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709686 tn?1277432159

Xanax

To anyone who may be considering taking this drug first let me tell you what you can expect.  Memory loss, weight loss, increased anger and anxiety, concentration problems, chills, shakes, balance problems, sensory problems to light, sound & touch, no appetite, stinging sinsation in extremties.

Now let me tell you what the withdrawals will be like.  Pure HELL!  All of the above problems times 10.   Today is day 21 for me going cold turkey from Xanax.  I admit, this is my own fault for not researching this drug before taking the first pill but that is not a mistake I will make twice.  I cannot begin to tell you how hellish the past 3 weeks have been for me and as each day goes by the more angry I get with my doctor.

He was just trying to help but he never once told me about the danges or withdrawals I would experience.  Had he informed me..I never would have taken the first dose.  
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Avatar universal
I really glad I found this site. I'm only 19 and I was taking 10 to 20 mg a day skipping a few days and back to the old regimine . I took some one night and forgot how many perkecets I took therefore taking alot more than I should of and mildly od'ed if it was'nt 4 my good friend and neighbor I would prpbly be dead , leaving three kids and a wife behide.that was my motivation to stop , and did cold turkey .day 14 and I still feel like s*** but I no time will be my altimate test it feels like I'm never going to get back to normal ol jeffy but your guys word help let me see different thanks so much Jeff

Helpful - 0
709686 tn?1277432159
I took Xanax off and on for over a year.  My doseage was anywhere from .125mg to .5mgs.  At times I would go a few days without taking a pill then go for weeks straight and never miss a dose...was kinda strange.

I'm now hearing of other optioins out there such as Valium and Klonopin...my doctor never mentioned these to me...I wish he had.  What I have found out is Xanax is inteneded for use of less than 2 weeks...anything longer is when the addiction/dependence occurs.

Cold turkey has been a real mofo but I just wanted this stuff out of my body as quickly as possible.  Looks like I have a few weeks to go.  One other problem I seem to have is with my eyes.  They are always bloodshot and look like roadmaps.
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Avatar universal
You are right about medications like these.  Xanax is usually not used for long term treatment.  If you do need a benzo long term, there are other options with meds that have a longer half life like klonopin and valium.  In my opinion, they are alot less addicting and easier to come off of.

I am glad you are making progress...just hang in there!  You WILL get through it!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hey tropicalsoul
i had the same problem but the difference is you have stopped it 21 days back and i have stopped it 4 days back. as you said it is really hellish . i just want to know how many days did you take xanax ?
Helpful - 0
709686 tn?1277432159
Hey cj29,
I agree with everything you said but I think what most people dont understand is that once they start taking any medication, eventually, they have to quit and this is when the problems begin.

Today is day 21 for me quitting xanax cold turkey..my doctor wanted to increase my doseage even when I was telling him about all the problems I was having.  I was getting worse...not better.

This is when I began to research xanax and the side effects.  I found out that the longer I took the drug the more my body would require until all kinds of mental and physical damage would occur.  Some damage would be irreversable. (sp?)  

At this time I researched withdrawal symptoms and decided that the 6 week withdrawal symptoms would be better than the damage that was currently happening to my mind, spirit and body.

I realize now that cold turkey was the DUMBEST thing I have ever done but at the time I was not thinking clearly..another problem with this drug.
But I did not want to drag this thing out any longer than I had to.  I now know about GABA receptors in my brain.  Pretty freaky stuff.

Today is day 21 for me and my mind is a little clearer, my ears aren't ringing like they used to, my anger and anxiety has decreased, memory is just starting to return and the chills and sweats are starting to decrease.  Thanks for the reply.  It helps just talking about this.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry that you had such a bad experience with this medication.  When you came off of it, did you do a slow taper per your doctor's orders?  Xanax and other benzos like it can be extremely addicting, but if prescribed and used correctly, they are very good at what they are designed to do.  Remember, Xanax is not usually prescribed long term and is used many times on an as needed basis.

Of course you are going to have horrible side effects if you quit cold turkey.  Taking medication into your hands is not very smart and can be down right dangerous.  They are prescription medications for a reason and one must be very careful when coming on or off of them...whenever you decide to 'roll the dice' and take/stop them at your own discretion, you are naturally going to have consequences.

I am sorry to be so blunt with my opinion here, because I have seen so many horror stories with bad results that are self inflicted.  Why would you be angry at your doctor if you are the one putting yourself through 'hell?'  

I am always a little cautious when I read about opinions on any medication.  While xanax can be a nasty drug, it has also helped many people as long as you don't do things on your own.  Please keep us informed on how you are doing and I wish you luck in getting off of this...please keep us posted!
Helpful - 0
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