Xanax detox vs. opiate detox

[Soonerdean]

I see that for the most part almost everyone on this particular board is detoxing from opiates and very few of us are detoxing from some kind of benzo.  I've read almost every post for the past month and I am amazed at how similar the detox process is for both opiates and benzos.  While I do think the detox process for benzos takes longer than opiates the wd symptoms seem almost identical as far as type, duration and severity.

Today is day 23 of my cold turkey xanax detox and norco taper program.  The most severe wd's for me were the waves of anxiety/depression, sweats, heart palpatations, insomnia and fever.  Those have all but disappeared but a brand new symptom began 3 days ago.  About 8pm my feet and lower legs begin to swell, the begin to feel as if they are burning and then they feel like I'm standing on a million little pins and needles.  I just read a post where a person is detoxing from an opiate and he is currently experiencing the exact same problems at about the same time in the detox process.  Just amazing!

I continue to be amazed at the power of these chemicles.  How they take control of our minds, body and lives and it all starts out innocent as we follow doctors orders.    

[gnarly_1]

After detoxing from both methadone and countless other narcotics as well as xanex the symptoms are simlare but the benzos lasted longer then all bet the methadone its no fun going off someithing they give you for anxiety it just amplify's the problem making the detox that much harder + THE fact you cant just c/t of a benzo it is a slow agonizing process if I remember right it took my doctor over a yr to get me off 4mg od zanex.....can you say never again!!!
just one more vise out there I guess but one that takes pacents to overcome....................Gnarly    

[Rich99]

""I continue to be amazed at the power of these chemicles.  How they take control of our minds, body and lives and it all starts out innocent as we follow doctors orders.""""
That's exactly right.     These chemicals disrupt and push aside the natural chemicals that our brain and body produce.    When we take enough of them,  it signals the brain to stop making its own.     During withdrawals,  the amount of artificial ones begin to recede,   your nervous system begins to speed up (if you were taking nervous system depressant drugs) in order to get back to normal giving you all those awful symptoms.     The medical community must be practicing on 'automatic pilot' without regard to what these drugs can do.    And it could be due to a big push from pharmaceutical companies who aren't concerned so much with your addiction as they are with charts showing profits during their board meetings.

[donewitis]

Thanks Sandy,
I see that now, I'll PM that site to Soonerdean.

I think Sandy is correct..I'd have the swelling feet/legs looked at by your Dr. That's one I have not heard of..and edema can be serious. Hopefully it is temporary.
We all got one more 24 hrs!

[sandstone27]

@donewtis just wanted to mention if you have a website to share with someone, you'll need to do it in a PM...as you can see, it won't show up here in the forum.

Hi Dean...WOW, these w/d's just won't let you go!  I have to wonder though if you would have tapered (hindsight I know) from the benzos if you would be having such a wide variety of symptoms.  Tapering is mandatory for benzo withdrawal because of the risk of seizure.  And if I remember correctly, you're tapering from an opiate as well?  This is just my opinion, but the best order of operations to avoid the worst of the withdrawals would be to FIRST taper or C/T from the opiate..the benzos will actually make the opiate w/d easier (I wouldn't recommend starting benzo's to help with opiate withdrawal, but you were already taking them so)....anyway, once you were done with the opiates, then a SLOW taper of the benzos would be in order.

I know this is all hindsight, but it may be why you're having so many withdrawal symptoms.  

I'd be remiss if I didn't say I am concerned about the leg and feet swelling. Are you diabetic?  It may not be a big deal, but you definitely want to watch it.  If it continues or worsens, get to the doctor.  

Well wishes to you....

Sandy :)

[donewitis]

http://www.************.org/forum/index.php?topic=39384.0

I found this site for Benzo info..and whoa..it is a great site..loads of info..taper schedules etc. I was JUST reading about common symptoms and burning and pins and needles was like #3.

Again, I hope each day is better than the last in regard to your symptoms :)