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Affects after withdrawing from Xanax
by Starbucks, Oct 14, 2001 12:00AM
After being on a prescribed dosage of Xanax (6mgs daily) over 12 years for panic attacks, I went into a drug rehap center to get off of them. I was in the hospital for almost a month and was given Kolonapin in tapered doses while there. Towards the end of my stay and afer another decrease in Kolonapin, I noticed that my throat area felt "funny". What I mean by that is it felt like something was inside my throat and I had to make myself swollow though I din't have any real difficulty with food. Even my voice sounded different. It's not really painful but is VERY disturbing and VERY uncomfortable.
After getting home, within a few days this feeling became much stronger. I uses moist heat to allivate my discomfort which helped though sometimes it didn't go entirely away.
After another week or so the feeling came on so intence and strong that I decided to take a dose of Xanax which helped make it feel pretty much normal. (I'm careful to not get addicted again because I only take it now as needed and not on a regular dosage as before.)Before I pose my questions I should also tell you that I usually dissolved it in my mouth. So, my questions are could I have done some damage to my throat and voice box from dissolving it orally or could it be a form of anxiety manifesting itself in my throat? Or both? Or could it be that Xanax targets an area that feels the most "stressed". Or
something else? Is this "normal"? If so do you have any idea
when this will go away?
Thank you kindly for your responses to these question.
Sincerely,
Starbucks
After getting home, within a few days this feeling became much stronger. I uses moist heat to allivate my discomfort which helped though sometimes it didn't go entirely away.
After another week or so the feeling came on so intence and strong that I decided to take a dose of Xanax which helped make it feel pretty much normal. (I'm careful to not get addicted again because I only take it now as needed and not on a regular dosage as before.)Before I pose my questions I should also tell you that I usually dissolved it in my mouth. So, my questions are could I have done some damage to my throat and voice box from dissolving it orally or could it be a form of anxiety manifesting itself in my throat? Or both? Or could it be that Xanax targets an area that feels the most "stressed". Or
something else? Is this "normal"? If so do you have any idea
when this will go away?
Thank you kindly for your responses to these question.
Sincerely,
Starbucks
I wanted to reach out and give you support, but I don't know what the answer to your question is. Maybe Dr. Steve will know. Have you told a Doc about the throat symptoms?
My guess would be that it may be related to muscle tension due to anxiety, that somehow manifests in your throat, but not being an MD, I really can't say for sure.
I do want to congratulate you for getting treatment and getting tapered off the Xanax. I here that is a very tough med to get off of, and that it can be dangerous if not done under medical supervision. I'd love to hear how you are doing these days with the panic attacks. Did they return? Have you gotten good old fashioned therapy to help with the Panic Disorder as well? There are some really effective, wonderful new therapy approaches specificaly for Panic Disorder these days.
Anyway..welcome among us, I'd love to hear more, and I hope someone here can answer your question..but I encourage you to tell your Doc also.
love,
WW
Don't have any idea if my case and your case are in any way related, but there it is. I understand your worry. Why don't you just do what I did and go to a GI guy and ask for an upper endoscopy? Insist on going to day surgery and being knocked out for this procedure. My father had it done wide awake. Once. Said he'd never do that again. Apparently they grease up this flexible pipe with about a half a ton of KY and tell you ya gotta swallow it and it's bigger than a garden hose. Screw that!
Anyway, I'm digressing all over the place. There's my opinion; worth every dime you paid for it.
Frank
PLEASE MAKE ME RICH!!!
I AM STARTING THIS MAKE CHAD RICH PROGRAM...
I would like everyone in the US to send me one dollar...
Why you ask, would I send a complete stranger a dollar?
Because you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you greatly improved a total strangers life. Please include your name with your donation so I can add it to my contribution hero list. I will write everyones name down on a list to have it engraved on a bronze plate to be mounted to the front of my new home. In a few months when this takes off you guys will see me on Oprah and Extra. I plan to take out billbords across america to reach the maximum amount of people. Thank you for your support! Chad
Adress to follow.........
I'd like to know why.
Has anyone else had this particular experience? I don't remember anyone complaining about anything like this.
If the sponsors of this board have some personal objection to me or my posts, I think they should have the courtesy to say so, out front for everyone to read - you know, act like they've got some modicum of character.
What do you all think?
Francois
CINDI...as far as the bad luck your hubby is having...him and I must be birds of a feather..if it wasn't for bad luck I would have No luck. I know days like that can be so damn frustrating. I hope his trip from here on out goes well. Also I hope he didn't' encounter any tempted gators :)
THOMAS...Thank you for your reply about the "recipe." I wasn't sure if I should be using it still or if ti would still be of benefit.
Also for the advice on how to handle things with the doc regarding my dosage. I greatly am appreciative of the advice I receive here and the time people give into giving it.
WW...Wow coming on two months, how fantastic that is. And I am glad to hear the pain is manageable. That was my problem. If the pain would have stayed manageable I would have been able to stay away from the meds. The 2 Vics a day are ****. they do next to nothing. But I am going to play it for another week and goo back to the doctor with the suggestions I have received here. I still get the cravings for more but I don't take more. I just swear a hell of a lot more.
CHADD....GOOD FOR YOU..You sound GREAT and it sounds like your in a good mind frame. you should feel proud as I am sure everyone here is of you. Good Luck. I think a good frame of mind is the first step. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your in Philly right? I am by Harrisburg and if Three-mile Island get hit by a terrorist attack I am heading your way.
JBEAR....When you wrote how you called your Mom regarding the pills and she said flush them...I can relate. My parents were the same way.."just stop taking them" oh..okay Mom I never thought of that..duh If only it could be that easy. Just goes to show you how some people don't have a clue. Yes, this is the first time we have wrote to each other but I can tell by your posts what a caring soul you are and how well liked you are here.
SKIPPER...did you read my post to you regarding the Zofran I wasn't sure if you knew of this drug and I know the misery of food poisoning. Like I said Zofran is a wonderful drug to stop nausea/vomiting. Just file the name away for future reference. Hope your feeling better.
FRANK LEE...I was reading back through some of the posts and I think instead of my hubby going with me to the doctor I need YOU to go along with me. LOL i know I would get results :)
Francoise, Shotsy, Milo, kstuebin, Jennylfa, J.B.and all on this forum....May WW magic sparkles glisten on you all.
I WONDER HOW BRADD EVER MADE OUT. ALSO MICKYTIM HASN'T POSTED FOR A LONG TIME.
May you find peace
Shea
Wow! Thank you all so very, very much for your responses. I can't express how much hearing from you all helped me.
FRANCOISE~Thank you for sharing with me your tests experience. That is a real eye opener. Though I wouldn't wish this on anyone I feel better knowing it's not just "in my head" and that someone else experienced a similar situation.
CIN~To answer if the throat condition could be anxiety related, I'm 99% sure it is now. That's why I was relieved to read Francoise's post. Moreover, it simply seems to make sense that it MUST be anxiety related if when I take a dose of Xanax it goes away. Does this make sense to you all? Does it sound sane?
WITCHY WOMAN~Thank you for your interests in my disorder and that you know of some effective new therapies. I'm certainly open for any and all you know of so PLEASE let me know. I haven't had a full blown panic attack but have absolute horrible moments (hours) of anxiety. Sleep is almost non-existant. Just to name a couple. But, I understand my brain is "rewiring" so I guess under the circumstances I'm doing OK.
Thank you all!!! I feel like I've made new friends and look
forward to hearing from you again!
Love~
Star
After reading your letter I started to post my question to the doctor but I haven't a clue as to how! I can read English but still can't figure it out! Egads! Could you please advise me on the procedure? Thanks bushles.
Love~
Star