Xanax withdrawal after 2 months use

[joe3500]

I am a recovering heroin addict. Have been on subutex(suboxone) for almost 3 years. Doing well.  Well a little over 2 months ago I started having this weird tight feeling in my chest along with a racing heart and high blood pressure.  I went to a doctor and was prescribed xanax and a beta blocker.  After taking the xanax I found it took away those feelings, and never took the beta blocker.  So being an addict I was originally prescribed 90 .5mg 3x a day, with one refill.  Well before i knew it i had gone through like 150 pills, taking anywhere from 2 - sometimes 3.5mgs a day.  I realized i had become addicted not being able to go more than 24 hours without taking the xanax.  My heart would start racing and my blood pressure sky rocketed.  I went to my doctor in withdrawal my blood pressure was 160/100 pulse 125 and those are higher than ive ever seen in my life. Being a typical moron docotor, he cut me off the benzos saying "they werent agreeing with me".  I explained how i did all this research and how important it is to wean down off it.  he gave me a script for something else called busapr, but i didnt want to develop a habit with anything else.  Luckily my other doctor was able to write me a scipt for 30 more .5mgs of the xanax.  For the last few days ive taken about 1mg a day and have felt fine, and am going to try with my remaining 22 pills to keep weening over the next 2 weeks until completely off.  I guess my overall question, I read a ton of stories about people who have been on xanax for years and years and they talk of their horror withdrawal stories.  If anyone out there is similar to me only taking for a little less than 2 months, and with a 2 week ween to come off at the amount I was at.  How bad do you think it will be? And im also curious as to when it starts, because i noticed today i had gone 25 hours and felt ok, no withdrawal symptoms after only taking 1 mg 25 hrs earlier.  If it has such a quick half life from what i've read wouldnt i have felt something by that point.  Also I have beta blockers, and wondering if they will help once withdrawal does set it in.  any info is much appreciated!!

[sandstone27]

Hi joe,  

I agree with what has already been said about continuing to taper down from the xanax.  You haven't been on it long, and you shouldn't have a problem tapering down to zero with what you have left.  If you find out that it is taking you longer to finish your taper, go back to your doctor and talk to him about why you may need another script.   I can relate to what you're saying about the benzo's - the only thing they do is keep the anxiety at bay  - which is a good thing.  Regarding the buspar, it's non-narcotic, and when I was having anxiety issues, my doctor had me try it but it really didn't do anything.  It does take a few weeks to reach full efficacy, but at this point, I would just avoid it once you're off of the xanax.  And the beta blocker will help immensely if you start feeling anxious - it's a blood pressure medication and will help with the racing heart and other discomforts.  

Well wishes to you....

Sandy ♦

[joe3500]

Been to many rehabs and detox facilitties always for opiates.  I was addicted to percs vicodin, then oxycontin and eventually heroin.  In and out of rehab for 10 years.  Never was able to stay clean.  Just love opiates.  Never even enjoy the xanax, it doesnt do anything to me except maybe calm me slightly.  But to answer your question, yes that is why i am on suboxone now, clean off all other opiates for 3 years.  i know eventually i will have to get off the subuxone, but that is an issue for another time. I just wanted to stop this xanax, because I heard of the horror stories of getting off of it, and i dont even feel it when i take it anyway. also i have a weird feeling that the suboxone i take calms some of the withdrawal from the nenzos but who knows.  thanks to all that replied.

[Gasten]

DITTO Vicki's comment!!!

[vicki595]

Here's what I think: you've caught this in the nick of time!  You have enough to taper and now that you know you're okay with 1mg per day, do not go back up. Just keep tapering by small amounts over time.

Once you are through tapering, the wd's should be minimal. And,yes,the beta blocker will help those other symptoms but at any time,if you are concerned,call your doctor and discuss this...

Good luck and keep in touch!

[lal757]

    First of all xanax is very addictive you are a addict and they only set off another addiction. So I think I would not go there.  Xanax has bad withdrawals similar to heroin so be careful. Have you been to detox and then treatment for drugs this will help.