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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
Hi everyone. This is my first time posting on this board. I ook 26mg of xanax last night and now I'm out. Is it dangerous to just stop like that? I don't have a choice because I don't have a doctor to order them from. I bought them over the internet and can't afford anymore. I am concerned about seizures, etc, that can occur with acute w/d of high doses. Any advise? Thank you.
Posted by thinkfast on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 16:40:30
a little piece of advice...do your homework BEFORE you do drugs...rx or elicit...and plan ahead. Don't mean to lecture, but I've had many bad experiences and don't want anyone else to go through it.
Peace
Posted by Phillipa on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by thinkfast on March 13, 2005, at 17:46:51
Was this a one time thing, or do you regularly take xanax? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2005, at 17:54:46
> Was this a one time thing, or do you regularly take xanax? Fondly, Phillipa
I had been taking it sort of regularly, sometimes more than the regular dose (obviously). I have gone through 90 2mg pills in about 6 weeks, but this was the biggest dose ever. I just want to make sure I am not at risk for seizures and things. I know that the withdrawal is hard...rebound anxiety and stuff. thanks for your post
Posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by thinkfast on March 13, 2005, at 17:46:51
sorta hard to do when you're an addict, but thanks for the advise and your post
Posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 18:10:18
Posted by mynamehere on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 16:40:30
The withdrawals will be more severe (and dangerous) if you have been taking Xanax (or other benzos) for a long time and then stop suddenly. Death by overdose from benzos is very uncommon. However, benzos mixed with alcohol or other CNS depressants is very risky. Not long ago I was in a blackout and went through 90 of the 2mg Xanax bars in two days. Not cool. It was horrific recovering from it, but I have made it through the acute phase. Remember that it can take as long as 18 months to get through benzo withdrawals. Are you interested in discontinuing benzos all together? It's hard to stick to a tapering schedule if you have been abusing them (speaking from personal experience). If you have been taking xanax for a long time, I would make it a priority to get yourself connected with a professional who can taper you down. Hang in there. I know this stuff can be nasty! Let us know how you are doing.
Posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 18:10:18
Posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by mynamehere on March 13, 2005, at 18:12:42
Thanks. Yes, I have been taking them on and off for a few years, but no doctor will give them to me, even to taper off. I don't think I even have the control to taper off. I stopped drinking about 5 months ago, but have since increased from 2 cigarettes a week to at least a 1/2 pack a day... I am just going to have to go cold turkey. Just wanted to make sure I won't die from this. Thank you for your response
Posted by mynamehere on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER » mynamehere, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 18:17:29
Wow, it sounds like the two of us are similar in many ways. To be candid, yes, cold turkey can be dangerous with BZ's. It's good that you realize that you aren't strong enough to taper down. I tried to taper several times, but everytime that I would get more, I would take them until they were gone! I have seen different people respond differently when withdrawing. I didn't die, but I sure felt like I was going to. I didn't sleep for a long time, skin crawling, brain zapping sensations. Many people get suicidal when they are withdrawing from BZ's (even people who aren't usually suicidal). If you fall into this category, it would be wise to seek additional help for yourself. Ask away if you want to know more about my experience with it. Be good to yourself.
> Thanks. Yes, I have been taking them on and off for a few years, but no doctor will give them to me, even to taper off. I don't think I even have the control to taper off. I stopped drinking about 5 months ago, but have since increased from 2 cigarettes a week to at least a 1/2 pack a day... I am just going to have to go cold turkey. Just wanted to make sure I won't die from this. Thank you for your response
Posted by Phillipa on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:50
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER » mynamehere, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 18:17:29
Dr. Bob will probably redirect this to the Withdrawal Board. Why not Post it again there until he does. There is a lot of good advice there. Also the Substance Abuse Board. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by thinkfast on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:51
In reply to XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 16:40:30
Sorry if that was rude of me...I'm an addict as well and don't like to see anyone else go through this crap...
Peace
Posted by reefer on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:51
In reply to XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by underthecs on March 13, 2005, at 16:40:30
It's very hard to give advise in this case. The best i could give would be having someone "babysit" you while you go through the worst withdrawals, just in case. There is a small chance one could have a seizure. It's hard to tell if you will have withdrawal symptoms and the severity. If i understand you correctly you have taken 90 pills of 2 mg's Alprazolam each over the course of 6 weeks. This would averege 4 mg's or 2 pills per day. For me anything over 3 weeks of high benzo doses induces withdrawal and with high i mean 3 - 6mg/d. I've never taken more than 6mg's in one day. Anyway as i said, have someone babysit you the first 5 days in case you need 911. And when you are through that you should be safe. To help you sleep you could use a sedative antihistamine.
Posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 21:15:51
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER, posted by reefer on March 14, 2005, at 11:29:02
thank you. yeah, i actually took some benadryl last night to help me sleep. so far i'm not feeling any effects... like rebound panic / anxiety, which is what has happened in the past. i have in the past taken tons of benzos downed with 151 with no withdrawal problems (just memory problems!). it's so not worth it to take the benzos but they are so addictive. thank you all for your responses. i feel much better.
Posted by dms777smd on April 9, 2005, at 15:35:30
In reply to Re: XANAX ABUSE / SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL DANGER » reefer, posted by underthecs on March 14, 2005, at 20:14:32
Yea, I agree with reefer,,,it is a problem just taking them, and abusing them is way more of a problem.I'm on 3 mg of Xanax a day and I went to see this new doctor and he's trying to get me switched to Klonopin so I take my regular dose of Xanax and 1 mg of Klonopin at night. Because Klonopin has a lot longer half-life, it's supposed to be easier to withdraw from that. He still says that it's gonna take a real long time to get off the pills (with my head being straight at the same time). Cause I have everything (anxiety related). I have generalized, social, and cronic anxiety disorder,,,with Panic attacks everyday. Oh yea, depression too. But what are your problems. Are you taking it to just get off? Or do you have anxiety problems too? I think 26 mg of Xanax is way, way too much at once but if it was just a one time thing, I don't think you're going to have seizures from that. It's the 4 mg a day that will get you if you suddenly stop. I think it was on benzo.org.uk that says 4 mg a day or higher is dangerous to suddenly stop because of the risk of seizures. Dr. Ruth knows everything about benzos and withdrawal. Also, where do you live? There has to be a psychiatrist around you that will taper you off of them. You just need to find one that knows what he/she's talking about and that knows about the drugs. If you're dealing with social phobia or something similar, there is a book that might help. It's called "Dying Of Embarrassment". It is written by I think 4 psychologists and from what I've read of it so far, it really seems to make sense. But anyway, just don't go on anymore Xanax binges and try to find a good pdoc. Maybe I can help you do that. DMS P.S.- One of my friends(best) took 24 mg of Xanax on top of about 15 beers probably 4 or 5 times. He should be dead. I kept warning him that he'd end up falling asleep and stop breathing and never wake up, but he claims he can keep himself awake. Stupid!!! I just don't want that happening to you. You can write me at dms777smd@yahoo.com if you want. But I hope I was of some help to you and anyone else. Later
> thank you. yeah, i actually took some benadryl last night to help me sleep. so far i'm not feeling any effects... like rebound panic / anxiety, which is what has happened in the past. i have in the past taken tons of benzos downed with 151 with no withdrawal problems (just memory problems!). it's so not worth it to take the benzos but they are so addictive. thank you all for your responses. i feel much better.
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