Questions with withdraw from short term to long term Xanax, Methadone, Norco

[elitraminsky]

So I've spent quite some time wandering the net and having most of my inquiries answered. Though, I have more specific questions that I haven't really found an answer for, its very specific to my condition. I've been on light to med. doses of hydrocodone (norco 50-60mg per day) for several years; when I do run out of my dose before re-fills, I'll take some Methadone (2.5mg) for a couple days (no more than maybe 3-5 days). This has occured maybe 3 times. I would take fewer norcos and only take 2.5mg methadone/day at the same time til refill came. I also began taking Xanax for only sleep (.5mg) for around 6 months (I know this is dangerous while taking methadone but only did it a few times); I stopped the benzo for a few more months without any WD, but continued to take Hydrocodone during that period (maybe norcos masked benzo WD?).


I decided all of this is too much and wanted to be clear of all this. So I decided to taper my norco using methadone; I know many people say this is throwing gasoline on fire, but I strictly use it to reduce cravings and WD symptoms. Methadone never got me high and I never chased it. I went on a four day Methadone regime of one dose each morning of (2.5mg) while I slowly cut down my norco intake a pill each day (give or take). Before I started this detox, I started to take Xanax again and had been for about two weeks, again I know this can be lethal (again just to sleep and only .5mg). So the first thing to stop was the norco (now I'm on day 5 of being clean) and then the methadone (now day 3 of being clean) and then Xanax (now day 3 of being clean). My WD weren't too insane because I started using using Kratom to help my transition (I understand the cross-tolerance risks but I figured if I wish to WD from any of these four things, Kratom is the lesser of all evils) I started Kratom on Day 3 Norco Free, 24 hours after my LAST methadone, and Day 2 of being Xanax Free ( I didn't taper) . I had trouble sleeping one night so I took some ambien (low dose), used neurontin one night (300mg), but overall Kratom has helped reduce most of my symptoms. I obviously am having trouble sleeping but I can't tell if the sleep is from the Norco or Xanax WD. I know there are long term PAWS from going CT on Xanax but not as much on Opiates. Just today I started getting extreme anxiety even on Kratom.


So to reiterate Today I am clean of Norco (day 5), Methadone (day 3), Xanax (day 3).


here are my questions:


Since, I never really needed Xanax besides for sleep and was able to stop for about 3 days without any dangerous withdraws (no seizures or anything) Should I be okay to take a small dose to help me sleep? I started to have really bad anxiety today, so I took some neurontin with .15mg xanax to aid the sleep. I continue to get some strong anxiety but I dont know if this is from the Methadone since I know methadone symptoms peak on day 3 or I'm just now getting more harsher Xanax WD.


I'm on 72 hours feel of methadone, again I took (.25mg xanax) because of anxiety but it came back. I've never taken xanax for anxiety; so I'm wondering if I'm just peak withdrawing from the Methadone or the Xanax. Since anxiety is also a WD symptom from Methadone.


My main question is (1) does anyone know what I'm most PROBABLY likely withdrawing from? (2) And if its Methadone can I still use the Xanax for sleep/anxiety short term? (3) And if its Xanax should I taper?



THANKS SO MUCH for taking the time to decipher and read this.