[GreyGoose]

Hi

After a particularly nasty bout of anxiety, I went on Xanax for a few days, Ativan for few more and than finally settled on Oxazepam and have been taking 5mg each night before bed for several months now.

A few days ago I decided to quit cold turkey. I just felt like my anxiety was getting worse in between doses and that I was building up a tolerance to it.

I'm on day 3 of being off of it now (I think). Last night was like a blur. I slept fitfully for a few hours, had some really weird dreams, kept waking up and the rest of the night it was like I was in a state of "suspended animation" - sort of half awake/half asleep. I woke up completely exhausted/unrested and felt weak and just generally like crap.

I then took my morning walk and by the third "lap" around the block I began to feel weak, wobbly in the knees and somewhat dizzy (and nauseous). I was also in sort of a cold, fevery-type sweat. After I sat down and tried to pull myself together a little bit I took my temperature and it was normal (98.5). I was also very scared and irritable during this time and for some reason VERY hungry (I'm never hungry in the mornings!).

Yesterday night was'nt much better either. I took a capful of NyQuil which made me wonderfully sleepy and fell asleep with my cloths on. I woke up about two hours later and it was about 4 AM and with only 2 hours sleep, I decided to get up and do some things. By about noon that day, I felt totally exhausted to the point of feeling physically ill (even though I was'nt). I took a short nap in the afternoon and felt a little better but not much (still had a sleep deficit).

The last 2-3 days since I got off of this stuff has been somewhat of a nightmare. What I am wondering at this point is if these are just typical withdrawl symptoms and if so, how long will they generally last?. It's reached the point where I kind of dread getting into bed because I know I'm probably in for a rough night. Is there anything I can take to help me get through this that is NOT a benzodiazepine?.

- Thanks

[darkeyes]

Hi Grey,
Have you contacted the prescribing physician? It would probably be in your best interest to do so about this.
I do not know if this is "cold turkey" or anxiety, even anxiety from the thought of "cold turkey", I just don't know.
I have had anxiety attacks, they are awful, only started with this about 2003, didn't even know they can come on out of nowhere. My pdoc gave me both Klonopin (day time use "if" needed only) and Ativan (for nite, "if" needed only) I had been under stress, much newer kind of stress than ever experienced in the past, so this may have been the trigger to anxiety/panic attacks.
New stress was, losing my beloved dad in Nov 2002, taking my mom from FL up north to live in summer/fall 2003 plus all her health issues I wonder if it all began in Oct 1999 up to Sept 2001, a lot of things in my marriage, having to relocate for my husband's job, I was finishing college, etc.? But all that was not the same as the recent so I think I survived all that. But with dad's passing may have been the final thing that brought these attacks on.
Oh sorry, enough about me, I tend to digress, ha!ha! Just some examples of anxiety producing things.
Getting back to your question, I still feel you should contact the doc that prescribied these meds. I do know Ativan is not to be prescribed in amounts more than 15-30 day intervals at low doses to start with, and not for prolonged amount of time. My poor mother-in-law has becomed hooked on Ativan, her foolish internist was giving it to her for years, when really the poor woman needed and had open heart surgery last year, damn doctor kept poo poo ing her complaints of chest pains, etc. Oops! sorry I wandered again, damn, wish I wouldn't do that.
Do you see a therapist,talk therapy type? If so maybe he or she can work with you, and the prescribing physician about this, and strategies on how to gradually get off those meds, or some of them, and the big "or" prescribe something in place of them for anxiety, when needed.
I wish I had something to say that would be of better use to you, but saw your post and wanted to talk abot this issue, and to be honest, to say "hi" and we are here for you
Getting use to being "middle aged" and life changes has been a little bit of a challenge for me, like many of us I suppose.
Please take care now.

Sincerely,

DE

((((((((((( Grey ))))))))))

Hope you don't mind the "hugs".

BTW
I see "Ocala", wow, that wasn't far from my parents, they were in Edgewater, Volusia County, FL . . . small world eh?

[Parker10]

Call your prescribing Doctor or a pharmacist to see if what u are experiencing is withdrawal. I do know that people really should not cold turkey benzo's, but you were on low doses of each. Actually, I would call the Pharmacist - cuz any Doc who gives 3 benzo's at the same time to a patient sorta sends up a red flag to me.

Good luck - I hope you get some sleep !

I too just noticed the Ocala - best friend is in DeBary, we visit New Smyra Beach off and on. Know Volusia Co well.........nice place !

Good luck !

[darkeyes]

Parker,
I think this "reply" was meant for Grey, you may have done what I do sometimes, and a lot in the past, I click the last instead to the "poster", no problem.
Wow, NSB, that was my favorite beach area, especially I think 21st? When my parents lived in FL, we went every year.
Thanks for your reply to Greygoose.
Take care now,

DE

[TheCheshireCat]

Hullo, Goose,
I've tried the cold turkey route with benzos myself, and it's a bear. The meds have always beaten me down -- even after three weeks off of them. Best to taper by cutting the pills up. The other danger associated with cold turkey benzo clean-up, while remote, is of a seizure -- even a grand mal. Ring up your chemist and get some info right away. Your good intentions could do more harm than good. Cheshire Cat

[Schatze]

Your doc can help you taper off of them. I don't think cold turkey is a good idea with benzos. I took Xanax for 2 years and was weened off of it successfully.

Missi

[T_MD]

Your symptoms seem consistent with benzo withdrawal. While you should contact your physician he will probably recommend continuing the Serax 5mg for a week or longer and then tapering off the Serax. You probably just came off too much benzo too quickly.