Benzos Xanax questions...

[budsnbars712]

So I have posted on here before explaining my situation. To sum it up, I have been taking xanax for about 2-3 years now. Anywhere from 1.5-4 mg a day (mainly 2.5-3.0 mg 90% of time). Now I just do not understand the effects of the withdrawal on my specific body. I know what the withdrawal effects are in general (seizures, more anxiety, less sleep, maybe even death). But my issue is that I have a hard time identifying if I am withdrawing or not. That sounds stupid right? I am aware all ALL of the side effects and withdrawal symptoms as I have been on this drug for a long time and have done my research....

People always say that xanax is the worst withdrawal to go through, but yet I just don't see it. The only reason I began to even question if I was experiencing withdrawal is because in the morning, when I wake up, I feel like I am not ready to take on life. I researched into this and then learned about rebound anxiety from short acting benzos (like xanax). Now I understand that, but I am not even sure if it is the rebound anxiety that is giving me these feelings, or just depression which I have been battling since I am about 14 (now 24). I just don't see why everyone says it is the worst withdrawal to experience....I have gone a couple days without it before and all that happened was that I had a hard time sleeping, a little more anxiety (over-thinking) and that is it..I am also aware that I HAVE to be physically dependent at this point....I have been on it just way too long for me not to be dependent.

NOW, I do not notice all these other withdrawal symptoms as I take .5 mg (5-6 times daily) on average, and I shouldn't notice the symptoms since I am on it I guess right? The only thing I notice these days is that if an extra couple of hours go by without me taking the medication, I have a short fuse (irritable, no patience, no motivation). I just wont be HAPPY at all. Basically, turns me into a moody bastard. Is that me just coming down from the drug? Me needing more of it? Cause sometimes Ill take the .5 and it doesn't work and I have to bump up to 1.0mg.....

I don't want to be on this drug forever, I will tell you that. I know that it already causes more issues in my life but it has also helped me progress a lot in the past year.....I am curious if I will ever feel normal again or not if I do decide to do a taper. Will I be miserable during and/or after the taper also?

 

[pasha]

You should look into Xanax XR since your dosing multiple times a day.

If withdrawal symptoms are not severe for you, congratulations, take it as a cue to stop now while your still ahead. Just because your withdrawal symptoms are mild now, it doesn't mean it will remain that way.

Everyone is different, just because you have a certain set of symptoms, it doesn't mean everyone else will share them, or that you should share everyone else's symptoms.

I know many benzodiazepine users with fairly large habits that have no problem ceasing use only to suffer mild or at times unnoticeable symptoms, vice-versa.

Is it possible? Absolutely. Puzzling? Absolutely.

 

[Gyrospeck]

The only thing I notice these days is that if an extra couple of hours go by without me taking the medication, I have a short fuse (irritable, no patience, no motivation). I just wont be HAPPY at all. Basically, turns me into a moody bastard. Is that me just coming down from the drug? Me needing more of it? Cause sometimes Ill take the .5 and it doesn't work and I have to bump up to 1.0mg.....

The moodiness is a withdrawal from the drug. I also get this as an early symptom as well as headaches. The reason you sometimes have to take more Xanax to experience relief is tolerance. If you truly want to maintain your use of Xanax, I would recommend NOT increasing the regular doses unless absolutely necessary. Every time you increase the dose, you will be worsening your tolerance and withdrawal.

I don't want to be on this drug forever, I will tell you that. I know that it already causes more issues in my life but it has also helped me progress a lot in the past year.....I am curious if I will ever feel normal again or not if I do decide to do a taper. Will I be miserable during and/or after the taper also?

Tapering down to a lower maintenance dose can be a great way to reduce the side effects and allows time for you to clear your head. It is much easier to start a taper with the goal of quitting if you have already successfully lowered your daily dose.

I have been on Xanax daily for over a year and currently maintain a average daily dose of 1mg. I have maintained daily doses around 4mg and experienced worse side effects and diminishing returns with the drug. For my body, I found that anything above 2mg/daily would cause the side effects to outweigh the benefits. I have found that .75-1mg is my best maintenance dose (almost no side effects with large benefits).

Everyone is different, but a good general rule to follow with Xanax is that less is more. %)