Anybody?

[kateb79]

I was just wondering how long xanax withdrawal symptoms last?  i am currently on 1.5 3x a day and want to taper off....but in between doses i get numbness in my limbs and sometimes face...is this normal??  if so, how long does it last after i come off this sh*tty drug?  Thanks for replys, i'm just worried and concerned about weird symptoms....

[theotterone]

To tell you the truth, it was over a decade for me (which is about a third of my life) and it is fuzzy for me.  (How quickly this stuff goes!)  Hang in there, there will be someone else who can speak to that better than me.  I know it is tough, but you will make it!

[kateb79]

I'm glad i found someone here to talk to!  The numbness is in my arms and face mostly....and happens when i'm about ready to take my next xanax...so i'm not sure if its hyperventilating or not...i do know about that breathing though!  i'm currently working with a therapist trying to get through all this panic i have...but now the xanax seems to have made it worse in a way.  how long do the withdrawal symptoms last?

[theotterone]

It can be.  Also, remember, many of us breathe really shallow when we are anxious, so it could be hyperventaling.  If you suspect this, try square breathing (thank you Dr. Joy Brown on that one).

Breathe in to the count of 4, hold for the count of 4, breathe out to the count of 4, hold for the count of 4, repeat.

This can slow down your breathing.  I have used it and taught it to my oldest daughter (9 years old) and it helps.  Let me know if I can help, I am online for about another 40 minutes, but will check back tomorrow.

:-)

[kateb79]

Thanks for the reply!  I am on zoloft currently 150 mg/day...but the xanax symptoms, (numbness) is what is scaring me....do you know if that is normal?

[theotterone]

Talk to your doctor about tapering off.  I got addicted to Xanax, but still had the anxiety.  I did go on an antidepressant (which can take 6-8 weeks to build in your system before you see results).  I was switched to Klonopin for my actual attacks.  Coming off of that isn't much easier, (I still use it PRN) but this is the way my doctor explained it to me:

Xanax is like a cigarette.  You get the drug delivered into your system, but shortly the effects wear off causing the "craving" for more.  Klonopin stays in the system longer, and wears off slower.  Since it does this, there isn't as much as a risk for craving it.

This doesn't mean that it is necessarily easier to get off of Klonopin (see other posts), but it can be a bit better than Xanax.  Make sure you talk to your doctor.  Luckily, mine makes me a partner in my medicine decisions, instead of just telling me to take something and don't ask questions.

Good luck and I hope this helps!