Strange Feeling

Bit of background, I'm 28 yr. old female.  I have a huge fear of cancer due to my grandmother dying of Ovarian Cancer.  Suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and I tend to be obsessive, I dwell on my aliments too.  A year ago my GP prescribed Xanax .25 mg for when needed since I tried Paxil, Zoloft and Effexor but they all made to real anxious,weight gain and dry mouth.  For 5-6 months I would only take when I felt anxious.  Go through maybe 30 in 2 month period.  Back in March a lot of things stressful started happening so I was taking more than I was use to and in April I was taking 1-2 at least 5 days a week.  I then realized that I was taking it way too often and tried to ween myself off. I was taking maybe one every other day. I was doing pretty good until mid-May.  Went on vacation to Cancun and I took 2 Xanax for the plane ride since I have had bad experiences flying before.  Two days into the trip my head started feeling kinda like it was bouncing or when you are on a bad plane ride so I took a Xanax and the feeling disappeared only to return the next day.  Well on the way back to the states we had a really bad plane ride, terrifying so I took 3 Xanax.  When we got back home I had the same bouncing/plane ride feeling so I would take a Xanax and it would go away.  At that time I was down to taking maybe 3 within a week period. I have went a few weeks now without really having this feeling but on Monday the feeling returned so I took a Xanax-feeling gone.  Tuesday feeling again but I didn't take a Xanax.  I haven't taken any Xanax since Monday, I have 2 left.  Called my GP and she said no more refills to come in.  I wake up in the mornings feeling normal then as the morning goes on the feeling returns.  Each day its getting better but its still there.  Its still very annoying at this point. I have no nausea, no headaches, no problems with balance, no dizziness. Just feels like my head is kinda bouncing when I walk, like in a fog, not clear. I do have shaky hands, periods of sweating, a lot of anxiety. My ears have been popping some but I also have TMJ too.  I do have a little bit of nasal drainage and sinus pressure in my cheeks but thats kinda typical of me but I haven't taken any Allegra D either.  Its almost like if I don't think about it, I feel fine but once I start thinking about it, the feeling appears.  My question is, does this sound like withdrawal from Xanax?  If so, how long can I expect to go through this?  Could it be a ear infection or inner ear infection?  Since I have a huge fear of cancer and I tend to rush off to every doctor when I think the worst, does this sound anything like brain cancer or a brain tumor?  I had a appt. today with my GP but she was sick so I can't see her until July 11.  Please advise

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Xanax is a poor choice for the control of anxiety.  Because the medication is so short acting, it has a high addictive potential.

I certainly would discuss other treatment options for the anxiety and panic attacks.  Paxil, Zoloft and Effexor have been tried without success.

You can try other SSRI's (like Lexapro or Celexa), or Wellbutrin.  Another option would be a medication called Buspar.  

I would discuss these other options with your personal physician.  If you are having trouble coming off the Xanax, I would consider a psychiatry evaluation or counselling.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
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