Benzos Possible benzodiazepine withdrawal? Need urgent advice!

[AprilRyan]

Hello,

I've been using benzodiazepines (oxazepam) for a bit less than a month (maybe around 20 days) at a regular dosage of 15-30mg a day. Although they were prescribed to me by a doctor, I haven't been taking them according to her instructions. Occasionally I've upped the dosage for recreational purposes, and as a result, I ran out of them this morning (they were supposed to last me a month, and I was supposed to take 1 a day for three weeks and on the last week I was supposed to take them only four days in the week).

Since this afternoon, I've been experiencing intense anxiety, mild shaking, muscle cramping/pain and feelings of terror. I'm scared that these may be signs of benzodiazepine withdrawal, which from what I've heard, is terrible. I've tried sleeping, but my heart feels like it is jumping in my chest and I keep having anxious images of violence etc.

I didn't think it was possible to experience withdrawal from such a short period of usage (especially since my dosage wasn't that high even when I took it recreationally, my maximum dosage was three oxazepam a.k.a 45mg - I'm a bit of a lightweight). I have taken temazepam recreationally for a while before I was prescribed oxazepam, but very infrequently (once or twice a week, sometimes going for weeks without). Could this have contributed to the symptoms I'm experiencing?

I'm wondering if I should be worried? Is it possible that I am experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal (note that I also have GAD and a panic disorder)? If it is withdrawal, how serious should I expect the symptoms to be? Can I handle this on my own and are there any home remedies to ease the discomfort? How long should I expect these feelings to last for?
I recently started college again after a three-year sick leave (due to intense anxiety/depression) and it has stressed me out greatly. It's the weekend now, but I'm worried that I'll still feel like this next week and be unable to continue going to class. Considering that I'm on a bit of a trial period at the moment, missing school would be a very bad thing.

Any advice from experienced benzodiazepine users?

Thank you all in advance for your answers, and I apologise if I am posting in the wrong forum.

P.S. Would weed or poppy tea, taken in moderation, help ease these symptoms until the withdrawal goes away… or would I be adding fuel to the fire?

 

[Morphling]

Oxazepam is really weak. I sort of doubt it.

Passionflower is supposed to be as effective an anxiolytic as oxazepam, why don't you try some of that? With a bit of Kava extract. Should be enough GABA agonism to sort out oxazepam withdrawals, if you actually have them.

GL!

 

[Lady Codone]

Benzo withdrawal is nothing to scoff at. If you start feeling like you're going to have a seizure, get to the ER immediately.

That said, your habit doesn't sound too heavy. Some people can abuse benzos for years and have no/mild withdrawals while others are more sensitive. Just listen to your body. A little rebound anxiety and restlessness are to be expected. Kava and valerian root are excellent OTC supplements that feel like mild benzos. You might give those a try if things get too uncomfortable.

 

[Le'Mix]

It is entirely possible as your body could be super sensitive to benzo's. The rule of thumb is that for 2 weeks AT THE PERSCRIBED(sic) DAILY DOSE, people can stop with no problems.

To sum up I think you are a) Very sensitive to them and b) your recreational use of them has almost certainly exasperated it.

Best bet is to order yourself some(etiz for example) or even get hold of some some other way, until your next appointment with your GP.

Best wishes, try not to panic too much.

 

[ShaunG]

It could be but at such a small time frame of use i doubt it could be WDs. I am not familiar with doses of this benzo though. It might just be regular anxiety that you now have no meds for. Go for a nice run and make sure you sweat...i bet you will feel A LOT better...

 

[crazycatman]

Perhaps you're super sensitive to benzo WD... I mean if there's people who abuse the shit out of them and have almost no problems, there's got to be the opposite, right?
Try asking your doc for a short diazepam taper, shouldn't take long, since you haven't been on them long.