Xanax withdrawal symptoms

[Bob641]

Hmm, I was searching in the web and looked up in the benzo.uk.org site and this a quotation from it:
"Stuck On Xanax"
All benzodiazepines produce physical dependency if you take them long enough. Over time, it seems, the brain "learns" to expect a certain level of the drug. If the drug is removed, the brain reacts with agitation, sleeplessness, and anxiety - the symptoms that led people to take the drug in the first place. Frequently, these symptoms are worse than the original ones, a phenomenon known as the "rebound" effect. In addition, abrupt withdrawal from the drugs can cause muscle cramps and twitches, impaired concentration, and occasionally even seizures.
End of quote.
No wonder I'm having muscle cramps.Some other site suggest to taper off of benzos by 2% every 14 days and not more. I wonder how can I do that with 2mg pills. I think the less I can do is  to reduce 0.25mg every two weeks, I tried before every month and it did not work, so I really don't know.I started back at 10mg a day and I'm planning in weaning it off but in the safest way possible.
What do you think about it?

[Mandapanda17]

VERY interesting.. might show it to my doctor!! thanks bob!!

[Bob641]

Thanks Manda,
Here is another quote I found in the benzo site:
"Unlike people who are addicted to cocaine and heroin, users of benzodiazepines don't develop a psychological craving for the drugs. But they do have a true physical dependency, and their withdrawal symptoms make the benzodiazepines extremely difficult to kick.

A number of clinical studies have found that Xanax and other benzodiazepines that are eliminated rapidly from the body produce a quicker, more severe rebound effect than drugs like Valium that are eliminated more slowly. Some people who take Xanax three times a day, a standard schedule for panic disorder, find that they even have symptoms as the drug wears off between one dose and the next. "
End of quote.
Interesting,don't you think?

[Mandapanda17]

I think I have a pinched nerve too. can't think of what else it could be! Its hurt me for 7 years and keeps getting worse. I'm at 1.25mgs for this week. they're tapering me down by .25mgs every week. little too fast in my opinion!! I have VERY heightened senses the first 2-3 days every week, but I'm hanging in there! 60 days off pain meds today!! good luck to you too! :)

[Bob641]

Hi, nice to chat with you again!!!
How much Xanax are you taking now, how much do you taper and how often?
Yep, the pain is almost killing me. Tomorrow I have an MRI of my cervical and the middle of the spine,that my pain management dr told me to take, he thinks is a pinched nerve, but I feel inside that is the withdrawal from xanax what produce it, specially after reading that quote.
Good luck
Bob

[Mandapanda17]

I would ask your doctor for the smaller pills of xanax for tapering. they come in 1mg, .5mg, and .25mgs. might be easier for you, not so much pill cutting or anything like that. hope you feel better soon, and thanks for this post! probably why my muscle cramps are so bad, tapering too fast. ttys!