Xanax ???

[sook]

Approx. 1 week ago my pdoc replaced my 1mg - 3 times a day Xanax to Ativan 1mg - 3 times a day. I have been experiencing edgy feeling, itching skin, hand shackles. Plus when you dose off to sleep you sometimes feel your body jerks, mines does it several times a night plus during the day - am I experiencing Xanax withdrawals ?

 

 

or are these symptoms of something completely different

 

sook

 

 

 

Edited April 5, 2016 by sook

[jt07]

I don't know about itching skin and I'm not sure what hand shackles are in this context, but the edginess can definitely be the result of Xanax withdrawal. Body jerks too, I suppose. In any case, I hope it gets better for you soon.

[sook]

Thanks jt07 - this just started a couple of days ago

[melissaw72]

I think it could be the xanax also. 

was on Ativan for a short period of time but had to go off of it because my head was in a fog 24/7, and it made me feel worse.  It calmed me down a little, but it wasn't worth staying on for me.  I hope you start feeling better.

FWIW ... IMO xanax and ativan are different meds (and react differently with each person), even though they are both in the benzo category.  Xanax works better for me than Ativan.  Maybe you can ask your DR to wean you down from the xanax while starting the ativan?  They are both benzos, but act totally different, at least for me. (ie being weaned off one med is totally different than being weaned off another).

[sook]

Thanks for the info. melissaw72.

[water]

On 4/4/2016 at 5:35 PM, sook said:

Approx. 1 week ago my pdoc replaced my 1mg - 3 times a day Xanax to Ativan 1mg - 3 times a day. I have been experiencing edgy feeling, itching skin, hand shackles. Plus when you dose off to sleep you sometimes feel your body jerks, mines does it several times a night plus during the day - am I experiencing Xanax withdrawals ?

or are these symptoms of something completely different

sook

I had a terrible reaction to Ativan. I ran into the closet, trembling and screaming.   This might have been after a couple of days of trying it out and I never took it again.

All the benzos are different.  I use valium for social anxiety, panic attacks, performance anxiety.
I use xanax as a sleep aide, as needed. 
I have tried restoril (temazepam) but did not react well to that one either. 

Definitely speak to your pdoc. If this is still going on, maybe try a different benzo?

Why did your pdoc switch you off xanax in the first place?

Edited April 6, 2016 by water
forgot to ask

[melissaw72]

^^I agree that all benzos are different.  Like water suggested, I would call your pdoc also.  I'd let him/her know about all of this, and if you could slowly go off of xanax while going up on ativan a little at a time.

I'm also curious as to why you were switched to xanax in the first place.

[sook]

Hi water & melissaw72,

I saw my pdoc yesterday and explained my symptoms of switching - agitation, shaking hands and body, she thinks it's just me going cold turkey with the switch-up, under her supervision of course.

I switched because taking xanax just seemed like a sugar pill to me and I wanted something different - we will see if I made the right choice

[IcePrincess88]

On April 4, 2016 at 5:35 PM, sook said:

Approx. 1 week ago my pdoc replaced my 1mg - 3 times a day Xanax to Ativan 1mg - 3 times a day. I have been experiencing edgy feeling, itching skin, hand shackles. Plus when you dose off to sleep you sometimes feel your body jerks, mines does it several times a night plus during the day - am I experiencing Xanax withdrawals ?

 

 

or are these symptoms of something completely different

 

sook

 

 

 

I just switched from long term (10+ years) Xanax to Klonopin. My biggest concern was withdrawl. To prevent this, I went from 3 1mgs a day of Xanax to 4 1mgs of Klonopin for the first month. Now I'm down to 3 a day. I've had no withdrawl, thank god. But I don't know much about Ativan, except my grandma takes it so I don't believe it to be real powerful.

[melissaw72]

16 hours ago, sook said:

Hi water & melissaw72,

I saw my pdoc yesterday and explained my symptoms of switching - agitation, shaking hands and body, she thinks it's just me going cold turkey with the switch-up, under her supervision of course.

I switched because taking xanax just seemed like a sugar pill to me and I wanted something different - we will see if I made the right choice

I know what it is like trying to find the right meds to help and it can become very frustrating (understatement).  I hope it all works out for you. 

[sook]

Thanks

[crtclms]

Xanax is the one benzo that you can't just switch benzos on. You need to titrate off of it, the ativan is not a replacement, and you will have withdrawal symptoms from the Xanax. Of course, do what your pdoc says, that is just what my pdoc said.

[snarkygirl]

On 04/07/2016 at 11:04 PM, IcePrincess88 said:

I just switched from long term (10+ years) Xanax to Klonopin. My biggest concern was withdrawl. To prevent this, I went from 3 1mgs a day of Xanax to 4 1mgs of Klonopin for the first month. Now I'm down to 3 a day. I've had no withdrawl, thank god. But I don't know much about Ativan, except my grandma takes it so I don't believe it to be real powerful.

I have taken ativan for years. It's actually similar to any other benzo and just as strong depending on the dosage. I like it because it's fairly fast acting.

[sook]

Thanks snarkygirl,

The jury is still out relative to me being on ativan over xanax. I like the long last properties of ativan like you. But with the xanax I could feel it doing something just not enought to make a difference. And don't know if I am going through xanax with drawls or just dealing with the anxiety I have had for so long ?

Have you ever tried xanax if so how do you compare the two ?

[snarkygirl]

I took Xanax a very long time ago for only a short period of time. I really can't recall now even why exactly I switched to Ativan. I wish I was more help.

I take 1mg Ativan up to 3x a day. I don't need it as much now that I'm going to therapy. I like Ativan because it's fast acting and I can take it during a panic attack and get relief fairly quickly. I believe Xanax is also similar in that it acts quickly.

You mentioned long lasting properties, someone might be more knowledgeable but my pdoc explained to me that ativan wasn't really the best choice for all day coverage. I tried Klonopin for that before which lasts much longer. I just went back to Ativan because I have managed my anxiety down to a point where it's mostly just attacks and I like to be able to take something right then.

I hope you get relief from your symptoms soon, either from withdrawal or anxiety.

Sorry I'm not more help.

[sook]

Thank you snarkygirl,, any feed back is always helpful

[Psychomike]

Hi Sook,

I have used for decades three benzos. Klonopin lorazepam and Xanax .they all work well for anxiety in my case. Xanax gives a bit of a mood boost and that is why it can be sold as a street drug, but it is very tricky and sneaky. I am always careful not to quit it suddenly. Klonopin is a great benzo for long term use and easier to get off of. If I had to pick only one it would definitely be klonipin cause it's the least problematic coming off and even while your on it you get no breakthroughs. Ativan works best for sleep me thinks and it is prescribed for sleep, but it can be used for straight anxiety and it does the job for me, really it has no downsides for me. Benzos overall are miraculous in my humble opinion! 

ITS THE PEOPLE WHO ABUSE THEM THAT GIVE BENZOS A BAD NAME. Taken responsibly they are fabulous and ease a lot of unnecccesary suffering

Edited April 16, 2016 by Psychomike

[melissaw72]

Psycho mike ... You are right about it being the people who abuse them that give benzos a bad name.

I just wanted to say that klonopin isn't always easy to get off of.  I had a very hard time weaning down to a lower dose.  My schedule for weaning down on the klonopin (which at the time was 4 mg/day) was 0.25 mg down at a time for about 1-2 weeks.  Then 0.25 mg again, a couple weeks later, etc, until I was down to where I and pdoc wanted it to be, at the total of 1 mg/day.  It was a slow and long ride.  I am currently on 0.5 mg/day, twice a day, which I plan on staying for awhile, if not forever.

[sook]

I still have been having a lot of anxiety even at 3mg / day of Ativan. - anxiety really sucks !

[melissaw72]

It does really suck, you're right.  I hate when I am anxious all the time ... it like something attacks my brain and I go crazy.  One time I called pdoc's office, and "talked" to in panic mode, the secretary, about what was going on ... it was regarding the prior auths ... I called 7+ times in a matter of 2 hours.  I was freaked out every time I called.  Fortunately she is a really nice person and knows how to deal with me.  But when I was calmed down I apologized to her because I felt so bad.  Anxiety meds didn't even help that day.

Does this kind of thing happen to you?

[sook]

Hi melissaw,

I have never been that anxious ( I don't think ? ), I just feel pins and needles, my body movement is shakey and my hands shake also - and constant fear

Do you deal with any physical symptoms ?

Edited April 16, 2016 by sook

[IcePrincess88]

I really need to take my Klonopin as prescribed. It's supposed to be 3 times a day. But I really only take it at night. I tried to take it 3 times a day, but I feel soooo sleepy all day and usually end up passing out. They are 1mgs. But they're almost more powerful than Xanax in the long term 

[sook]

Hey Ice,

I have never tried Klonopin, have you ever tried Ativan ?

[HAL9000]

I went from Valium to Xanax.  If there was a problem I didn't notice it.   I think that might be because for me Its been take as needed and there have been fair stretches days or even weeks where they would just collect dust. 

I Didn't want to try Xanax because of all the people going ape saying it was some kind of heroin type of addictive drug (Its not for me) and the truth is I was a little bit weirded out by Xanax because of a friend who took it.  I don't know if he was abusing it but I suspect that now because he seemed seriously vegged out.   Like just blank and talking at you.  Not to you.  Anyway thats why I asked GDoc to select something other then Xanax and I took Valium for a while.  I lived next to a lady who took Valium and she wasn't vegged out so I wasn't as wigged out about it.

When I first started Benzos I was using them a lot more often and I think Valium is good for how long it seemed to last.   I think Valium is also subtle versus Xanax which sort of switches on not slowly chilluficate you..  You take Valium and you wonder if your getting any relief then it dawns on you that you are and that seemed to last a long time.  I think that for me Xanax is good if your in that backed into a wall level anxiety.   The effect happens quickly but as others have said if your having a really bad "day" its not going to be good enough to take one.  The effect just doesn't last that long.  

I'm not sure if my taking them and not taking them for long periods is abnormal.  I don't think I'm dealing with withdrawls because most of my Anxiety Attacks are connected to something not - not having taken any for a while. 

I have read a lot of posts from people that never need to up the dose from Tolerance.  For some reason I just don't react to any drugs in the low dosages so with the Valium it was pretty worthless at the starting dose.  Then I worked with my GDoc to find someplace that was enough.  Actually got to a dose that was a bit too much and backed off.   Is that a fine line for others or is this just me?  Like ok this works and I can function fine and the next step up its POW what just happened?  Gdoc is a little bit flexable on dose as long as she and I talk about it.   The last conversation was along the lines of "When this gets really bad is it ok to take two at once?" and the answer was "Yes, but try to keep it at one and no more then 3 times a day."   I feel this stigma with Benzos (Or actually any MI meds)

It blows.  

[locotexan]

Benzodiazepines are becoming less and less popular to prescribe in the long-run. Knowing what I know about each one, Xanax is mine and most prescribers least favorite. It has weak dopamine agonist properties in addition to being a GABA enhancer, two properties that make it more addicting than other benzodiazepines. Dose for dose, your Xanax and Ativan change are equivalent in strength. Ativan is a full-agonist of GABA, and is the only benzo that possesses all 6 properties. 

Medically speaking, it's unlikely you're in generalized benzodiazepine withdrawal. You could be having some issues with switching from Xanax, which again is known to be a "dirtier" drug than the other benzodiazepines. Most of your symptoms should be about 70% diminished in a week, and all but gone in 4 weeks. Your body will need time to adjust, but Ativan will prevent any dangerous benzo withdrawal symptoms like seizures. 

I I would recommend Benadryl 25-50 mg PRN for the itching. 

Best! 

[melissaw72]

16 hours ago, sook said:

Hi melissaw,

I have never been that anxious ( I don't think ? ), I just feel pins and needles, my body movement is shakey and my hands shake also - and constant fear

Do you deal with any physical symptoms ?

I'm sorry for not answering sooner!  I just saw this post for the first time.

The tremors I usually have get a lot worse, my speech is stammered and I stutter, I talk too fast for my brain to keep up, I get jittery, I interrupt people but not because I want to; it just happens and I end up blurting out something while the other person is talking. 

Other than that, I am tense (more tense inside my body than it is noticeable outside).  I am always stressed out to some degree 24/7, but when I am anxious my stress level goes way up higher and it is obvious.  I feel like my mind might lose control (although this has never happened that I can remember).  I think though with the losing control I try really hard not to because I wouldn't want to end up inpatient.  And I wouldn't want to be judged in any way about having this outburst reaction. (it only takes one time for someone to judge me).

[sook]

17 hours ago, HAL9000 said:

I went from Valium to Xanax.  If there was a problem I didn't notice it.   I think that might be because for me Its been take as needed and there have been fair stretches days or even weeks where they would just collect dust. 

I Didn't want to try Xanax because of all the people going ape saying it was some kind of heroin type of addictive drug (Its not for me) and the truth is I was a little bit weirded out by Xanax because of a friend who took it.  I don't know if he was abusing it but I suspect that now because he seemed seriously vegged out.   Like just blank and talking at you.  Not to you.  Anyway thats why I asked GDoc to select something other then Xanax and I took Valium for a while.  I lived next to a lady who took Valium and she wasn't vegged out so I wasn't as wigged out about it.

When I first started Benzos I was using them a lot more often and I think Valium is good for how long it seemed to last.   I think Valium is also subtle versus Xanax which sort of switches on not slowly chilluficate you..  You take Valium and you wonder if your getting any relief then it dawns on you that you are and that seemed to last a long time.  I think that for me Xanax is good if your in that backed into a wall level anxiety.   The effect happens quickly but as others have said if your having a really bad "day" its not going to be good enough to take one.  The effect just doesn't last that long.  

I'm not sure if my taking them and not taking them for long periods is abnormal.  I don't think I'm dealing with withdrawls because most of my Anxiety Attacks are connected to something not - not having taken any for a while. 

I have read a lot of posts from people that never need to up the dose from Tolerance.  For some reason I just don't react to any drugs in the low dosages so with the Valium it was pretty worthless at the starting dose.  Then I worked with my GDoc to find someplace that was enough.  Actually got to a dose that was a bit too much and backed off.   Is that a fine line for others or is this just me?  Like ok this works and I can function fine and the next step up its POW what just happened?  Gdoc is a little bit flexable on dose as long as she and I talk about it.   The last conversation was along the lines of "When this gets really bad is it ok to take two at once?" and the answer was "Yes, but try to keep it at one and no more then 3 times a day."   I feel this stigma with Benzos (Or actually any MI meds)

It blows.  

Thanks Hal you have definitely helped me out with your detailed response - appreciated !

[sook]

13 hours ago, locotexan said:

Benzodiazepines are becoming less and less popular to prescribe in the long-run. Knowing what I know about each one, Xanax is mine and most prescribers least favorite. It has weak dopamine agonist properties in addition to being a GABA enhancer, two properties that make it more addicting than other benzodiazepines. Dose for dose, your Xanax and Ativan change are equivalent in strength. Ativan is a full-agonist of GABA, and is the only benzo that possesses all 6 properties. 

Medically speaking, it's unlikely you're in generalized benzodiazepine withdrawal. You could be having some issues with switching from Xanax, which again is known to be a "dirtier" drug than the other benzodiazepines. Most of your symptoms should be about 70% diminished in a week, and all but gone in 4 weeks. Your body will need time to adjust, but Ativan will prevent any dangerous benzo withdrawal symptoms like seizures. 

I I would recommend Benadryl 25-50 mg PRN for the itching. 

Best! 

LOCOTEXAN - after reading your post I feel better about making the switch and I believe the anxiety has come down a little, I think ?

Everybody on this CB forum sure know their meds.- Thank you.

[sook]

7 hours ago, melissaw72 said:

I'm sorry for not answering sooner!  I just saw this post for the first time.

The tremors I usually have get a lot worse, my speech is stammered and I stutter, I talk too fast for my brain to keep up, I get jittery, I interrupt people but not because I want to; it just happens and I end up blurting out something while the other person is talking. 

Other than that, I am tense (more tense inside my body than it is noticeable outside).  I am always stressed out to some degree 24/7, but when I am anxious my stress level goes way up higher and it is obvious.  I feel like my mind might lose control (although this has never happened that I can remember).  I think though with the losing control I try really hard not to because I wouldn't want to end up inpatient.  And I wouldn't want to be judged in any way about having this outburst reaction. (it only takes one time for someone to judge me).

Melissaw sounds like your anxiety is causing you a lot problems - I hope it gets better for you.

I don't believe mine is that bad but I could just be kidding myself ?

[melissaw72]

31 minutes ago, sook said:

Melissaw sounds like your anxiety is causing you a lot problems - I hope it gets better for you.

I don't believe mine is that bad but I could just be kidding myself ?

Thanks, sook.  Anxiety does cause some problems for me, but fortunately I don't get to the point of what I described in the post above too often. 

It's hard to say if you could be kidding yourself.  People's anxiety are presented differently so what might be really anxious to me, might not be equal to anxiety in another person.

[sook]

Agree, have a stress free day

[melissaw72]

You too, sook.

[HAL9000]

13 hours ago, sook said:

 

 

Thanks! Much appreciated ! wanted to add.  Don't get into a thing where your freaking out from some stigma issue over taking these.  If your doc prescribes them you shouldn't wring your hands every time you have an anxiety attack wigging out if you should take one.   And on the dose thing I really didn't want to ask GDoc to up the dose (Embarrassed - like am I such a zero that I need a mega dose?)  Different people need different levels to get a desired effect.

&sorry for my long babbly posts.  I tend to go on and on

[sook]

Thanks again Hal

[jt07]

sook,

High anxiety and OCD crap were  precursors to my depression. If you can get the anxiety under control then maybe the depression will be easier to treat. Don't worry about taking the meds as prescribed. Personally, I liked Klonopin or even Valium because they give long lasting relief though you don't necessarily feel them come on the way you do Xanax. I personally never liked Ativan. It's kind of in the middle between the long acting benzos like Klonopin and the short acting ones like Xanax.

Also, I don't know if you have had it or are getting it, but CBT therapy can really help with anxiety. Usually, the gold standard for the treatment of anxiety and depression is meds+ therapy, but I personally find that therapy is more helpful for anxiety than depression.

[sook]

jt07,

 

I wish I could just get my anxiety under control than I think the depression would be much more manageable. I did once about a year ago for one month but then the AD pooped out and I was back at square one again, but sure felt good. I hope to get there again.

 

I am in therapy right now, I tried CBT but just did not work for me - felt like a failure, now I am doing talk therapy with a very good psychcologist.

 

Edited April 18, 2016 by sook

[jt07]

Glad you are getting therapy with a good psychologist. It can be rough when a particular treatment modality doesn't work, but you certainly are no failure because CBT is not for everyone. It helps a lot of people, but as I mentioned, it did nothing for my depression. I did like ACT, but I must admit I only did it through self-help books.

[sook]

I am glad to hear that the CBT worked for your anxiety.

I don't no if being anxiety free is in the cards for me ?

[jt07]

Thanks, but I didn't say CBT worked so well for my anxiety. CBT has given me some tools to use to try to disarm the fight or flight response and also to try to keep my mind from running away from me. But, yeah, I'm far from anxiety free. The only time when I was anxiety free was many years ago when I was given a benzo that they no longer sell in the United States. It was a miracle pill. What a pity that newer benzos like Xanax came out and pushed it out of the marketplace.

[sook]

Sorry to hear that you have must felt great

[HAL9000]

Tools and plans are good things.  I spent some time with a Urologist who gave me a couple options and said to try them and report back what works and what I want to do.

In a way I wish that doctors would prescribe 3 different Benzos and the Patient finds the type and dose that wrk

[melissaw72]

4 hours ago, HAL9000 said:

Tools and plans are good things.  I spent some time with a Urologist who gave me a couple options and said to try them and report back what works and what I want to do.

In a way I wish that doctors would prescribe 3 different Benzos and the Patient finds the type and dose that wrk

I agree that would be ideal to do.  Unfortunately I can see why most DRs don't ... the DRs don't want people abusing the bunch of meds they gave to the patients to try and see which one works best for them.

[HAL9000]

Yes I can see the problem of abuse but I was thinking more along the lines of a patient who uses them PRN (as needed) and gave them 4 Valium, Xanax, Ativan.  Then when a panic attack happens try one.  Take some notes, try another the next time and so on.

In the same way I think for that situation its best to start with a low dose but if you inject a little bit of flexability like take 1 (up to 2) type of prescription ir offers a little room to find something that works.   *Note this wouldn't work with drugs like Celexa that take a month to kick in but for something like Xanax?  I think I was cutting 0.5 mg Valium for the first dose and that literally had no effect at all.  I ended up with a script that said up to 10 mg but that was too much.  Its hard to have an panic attack when your sleeping.  I can't remember where there was any effect but I think it was 2.5 where I started wondering if that might be doing something then 5 where I knew it was working. 

Part of this is that I don't get the appeal of Benzos.  Too little and they do nothing.  Just enough and I feel normal (ie not having an anxiety attack) too many and I just get sleepy.  If thats Drugs sex and Rock and Roll I'll take the Sex and Rock and Roll.

I'm just not patient with things and for a while I felt like I was seeing doctors or having labs done all the time. 

 

1 hour ago, melissaw72 said:

I agree that would be ideal to do.  Unfortunately I can see why most DRs don't ... the DRs don't want people abusing the bunch of meds they gave to the patients to try and see which one works best for them.

 

[melissaw72]

1 hour ago, HAL9000 said:

Yes I can see the problem of abuse but I was thinking more along the lines of a patient who uses them PRN (as needed) and gave them 4 Valium, Xanax, Ativan.  Then when a panic attack happens try one.  Take some notes, try another the next time and so on.

In the same way I think for that situation its best to start with a low dose but if you inject a little bit of flexability like take 1 (up to 2) type of prescription ir offers a little room to find something that works.   *Note this wouldn't work with drugs like Celexa that take a month to kick in but for something like Xanax?  I think I was cutting 0.5 mg Valium for the first dose and that literally had no effect at all.  I ended up with a script that said up to 10 mg but that was too much.  Its hard to have an panic attack when your sleeping.  I can't remember where there was any effect but I think it was 2.5 where I started wondering if that might be doing something then 5 where I knew it was working. 

Part of this is that I don't get the appeal of Benzos.  Too little and they do nothing.  Just enough and I feel normal (ie not having an anxiety attack) too many and I just get sleepy.  If thats Drugs sex and Rock and Roll I'll take the Sex and Rock and Roll.

I'm just not patient with things and for a while I felt like I was seeing doctors or having labs done all the time. 

 

 

^^ In bold ... that makes sense, and would be a good idea ... maybe some pdocs would even consider it if they think it is a good idea also.  The pdoc wouldn't be prescribing much of each one.

^^In bold #2 ... I completely get what you are talking about.  Same happens to me.  It is an anxiety attack, or being sleepy/groggy etc.  I mean the anxiety attack would obviously go away by taking the med/s, but now you are sleepy/groggy/etc.

[jt07]

5 hours ago, HAL9000 said:

Part of this is that I don't get the appeal of Benzos.  Too little and they do nothing.  Just enough and I feel normal (ie not having an anxiety attack) too many and I just get sleepy.  If thats Drugs sex and Rock and Roll I'll take the Sex and Rock and Roll.

Heh. Exactly! But apparently some do get a high off them.

[IcePrincess88]

I don't understand the dislike of benzos. I think they're amazing. Of course given, I have a lot more anxiety than most people. Xanax was always the best to me because it kicked in so fast. Now I'm on Klonopin, which takes a whole lot longer to work. I only took the Xanax PRN up to 3 a day and it usually was between 2-3 a day, but Klonopin is way different. When I first transitioned from Xanax to Klonopin, I was on 4 1mgs a day, now I'm on 3mgs a day. But I only made it 1 day taking it as prescribed. It made me soooo sleepy ALL day. Now I just take it when I feel like I need it.

[melissaw72]

On 4/23/2016 at 10:23 AM, HAL9000 said:

 

I'm just not patient with things and for a while I felt like I was seeing doctors or having labs done all the time. 

^^I didn't see this last time I read it ... I just wanted to say that I'm the same way. I am very impatient also, so anything that can make whatever it is happen faster, then I will go for it. 

I do have to say though that once in awhile I regret being impatient, and wish I'd thought whatever it was through more.

FWIW ... what helps me with being impatient is that I almost always "sleep on it," so the next day I might have a clearer mind to think things through.