How long did your withdrawal symptoms last after going off Xanax?

I was taking Xanax from Sep.2006 til Oct of 2009. My doctor decided I need to start weening from it in July. I decreased my dose gradually til I was completely off it it. But I do have to say it was possibly the most physically draning thing I ever did. When I first started taking xanax I started at a dose of .5mg 3x per day. Then my doctor increased me to 1mg 3x a day. I then after a few months increased my own dose here and there til I was up to 6 to 8mg per day. EVERYDAY!!  I was constantly "out of it". To be honest those 3 years are just simply all a little blurry to me. But anyhow my question is.........I have been having alot of twitching in my face since  I quit and also I was having terrible pain in my feet. They felt "tender" is the only word to describe it. Has anyone else had these syptoms (symptoms) of withdrawals with xanax???

If I can give any advoce to anyone I would like it to be if you dont need to Xanax to function dont ever get the habit started. Its one of the hardest things Ive ever had to quit in my life

[birdie0907]

If you quit in October, I imagine there are no physical effects from the med withdrawal occurring now, so I would either see the doctor or ask a pharmacist about the feet pain and the twitching.

Neither of these seems related to the med, especially the feet pain, but the pharmacist who filled your prescriptions will know for sure and can answer that for free.

[mammo]

Four to six months is common with 2mg to 4mg.  Klonopin is often given to help one wean off the Xanax.  Withdrawal syndrome can last up to two years.  Because you upped your dosage on your own, you may be having a tougher time with this.  I don't know about the pain in your feet, but due to your long term use of Xanax, I would see your doctor and get evaluated to determine if is part of the withdrawal.  It's more about the length of time you take Xanax than the dosage when it comes to withdrawal, and from what I know, it can be hell.  So, I would think anything's possible, but best to check with your doctor on this.

[off_the_xanax]

I called the doctors office and did some looking online and the foot "tingling" or pain seems to be a rather common experience. I am just hoping it goes away soon

[mammo]

Well, that's a relief, at least you know what's causing it.  I guess just time will tell, hopefully it goes away real soon.  Take care...

[castelfrontano]

I have been taking Xanax for about 20 years.  It worked for a number of years but the effects began to taper off.  Most xanax users develop tolerance in a much shorter period of time.  If your doctor substitutes Klonipin (klonopin) for Xanax, there should be no withdrawal.  The question is that they are both Benzo's and you could end up developing tolerance to  Klonipin (klonopin) as well.  There is no free lunch.  In my opinion, it is better to never take it in the first place.  However, we don't all have that luxury.

[StormBlade]

I was in a similar situation.  I took xanax for a few months at around the same dosage as yourself.  When I stopped taking them it was hell.  I became numb all over my body, could not think straight, sensitive to sound, ears ringing, one pupil larger than the other, extreme depression, and extreme anxiety.  The numbness was so bad that I could not even feel water in my mouth or feel things going down that I swallowed.  In my experience, everyone is different and symptoms will vary from person to person.  I have been off of xanax for about 3-4 months and I am still slightly numb.  My pupils are pretty much back to normal and my anxiety is getting better.  The numbness is what was the most scary, and still is pretty annoying.  Hopefully it will all go away eventually.  Withdrawals differ from person to person, and you never know when you will be the "odd" case....*****!