Xanax Withdrawal - Day 9 - Struggling - Please Help

[Gustav85]

I took .25 xanax for near 3 months every day....
I been suffering withdrawal symptoms since last weekend

Currently - Extreme fatigue - Brain Fog - Lack of Concentration - Extreme Headpressure (toward the back of the head) insomnia, I been waking up at 3-4am with shakes and then cannot fall back to sleep...it feels like I have not slept in weeks even though I do fall asleep at night...between 11-and 3...but I guess my brain is not sleeping the headpressure refuses to go away at all...there 24/7

I went through a lot in the past few months, I went through a ton of pain before and after gallbladder removal and gallbladder was originally misdiagnosed as axniety when they actually found out it was the gallbladder stopped working...

I was in and out of the hospital for 2 months because of complications of gallbladder surgery and extreme stomach pain...plus they gave me pain meds while in the hospital...

How long should these crazy symptoms last, i'm getting really depressed over this because I have not felt even the slightest awake since I stopped xanax last weekend...I feel like I cannot interact with anyone and I feel outside of myself...before I stopped xanax I was moving around doing things I could concentrate and now I feel lifeless

I have a major stomach issue before this and this withdrawal is making it worse as well...I did not know about xanax withdrawal or anything...I was taking it to help me sleep through pain...but I relized that the med was a controling med and I did not want to take it anymore...

How long until I expect improvement? I was told to take .5 of Ativan when needed to counter withdrawal, but even when I take it at night it only helps me sleep for 4-5 hours...I rather not take it, if the withdrawal will be faster...I need to get back on track because of my stomach issue and I need support from the forum community...worse pain I had in my life from my stomach and I can barely take care of myself...

Please advise...

[ladyofthemystnin]

How are you doing now? I have read complaints on other messageboards that the withdrawal from xanax can last approx 7months for high-dose users. You have been taking an extremely low dose, but on any amount you will likely suffer from withdrawal. Keep pushing through it. The withdrawal can cause seizures, so it would be best if you were supervised during the process (stay with a family member, friend, boyfriend etc), and if in doubt see a doctor asap. Search for message boards that discuss Xanax withdrawal, and read first-hand accounts of what you can expect to experience at that dose. Sometimes it can be fairly mild - particularly at that dosage - but it is better to be informed and to take it seriously.

Good luck!

[Gustav85]

I don't know what to do, a ton of head pressure, insomnia, and feeling dizzy all day...plus my stomach condition which I been trying to figure out since Aug which causes severe pain....

The head pressure/insomnia didn't start until I stopped xanax 12-13 days ago...just constant pressure on the back of the head and cannot sleep...and racked with stomach pain...

I'm currently only seeing a gastro doctor....the one who gave me xanax was the ER doctor to help me sleep...orginally they thought it was anxiety even though my gallbladder failed and it took them 3 weeks to relize this

Can I still be having lingering withdrawal affects? I heard it can last a bit longer ...

[DJ873]

Its hard to believe the withdrawl is lasting this long, i would get to the doctor.

[Gustav85]

Its the 18th, still can't sleep and awaking with severe head pressure how long does this last? Please help ... my pre-existing stomach condition keeps getting worse I need help

[Gustav85]

How long did it take everyone to get through a withdrawal such as xanax or a related medicine? Just like to know when the light at the end of the tunnel gets closer...i'm scared out of my mind...and its because I also have a major digestive condition causing SEVERE pain...

[Gustav85]

I know, just have a excruating stomach condition after my gallbladder surgery and crippled with stomach pain with a heavyhead making me not want to eat...I can't sleep...i'll hang in there, but honestly I shed tears every night because of both conditions...

[cnote]

You know, I started tapering off Klonopin, only been taking it for about a month and a week. But boy oh boy, I've been SOOOO fatigued the past 5 or 6 days. Feeling achy  back and stuff. I dunno if it's me tapering off the Klonopin or what!? I went from 1mg a night, to .5mg a night, and now .25mg. I had to take a .25mg today before work b/c my anxiety was coming back this morning. I have also had short term memory issues I think b/c of this. Hope you wean slowly, like I'm trying to do. Anxiety stinks man... and I know we don't wanna be on the benzos... and they can be a pain to get off... but you can do it. But if you are having FULL BLOWN anxiety over it, take a little to get ya through it... but don't abuse it. Just use when needed. Hang in there.

[Gustav85]

Since I been off xanax I took two .5 ativan over this weekend besides that cold turkey...how long with my symptoms above will they start to disapear? Getting fustrated having severe head pressure morning to night and unable to sleep...then my stomach is messed up with a condition...

Need some input how long will some symptoms start going away...like head pressure or insomnia I just need some peace of mind...

[Gustav85]

It was not a slow temper, I didn't even know about withdrawals until my world was upside down on day 3...i'm just afraid to take anything...atrivan I was instructed to take as needed...I took it over the weekend abit .5 for 2 evenings it helped calm my severe shake attacks but only gave me 4 hours of sleep...I have not taking any since if I have another attack tonight I might...feels like I have not slept in weeks...fustrating...I know the withdrawal has to pass soon or later...but the brain fog and sleeplessness is killing me on top of a pre-exisiting stomach condition

[cj29]

I am sorry that you are going through this.  Are you tapering slowly off of the xanax?   You said that you have been prescribed ativan to 'counter' the xanax...did your doctor instruct you to do this?  Benzos like xanax and ativan can and do have withdrawal symptoms in my opinion.  When I was coming off of a benzo, I initially came off to fast and had many symptoms, so I went back to my doctor and he put me on a much slower taper which helped tremendously.  In my experience, good communication with your prescribing doctor is key in getting off of them...keep us posted!