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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic

Off Xanax...what to expect?

W

Workin2005

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
61
Hello all,

I was taking Xanax at about 1.5-2.0 mgs pd for about 2 months. I realized I might be physically dependent when I didn't take it and started feeling "off"... stomach ache, weird thoughts, headache. I immediately started a rapid taper. I also started taking 100 mgs of gabapentin 2x's pd to help with withdrawals. It's gone very well so far which makes me think maybe I wasn't as dependent as I thought. I got down to 0.07-0.1 mgs 2x's pd. (0.14-0.2 mgs total pd) I was on this low dose for about 10 days and then jumped off completely 3 days ago. It's been exactly 72 hours since my last dose of Xanax.

I expected to feel terrible the last 2 days but I haven't at all. I continued to take 200 mgs of gabapentin and felt fine other than maybe some slight anxiety and alittle headache. I also slept great the last 2 nights. I thought maybe I would wake up today (day 3 off xanax) feeling terrible but I feel fine again. I have a slightly upset stomach and maybe feel a bit more anxious than usual but that could have nothing to due with Xanax withdrawal. I've suffered from stomach issues for years and the anxiety is more from "expecting" to feel terrible and just being afraid of going through these terrible benzo withdrawals everyone talks about.

So my question is, am I getting off easy here or is it possible I will start feeling terrible withdrawal at anytime now?

I know benzo withdrawal can hit later, and last longer, than say opiate withdrawal...but since I was on a very short acting benzo (Xanax), I expected withdrawals to hit relatively quickly.

Anyone with benzo experience, I'd really appriciate some input. I don't have much benzo experience other than taking it VERY periodically the last couple years. (say 1-2 times per month) It's only been these last 2 months that I've started taking them daily. I just don't know what to expect.

I realize everyone is different but what do you guys think?
 
Great news,well done :D

Workin2005 said:
So my question is, am I getting off easy here or is it possible I will start feeling terrible withdrawal at anytime now?

I know benzo withdrawal can hit later, and last longer, than say opiate withdrawal...but since I was on a very short acting benzo (Xanax), I expected withdrawals to hit relatively quickly.
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Yup you thought right there,because of the short half life the worst of the withdrawals will be in the first few days,so you've gotten off easy.See I told you it wouldn't be too bad!

I'd say keep taking your gabapentin regularly,drink lots of water,take vitamins,live healthily and don't look back.You're out of the woods now,so really there's nothing to "expect" except that you'll feel better and better as time goes on.

The worst thing you could do for yourself is to keep reading about benzo withdrawal symptoms,and expecting them,as the power of suggestion may convince you that you're experiencing the things you were reading about.

Don't overthink it :)
 
you weren't taking it that long at all. it's not surprising that you feel minimal WD especially with gabapentin.
 
Thanks for the responses.

I think you were right Missnervosa...Thank God! I really appreciate the support. ;-)

Here's hoping everything is over with and I can say goodbye to Xanax for good!
 
Oh...one other question. When will it be safe to start tapering off gabapentin? I'm only on 200 mgs pd and have been on that for about 2 weeks. I don't want to trade one addiction for another but also don't want to stop taking it too early and have Xanax withdrawal kick in heavily.
 
Workin2005 said:
Thanks for the responses.

I think you were right Missnervosa...Thank God! I really appreciate the support. ;-)

Here's hoping everything is over with and I can say goodbye to Xanax for good!
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No problem :) Just be glad that you're off them before your dose and tolerance went up! As for the gabapentin,I haven't had any experience with it,so I'll leave that for someone who knows what they're talking about.
 
You dodged a bullet this time. Try not to do Xanax for more than a couple weeks straight. I was on Xanax for several years 6mgs qd. Withdrawals are wicked evil!! As far as Gabapentin two weeks isn't much,I wouldn't worry about that.
 
HCandKROD said:
You dodged a bullet this time. Try not to do Xanax for more than a couple weeks straight. I was on Xanax for several years 6mgs qd. Withdrawals are wicked evil!! As far as Gabapentin two weeks isn't much,I wouldn't worry about that.
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I think your right. I consider myself VERY lucky. I'm just hoping I'm not one of those cases where the withdrawals kick in a week after stopping.

I won't be taking Xanax, or any other benzo, unless medically needed...and never more than 2 weeks at a time as you said.

Do you think it's possible the gabapentin is masking the withdrawal symptoms? I want to stop taking it but am afraid I'll begin feeling terrible. How much longer do you think I should continue the gabapentin? I'm thinking maybe another week and then stop completely...but would like others thoughts on this.
 
Glad you seem to be doing well with this :)

Can anyone give some input on effects of about a week of moderate xanax usage? I've had very easy classes during the summer and I've taken about 2mg every day for almost a week. I can't control myself well on this stuff and luckily I don't have much remaining. Obviously one week can't substantiate major withdrawal effects, but should I expect any rebound insomnia at night? I really hate insomnia.
 
i dont think you would have gabapentin w/ds. ive taken 1.5 grams every day for a week before and felt fine. if you did have w/d it would be extremly minor and nowhere near a benzo w/d
 
smokemctoke420 said:
i dont think you would have gabapentin w/ds. ive taken 1.5 grams every day for a week before and felt fine. if you did have w/d it would be extremly minor and nowhere near a benzo w/d
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I'm not so worried about w/d from the gabapentin. I am wondering though, if the gabapentin is covering up the Xanax withdrawal symptoms...than if I go off it, will I experience withdrawal symptoms from the Xanax since the gabapentin will no longer be there to cover them up? Am I making any sense? ;-)
 
pr0d1gy said:
Glad you seem to be doing well with this :)

Can anyone give some input on effects of about a week of moderate xanax usage? I've had very easy classes during the summer and I've taken about 2mg every day for almost a week. I can't control myself well on this stuff and luckily I don't have much remaining. Obviously one week can't substantiate major withdrawal effects, but should I expect any rebound insomnia at night? I really hate insomnia.
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You may have rebound anxiety but I would think it would only last a couple days. As far as insomnia...any over the counter sleep aid should get you through those first few days.
 
Xanax half life is 6 to 12 hours. Rule of thumb is 5 half lives and the drug is basically gone. If you wanna stay on gabapentin 100mg bid for another week just to be sure. I don't think 3 weeks on gabapentin will produce much (or any) trouble. 200mg qd is even below therapeutic range.
 
HCandKROD said:
Xanax half life is 6 to 12 hours. Rule of thumb is 5 half lives and the drug is basically gone. If you wanna stay on gabapentin 100mg bid for another week just to be sure. I don't think 3 weeks on gabapentin will produce much (or any) trouble. 200mg qd is even below therapeutic range.
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Thanks. So at the longest half life (12 hrs), Xanax should be completely gone in 2.5 days. I'm at 3.5 days and still feeling ok so I may just claim victory here...yippie!

I know the gabapentin dose is low but it seems to be working...even if its just placebo. ;-)
 
in 12 hours if you took 2mg 1mg will be left in another 12hours then another 12 hours .5mg so on and so on at least i'm pretty sure
 
Well, it's been exactly 4 days (96 hrs) since my last dose of Xanax. I have a bit of a headache today but other than that, I'm feeling good. I'm hoping and praying the headache isn't the start of terrible withdrawals. I should note that I have not taken any gabapentin today as I'm going to try to start tapering down and only take it before bed.

Anyone else out there with experince coming off benzos, I'd love to hear your experience and thoughts.
 
i think you're in the clear. Xanax withdrawals hit hard and fast, they would be for the most part over by now. With klonopin my withdrawal didnt start at all until after 72 hours but it has a much longer half life, so i think you're in the clear. You were only on it for 2 months so even a full withdrawal from that wouldn't really be that bad. Be careful now though, even a week straight can send you back to withdrawals; the 2 week rule doesn't apply to people who've already been dependent. For me, anything more than 3 days straight and i notice symptoms.
 
RobotRipping said:
Be careful now though, even a week straight can send you back to withdrawals; the 2 week rule doesn't apply to people who've already been dependent. For me, anything more than 3 days straight and i notice symptoms.
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That's interesting and something I didn't know. So let's say I stay completely off benzos for 3 months. If I then, for whatever reason, have to take a benzo for only 1 week...I run the risk of physical dependancy? That's a scary thought.
 
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