Xanax or Vicodin/Tramadolo withdrawal symptoms?

[Bob641]

I have been abusing Xanax 2mg for a couple of years and I'm weaning off slowly. I also taked Tramadol 50mg as prescribed from my doctor as well as Vicodin 5mg for less than a year. I finally gave up on the Vicodin and Tramadol, I do not have abused them, but it might seem that my body devoloped some dependence. I don't know. Since a few days ago or a week ago I have been having really bad back and shoulder and neck muscle cramps and kind of feel as they are hot, is really irritating and painful. Will that be an effect of the Vicodin/Tramadol withdrawal or will that be the Xanax?
Any help is appreciated.

[Bob641]

PT? I don't know what it means.
No, the only pain medications that I might be overdoing are Tylenol, Tylenol PM and Ibuprofene 800mg. The Xanax was prescribed for anxiety, but this one is long gone, I abused Xanax to sleep. My nutrition is OK. No exercises at all, just walk to the market a couple of blocks away once a week, otherwise I'm at home watching TV or at the computer.. No, have not tried heating pad, neither hot/cold therapy.
Thanks Eagle.
Bob

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Actually glad to hear that Bob - thats what it sounded like at first.....keep that heating pad or hot / cold alternating applications and see if that helps. Do some breathing exercises (breathe in deeply - fully inflate lungs as you inhale with a ten count - then exhale slowly all the way from the Bhudda belly to a ten count ) - ...or yoga - cho gong is another good one to do - libraries have cd's of the variuos yoga and that stuff - check one out - keep in touch and best to you - PM if needed .....eagle

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Okay - why the PT? Might need a little more info to think about this - could an existing injury be the problem? The taper for the zan sounds solid. You havent done many pain meds in over a month? Was the zan RX'd for a muscle prob or nervous or what? Are you getting good adequate nutrition? And have you been for a while? Have you tried a heating pad? Or alternating hot / cold therapy? How about activity level - are you walking or anything? Exercise really does help. Lets figure this out for you, bob........eagle

[Bob641]

Well, now that I think again, yes I feel some clenching of my teeth, most like a tension in my jaws muscles, as well as my whole body tense.

[Bob641]

Thanks for your prompt reply. The Vicodin and Tramadol, kind of were cold turkey approach, with  maybe a couple of days in that period, over a month now, where I taked an occasional pill for really bad migraine. I tried the hot baths approach, not to avail. I have physical theraphy twice a week and that helps a bit but the next day I'm in pain again. The Xanax withdrawal is very slow,0.25mg every 3 or 4 weeks. And no, no grinding or clenching of the teeth.
Thanks,
Bob

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Make sure that you are dropping that stuff very gradually. This is not the place to try and either cold turkey that mix or drop the dose too rapidly. I would personally say that you should address one of the things at a time. Both tram and zan are prone to cause siezures if stopped too rapidly. This is not an easy one. Have you by any chance found yourself clenching or grinding teeth? Sounds to me like you need to let those muscles get relaxed. Think about this approach. Use hot showers/baths to relax those shoulders and neck. Pamper yourself for a minute. Keep posting here and let us know how it is going. And keep reading these other posts. There is a lot of valuable information on this forum. And good luck to you - - -  eagle