Xanax withdrawals?

[helpmeimscared098]

Hey everyone, I'm not really sure where to begin so I'm just gonna get right to it. About a month ago I started buying Xanax from a friend who was prescribed it. I do have anxiety, but I was knowingly abusing them. I've always enjoyed taking pills but I've never been really addicted to them. I don't know how many mg's these particular pills were, but I was taking them every day and drinking VERY heavily on them every night. I know, it's really stupid, please don't lecture me on how moronic I am because I already know. I ran out of the Xanax two days ago and I started feeling very ill. I ended up having a seizure-type thing happen yesterday morning. I don't think it was a full blown seizure because I remember most of it. My whole body tensed up and was shaking violently, I couldn't speak, I couldn't reach for my phone, and it was over. I went to the ER because I had no idea what that was. Since I have never been through withdrawals like this before, it didn't really click that that was what caused the "seizure". Since then I've been shaky, extremely lightheaded, blurred vision, nauseous, anxious, can't sleep, nightmares, etc. I was only on these things for a month! Maybe less. Does anyone know how long this is going to last? And am I in danger? I feel like I can deal with these symptoms, I'm just terrified I'll have another seizure and no one will be around to find me (I live alone). I'm in debt with tons of medical bills already, and the last thing I wanna do is go to the hospital again. All they did was give me an IV and some pain medication anyway.

Help!

 

[Mass08]

I would go to the hospital. What's some more debt when compared to your life?

 

[T. Calderone]

You may have to be admitted for observation. You're having withdrawals which like you saw yesterday, can cause more seizures. Alcohol withdrawal will also cause seizures - you didn't say if you had any alcohol yesterday. But you shouldn't try doing this on your own because of the potential danger.

Not long ago I was in the same boat as you. I was also resistant to going to the hospital because they truly get annoyed with me knowing I can't pay (plus a few past drunken incidents with injuries and mental health issues) I hope you will be alright but really it's best to check yourself in and be honest about your habit.

 

[neversickanymore]

If you remember this episode then i would think it was a really bad panic attack.. as with a grand maul seizure IDk you would remember anything.. but on the other hand coming off ethel and benzos you should give this the respect it needs and be A LOT smarter as A GM seizure can be the end.. best wishes

 

[Tootsie]

This was my post, I don't really care about being anonymous anymore. I'm on day three of no Xanax or alcohol and nothing has really improved. The hardest part of it is having to go to work all day and try to hide it from my boss and co workers. During the day I've noticed I don't feel nearly as bad, maybe it's because I'm moving around a bunch and don't notice the anxiety as much. But the second I get in the car and head home from work, my anxiety shoots through the roof, I start shaking pretty badly, my vision completely blurs and my limbs feel almost numb. I don't know if it's me freaking myself out about having to go home and be alone in case something really bad happens or what. I kind of left the ER without consent on Monday. I was there for 5 hours and no one came in and told me what was going on. I called the nurses probably 5 or 6 times and none of them ever showed up. I didn't tell them I've been abusing drugs or alcohol so I don't think they really took anything I was saying seriously. If I have to go back, can they refuse to treat me?

 

[Ozekat]

You need to go back IMO.....xanax WD's are serious. Your life is more important than bills you may or may not owe.

It sounds like you should taper off benzo's. Someone correct me here if I am wrong, but your symptoms sound pretty serious. I'm more leaning towards what neversickanymore is saying they are panic attacks. If they are panic attacks that isn't as bad as seizures for sure. And panic attacks can be lived through (despite what people think at the moment.)

Trust me on the panic attack thing, if thats what it is its ALL in your head(I've had plenty of panic attacks, but don't have them anymore).....but then again benzo WD's are serious stuff.

 

[Mehm]

If you are already 3 days off benzos and alcohol your withdrawal symptoms will do nothing but improve. What I would carefully consider is that drug addicts by and large the only people who get themselves in this situation to begin with. Abstaining from drugs is a dangerous thing for a drug addict when they have nothing to fill the void. That is why I had to trade AA and god for alcohol and drugs. Good luck, you can do it.

 

[ebola?]

grand maul seizure

You need to be really careful about those.

ebola

 

[Tootsie]

If you are already 3 days off benzos and alcohol your withdrawal symptoms will do nothing but improve. What I would carefully consider is that drug addicts by and large the only people who get themselves in this situation to begin with. Abstaining from drugs is a dangerous thing for a drug addict when they have nothing to fill the void. That is why I had to trade AA and god for alcohol and drugs. Good luck, you can do it.

I have a few friends who go to AA and NA meetings, I've been considering joining them one night soon.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I actually got some sleep last night and didn't have any nightmares. I'm still dizzy and shaky and my vision is still blurry but it's not as bad as it's been. Let's hope it all keeps improving.

 

[F1n1shed]

Yea i think from now the worst of it is done. Try getting some supplements that help produce GABA. It will only get better now. It's gonna really suck ass when i have to get off these klonopins.

 

[neversickanymore]

You need to be really careful about those.

ebola

yes sir.. ebola, as you know they are nothing to be tinkered with

. If I have to go back, can they refuse to treat me?

no not a chance in hell, and why would they.. IK there a e few er docks out there that are fed up with addicts, but there are allot more who care.. the problem is is that they understand addiction far less than we do.. I know i converse with an amazing er doc every day.

 

[The Dr]

Benzo's are a great tool to use for anxiety. The main problem with benzo's is that your tolerance NEVER GOES AWAY. It can go down for a small amount of time but will shoot right back up to where it was. My Dr put me on tegretol for my anxiety (and bipolar disorder) and it helps a ton, it also helps treat seizures. I do get the occasional prescription of benzo's when I'm under a extreme amount of anxiety. I'd try to get valium. I find that xanax causes so many fucking problems.