking of taking my week vacation off and go somewhere relaxing to see if that helps balance me off. I should have listened to my son who has been telling me to get off it for years, I had no idea what it was doing to me. Tired and sad in SRQ.
I have done the same things! This is horrible. I’ve simply tried to wean myself off of the small .25 3x/day dose that grew to a few more times/day. It has helped tremendously to have read these posts. It seems time is our friend.
Whew! I decided to read about your experiences because (obviously) I want to wean myself off the .5 mg of Alprazolam that I’ve been taking for the last 3 years. I only take it once a day at bedtime. I decided last week to cut the pill in half every day and have been experiencing twitches each night. I was worried that it was a sign of having a seizure, but see that it’s probably not. It’s probably just a withdrawal symptom. So far it’s really the only one I’ve had, but thank you all for sharing since if more symptoms pop up I won’t be so freaked out about it.
Thank you all for the comments here. I was taking xanax for approximately 25 years. I was on higher doses at times and got down to 1mg twice daily about a year ago. Recently I decided to try and stop all together. Lowered my dosage to .25 twice a day over a few months and stopped taking any 3 months ago in February. I don’t know what to do as I still have severe withdrawal symptoms and some are getting worse. Two in particular are constant ringing in my ears and a weird tingling pulsating like pressure in the top of my head.
Both are making it hard to get through the day with a smile. At night the ringing is worse when I try to go to sleep. It’s hell. I am tempted to try a .25mg pill to see if I feel better but trying to stay the course and hope this all goes away but feel like it never will. Other side affects include teeth clenching, depression, aches and pains throughout body, weight loss, etc. Nothing is worse than the ringing and head feeling. If others had this, how long does it last and what did you do?
Rodney, You probably withdrew a little fast, but understandably wanting to just get it over with. You were on xanax a very long time and there’s no way your side effects will end quickly. I personally think a slower taper would work for you, but taking it again might seem like moving backwards. Sleeping with a loud fan will help the tinnitus and other “noises” you hear. Taking a small amount and tapering slower is not the end of the world and might take another year or so. Good luck don’t give up :)
I’ve been taking 10 mg of Xanax a day for about 15 years. I find it terribly uncomfortable if I miss a dose or if I wait too long to take my next dose but I’ve decided that it’s time to get off of this. Reading these stories that that everyone talks about just makes it very scary to think about the idea of what and how long it may take for me to eliminate the symptoms. I want to get off of it I’m just not sure that I’d be able to handle the significant side effects that I may experience on 10 mg a day as compared to people that have only been on .5 mg a day. I’m going to talk to my doctor and try it but just not sure I’ll be able to handle it.
I have been off of xanax for 10 years, I also was prescribed it for 10 years. At first I was prescribed 0.5 mg @ 3 per day. The psychiatrist moved me up to 1 mg @ 3 a day, then topping out at a 3 mg (XR)-Extended Release. I had to quit cold turkey (I do not recommend this) the withdrawal was absolutely distressing. The withdrawal physically was painful, no sleep and no relief. Full recovery took about 6 years. If you’re on it get a doctor, and get off of it.
I feel like the “expert” on Xanax withdrawal, but by no means an expert on what to do! I’m 59 and was on 10 mg/day for the last years 20 years by prescriptions. Like many people I did not know this was a ridiculously high dose. I simply followed doctor’s and it enabled me to feel “normal”. And OMG did it help! I could sleep, I could focus, I could even speak publicly in the professional capacity I was working. I accomplished incredible things! Then my Dr. retired and I was faced with a withdrawal hell! I cannot find any doctor who will even help me with a low dose of Ativan which I tried once and it was great (but NO refills).
I’ve gone through all of the worst symptoms mentioned above. It puts my stomach in my chest to even think about the worst times. It has been 6 months and I still suffer from insomnia, confusion, muscle pain, horrible itching, blurred vision, nausea, headache, etc. etc. Now I have a psychiatrist who refuses to prescribe even a low dose of any benzos, but had me try seroquel for 2 weeks and it made me fall into a really deep depression and zapped all motivation and energy. Then I read about its withdrawals and they’re almost as bad as Xanax.
I see her next week and will tell her I can’t take seroquel. I’m sure she’ll have me “experiment” with something else. I feel like a guinea pig. I can’t replace her with a new Dr. until August (no one is taking new patients in this town). From searching the internet I’ve started taking lysine which is supposed to help with anxiety. Also Arginine, valerian and melatonin. Antihistamines don’t help me sleep unfortunately.
After reading all of the letters here and other sites’ info, I apparently am going to be one of the ones who takes years to finish withdrawal since I had such a high dose for so long. I’m angry yes! But more than that I’m scared! There must be some anxiety medicine that doesn’t have such a price to pay because I know after a whole lifetime of anxiety disorder I’m not going to change. If I make it through this you can. Don’t give up. Please!
Gloria, YAHWEH BLESS YOU. Yahweh is Hebrew for God. I cannot believe your quack doctor had you in such a high dose. Shame on that doctor. How are you now? I feel bad for you. So you quit cold turkey? I am still withdrawing after 3 months! No idea how much longer. I cling to prayer each day, God helps, Jesus gives me strength, still I crave Xanax, especially when I feel intense waves of despair, claustrophobia, paranoia, inability to focus, remember, etc. I’ll be your quit Xanax pal on, one, we can share in mutual torments that take place because of this dangerous pill. Stay praying to stay strong! Sincerely, Stefanie.
This is a deadly drug, Xanax. I overtook the medicine, but my addictive personality along with multiple illnesses, compelled me. This medicine put me in a hospital as I withdrew. A mental hospital. Where by the way they did not ween me off the drug at all. For a full week I was locked up having panic attacks, missing my kids, staring out of the window most the nights. Benzodiazipines should be off the drug market simply due the damage they can do to the human brain. God bless all of us going through forced protracted withdrawals. It is an inhumane position I am in. Don’t end up here!
What Hell. Over 10 years on this medication. Severe panic attacks and anxiety. I turned 30 this year and have been determined to quit this drug. Dosage has been from 5mg 3x a day. One year I was up to 1mg 3x a day. Now I’m currently down to one .25 a day. What a damn roller coaster ride! Its been literally hell. I’m of average or above average health for my age. I stay pretty active and even run. Here’s my a quick rundown of my journey of quitting Xanax and symptoms.
The winter was extremely horrible. There were days I felt like I wanted to die. The psychological problems were almost too hard to cope with. Anxiety increased. Panic attacks stayed the same weirdly enough. I would have one every two weeks roughly. Hard to focus. Hard to relax. Hard to work. Hard to be a husband. Hard to be a friend. Memory problems. When I first started tapering from .5 3x a day. I went to .5 2x a day for week and then down to 1 .5 a day.
Eventually I’ve gotten down to 1 .25 a day, but it has taken me since October 2014 to get this far. Where I’m at now: My side effects seem to be lowering but it might be permanent damage I feel. The reason I say that, is bc I’m having issues that seem to not disappear. One side effect or possible long term issue is a tingling sensation in my face. It’s almost like my forehead and cheeks have went numb and that I’ve lost some control over facial muscles.
I’m not a doctor, however this side effect has been lingering since the start of it. I’ve also went to doctor about it. He mentioned it could be caused by anxiety. MRI came back negative. I’ve also noticed it’s easier to cope, when I’m busy. Staying busy and keeping your mind on anything but this…will help you to recovery, IMO. Has anyone heard of the face issue or am I just completely crazy? One more thing – when I first started tapering, I thought I had everything known to man as diseases or mental problems.
I’ve come to find out, as the months went on, it’s just your mind saying you can’t live without the pills. It’s a bad chemical reaction going on in your brain, dealing with the absence of its fix. I think of it like someone addicted to nicotine. Same concept but 100x more powerful and harder to cope with (I quit smoking 7 years ago). I would appreciate any and all comments. This journey truly is a hard one and I know this from personal experience!
I also had tingling in my tingue and lips for over a year. I’m now over a 1 1/2 years into withdrawals and still have problems with insomnia, memory and just a feeling of being uncomfortable most of the time. I was prescribed 1mg 3 a day but took up to 8 a day for many tears. Symptoms fade VERY slowly. Sometimes in can take a couple of months to notice any improvement. Sometimes things will improve for a few days and then return worse and regress for a week or 2.
This last week has been the best so far. Last night I couldn’t sleep well and today my ears are ringing loudly. Only in the past week my ears felt bearable. Stay away from people and things that piss you off which will cause your symptoms to worsen. I still wonder if things will return to normal. On the positive side I feel like I have got my life back and look forward to future years without this terrible addiction. Good luck to all attempting quit and know the hell DOES get better but VERY slowly.
I have a question for those of you who have successfully quit Xanax, have your original issues with anxiety and panic attacks returned? I’m afraid to quit this medication because I may not be able to cope with the symptoms it was originally meant for.
I have been taking Xanax 1mg – 1x/night for about 3 years. I recently started weaning off of them, because over the weekend I ran out and had no refills, so I decided it was time to get off of them. But I had no choice than to stop “cold turkey.” My worst day/ night was the second day without taking any. I had extreme fogginess, the worst headache ever, especially that night before bed. I felt as if my head was on fire. Flu-like symptoms all day. Since I knew that I would suffer from insomnia, I took 2 benadryl and also made me a cup of Linden Tea.
It helps calm your nerves and helps you relax. So I really recommend anyone who is going through this to consider trying out this tea. Along with benadryl or the generic antihistamine pills also help. You can find it at Walmart. There’s also other types of “bedtime teas” that you can find that has “Valerian Root” which also helps you sleep. If you prefer it in a pill form, you can also look for “Valerian Root” or “Melatonin” in the vitamins section. Since I know from personal experience that the insomnia is extreme, I take either of these along with 2 antihistamines so I can get some sleep.
I have noticed that the other symptoms are at its worst when my body hasn’t slept. So for those of you who have had no sleep, I seriously suggest that you take something to help get some sleep and maybe your other symptoms will subside some. Its very difficult especially if you have small children who need you. Another thing I suggest is taking vitamins in the morning. Me personally, I take my prenatal. But Centrum is good for anyone.
There’s also some ginko biloba drops that I get from my chiropractor which help bring you back some from that fogginess/ zombie like feeling. I hope this info is helpful for some of you. It doesn’t hurt to try different things that may help ease some symptoms. Good luck to us all who are really trying to come off of this awful medication. Please stay motivated and have faith that you can and will get through it!!
I was taking up to 10-20 mg a day at my worst point. I had a meltdown and quit cold turkey about three months ago. After experiencing the absolute worst withdrawals, I finally started feeling human again…Until about a month ago. All I can think about is xanax throughout the day. I am now seeing a psychologist and have an appointment with a psychiatrist this week. I have no energy, I cry on a daily basis, I have had suicidal thoughts (although I’d never follow through with them), my mind is so foggy… the list goes on and on. This drug is poison and I cannot wait to finally overcome this horrible addiction. It is such a relief reading other people’s experiences who can relate, because absolutely no one in my life can.
I have been on xanax (upjohn 90s) for over three years, one tablet at night to help me sleep and help anxiety but I am self medicating (buying tablets from a friend who gets them) and have never been to a doctor about this as I find it too hard discussing my past and don’t want to incriminate myself. I am perfect while on that dosage, able to work and function normally but have cut down to half a tablet at night and want to come off them gradually. As I don’t want to go doctors, I have no idea how long or what kind of side effects I should expect. I desperately want to get off them but am very scared of what’s to come. Could someone please let me know if that is a high dosage or not as I have no idea?!
Weaning off Xanax… Yikes!
My docs prescribed both ambien and xanax to me. I took ambien for 4-1/2 months not realizing at the time that it was making me so sick with gastrointestinal issues, my body started to shut down and I quit eating. I kept taking ambien because it relieved me from my daytime misery. I was anxious about my condition because it was undiagnosed. Doc said my problems were all in my head. Wrong!!!
Went to another doc for help and explained all the symptoms: burning swelling in mouth and tongue, white tongue, stomach ache, nausea, gastric reflux. The new doc was also clueless and said she did not know what was causing my sickness. But she said you are anxious, so I will give you anxiety medicine and she prescribed xanax. I took xanax for 2 weeks and went crazy. I started stumbling, could not get words of mouth, had emotional breakdowns, had memory loss.
I quit both ambien and xanax on 9/22/14 without medical guidance and it has been a hellish experience. I have suffered from chronic insomnia, chest pain, blurry vision and many other withdrawal effects. I continue to struggle every day and after 5 months, I still have insomnia and blurred vision although some of the other symptoms have subsided. I am 63 years old and was very healthy prior to taking drugs. These drugs are so dangerous especially for older people who don’t have the resiliency to make a comeback.
I quit CT almost 48 hrs ago. Took approx .5-1mg daily the past 2 years. I’m experiencing severe anxiety, chest heaviness, sinus pressure, tingling, visual disturbances, sensitivity to everything, and agoraphobia. I’m afraid of seizing and pray that I don’t. How does one even know if they’re going to? My biggest fear is feeling this way, everyday… or not living through it.
I’ve been taking about 1 mg daily (recreationally) for almost 1 1/2 months. I know my duration isn’t as long as most people and so my withdrawal won’t be as hard but I cut my use down to 0.5 mg daily about a week ago and just noticed higher anxiety for awhile and constant foot tapping and a burst of depression, but yesterday was my last day to take it as I realized the dangers of taking xanax for protracted periods of time. It’s been 33 hours since I last took any. I know it’s not very long but I’m going cold turkey and although I don’t think it’ll be as bad as some people’s withdrawals and I’ll be out of town for vacation for 10 days, I’m hoping that I don’t experience many of the harsher symptoms.
I have been taking alprazolam for 15 yrs. I used them so I could sleep in the daytime for work. I also used 2mg at night for sleep. I decided to stop taking them. I quit cold turkey, and may I say, it wasn’t much fun!! Into week three of withdrawal and am steadily getting better!! I would not recommend cold turkey!! It was tough, but I made it!! Severe headaches and upset stomach!!! Senses also were altered, seems as if my body had to reset again!! Bad stuff, if you’re on it, you better get off of it!! Can’t wait to have control of my body again!
Hello out there. I took alprazolam for about 11 years. Started with 4mg per day and ended with about 6mg a day of the XR type for the last 3 years. It stopped controlling my anxiety and I found alcohol replaced the effectiveness of the Xanax. Then I became dependent on the 2 to be able to function. One morning on a day off I called my daughter at 9am stinking drunk. She called my wife and was admitted into a chemical dependency hospital for 4 days. That was the last time I took a Xanax or drank alcohol.
After day 25 I am still having withdrawals. Increased heart rate, dizziness, out of body feeling like a rocking sensation, speaking clearly is a major problem, racing mind, sleeplessness, shakiness, I could go on. Went back to work after 3 weeks off and have difficulty functioning. I’ve read this could go on for up to a year. I am just happy to be alive. I know when this is all over that I’ll be normal again. Just takes time.
Your brain has to learn processes all over again. Reading other people’s experiences from withdrawing from these 2 horrible drugs have eased my mind a lot. Know you’re not alone out there and life will return to normal. Each to there own is what I’ve came up with as to how long this will last. Drink lots of water! It helps. Also found that benadryl helps with sleepless nights. Good luck everyone!
It’s been a rough 6 months. Out of no where, I had a panic attack one night and had severe anxiety after that. Started out on .5 mg 3x a day and when that wasn’t cutting it I got up to 3 mg a day. Doc then put me on Lexapro and after about a week that kicked in and I could tell that I didn’t need the Xanax anymore but had issues with stopping cold turkey. Over the course of a month I got down to taking .25 mg 2X and after doing that for about week.
I then cut it down to taking .25 mg one time a day and then went to half that one time a day for about a week. At this point, I stopped taking it and have been off it for about a week and doing pretty good. My withdrawal symptoms while tapering down involved: nausea, feeling depressed, mild anxiety, trouble sleeping through the night, and loss of appetite. I’m glad I’m now off it and feeling pretty good.
I went off of Xanax in December of 2014. I had been on it for over 30 years. I was taking 1 milligram per day, and then tapered it down to 1/4 Mill per day for a short time. I then stopped it completely in December. I am now suffering with a very unsettling experience on a daily basis. I feel like my body is coming off of a large shot of novocaine. My face feels tingly, and my scalp, and arms and hands. I am irritable and jumpy. I have a dull headache on a daily basis. I do not have problems sleeping, however I break out in sweats at any given time. Is anyone else having these symptoms?
Deborah I am glad to see someone else who has been on it as long as I have. I have started to get off Xanax recently. It is so very hard to do. You are describing how I feel now. What you are feeling is normal for Xanax. They say it takes a while to get over the withdrawals. I wish I had never been put of Xanax and I am so afraid of those panic attacks coming back. Good luck. Keep in touch. -Mary
Hi Guys, just an update on my progress, back in the 12th of January my dosage was .5 mcgs 3 x per day, on that date I halved my dosage down to .75 mcgs 3 x per day, then on 2nd February I decided I wanted of Xanax completely so I just stopped taking them. Since the 12th of January I’ve been going through some pretty bad withdrawal symptoms, but I’m managing them all pretty well. It hasn’t been the nicest of times but with each day that goes by things seem to improve.
I’ve been completely off Xanax for 7 days now and I know I’m not completely done with withdrawals yet. While withdrawing, whenever I’ve felt like panic attacks and anxiety are coming on, I’ve been using my mind to talk myself out of attacks. Today isn’t one of my best days since coming off but I’m soldiering on. I’ve been working full-time while coming of as well which I think having something to do has helped take my mind off of withdrawal symptoms. Cheers! -Beejay
I’ve talked to a number of people about this topic and I also work in the drug treatment industry. As such, I’m going to try to give everyone the “real deal” on withdrawing from benzo’s. Here’s what I’ve found and some tips for withdrawing (not always in this order):
1. If you can, try to move to Clonazempam or another longer lasting but not as intense benzo to start a graduated withdrawal.
2. Start taking the levels down at about .5 milligrams a week or 2 at a time so that you withdraw at a good pace while not overdoing it.
3. Judge your withdrawal based on how your body and mind feels vs what you have to do for yourself, family, etc. If you don’t have anything to be accountable for you can try to quit at home or you should try to do an in-patient program. We all know which one is better of course.
4. Taper down and make sure you hit a point of discomfort so you’re making progress. There’s a reason why it’s a withdrawal. There rarely is a withdrawal from drugs or alcohol without some pain associated with it.
5. See if you can obtain (legally) a prescription for Clonidine, Gabapentin and your benzo (it’s much easier to withdraw if you know that there are plenty of Xanax’s, etc. left). Take the first 2 as directed and try to save your benzo’s for the long-term to use ONLY as needed, not everyday like you did before. Also take a multi-vitamin and eat right everyday. Get some exercise and do other healthy activities daily.
6. Remember that YOU are unique and that you aren’t necessarily going to have the same symptoms as the next person. Try to stay focused and positive. Don’t “self-actualize” other people’s supposed “suffering” from withdrawal as being something you will have to endure because the fact is you probably won’t experience “hell on Earth” and other negative things unless you “psyche” yourself into it by telling yourself it will happen.
7. You’ve read all of the symptoms from others so I won’t say exactly what you should expect plus there’s no telling what you should expect. Most people I’ve met tell me it wasn’t so bad in retrospect. Once you get there you’ll see the road wasn’t as tough as you thought.
8. Stay positive and focused on treatment and recovery from this. Don’t focus on how supposedly “bad” withdrawal is. Try to put positive things in your head and not the negative things you read about. This post is intended to be positive for those of you withdrawing.
9. Pray to God. Yes to God, because you will get strength from Him. If you don’t believe in God, you can meditate or do something else that brings strength.
10. Think about the positive people in your life who have encouraged you to quit using. Think about the great things that will come to you once you’re off of medications. Once you do succeed at this make sure to help others so that you continue your recovery and make yourself feel like you accomplished something greater than yourself.
11. Attend AA/NA meetings other self-help group therapy’s, out-patient treatment, etc. And bring a signature sheet to everything you do. Hang your signature sheet up on your wall so you can see what you’ve accomplished.
12. Do your best and post you’re results in groups like this one so others can see how well you did and can seek advice from you.
Overall, make sure you do what you need to do to quit. Stay healthy, take some other ancillary medications to help with the sting, stay focused, be determined to beat this, help others as you come across opportunities to help, seek help from those close to you and just make sure to stay positive in general. With drugs like Xanax which “play with your mind”, the drug itself and the symptoms of withdrawing are only as bad as your mind makes them out to be. Certainly there are things you will have to go through, but don’t overemphasize or dwell on them. You can turn the tables on many of the withdrawal issues by simply thinking about other things, etc. Good luck to all of you!
My gratitude to each of you… Who knew when I followed my physician’s advice 20 years ago (!) by popping my first xanax that I could be writing my own ticket to Alzheimer’s?! Yep… I’ve been on it for 20 years, steadily building up from 0.25 1x/daily IF needed to 0.25 4x/daily ALWAYS needed because I became an addict. I actually took all four tablets at bedtime so I could sleep. But since the link to Alzheimer’s was revealed and my doctor tapered me off, sleep has become nothing but a distant memory.
It’s 2:33am right now, my jaws are tight with tension, my joints ache and my mind races over all I should be doing right now, while I logically realize that even though I can’t sleep, I should try to rest. I’m exhausted. The rest of you sound so young. I’m 65. I need to sleep. I need the cures to stop being worse than the diseases. I need to be able to trust my doctors. I followed the rules, tapered off properly under my MD’s supervision, and I’ve been off over 6 weeks.
I’m so silly!! I thought I’d kicked this monster when I stopped taking it. Until I did my own research I wasn’t certain all my symptoms were from the extended and ongoing withdrawal. Wow! I’d speculated that my insomnia was from the xanax and my doc didn’t fully commit. He prescribed another pill that was useless. As Ambien and the other drugs within its class have also been found to “cause Alzheimer’s” (according to my doc), I won’t be taking those either. I don’t know how long the human body can go without sleep and continue to function normally? Do any of you? Again, thanks for posting this.
First and foremost, I have no idea how anyone takes 5mg a day like Frank^ or 10-16mg like Jeff. Going cold turkey after that amount everyday is unimaginable. I have been taking Xanax on and off since 16. It has now been 9 years and I can take from 2mg a day to .5 mg a day. When I think about it, Xanax is worst than most controlled substances. From XR to instant release, yellow, green, white, blue all sorts. Recreational use turned into a everyday habit.
I may add that I had anxiety but no panic attacks but I did request to receive this medication. I know how it feels to “try” and stop taking Xanax. It is a dreadful feeling but explained in the beginning, everyone is different. Friends have had seizures and I am scared of getting one. So I have been trying to taper off of it now, but it affects my life along with my work. I have not taking it today so far, my symptoms are anxiety, my legs feel like rubber, shaky hands, and more.
I regret taking Xanax as it does affect your ability to think and act-when not on it. When I was off Xanax 2 years ago for an month or 2, thinking was sharper, your vocabulary increased, and I actually feel like a decent human being – this was before I would receive substantial withdrawal symptoms. Now if I were to stopo cold turkey, I would probably turn off my phone and just stay at home and not talk to anyone. I wish I stopped when I had the chance last year. I also drink when I take Xanax…every time.
I need to get off, but deciding to taper off. One thing I noticed is that I actually had a dream. I do not remember having a dream in ages. A full night’s sleep is impossible if I do not take a Xanax of any certain amount. I also can’t eat nor can I work and I sit right next to my boss. I recommend exercising (if you can). I just wanted to share my story and will take everyone’s experience and feedback into consideration…which will be not to go CT. Everyone will have a different withdrawal, I hope mine doesn’t last to long. Good luck everyone.
It’s easy to end up on doses over 4 mg per day David. My doctor originally prescribed me 1mg tabs to use as needed, and 13 years ago I had a 4mg a day habit. I’ve successfully dropped my dosage from 1.5 mgs per day down to .75 mgs per day over the last 2 weeks with pretty bad withdrawals. Its been 14 days for me today and I’m starting to feel better even though I know there’s a long way to go yet. It’s completely do-able, you just need to be in the right frame of mind and use will power and healthy living while you are coming down of this “prick of a drug.” Good luck mate.
Hi Guys, I was put on Xanax after suffering panic disorder back in 1998, my dose was 1mg 3 x a day, fixed the problem first couple of years but ended up self upping my dosage to 1mg 4 x a day after 2 years because wasn’t getting the same buzz from the drug as I did when I first started taking it. In 2002 my doctor tried to get me to taper of and I succeeded and went from 4mgs a day down to 1.5 mgs a day and have been in 1.5 mgs a day from 2002 to 2014.
I should have kept going with the tapering back then but thought I had come so far of the drug, I was happy to just stay on the reduced dosage. I’ve just decided that I want to get completely of this drug and I’m sure I will as I quit smoking (60 smokes a day) in 2009 while I was on Xanax so I know I have strong will power. In the last 3 days I’ve halved my .5 mgs 3 times a day down to .25 mgs 3 times a day or every 8 hours. The withdrawal effects are all there, dry mouth, numb face, lips, tongue, fingers, confusion you know the drill.
Having been on 4 mgs a day and now down to .75 mgs per day and still suffering from withdrawals, I cant stress enough how important tapering of this drug is. I’ve been constantly on this drug from 1998 until now and I can tell you its not the end of the world and its definitely possible to get off, you just need to speak to your doctor first before you start coming off it to get the right advice. Good luck with your withdrawals guys, each day it gets easier…(:
I’m on day 9 withdrawal of my low dose recreational use of Xanax. I’ve used off and on for a few years mostly off. I took between .25mg to 1mg Xanax a day for three weeks tops at a time. I am mostly not on this drug for weeks at a time but the last use of Xanax sent me into dependence. My symptoms are insomnia, tinnitus, mild depression but that has eased up mostly. I did a mild taper of .25mg for about a week then quit cold turkey.
My sleep cycle is really messed up and the tinnitus is annoying. I have good days and bad days I suggest avoiding caffeine, sugar and processed foods especially msg. Take supplements like magnesium and eat healthy like protein, veggies and fruit. I have not tried to work out yet but will soon as I’m sure that helps out. Take it one day at a time and you will get through it. I will never take Xanax ever again I can promise you that.
This was very well written and very informative, thank you. I have been abusing xanax, on and off, for over 15 years. I would go on a one month binge of an extremely high dosage. 10-16mg daily (throughout a 24 hour period). Sometimes, during theses binges, I would take up to and even more than 30mg throughout a 24-36 hour period. I would end up in complete blackouts especially if I drank alcohol on them. It’s amazing I never overdosed and that I am still alive!!
I was a severe drug addict. These binges would only last a month because my family would see me in this sedated zombie like state and send me to treatment. After a month on these high dose binges the withdrawal was not that bad. Anxiety, nausea, and muscle cramps that did not last more than a week or two. From what I hear everyone detoxes differently though. Currently I am on day three of a two month binge. I convinced a doctor within two months to prescribe me 45 2mg xanex a month.
And I had outside dealers who sold xanax at $4-5 for 2mg pills and $1 a piece for 1mg pills. I stayed on a high dose daily for two months. Like I said I am on day three cold turkey. The worst symptom so far has been nausea. It has been an awful flu-like symptom. I am also going through a very deep depression. I have been staying at my parents because I am to afraid to be alone. Some muscle cramps, knees are killing me.
With all this being said, the withdrawal has not been as bad as I have read. Good luck to all of you out there getting off this horrible drug. The only reason they prescribe xanax is because it works for panic disorder like nothing else does. Otherwise I can’t believe they prescribe this drug. In the long run it is so bad for you physically and mentally!!
I wanted to update everyone on my progress. First of all, I never said why such a low dosage affects me so severely. I’m very sensitive to any type of drug..ANY (except alcohol, can drink more than anyone and remain relatively sober). So, for me, a low dosage was the same as a person who can handle higher dosages. Secondly, I took well below what my Dr. prescribed which is why I thought it was safe.
Anyway, after another 4 weeks, I adjusted to the .125. The ear ringing, confusion, lack of appetite, and severe insomnia backed down. Now, two days of half of that I’m feeling confident that the end of the drug all together is right around the corner. MY COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS ARE RETURNING. Very important for us in Xanax recovery to know that it does improve, but very slowly. The ear ringing and head pressure is getting better, too.
Still fighting the agoraphobia that I never had until the withdrawal. Sleep is there, just broken all night, not great dreams. The most important thing to remember about stopping this drug is TAPERING. Do not stop cold turkey and expect not to have protracted withdrawal. I know quitting cold turkey is tempting because you just want to get out of this hell, but the brain and body will work more in sync with you if you taper. Don’t give up!
I empathize with everyone who’s posted on this site as I’m in the same boat too. I’ve used .5 mg Xanax for years recreationally and for the past few months, attained 2mg bars in which I would take about 3 times per day, everyday. I’ve quit cold turkey 7 days ago and have literally questioned my sanity everyday since then. My hands and feet have felt swollen, my body has been surging with heat, I’ve been up for 3 days straight now and am still wide awake, my mind has been racing with thoughts that create the most intense anxiety I’ve ever experienced before, and the list goes on.
My lust for life has faded and I’ve been asking myself why I’m still here (though I would never harm myself.) I know these are all temporary repercussions of abusing this drug and know that for all of us, this too shall pass. Stay strong my dear friends. We’ll get through this together and will emerge more willful individuals (to say the least!) Keep your heads high in anticipation that tomorrow is a new day. Love and Light to you all.
I am so encouraged by everyone’s comments and experiences. I have been on .5 mg for over 20 years to help with sleep an panic attacks. My Dr. retired, so now I am seeing a new (younger) med professional. She has been against my continued use. Long story short, she wouldn’t renew my script, but nobody bothered to let me know that until I had been out of medicine for 3 days.
I am on day 4 of CT, and am having a few weird experiences. Colors seem brighter, I’m having minor feelings of panic, but I figured out a good combo to help me sleep. Melatonin & Benadryl together did the trick and I was able to get a good night’s sleep last evening. Thanks again for everyone’s helpful words. I’m looking forward to getting through this.
Today I am so happy about my withdrawal progress! It has been aprox. 14 months since my last dose of 4mgs. daily and today I awoke with my ears ringing only a fraction of what has been normal and the intense feeling inside has finally diminished to a level that I can feel comfortable. I know things will return again for a few days at a time but knowing I can feel normal again means everything.
I’ve been taking .25 xanax every morning for two and half years to help with my morning IBS-D. It’s generally enough to calm my intestines down and control the anxious thoughts. I typically never need more than .25, however, there are times I’ll need another .25 for several days, then I’m back down to .25. I’ll need .75 for a full blown PA (maybe every two- three months). I’d like to taper off, but I’m afraid of the W/Ds. Do you think my tiny dosages will cause W/D’s or a seizure? Thanks!
Does anyone know what the long-term effects are after stopping Xanax? I was taking extremely high doses every day (seriously abusing the drug) for years, and I have been off of the drug for five years in February. I experienced 10 days of acute withdrawal symptoms, which lingered afterward for a bit (more mental than physical, and more as a result of drug use in general–I was a polysubstance abuser).
I am 23, used to have an amazing short-term memory capacity, and now I cannot remember something someone told me to do 4 minutes ago. My long term and working memory are both completely fine, and function excellently. I am also wondering if there are long term alterations of neurotransmitter patterns in the brain. Please send links! Thank you.
Most notably, increased anxiety and memory impairment, but this is generally temporary. Additionally, there is sufficient evidence linking sedative hypnotics (e.g. Xanax) to development of dementia. Understand that this does not happen to everyone, it just increases risk 2-fold. My guess is that the memory impairment will eventually improve with time, you are still young. Best of luck.
Thank God for this website and honest posts. I have been going crazy and was only on Xanax .5 for 7.5 months before trying to quit (since Aug. 20th 2014). I have had every severe side effect short of seizures, and go through hell with every little chop off of the little pink demons. Any doctor who would prescribe this medication for any thing other than a one time panic attack should be forced to get on them long term, then off just to teach them a lesson in ethics. I had no idea what I was getting into and now it takes every bit of strength not to just give in and up my current .125 back to .25 especially at night just to sleep.
Here are just some of the symptoms I experience that my foggy brain and shaky fingers can muster for you: Insomnia, Shakiness, Cold-like symptoms (especially nasal), Intestinal distress and nausea, Impaired cognitive function (dropped my classes, but I’ve always been smart and sharp, now people can tell something is off), Blurry vision, Tinnitus, Head pressure, Muscle cramps (esp legs), Hallucinations, Sleep apnea, Impaired motor function (including driving or multi-tasking), Overly sensitive to sounds and smells, Depression and crying spells, Not enjoying anything that I use to. There is more to put on this list, but I’m too tired to write more. Thank you all, including the author of the article, for your help and honesty it gives me enough hope to keep going.
I’m not sure when you wrote this post, but it has sure helped me tremendously because those are the exact same symptoms I am going through right now and I was thinking of taking a small dose to return to some sort of normalcy, but now I have been given the strength to continue on without. It’s so bizarre because I wake up and wonder where my personality, interests and hobbies, passion and drive went…
I can barely drive let alone go to school because I simply do not care. My brain is in such a foggy state and although it gets better day by day, I feel that my days are more like weeks since I am no longer doing things that make my life meaningful. Never again taking this drug, evil.
I just happened to go online and find this older post of mine to update after all this time (December 22, 2014 was my final .6 dosage, I know that’s low but for me necessary to maintain my sanity). After about 4 months of 0 mgs I am back to normal and only have a few occasional symptoms (esp. “trails” of things when it’s dark and my eyes have been working hard). I feel there are still some mild issues that will get better like a lack of motivation and slight fear of going out, but I had a bit of that before the xanax anyway, just not as bad.
I would never wish the withdrawal I went through on anyone, but now that it’s over…DON’T GIVE UP…IT WILL BE OVER. I can’t stress that enough, you just have to be strong and take the smallest dosage you can handle and lessen it every week or two and deal with the side effects so that you can be free from that hell-to-get-off-of-drug. I am no longer a prisoner in my own brain watching everyone else in the world walk by wishing I could be them. It’s Over!!! Good luck and stay strong :)
The best thing I can say to people who are experiencing the craze of Zanax withdrawals, is that it does pass. Here are a few things that made it bearable on the second time I quit cold turkey. Go for brisk walks, if you are fit, hit that gym hard – about 3 hours before you want to sleep. Avoid sugar and caffeine, and if you are a smoker, try not to smoke, you are better off not using ANY stimulants during this time. Cigarettes made me feel more manic, at least it was so in my case. Fresh cooked veg and protein, avoid breads and carbohydrates junk food during this time. Your body needs the veggies to heal. Do not take multivitamins, eat the real thing. The synthetic Vitamin B will act as a stimulant during this time.
I know this sounds like ridiculous advice, but I assure you that I have been through it before, and this is what worked for me in the past 12 days. Your body is extremely sensitive to any stimulants and a can of coke can send you on a spin. Its tough, but you can do these things to make it easier. Avoid arguments, confrontations,watching hectic TV shows and people that p*ss you off. Good luck, it’s tough, but so are you. Kick its *ss.
Thanks Nick J. I was beginning to think some of these feelings I have been having we’re just me. Now if I can convince my husband to understand. He doesn’t like these pills. Thanks again, theresa
Nick j. Best advice I’ve seen.
Great advice Nick. I have been off xanax for 9 years. I can still remember how the addiciation made me feel. It isn’t an easy battle to overcome but (IMO) is worth the fight. I look back to the person I was while taking xanax and wonder who that person was because it sure wasn’t me. Good luck to anyone coming off xanax, it will be worth it and you will be glad you did. I know I am.
Awesome advice nick! I have been off Xanax for 12 days and couldn’t figure out why, once I got up I felt OK but at some points throughout the day I would feel the symptoms come on HARD. IT IS THE DAMN SODA AND CIGARETTES!!!! Now that I think about it, I can deal with the withdrawals until I smoke or have a soda. Then it gets uncontrollable. I am going to try to have no soda and cigarettes tomorrow and see if I can get a day where I can control the symptoms. I was on 2mgs per 3x a day for around 2 and a half years.
I went to an in patient detox for a 5 days and they gave me librium, which helped. And now I have been out of there for a week and feel ALL the symptoms of withdrawal and it is terrible, but I say F*** THIS DRUG!!!! I’M GONNA KICK ITS A**! I just wanna say to everybody that reads this… I have felt the worst of all the symptoms, and I feel like hell, including an episode of psychosis, but I keep telling myself that it’s all part of the recovery process. You are stronger than this drug. AND IT HAS HELP ME TONS! Don’t think about how you’re feeling right now, rather think about how you will feel once you make your full recovery. Like nick said: KICK ITS A**!
I don’t want to seem rude and please don’t take this the wrong way but ARE YOU SERIOUS??? If I was that health conscience, disciplined and strong willed, I probably would never have had to use any of these types of drugs in the first place. This is day six for me CT and my dosage was up to (but as needed) 6 mg’s daily. A very major thing that isn’t mentioned much on these sites is that today’s doctors are not keeping their patients as well educated as they should about these meds, the possibility of physical addiction and what “could” happen if you stopped taking them CT.
My eldest daughter who is an ER Nurse (and thinks she knows everything about the human body/mind) kept bugging me about taking Xanax in the first place that I went and dumped them out. So now b/c I thought I had something I had to prove to her, I seriously feel as if I need to be hospitalized. I would never have set myself up for possibly the worst physical trauma I’ve experienced so far in my 60 years (YES, including natural childbirth 5 times). This is horrible and I have no idea how to fix this.
Have been on .25 mg for over 5 years now on an “as needed” basis. Would only take when anxiety or insomnia came on. I started having night sweats 4 years ago and could not attribute it to menopause (done with that 10 years ago). When I wouldn’t take the .25 I couldn’t sleep. I cannot take ambien or any other sleeping agent because it seems to totally mess up my body clock. Now that I’m trying to rid my body of this drug, I can’t sleep and have terrible night sweats. Nick (above) has given me the best advice. I will eat better, exercise more and beat this thing. My doctor never told me the down side of Xanax, but I’m determined to win anyway.
Good advice Nick. I read that it is stored in your fat and a lot of water won’t really help that much but sure doesn’t hurt. Seems like zipping up the metabolism naturally by a lot of exercise should help a lot, also to help you get tired and sleep better. I only took .25 mg a night for sleep over 7 or so years. My body seemed to need more.
I didn’t like that so I googled it and wow this is a bad ass drug. My friends were a little surprised my doc would prescribe it for so long. I won’t be going back to her. If I had known, I never would have taken it. I read that I should taper off so I did over 3 weeks Cuz I wasn’t taking that much. It has been 14 days since I took the last bit and I still have a low grade brain ache and trouble sleeping.
I don’t want to take anything else like Amien…as IT is also a habit forming drug but not as bad as Xanax. I use Abra bath salts to help me sleep. It has valerian, poppy, lavender etc. Alternate that with 2 benadryls. Melatonin too… Less than 5 mg a night. Don’t ever want to have to take something like that for sleep again.
I see the amounts some of you have taken and I can only imagine the time you must be having. My heart goes out to all of you. I see a lot of potential for malpractice lawsuits. Google your doctor too. Can be very informative…
Yup. I totally agree. Drink a lot of water too! Like a gallon a day. No caffeine. No refined sugar or HFCS. No cigarettes and stay away from anything that causes you anxiety. People. Sounds. Places.
Im on week 2 of quitting CT. I had every withdrawal symtom described. Cold sweats, depression, seizures. I scared the sh#t out of my family with the seizures. I wish I would have never been prescribed this med for GAD. I’m worse off now than I have ever been.
Oh I’m sorry to hear that Patty! I have been taking Xanax for apx. 10 years when my son went to war. I was a total basket-case and cry myself to sleep each night until I was prescribed Xanax. I had ran out of Xanax on a weekend and on the first night of not having one tablet in 24 hours I had a seizure that lasted over five minutes. I lost consciousness, I was then incoherent & confused once they revived me. I didn’t know the year nor the current president.
Thank God my daughter was home and she called 911 although it terrified her! My blood pressure dropped to 79/48. I was quickly rushed to the ER by ambulance. They did 2 CAT scans. Today I saw a neurologist and now have to go thru a MRI & EEG. I have great medical insurance but my co-pays for the ambulance & these tests will be in the thousands. I would have never started this medication if I had known that this could cause potential lethal withdrawals.
How was the seizure treated???
I have taken the alprazolam ER 2mg every morning and a 2 mg xanex at night for about 7 years now. I would like to get pregnant in the next year and am attempting to taper off. It’s been one month and I feel like the withdrawals haven gotten worse. I constantly feel like I drank a bottle of salt and drink water consistently all day. This has made my teeth start to hurt.
My anxiety is so bad I feel like I’m going to shut down and sometimes feel like someone punched me in the chest. I really hope this doesn’t last for months or years. :/ One good thing is that I’ve noticed my vocabulary has increased (as I used to forget words often) and I do not fall asleep during the day anymore. I use to have to take naps in my car or could fall asleep mid conversation almost like I was narcoleptic. I’m scared this will effect me getting pregnant or having a healthy baby. I wish someone explained how hard it is to get off 7 years ago :(
I’ve taken 5mg. Every day for the past 10yrs. I quit cold turkey and wouldn’t recommend it. Can’t sleep for days at a time. Then might get a half hour then a hour over time and slowly start to get about 4 hours a night. Sweating, muscle jerking, startled by every noise, flinching at any motion near me, ringing in the ears, dizziness when standing up, winded from the slightest bit of movement, taste of metal in my mouth, watering eyes, feeling of being bloated, thoughts that I might never be the same as I was before I started taking Xanax, no motivation for work of any kind, hands feel swollen, mind races, fidgeting constantly, motor skills are totally off for everything, overestimate every movement. I’m still miserable after 5 weeks but not as bad as I was, so I’m hoping this will eventually go away completely and I will return to how I was before I started taking Xanax.
Hello. I have recently went cold turkey myself and by accident. I’ve been to the ER 3 times in 1 week. I have the pills, but refuse to put that poison back in my system since I found out what it is really doing to me! I’ve been on it a year and was recently taken (about 4 months ago) to 2mg a day, 3 x a day but only took it 2x a day, Thank God! Today is day 8 and I am still having horrible withdrawals, but not as bad as the first 3 -5 days. Can hardly type. I can’t believe this drug is on the market
I’m shaking so bad I accidentally sent without finishing. I was wondering how you are doing now. Getting any better? This is horrific!
I am on day 9 of cold turkey withdrawal from benzos and what you describe is exactly what I feel. IT is making me suicidal that I will never feel normal again and just want to take something to help me sleep. The no sleep is horrible and my whole body feels like it is on fire and I don’t feel like I can even take care of myself. Are you any better? You have a few more days than I do.
I have been on this drug for the past 5 years. I’ve been trying to cut as much as I can for a long time, but am averaging 1 and 1/2 mg per 24 hour period. Over the past few weeks I have stopped taking it during the day and am only taking it at night as needed. I find I’m having trouble with sleep and will take it three times to get by before the night is over. I’m glad I came to this site, I had no idea why I’m experiencing all this nervous feeling, mostly in the evening. Now it all makes sense! Please go slow.
Frank, I can certainly relate. I’m almost bedridden. However, a hormonal Dr decided I stop everything cold turkey. Needless to say, I had the seizure spell. Insomnia still and it’s been over 6 months. Worst was she decided to place me on an antidepressant and fatal reaction…
There’s sooooo much more to these medications although they do their job. I wish I’d never had to start them. But, reading ALL these posts makes me want to wean off myself… Prayer’s for you all…
I was on 4mgs daily plus took many extra for aprox. 8 yrs. I have been in withdrawal for over a year and am still very uncomfortable. This has been total hell that I cannot describe. If I had known how long my withdrawal would last I don’t think I would have attempted it. If you attempt to quit I would recommend switching to valium and do a very slow taper. This has been a life changing experience that has made me appreciate life as never before. I feel lucky to still be alive after what I have experienced. You can only understand it if you have been thru it. Good luck to all of you attempting to quit. If I can answer any questions please let me know because I know how lost you can feel about this. God bless
I had to quit cold turkey. I have to have my doctor authorize a refill, which means he will want me to make an appointment with him. I would, but I do not currently have health insurance, which is why I quit cold turkey. I had been on this medication for a year or two, taking as many as 3 pills a day (.25 mg). I didn’t even really think about the withdrawal I may have, but now that I am reading all of this, I am wondering if maybe this is why I am feeling so damn depressed! I have cried every day for the past 3 days, and just feel like something bad is about to happen. I hate feeling this way, but, based on what I have read, I’m not sure if going back on the medication is a good idea. I certainly think it would help my mood right about now, but I would really like to get through life without being dependent on some drug.
Hi Sandy, I have been in your shoes without insurance and also had problems that others have had on this site. I have found that it is best to call doctor and just “see” what they would want to do. This happens and doctors have had to deal with this before. Explain to the nurse or doctor what happened and the situation. Now some are understanding… some use “tough love” and just say no… but they know the problems associated with cold turkey. They could be at fault so I would say give it a try. Hope you are well! Theresa
I am currently on day 2 of Xanax withdrawal. I seem to feel fine during the day, however when night time rolls around I become miserable. I cannot sleep, tossing and turning and starting to fall asleep leads to brain zaps (does anyone else now what I mean by that). I really need some help here this is the worst.
Thanks, Drew.
I had the brain zaps also which lasted for about 3 months. Mine happened while trying to relax also. If that is the worst symptom you are lucky.I spent the first 2 months that were hard to even walk due to being dizzy. The tremors and muscle spasams were also very bad. The worst part is impossible to explain because it’s as much mental as physical. I am over 1 yr into withdrawals and am still am very uncomfortable.
I will have 4 or 5 decent days then the feelings return for several days. I still can only get about 5 hrs sleep and must stay busy to keep my mind off of things. I notice only slight improvements after weeks. I sometime wonder if I will ever feel normal again. Good luck with your progress and realize not everyone will experience severe withdrawals. I read about 14 % will have them severe and can last for up to 5 years!!
I also had brain zaps after going CT… they started about a week after I quit. I woke up in the middle of the night and felt these funny feeling in my head. They became torturous and my body was so shaky. I couldn’t stand the feeling and ended up in the ER. They gave me Ativan which helped. Sounds were soooooo amplified… I could hear things my husband couldn’t hear. It was nuts. It was awful to go through. I was on 2-4 mg of Xanax for 25 years. Took about 2 months for me to feel normal again. I have been Xanax free for 3 years and I feel wonderful.
I have been on it more than 25 yrs. too and I try and come off and doctors give me more. I chip it down, but I have stomach pains, headaches and extreme nausea coming down on it. I don’t know what to do and I don’t have a doctor anymore as he put me on wellbutrin and latuda and both made me sick, so I stopped them CT. I will have to take trazodone with some xanax to sleep a little, but the trazodone has side effects too?
Brain zap. I get it. I have been talking less than .25 for a year. Have decided to go cold turkey. Been 5 days. So far so good.
Forgive the length of this post but hopefully it will be relateable to anyone who comes to this site. In the year 2000 at the age of 40 from out of nowhere I had a series of panic attacks. I am physically fit male, eat well, exercise 4-5x a week and had always slept incredibly well. GP put me on less than 1 mg. Xanax daily. He said I had General Anxiety Disorder. Did not tell me to take it as needed – just take it everyday. It worked perfect for two years. No side effects.
Exactly two years after the first panic attacks I had another stress induced (put my 13 yr. old pet to sleep and bought my first house) panic attack. GP sent me to psychiatrist. Put me on Paxil. Big mistake! Good bye libido, good bye having emotions. Learned the meaning of ‘weaning’ – weaned off of Paxil and left his pdoc. New pdoc practiced poly pharmacology. Put me on combo of Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Trazodone. I guess it worked but after five years I did not think it was a good idea to stay on antidepressants (especially since I had never been depressed a day in my life).
Began the weaning process off of Prozac/Wellbutrin and put back on Xanax. Worked up to 2.5 mg daily along with the Trazodone and now Ambien enters the mix. In 2009 a new pdoc prescribed Luvox along with the Xanax. Luvox causes Xanax to stay in your bloodstream twice as long so I cut back on the Xanax to 1.5 mg daily. Trazodone is the constant now – 100 mg nightly for sleep along with Ambien as needed.
Fast forward to 2013. Changed pdocs in 2012 and she had me try Zoloft, Cymbalta, Requip, Inderal – all just made me sick. Finally I said enough. No more AD’s. Let’s find a level of Xanax and stick with it. Since Feb. 2013 I have taken 3 mg. Xanax XR Daily (1mg. taken 3x daily) along with Trazodone and Ambien.
I had slowly stopped taking any Ambien over a few month and on the 4th of July I stepped down to 2.5 mg Xanax daily. I cut the afternoon dose to .5 mg XR. Various side effects have reared their ugly heads the past 1o weeks. Insomnia, depression, confused thinking, inability to concentrate, anxiety, sweating, vivid dreams, heart palpitations, irritability, and muscle twitching. And I have just cut .5 mg. daily from my regimen! I am a little loopy as I type this.
As a side note my libido has never recovered to its pre-Paxil state. I am determined to wean myself off of Xanax even if it means .5 mg every six months for the next five to six years. The side effects are real after long time usage. I look forward to reading these posts. We are all in this together. The medical profession still remains fairly ignorant of the long term effects of AD’s and benzos and the side effects of withdrawal. But we soldier on.
Thanks Jaxson…I don’t like these pills, but at least I can get through a day. I hope it is still going well. Thank you for posting, theresa
A few tips that may help. I was told if you’ve been on it a long time you should decrease .25 mg every 3 to 6 months. I’ve found d-phenylaline by doctors best works weird with it. It dulls the effect of Xanax so thinking this could help with withdrawal. I’ve taken 4 pills of it to help with pain and depression. It seemed to start blocking the Xanax. Since it helps moods and depression it seems like it would be a good addition to lowering your dose. Some doctors feel just switching to a different drug with shorter half life will help.
I am not a fan of that but it might work for someone else. Xanax acts as a mild muscle relaxer so muscle pain is expected when going cold turkey. I’ve been pulled off for a weekend by a Dr mistake and highly recommend tapering off if you’re on .5 or more per day. Thank you Jaxson for the idea of how to split up the extended release pills. So 3mg er could be taken to 2mg er(or 1 mg er) and .5 mg er. A person might need some .25 for break through to lower but it’s an option.
I have been on Xanax 1mg (half a tablet in the morning and night) for fourteen consecutive years. Last Thursday morning was the last time I intended to take it. I have been prescribed Ativan 2.5mg (half a tablet in the morning and night) to help go off the Xanax immediately. People say it is difficult. It is SHEER HELL. I have never felt like this in my ENTIRE LIFE. The lack of sleep, the convulsions, I feel like vomiting, I feel as though I have a heavy cold, pains in the joints, I can’t co-ordinate my movements, my legs feel like rubber.
The list goes on and on. I wish the Doctor I saw in 2000 never put me on the rubbish. My God, yesterday I lay down and wept openly at home. I called my Doctor this morning for help, he didn’t even take my call. Doctors prescribe this sh*t, then label a person an addict. They wash their hands of their patient. I wish I never had to see another Doctor again in my life. Tonight is going to be hell again. After 90 hours off Xanax, I had to get out of bed at almost midnight last night, and take half a table. I managed to get four to five hours sleep in fours days. I need all I can muster for this sh*t.
I hope your xanax withdrawals are long over, thank you for sharing. I stopped taking xanax 4 days ago, I was taking 2mg pills 3x per day, and have tapered to 2mg per day. So far day #4 is no fun and seems to be worse than day number 1. I started taking this due to a few small strokes… “this is no fun so far” and I hope the pain starts to slow down soon. But I feel I can do this, and I do not want to be taken over by this drug anymore! I wish the doctors had told me that this was a forever medication, and that you would become dependent on it. Hoping all is well, and that the tremors are gone…
I know what you are talking about. I’ve been prescribed 4mgs of klonopin for 2yrs, 6mgs of xanax for about 2yrs and then the doctor upped my xanax to 8mgs a day for 5 yrs. I’ve been on benzos for a total of 9 yrs daily. Yes i’ve taken more than prescribed bcuz I have severe social anxiety, panic attacks daily and in my sleep and I was also taking them for sleep. Most years I was taking about 14-20mgs a day and I was fully functional.
I tried detox and they did a 10 day taper. I was running on adrenaline for 3+ months. It was pure hell and had I not been stuck in rehab I would have attempted suicide. I slept 30-45 mins every 4-5 days and stayed up for the rest of the time…24 hours a day for almost a week straight for 3 months. I didn’t eat, drink or sleep. My resting heart rate was never under 125 BPM and my blood pressure sky rocketed.
The place I was at had idiots working for them. I begged for 2 weeks before they rushed me to the hospital. People had seizures and the doctor never wrote standing orders for ativan to stop the seizure so 1 person seized for 19mins. Coming off of benzos should be weighed out by the good of your quality of life vs. wanting to die every single day. Needless to say that I got out of the rehab and my husband saw how bad I was doing and I’m back on xanax.
I would rather have to take something daily and want to live and be able to drive, go outside, cook and clean, enjoy my kids etc…than stare at the ceiling and suffering so much that I couldn’t even watch TV and want to have a heart attack just to stop the misery. Doctors should never be able to cut anyone off of these meds.
I hear that been off and on benzos since 14 now 30 the last 7 years have been on 3 bars a day “2mg each” stopped by tapering down over 3 weeks doctor said its OK you’ll be good. Yeah, 2 months later lost job apartment and my daughter. Got 2 DUI’s for having an old bottle in my car twice in good old AZ cause the metabolite was in my blood. Back on them and now my doctor who writes me the 90 bars a month with 4 refills is moving out of state.
Going to see him tomorrow as almost no doctor will ever write me refills let alone keep me on 6mg a day here in AZ. Not as needed my script is take 3 a day for anxiety / depression. Hope it works out or I’m going to be paddling down ‘ish crick looking for street drugs just to function. Finally a person with a real story not “I took .5 mg for years or 2mg as needed for a year.” They don’t know the half of it!!!
I feel for you and I know your pain and the misery of detoxing, Danielle you are not alone, I am in the same situation as you are. And I agree with everything you wrote on your comment. Doctors should never be able to cut anyone off of these meds!!! We are all going to die some day and I would rather die, having had a life, than to live in pure HELL!
Hi Sue!
You might want to read the Ashton Manual (online), written by a UK psychopharmacologist named Dr. Heather Ashton. It clarifies how to properly taper off benzodiazepines, and it includes tapering schedules. I wasn’t on this particular benzo, but I used the manual — and even brought the schedules to my doctor — when tapering off. I had to switch over to Diazepam, which is a longer-acting benzodiazepine and then taper slowly from there — milligram by milligram. It’s a long process, but really, that’s the best way to do it. It’s important to allow the brain to adapt to the changes.
Check out BenzoBuddies (online support group) too, and make sure you’re well informed before you start your taper.
You can do it! It’s a very important step to take for your long-term health. Take care and best wishes,
C
I have been taking .05mg Alprazolam 5 times daily for about 10 yrs. now. It was perscribed for me when my husband got cancer for the first time. I was having severe panic/anxiety attacks. Then I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I want to get off this medication but it terrifies me with all the withdrawal symptoms you go thorough. I don’t know how it would affect my body with the diabetes since I have to stay as stress free as possible. I would appreciate any advice you could give me regarding this.
Hello. I just want to easy some minds. I went off of Xanax Cold Turkey 10 days ago and am almost back to 100%. I was on Xanax 2 mg xr for two years. I accidentally through away my newly filled prescription and did not know it until the Friday night that I needed my first pill. I decided that since I could not get extras from the pharmacy due to it being a “controlled substance,” that it was about time to try going off. Previously I had gone off of Effexor cold turkey and read on the internet that Benadryl helped with the withdrawals.
It worked with Effexor, so I figured why not Xanax. My worst days were the first 2. On the third day, I went back to work and read about going off Xanax cold turkey on the internet. I was very scared about the possible seizures and called my doctor. The doctor’s assistant called me back in the late afternoon and told me that the doctor was not worried about a seizure because it would have happened already. I was told to continue going cold turkey at this point, but that this was not the way the doctor would have recommended I start.
I was relieved. Every day is better. I still have some shaking, some anxiety, and sensory problems. My touch, sound and taste are out of wack. The nighttime twitching has subsided, but I am still waking up about 4 a.m. and having trouble going back to sleep.
I know this was not the right way to go off the drug; however, it is not as bad as most of the reviews on the internet make it out to be.
I have the exact same experience. Took about 2 mg a day for two years and slowly tapered down to about .50 for two weeks. After this I went CT and I am now on day 8 without anything.m the worst part for me has been the crazy dreams, jerking awake, and a general twitch. It really is embarrassing to sit next to someone on the train the wham, full body spasm, but know this only really lasted 3 days to the point I was embarrassed. I also tap my foot constantly and noticed I did this more to stop and twitches.
Anyway, you read all these reviews that it’ll take months, and I’m sure for some people it will. For me personally, I feel like I’m past the worst of it. No seizures or anything crazy. Good to know I’m not going to shave crazy dreams for a month. Also, smell and taste is for sure off a little bit, but I will get by. Best of luck to anyone quitting, just know, it’s possible!!
I am so glad that I am not crazy. I ran out of my meds on Friday, and I have been anxious, have not been able to sleep, have had strange smells and tastes, and have felt nauseated. I can’t believe that 2mg pills could be that powerful to cause this type of withdrawal. I have been on them for decades for severe anxiety and panic attacks.
Sandy, I have been on same stuff for over 15 years! Was taking 2 mg for sleep at night. I quit the other day cold turkey! Pretty rough for 3 days, but getting better everyday! I was tired of the crap running my life! Good luck!! Tell a friend when you do it, as they can monitor and help you!
Thanks Bonnie, I separated my last prescription into 2 bottles. That way if I didn’t remember if I took a dose, I would not have to count through all of them. After 2 weeks I realized I made a mistake somewhere and could not locate the other bottle…did I throw it out…? I don’t know. My dose was 0.05 3x’s a day…as needed. But, I had been having a LOT of depression and panic problems for quite awhile.
My family does not like me taking this medication, at all! So I have had a few bad days. I have gone through this before and have been on this for 6 years -since cancer diagnosis. I am 55 and have had anxiety issues since I was a kid, and I am too tired for long walks on the beach and hobbies to keep me busy. I admit I want a quick fix. But, here I am muddling through on my own and I have been worried.
Don’t want to call doctor so that he doesn’t think I am lying or weak. So I am feeling a tad better that you’ve gotten through 10 days. But, I wonder how you are doing now. I hope alright. And if you have any other words of encouragement or wisdom, let me know. Thanks again, Theresa
Thanks Bonnie! Reading this really gave me some hope. I’ve been dealing with Social anxiety and I’m on day 3 without medication after about a year taking roughly 2mgs a day and a rather quick taper. I’m getting better day by day and I hope to stay strong and avoid another dose. To anyone reading this, stay strong! It’s no fun to get off Xanax but it’s possible. Just remember why you want to stop, don’t let a medication run your life.
JAMES… I just read your comment regarding day 3 of your xanax withdrawal symptoms. I’m on day 3 and it is getting to be a little rough. I have all the symptoms people talk about. I was on a script 1mg four times a day. I only took 1mg in morning and 1mg at night. So how long before I feel ok again? Thanks.
I was on Xanax for years. Started out taking 3, .05mg’s a day but obtained a tolerance so it was gradually increased to 4, 1mg’s a day. Finally had had enough and went of cold turkey. On day six I had grand mal seizures and landed in the hospital. I’m so grateful and blessed there was no permanent damage to my brain!
So based on my personal and painful experience, it is not a good idea to go cold turkey!!! It is best to taper off. I did so with Serax many, many years ago and did fine. God bless all of you, my friends! I so understand your pain!
I moved to Oregon aka “Horegon” in Feb 2015 to be closer to my son and 2 grandsons. I came up here with 1 Rx of Xanax 1mg; taken 4 times a day for over 30 years. As soon as I sought out a new doctor here, she said she didn’t believe in prescribing Xanax and to always beware the “beans and pines!” I was thrown in to seizures, one a gran mal and for 14 months battled doctors from one alternative drug to another.
I’ve been thrown into COLD TURKEY and withdrawals are still persistent after 3 months. Xanax works wonders as long as the doctor and patient understand the risks involved and that it is in fact a temporary solution. I nearly died from medical malpractice as any doctor should know that this drug cannot be substituted nor stopped on a whim – or textbook logic! Please be careful out there and know what you are getting into. ;)
Leslie. Just read your comment. I also had the unfortunate experience of moving to Oregon. Doctors there do not believe in Xanax or any pain medication. I learned this the hard way. I had been on a low dose Xanax 30 years and low dose Vicodin for 15.
Just told to quit and take naproxen. I am allergic to naproxen. Went through a year and a half of hell. Pain, withdrawals, panic, blood pressure almost killed me. Moved back to old state and was immediately seen by doctors and represcribed my old meds. I am now doing well.
2mg XR a day woo hoo. No wonder it’s not bad. I have been on 6 mg a day for 7 years. It’s bad!!! Would rather detox off my gram of heroin and 1/2 gram of coke a day I was shooting. Hit the bricks!
I totally agree. I have detoxed off of a lot of things in life. Idk if I will ever make it off of Xanax. I was using between 4-6 milligrams a day. I am down to 1mil in morning & 1 @ night & My anxiety & depression is so bad that I’m considering going back up to @ least 4 mills a day.
You have NO idea how much reading this has helped ease MY anxiety about coming off xanax XR. I was taking 0.5mg 1x/day. I made it through day 3 cold turkey and I am starting to feel better. Thank you so much for taking the time to write your comment. For people like me who are frantically searching the Internet, it can be a lifesaver.
Thanks, this is really well-written and accurate. I started taking unprescribed xanax recreationally years ago, with other drugs too, but the xanax was the only thing that was impossible for me to quit. I built up a serious physical tolerance and addiction, was taking anywhere from 6 to 14 mgs a day. Maybe more… I don’t remember, hah. It’s brutal. It makes you really think you can’t live without it, and actually, you can’t. Withdrawals can and will kill you if you don’t get help. I’ve done pretty much every other drug and this was the one was really stuck. I finally got sick of ruining my life and blacking out on a daily basis and got help around a month ago. I’ve been off for 23 days now. I’m taking Gabapentin (Neurontin) through the withdrawal process and it really helps a lot. The first few days were pretty terrible. Shaky/sweaty/nervous/nauseous, confused, massive headaches, fever… but honestly, it’s doable. As bad as it was – it still wasn’t as bad as I thought. If it’s ruining your life, do something about it. It’s bad, but living in a blackout is worse. xox
I’ve been taking 0.5 MG for about 15 years when my Dad died to primarily to help me sleep. Went through a separation and increased my dosage on my own to about 1.5-2 mg a day. Now it’s all I think about as it wears off I get panic attacks. I’ve tried tapering and its REALLY hard! I’m in for any ideas on how to do this because I HATE how I feel when the Xanax starts to ware off. HELP! HELP!
Larry, I have been on Xanax 0.25 mg three times a day for the last twenty years (20) for Panic Disorder. I had my initial Panic Attack while a student in Air Traffic Controller School. My max daily dosage is 1.5 mg-1.75 mg, and I can feel myself building up a tolerance to it. If I come off it, I will have lost my second career job w/9 years before retirement. Eventually, I will have to go up or come off.
I’m not sure if there are many options after all the reading I have done. I fully expect severe to extreme physical symptoms when and if I come off slowly and I am not really sure if my body can handle it. I am 5o, and in relatively in good health, but over the years prior to Xanax, anxiety was beating me up. That’s why I went on Xanax and I got a good productive 20 years out of it w/minor setbacks. We are kind of in the same boat my friend.
I am just trying to learn as much as possible from others to see my best course of action. I tried to deal with Panic Disorder for 5 years before taking any meds. I was housebound for the entire 5 years. I started Xanax, and I was fully functional in about a week. I hate the thought of going up, and I hate the thought of going down. I wish there were somebody knowledgeable out there to give us guys some very good advice! Best Regards, PAA
I thought I was alone and can relate. I have been on it for 15 years for panic and stopped taking it the withdrawals were never ending even after three months I couldn’t make decisions nor think clear. I was a mess and lost my kids during the process.
Turnt suicidal went inpatient and got put back on it. I’m tired of fighting this struggle and the meds makes me normal but am tired of depending on it. Nobody can relate the ones who don’t need it. Just venting and trying to stop it again. Wish me luck.
Greetings: I was on Xanax for 2 and a half years, .25 three times a day. Took the pills the way I was supposed to for anxiety disorder & panic attacks and STILL I became addicted. My doctor slowly tapered me off, thought I would lose what mind I had left after taking Xanax those years. Went through withdrawals ALONE (no moral support & no one by my side).
I’ve been off my last dose close to 3 months now. It’s either get off or increase… IMO, there’s no in-betweens. I’m doing good. Body & mind is LEARNING how to be the REAL me AGAIN… Good luck and God bless.
Good day All, DO NOT do this alone. I am the exception and not the rule. I just quit Xanax cold turkey about 3 weeks ago. I was on .25 for 2 years and normally took as needed. This usually meant 1/2 of a .25 pill 2 x a day. During PMS I would take more 1 to 1-1/2 a day. Began taking when moved for first time in 25 years, new place, new job, Dad fell ill and passed away with Cancer all within 6 months.
My Rx ran out and they wanted me back in but lately I had felt I was not who I use to be. No energy just a shell of myself on the couch after work and on weekends. I figured since I was feeling that way and my Rx ran out – let’s see what happens. No weaning off, no support or help. DO NOT do this alone. I am the exception and not the rule. Occasional nausea.
Taking Advil PM to offset any chance of not being able to sleep. No sense trying to do it without PM meds for now. Also, I smoke MJ daily (evenings during the week) and I think that helps with other symptoms that are typical. I began taking DHEA too, not sure if it is helping or not. I do have a tingling sensation at times and some stiffness – however I have a bad neck and upper back so it might be that I “feel” more in general not taking Xanax. I have no history of addiction.
I do not believe I was ever addicted clinically to Xanax probably more of a placebo effect mentally and the physical withdrawal symptoms are minor so far for me. Very much feel more alive and in my skin and am beginning to do more and more things than I was. My mental clarity has not been compromised at all. I have always monitored anything I do or take closely and believe it is important for everyone to.
Today I am starting Lipotropic B-12 Injections which I believe will aid in the remaining detox and aid in my body recovering at a faster rate. DO NOT do this alone. I am the exception and not the rule. I wish everyone the best of luck!
Dear Jean, I have a very similar story to yours. Are you feeling much better now that it has been many months? I feel better with 4 months off, but not myself yet. Thanks so much.
I took Xanax for 15 yrs, .50 twice a day, for anxiety and insomnia. I’m 55 and have a lot of health issues. I started becoming forgetful, brain was very foggy, wasn’t sleeping well these last few years of taking Xanax. I decided to do everything possible to be the best I could be, starting eating healthy, exercising and am drug-free. I tapered off Xanax and it was very hard, not sure if mental or physical, I think both.
Did a lot of reading on natural remedies for anxiety and insomnia. Added vitamins, herbs and essential oil and haven’t had Xanax in a month. I give God praise BC I know I couldn’t have done it without Him! Do whatever you have to to stop Xanax before it messes up your brain. I’m in bed today feeling bad but it’s ok, tomorrow will be better! Good luck!
I don’t know when you wrote this but hang in there. The panic is coming from NOT having the Xanax. First thing I would do is switch to a longer acting benzo like Xanax XR or Valium. This way, instead of having that insane withdrawal 3-4 times a day, the withdrawals are less up and down and helps break the habit of taking regular Xanax 4x a day.
There is a conversion for this and it is found in the benzo quitting bible “Ashton Manual”. I’m 4.5 months off my last dose after taking about 1-2 mg a day for 8 years. It can be done! Good luck.
I honestly have to say that reading your post has hit home with me. The difference is, I guess I had absolutely no idea that quitting my bars would actually kill me, or cause death. Granted, I feel as if I’m dying when I don’t have one. Honestly, I have been taking them for about 24 maybe 25 years now.
I experience very hard seizures if I don’t have at least a 1/4 of one for the day. I used to take handfuls, but I can’t afford that with no insurance. I am so very sick and I am so scared that I may not wake from a seizure, so I’ve cut myself back as much as I can. I didn’t know death was associated with withdrawal.
I just decided to Google to see if I would have any side effects. I have never been to professionally helped before. I can’t afford that. Should I not just cold turkey and stay in bed, sweat it out and seize until it’s over??? I’m confused about quitting now. And so very nervous.
Please seek help. Do not go cold turkey it could kill you. Do they have a free clinic where you live or a charity hospital? Go there for help, Xanax is very dangerous.
I really appreciate your story… I started taking the yellow 2mg Xanax bars and have been taking them everyday for almost two months now. I want to get off of them and have researched that tapering off is the best way… My question is, should I start taking .25 when I start feeling bad or should I make a schedule and spread it throughout the day??
You took the words right out of my mouth.
I have been using 0.25 mg Xannax for around 15 years for panic attacks. I have always used never more than half a tablet at night before going to sleep. I was working away for a weekend and forgot to take my Xannx with me. I did worry when I realised I had forgotten them but resigned myself to the fact that I couldn’t do anything about it. I had 2 horrible night sleeps or lack there of but it inspired me to try and get off it for good. I halved my regular dose down to a quarter of a tablet for the first week with very little side effects if at all any and for the last 2 nights I have halved that again so I am taking very little. Surprisingly I have been sleeping very well but today I awoke with a huge headache and feel a little light headed. I’m determined to keep going and use Xannax only when absolutely necessary during a severe anxiety attack and all other natural techniques fail. I expect things will be a little uncomfortable for a while during the detox but I will feel far more comfortable knowing I am no longer reliant on the drug. I think it’s very important to be sensible about it and work with your doctor to safely detox.
Thank you for this. I’ve been using Alprazolam (Tafil is the commercial name) for longer than 7 years to treat anxiety, I suffer of Panic Disorder and got rid of the Paxil but this one is different, very tricky one. My dose has been 0,5 mg and I never need more than that. My first attempt to taper was for sure scary, the headaches and dizziness won and were nasty, I only cut a tiny piece for three days (maybe 1/8 of the pill off), now I am planning on giving a second try, cutting an even smaller piece and stay with that for at least three weeks or more if required for the body to adjust but to read you did it brings high hope. Thank you again and wish me luck.
I have been taking Xanax for 5 years. I am prescribed 4 MG per day (1mg 4x a day) I am currently taking 2mg at bedtime. I have tapered down my dose over a 4 month period of time. I have not had withdrawal symptoms yet. Is this because I am still taking this drug? As of last night I have dropped to 1.5 MG at bedtime. I will wait until January 1 to drop to 1 MG at bedtime.
Does this seem reasonable? I have no desire to go cold turkey I have just started a new job and definitely can’t lose it. Am I still looking at hard withdrawal symptoms doing it this way? Good luck to all of you
Hi I was taking Xanax for 10 years. I was weaned off. Yes the side effects are still here after a month. Headaches, daily. Blurred vision sucks. Dizzy if you want to call it that. More vertigo I would guess. Goes with the dizziness I would guess. Weak muscles. No nausea or diarrhea which is good!!! Yeah, it’s been over a month I think. Hope it ends soon! The vertigo sucks!!!
Hey Wondering. Just read your post and wondered how you are doing. Saying a prayer for you that it’s going well. I’m just getting started weaning off 0.5 mg, 4 x a day, for 18 years. Take care. Brenda
Brenda, Thank you for your sharing. I have been taking this same level dose for 16 years. Became scared this week when I was told by Dr. she would no longer prescribe unless I began step down. Side effects and length of time taking this medication gave me immediate anxiety.
Hi Brenda, I am just starting to develop a plan to come off my Xanax. I have been taking 1mg daily for 16 years. What was your experience with withdrawing? Did they prop you with other drugs? How are you coping? May I ask did you experience continual weight gain over the many years of taking this drug?
Four times daily? That sure was a lot. When I started, I was taking 1mg three times daily. But I have now tapered down to img daily and have been tapering down for a month and down to .05mg once a day. But these withdrawals are no joke.