Xanax & Librium - Please help

[missy812]

I WD off Norco over the weekend with the help of Xanax... which I must say was a life saver.  If you are going to quit narcotics CT, get some Xanax from your doc if possible... it REALLY helped. I was out walking by day 3.
Anyways, the worst WD part is over, but I still have VERY bad anxiety and some depression, which I think is caused by the anxiety.  I went to work on Wednesday feeling real funny, wired, couldn't concentrate, hated life, etc... Then I took a Xanax and I felt NORMAL.  I was focused, motivated at work, I felt better than I did before I started taking Norcos.  
I have WD from Norco before, but I went back on them mainly because of depression and anxiety.  I believe being on the Xanax temporarily will help me from relapsing with the Norco.
So, I went to the follow up with my doc today and he prescribed me Librium instead of Xanax. He said it's the same class, but lasts longer so I won't have to take it as often. Today is only my first day on Librium, but I don't feel good at all. I have a headache, I feel depressed, unmotivated, and kind of fuzzy.  Also feel nauseous.  The Xanax didn't make me feel fuzzy at all, it leveled me out perfectly. I actually took a Librium 5 hours ago and I feel like I want to jump out of my skin right now... I am anxious.  
I understand Xanax can be addicting, I am very aware of that.  I am using this temporarily so I don't go back to Norco.
Any experience and suggestions with either or both drugs?
BTW the Xanax was .5 mg, 3 X per day, and the Librium is 10 mg, twice a day.
Thank you in advance.  

[themountains]

I am going through the same exact thing... almost anyways.

Call your doctor and tell him the Librium isn't working and your anxiety is worse, and you want to go back on the Xanax.

That's all you need to do really!  But if he knows your situation, he may be hesitant.  Librium is an older drug and they rarely use it anymore.  My doctor did the same to me and it didn't do anything and so he switched to Clonazepam- I bet Clonazepam would work for you too.  

[missy812]

Thank you!
He did mention Clonazepam as an option.  
I read and Librum seems more habit forming than Xanax and if the Xanax works well for me, I hope he will just give me that.
As the night goes on I am feeling more and more like ****.  My back is hurting now too....
This *****!!!!

[SophieShine]

Hey there,
I do not agree with taking benzos for kicking off another drug, it's simply replace an addiction for another, but that's just my opinion. Xanax is one of the most addicting benzo and it really seems that your dr is preparing you to taper by switching it to a long acting benzo and right he is.
Benzos can not be stopped CT, you need to taper them off and believe me, you don't wanna go thru that. There's a lot of ppl on here kicking off meds w/o any help and they manage. It's not a walk in the park but they do it.
Best of luck to you.

[theeagle]

Librium is not even in the same ballpark as zanax and the benzo problems associated with zanax..........   The short action of zanax demands that it be used with greater frequency and it is only a matter of time before a problem develops with the zanax........

[Ga Guy]

Like others have stated, Xanax is probably the most addicting of all benzos (because of it's short half-life and availability). Short acting benzos have their place, especially for quick seizure control and infrequent panic attacks. But, because of their quick onset and short half-life, they're much harder to detox from. Your doctor is right by placing you on a longer acting benzo. If you MUST change benzos, Valium or Klonopin would be a better choice than Ativan or Xanax. Also, anxiety is just a symptom of the withdrawals. There is no way around it. Taking a benzo will just cause rebound anxiety when you stop them to some degree. If you can, I'd suggest just pushing through. My anxiety was almost completely resolved by a month or so. Now, it's nonexistent.

[missy812]

themountains - I know what you're saying... but I'm litterally having panic attacks at work and getting maybe 2 hours of sleep per night. If I didn't have a job, or any responsibilities, I wouldn't need any extra help, but I do right now. Call me weak.

theeagle - Doesn't Xanax last 6 hours?  I would take that 3 times per day and the other twice per day... the diff of one pill is that big?  Also, what's the difference between the two, besides one lasts longer?  Like ingrediant wise? I can't find the info on it.  The Librium made me feel really bad and my body did not react well to it at all.

Ga Guy - Thanks.. I know anxiety is a symptom of the WD and if I didn't have so much on my plate right now with my life, I'd push through, but I feel I need the extra help for the next few weeks, then will tapper down...  I will research Valium & Klonopin, which my doc mentioned as well.. Thank you!

[Happy2LIVEagain]

I'm getting ready to stop my norcos tonight too. i got up to 30 10mg p/day! i was too scared to go thru wd, so my dr. put me on Subutex/Suboxen to avoid any wd. sounds like the easy way out, I know. But I also know myself well enough to know that without the aid of the subs, I would be on norco forever. My dr.has me on Xanax for severe panic attacks (I've been on Xanax for 6 or 7 years with no problems). My Dr. actually INCREASED my Xanax for the next few months so I won't experience the extra anxiety. There is NO REASON for you to go thru this having anxiety attacks. Your dr. needs to have a heart. Be honest with him about how bad your anxiety really is and then taper down slowly. You don't sound like you're trying to trade one drug for the other. You sound like you're trying to survive. don't be so hard on yourself. You said you have a lot on your plate...Take your xanax as prescribed when you get it and begin dealing slowly with the things on your plate. Things will get better every day:)