Xanax: after detox symptoms, is this normal?

[lauraxtc]

I took xanax for about 3 months I was on .25 mg. I took it because I had bead anxiety after my baby was born. I should have know that was due to my  postpartum depression. I went to see a psych and he gave me xanax.

I took it for about 3 months and when i noticed I was taking them daily I tried to stop on my own. IT WAS HORRIBLE. I thought I was going insane. I kept thinking negative thoughts, my anxiety went throguh the roof, My heart was constantly racing, I couldn't drive, I was a big mess. My heart would tingle. I went online and did my research and had no idea how bad this was, the withdrawals are so dangerous. I really thought, I had lost my mind and wanted to die,.

Thankfully went to a detox center and stayed a wk since I was on a small dose.

I am thankful to say that I am so much better than I was and I know what you are all going though. I still feel really bad headaches that scare me and I am considering seeing a neurologist (which will take a while since I dotn have good insurance) because I don't know if that is still some of the symptoms I should be having. I have only been out of detox for a month but the headaches come and go but when they come they feel bad, my eyes hurt, my head feels heavy, it switches from different sides of my head. Are headaches normal?

[lauraxtc]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I dont feel so alone.

I am glad I found this site. I will look into the medz for migraines. and no, I am not taking any medicine except Tylenol for headaches.

thank you everyone and God bless.

[Xhost]

Three months of daily Xanax use, at .25 milligrams, is certainly enough to cause a physical addiction. The fact that you experienced withdrawal symptoms after attempting to discontinue suddenly from the drug seems to point to the fact that you developed an inadvertent addiction to the drug.

First, for anyone reading this, sudden discontinuation from Xanax (or any other benzodiazapene) carries potentially severe risks. Depending on amount used and length of time used, these can include seizures and, yes, death (though rare). Thus, it is always better to taper from these drugs over a long period of time. Cold turkey is definitely not the way to go.

A week is a rather short period of time from which to withdraw from Xanax. .25 milligrams may seem like such a small amount, but Xanax is a powerful drug. It seems you went through a rapid detox, which some treatment centers seem to feel is an ideal method. The process is to keep you from seizing up while rapidly withdrawing you from the drug. For the most part, they accomplish this. But, the problem isn't what happens in the detox center, it is what happens once you get home. My guess is that they did not do a good job of explaining that you would still feel withdrawal symptoms after the "treatment" was over.

And you may or may not be. It sounds as if you are doing well, in which case I say:  good for you! If your "only" issue is a migraine once in a while, I would consider you lucky indeed. Now, I do not have to deal with the headaches, so it is easy for me to say you are lucky. You do have to deal with them, and I believe, as other posters have stated, you have options for doing so. Good options.

Congratulations on getting off of the Xanax. I know it was not easy (having been there myself), so good on you.

[DazeeMae]

The headaches you describe sound like migraines.  I hadn't had one in years and have had 3 since weaning of Opana.  I think the sudden change and stress triggered them.  My primary doctor gave me samples of a new migraine (non-narcotic, vasal constrictor) that you dissolve on your tongue so it gets to work quickly.  I have to say that it is the best migraine medicine I have ever tried (been dealing with them 30+ years).  It's called Maxalt-HCL (25 mg) my doctor gave me samples perhaps yours will do the same if you explain the situation you are in.  I also have had relief with Hydroxyzine HCL up to 4 pills every 6 hours.

[larrysklai]

hi, i read your note.just stay focus, dun rush,go slow.n u be all rite.
i was on valium,for 32years, n i decided 3mths ago to get rid of this valium off me, yes i been thru, hell!!! still m going thru all that benzo withdrawal sysmptom each day at a time, i do taper, from 40 mg dose to 1mg twice  a day,nw into my 3rd mths....all i can say is dun ever look back, just keep going.......
larrysklai

[PomoLady]

It could be that you suffer from cronic migranes and if so there is medicine (non addictive) that is safe and can help. I am suprised that your psych. doc didn't start you off on a anti-depression med.

I would find a new Psych. doc just to get a second opinion on what meds you should be taking along with a checck up for the migranes. It may be that you suffer from depressions, dehydration, there are so many reasons you could be suffering from the headaches. Alergies, sugar, sinthetics.....start with your md and work from there. Their is no reason you should have to suffer and Kuddos to you for going to detox you are smart to taper it's better for you in the long run.

Good luck and by the way are you on any anti depression meds? are you currently taking anything for the headaches?