First day, no vic. Shaky!!!! Advice?

[sleeplesss]

I"ve been on vicodin 5/500 off and on for over a year, mostly on.  Was up to 8 pr/day.  I did a very quick taper the last 2 weeks.  Yesterday was my last quarter of a pill. I decided myself to get off of them, even tho I could easily call for more.  I wanted off the merry go round, and didn't want to be up to even more per day.
I also take xanax for anxiety disorder...3 .5mg/day.  Been doing that for over 18 years, and right now I'm not concerned with that.  
I have alot of back pain, maybe impending fusion surgery, so the suggestions of taking walks makes my pain worse.  I cannot take advil because of stomach problems.
I"m thankfully past the "runs to the bathroom".  The biggest problem is this very much increased anxiety.  I don't want to take more xanax than what I already do.  I've been on that same dosage, like I said, for over 18 years.
I got off the vic in January and remember having this same problem.  The anxiety got worse for weeks.  So, back on them I went, which another side benefit was controlled back pain.  I don't want to repeat that mistake of getting back on them.
When will this subside?  And other thoughts?  You guys are great!
Thanks.

[ladyboop]

I also have anxiety. I have been on and off the pills for that for years. You are right about it getting bad when coming off the pain pills. Maybe you should ask your Dr about changing your meds. Use the klonopin 3 x a day. Instead of the xanax. You can use the xanax for break thru, or for panic attacks. Or you could just add the klonopin one time a day to the xanax. Something you could talk to your dr about. Just to get you through this hump of anxiety..

Good luck to you..

          Lady

[sleeplesss]

Thanks for the quick answer!
Last time, in January, my dr. and I talked about switching to klonopin when I was getting off the pain meds, and he thought at that time that xanax was the best choice.  I think because I had been on it for such a long time...I just don't exactly remember why.
Are you off the pain meds?  If so, how long did the increased anxiety last for you?

[corey411]

Anxiety was bad for me and still is to some extent but I have been on benzo's for many years also for anxiety. I takr 2 .5 Klonoprin a day and was on xanax and taking 3 several years age but switched to Klonoprin bc my MD said and also I have read the xanax can cause rebound anxiety. While I was detoxing ct from 8-10 Vics a day I did take 1 or 2 more for a few days only and it helped. If you can't walk maybe keeping yourself busy with some kind of project will help. I try to plan my days...esp on the weekends so I know when I get up I am doing xy and z. Otherwise I'm to apt to stay in bed all day partly watching not so interesting movies and thinking obsessivly about how I feel. Time really crawls that way. Good luck. Do you plan on telling your MD and getting that script cancelled. Most folks relapse that way, Your urge to use will be stronger than it is right now at times for months to come. Best to you. Corey

[ladyboop]

The anxiety time is different for everyone. The good thing about the klonopin is it is not fast acting. It takes about an hour to start working. It also stays in your system longer. The xanax is more for panic attacks. It comes on fast, 15 to 20min. and in 4 to 6hrs gone. That is another reason it is so addictive. For me I like the klonopin better for anxiety control. I use the xanax for the panic attacks and to help me sleep at night. As I do not do well with sleeping pills. They either do not work, or some of them give me very vivid and scary nightmares. Trazodone is one that does that to me.
It is my hope and prayer that you are able to get your anxiety under control..

            Lady