Benzos Xanax hangover?

[SociallyAwkward]

I've been on doses between .25-.5 mg xanax for a while for my anxiety. I find it very helpful when I do take it, however once it starts going out of my system it's not a very pleasant experience. It usually starts with my heart racing for hours and some rebound anxiety. Then the day after I have a similar feeling to being hungover on alcohol. Not that I feel dizzy really but more like feeling sluggish and having a headache and not getting much done.

I understand rebound anxiety is bound to happen but does other people get this hangover feeling too the next day? It's annoying having to deal with and I don't understand why it happens considering how small doses of benzo I take. I always get the worst hangovers on alcohol as well. I try to eat enough, sleep, drink plenty and take vitamins but yet it happens.

 

[Methacodone]

That's not a hangover, that's withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines produce some of the ugliest withdrawals out there, and they CAN be life threatening if dose is high enough and you've been on Xanax for a good period of time.

HOWEVER, for you, although it can be VERY uncomfortable, with low doses like .25-.50mg your W/D will NOT be life threatening.

Even though Benzo's and Alcohol are very similar, for me I've never had a hangover from Benzo's, just the w/d's.

Re-search about benzo W/D and you'll know what I'm talking about.

 

[SociallyAwkward]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I'm familiar with benzo withdrawals. But can this really be a withdrawal I'm experiencing? Cause I felt like this right from the start the first day after taking xanax. And I only take it once or twice a week so I wonder if I can become dependant on it then considering the low dose?

 

[cook]

I dont think its withdrawal its just your reaction. I dont get benzo hangover unless I totally overshoot my dose and it sounds just like you describe. For some reason you just seem to get it from low doses.

Xanax can be pretty nasty especially the rebound effect, there are better alternatives out there unless you suffer from panic disorder which is what it is for.

 

[SociallyAwkward]

I dont think its withdrawal its just your reaction. I dont get benzo hangover unless I totally overshoot my dose and it sounds just like you describe. For some reason you just seem to get it from low doses.

Xanax can be pretty nasty especially the rebound effect, there are better alternatives out there unless you suffer from panic disorder which is what it is for.

Yes this sounds likely. What other benzo could be better for me in terms of treating social anxiety and taking it only now and then? Clonazepam? Diazepam? Something else?

 

[cook]

Maybe one of those you mentioned. I like crushed XR better for anxiety, social and other as it does not hit as hard and doesnt disappear or cause rebound for me. But the same thing can be achieved with a longer acting drug.

 

[Methacodone]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I'm familiar with benzo withdrawals. But can this really be a withdrawal I'm experiencing? Cause I felt like this right from the start the first day after taking xanax. And I only take it once or twice a week so I wonder if I can become dependant on it then considering the low dose?

Yes I believe it is.
Reason being is because Xanax is one of the short acting Benzos, half life of Xanax is avg. of 11.2 hours.
So therefore, you can absolutely go in Xanax W/D without dosing for a full day.

If you were on a long acting Benzo, let's say Valium or Klonopin, then you wont experience full blown W/D until after a couple to a few days.

Valium lasts up to 100 hours, while Klonopin lasts about 60 hours.
Compared to Xanax at just 11.2 hours.

So imo it's W/D...
I don't see how else you can experience those symptoms.

 

[Fvv]

I get the same rebound effects from various benzo's, especially the rc ones. I don't get it from Xanax but I def know what your talking about.
This just sucks because I take them for my anxiety and the result is extra anxiety the day after.
It's not worth it for me. My anxiety is not extreme enough to take pills that only make it worst once the effects are gone. The only good thing about this is that I won't get addicted to benzos. Never ever will I suffer benzo wd and thats pretty damn good after reading all those horror wd stories.

 

[crunkazcanbe]

I get the same rebound effects from various benzo's, especially the rc ones. I don't get it from Xanax but I def know what your talking about.
This just sucks because I take them for my anxiety and the result is extra anxiety the day after.
It's not worth it for me. My anxiety is not extreme enough to take pills that only make it worst once the effects are gone. The only good thing about this is that I won't get addicted to benzos. Never ever will I suffer benzo wd and thats pretty damn good after reading all those horror wd stories.

More anxiety the next day is a rebound effect Xanax can cause as a side effect .

 

[SociallyAwkward]

Yes I believe it is.
Reason being is because Xanax is one of the short acting Benzos, half life of Xanax is avg. of 11.2 hours.
So therefore, you can absolutely go in Xanax W/D without dosing for a full day.

If you were on a long acting Benzo, let's say Valium or Klonopin, then you wont experience full blown W/D until after a couple to a few days.

Valium lasts up to 100 hours, while Klonopin lasts about 60 hours.
Compared to Xanax at just 11.2 hours.

So imo it's W/D...
I don't see how else you can experience those symptoms.

Yes that's true. You do have a point. But yeah with withdrawal I mean like withdrawal when addicted/starting to get addicted. So I don't see how I could be in withdrawal after the first time ever I took xanax as I felt the exact same thing then as I do now. It's strange. Could it be I'm very sensitive to benzos?

I get the same rebound effects from various benzo's, especially the rc ones. I don't get it from Xanax but I def know what your talking about.
This just sucks because I take them for my anxiety and the result is extra anxiety the day after.
It's not worth it for me. My anxiety is not extreme enough to take pills that only make it worst once the effects are gone. The only good thing about this is that I won't get addicted to benzos. Never ever will I suffer benzo wd and thats pretty damn good after reading all those horror wd stories.

Good thing I'm not alone but sorry you also experience this. Yeah I have been thinking about trying out some rc benzo, my doc wants to keep me on xanax even though I told him the side effects I get after taking it. So maybe I can find something else that works better. But just like you I also feel very certain I won't ever end up addicted to benzos. I don't really like how they literally wipe my mind and I can't concentrate or be creative while on them.

 

[Methacodone]

Well you stated the exact opposite in your OP.

"I've been on doses between .25-.5 mg xanax for a while for my anxiety. I find it very helpful when I do take it, however once it starts going out of my system it's not a very pleasant experience"

"For a while" to me means you've been on them quite some time.
If you have stated in the OP that you're barely just starting Benzos and are experiencing these symptoms then I would've either posted something different in my post or not post on this thread at all.
People who have been on Benzos for a while, and let them leave their systems without either tapering or getting professional help, then yeah there's no doubt in my mind that what you were/are experiencing is benzo w/d.

But, if that's the case, then either Benzos or Xanax isn't for you.
Also, the very best thing to do is check in with your doctor, I'm pretty sure he/she will know way more than us BL's.

 

[SociallyAwkward]

Well you stated the exact opposite in your OP.

"I've been on doses between .25-.5 mg xanax for a while for my anxiety. I find it very helpful when I do take it, however once it starts going out of my system it's not a very pleasant experience"

"For a while" to me means you've been on them quite some time.
If you have stated in the OP that you're barely just starting Benzos and are experiencing these symptoms then I would've either posted something different in my post or not post on this thread at all.
People who have been on Benzos for a while, and let them leave their systems without either tapering or getting professional help, then yeah there's no doubt in my mind that what you were/are experiencing is benzo w/d.

But, if that's the case, then either Benzos or Xanax isn't for you.
Also, the very best thing to do is check in with your doctor, I'm pretty sure he/she will know way more than us BL's.

I think you misunderstood me. I could have been more clear in the OP about how I have constantly been experiencing these effects yes. But if you look back in the topic I told you after your first reply that I had experienced the side effects from day one and was therefore wondering if it could really be withdrawal symptoms. Then I said it once more after your second reply. I have been on xanax for a few months now. Also I had one of those 'dizzy days' when I made the topic so it's possible my replies were a little confused.

My doc don't know shit really. He told me it is to be expected, it's a strong medicine and I could feel a bit off for a day or so. Funny thing is hardly anyone seems to be getting these hangovers unless they take massive doses of benzo. If I take 0,5 mg one day the next day it feels like a truck ran over my head. Guess I simply don't tolerate benzo well. Or xanax in particular as you said.

 

[Methacodone]

Yeah, well you know there's not only one doctor you can go to.
You'll meet a lot of doctors who you wont like or be comfortable with.
I myself, had to go through at least 4-5 doctors to find the right one for my needs.

But trust me, that's the best route to go, since you don't like your current doctor, like I said I would def. look for a new one until you find the right one.
What do you trust more?
a drug forum website with lots of addicts?
or a doctor who's been educated for years?
Yeah I know the answer is common sense.

But, I can't control you, or tell you what to do.
I'm sure you're smart enough to do what's best for you.

I'm just another blue lighter who's trying to give you the best advice possible on what you asked/stated in the OP.

Best of luck to you,
-Methacodone

 

[pbuilder]

I think you misunderstood me. I could have been more clear in the OP about how I have constantly been experiencing these effects yes. But if you look back in the topic I told you after your first reply that I had experienced the side effects from day one and was therefore wondering if it could really be withdrawal symptoms. Then I said it once more after your second reply. I have been on xanax for a few months now. Also I had one of those 'dizzy days' when I made the topic so it's possible my replies were a little confused.

My doc don't know shit really. He told me it is to be expected, it's a strong medicine and I could feel a bit off for a day or so. Funny thing is hardly anyone seems to be getting these hangovers unless they take massive doses of benzo. If I take 0,5 mg one day the next day it feels like a truck ran over my head. Guess I simply don't tolerate benzo well. Or xanax in particular as you said.

So let's be clear, do you take it daily or more then once a week? If so, you most definetely are experiencing benzo withdrawal. You may be in denial, but benzo withdrawal forms VERY QUICKLY with any type of consistent benzo use, even if it's not daily. ESPECIALLY with potent short lasting ones like Xanax. Your symptoms are typical benzo withdrawal. Go for a week without any benzos and tell me how you feel. Xanax is a very potent benzo with a short half life, so even after the very first time you took it, having a rebound anxiety / withdrawal effect is common right from the get go, because it's so potent, yet is metabolized out of your symptoms so quickly. At first, benzo hangovers just last a day or two, but eventually your hangover develops into withdrawal symptoms that will last for weeks or months the longer you are consistently taking any benzos. The hangover turns into a longterm withdrawal symptom, and you'll end up more anxious then ever before. Benzowithdrawal and benzo post acute withdrawal symptoms are hell, and BENZOS ARE NEVER WORTH IT to be on daily or multiple times a week for an extended period of time. Taper off and get off them while you still have a chance man, or else I suggest you go read some real long lasting xanax withdrawal symptoms posted around the net from "patients" that were prescribed them by there doctor, and now are dealing with life changing and disabilitating withdrawal symptoms, from people taking even doses as low a .5mg a day for an extended period of time.

Doctors DON'T KNOW SHIT when it comes to benzos and there withdrawals. The true PAWS from over prescribing of benzos in the past years is only just showing its ugly head now, and although doctors are in denial that benzos, intitially thought to be a drug family with an incredible safety profile, actually have the most dangerous and potentially long lasting withdrawals out there of any currently highly prescribed drugs, they undoubtedly lead to people that have been prescribed them becoming a depressed anxious mess with all sorts of odd and tedious withdrawal symptoms that linger for months or years after taking "benzo therapy" for anxiety or whatever other reason for a few months or years.

Just a warning, benzos are honestly almost as bad as the SSRI's being prescribed and handed out like candy as far horrible withdrawals go. SSRI's being anti-depressents like paxil or whatever else, that have withdrawal symptoms that lead to people literally having brain zaps and smelling burnt rubber 24/7 and having seizures and permanent insomnia and honestly, a whole generation of depressed adults that ended up killing themselves during the SSRI withdrawals when they are taken off the SSRI because they are so honestly awful and the doctors didn't even believe withdrawals existed from SSRI's. This is your trusted doctor, completely fucking you over, because there is so little true knowledge on the effects and long lasting effects of these drugs as we learn the brain is more and more complex and fragile every day. And yet doctors don't even acknowledge how severe and real these withdrawals are, just like they don't acknowledge how severe and real benzo withdrawals are or that PAWS symptoms can literally be in full swing for years after getting off benzos because they fuck up your brain and gaba-receptor site functionality so much.

Big pharma loves to make large amounts of money at the expense of the santiy and mental well-being of millions of civilians.

Honestly, if you are not already hooked on benzos, stay the fuck away, this is for any one else reading this as well.

When it comes to psycho-active medications, most doctors are clueless. Most psychiastrists are clueless as well. Over prescribe and over prescribe these drugs with the worst long term side effects and withdrawals possible. Face palm.

 

[Fvv]

So let's be clear, do you take it daily or more then once a week? If so, you most definetely are experiencing benzo withdrawal. You may be in denial, but benzo withdrawal forms VERY QUICKLY with any type of consistent benzo use, even if it's not daily. ESPECIALLY with potent short lasting ones like Xanax. Your symptoms are typical benzo withdrawal. Go for a week without any benzos and tell me how you feel. Xanax is a very potent benzo with a short half life, so even after the very first time you took it, having a rebound anxiety / withdrawal effect is common right from the get go, because it's so potent, yet is metabolized out of your symptoms so quickly. At first, benzo hangovers just last a day or two, but eventually your hangover develops into withdrawal symptoms that will last for weeks or months the longer you are consistently taking any benzos. The hangover turns into a longterm withdrawal symptom, and you'll end up more anxious then ever before. Benzowithdrawal and benzo post acute withdrawal symptoms are hell, and BENZOS ARE NEVER WORTH IT to be on daily or multiple times a week for an extended period of time. Taper off and get off them while you still have a chance man, or else I suggest you go read some real long lasting xanax withdrawal symptoms posted around the net from "patients" that were prescribed them by there doctor, and now are dealing with life changing and disabilitating withdrawal symptoms, from people taking even doses as low a .5mg a day for an extended period of time.

Doctors DON'T KNOW SHIT when it comes to benzos and there withdrawals. The true PAWS from over prescribing of benzos in the past years is only just showing its ugly head now, and although doctors are in denial that benzos, intitially thought to be a drug family with an incredible safety profile, actually have the most dangerous and potentially long lasting withdrawals out there of any currently highly prescribed drugs, they undoubtedly lead to people that have been prescribed them becoming a depressed anxious mess with all sorts of odd and tedious withdrawal symptoms that linger for months or years after taking "benzo therapy" for anxiety or whatever other reason for a few months or years.

Just a warning, benzos are honestly almost as bad as the SSRI's being prescribed and handed out like candy as far horrible withdrawals go. SSRI's being anti-depressents like paxil or whatever else, that have withdrawal symptoms that lead to people literally having brain zaps and smelling burnt rubber 24/7 and having seizures and permanent insomnia and honestly, a whole generation of depressed adults that ended up killing themselves during the SSRI withdrawals when they are taken off the SSRI because they are so honestly awful and the doctors didn't even believe withdrawals existed from SSRI's. This is your trusted doctor, completely fucking you over, because there is so little true knowledge on the effects and long lasting effects of these drugs as we learn the brain is more and more complex and fragile every day. And yet doctors don't even acknowledge how severe and real these withdrawals are, just like they don't acknowledge how severe and real benzo withdrawals are or that PAWS symptoms can literally be in full swing for years after getting off benzos because they fuck up your brain and gaba-receptor site functionality so much.

Big pharma loves to make large amounts of money at the expense of the santiy and mental well-being of millions of civilians.

Honestly, if you are not already hooked on benzos, stay the fuck away, this is for any one else reading this as well.

When it comes to psycho-active medications, most doctors are clueless. Most psychiastrists are clueless as well. Over prescribe and over prescribe these drugs with the worst long term side effects and withdrawals possible. Face palm.

This is so true. My doctor prescribed me Xanax a few years ago and told me to take them a couple of months. Luckily my anxiety issues results in not to take pills without doing some descent research. So that's how I learned the real dangers of using benzos. When i'm having a full blown panic attack I will take Xanax/etizolam but I will never ever take them 2 or more days in a row. They can be godsend but you have to know how to use them. Doctors mostly don't even have a clue on what they are getting people in to. My mother is addicted on benzos for sleep for more than 10 years. I don't think she will ever be clean. And there are lots of people in the same situation in my country (Belgium). I once read that Belgium is the nummer 1 country in europe when it comes to benzo use/abuse. Not something to be proud of, thanks to clueless doctors.

 

[Methacodone]

Thank you for clearing that up for me, pbuilder.

I couldn't have said it any better than you did.

 

[when I dream]

I get bad hangovers from Xanax as well, and they are definitely not withdrawal because before the last time I took Xanax (which was years ago) I hadn't used any benzos for at least a couple years prior. It came the next day after a 1mg dose with zero tolerance. As the OP said, it was similar to an alcohol hangover with that uncomfortable nauseous feeling throughout my body. The hangovers are the reason I do not use Xanax (or any benzos for that matter) at all anymore.

The comment about SSRIs being worse than benzos are far as withdrawal and hangovers are concerned is laughable IMO. Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome is a well documented phenomenon that can KILL YOU. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is real, but it is much more hit or miss as to whether you will actually experience it from discontinuing (I went from 80mg fluoxetine daily to zero and never experienced any withdrawal). When it does happen, the symptoms are usually mild and short lived (flu-like symptoms, sleep problems, sensory disturbances etc.) and I can't find any literature supporting the claim of "permanent insomnia". Blaming suicides directly on the antidepressant is difficult as well, because there is a reason the person is taking the drug in the first place and that could have just as much or more to do with a suicide than the drug itself.

To be clear, antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is real, and in a small portion of the population it can be severe and long lasting. Saying that it is worse than benzodiazepine withdrawal, however, is ludicrous. As far as I know, not a single person has ever died directly from SSRI withdrawal. I realize defending SSRIs on this website is probably a futile engagement, but it is very hard for me to say nothing when someone says something that rediculous.