Xanax Withdrawal - LIGHT HEADEDNESS HOW LONG WILL IT LAST???

[faithprayer]

I had been taking xanax for a little over a year.  For six months my doctor had me on 5 mg. of xanax a day.  He never told me that it was addicting.  I trusted him.  After taking 5 mg. for six months, I tapered down to 2 1/2 mg.  , got sick, ended up in the hospital and then saw the doctor next day.  He put me back up to 3 mg. xanax every day and 10 mg. zyprexa zydis. So, I've been taking that then since last summer.  I finally got off all the medication, the zyprexa I got off in January completely and the xanax I finished my last dose on April 13th.  I reduced sometimes every week a half mg. and then someone told me to reduce by 1/4 mg.   I never even had panic disorder to begin with...my doctor misdiagnosed me.   MY QUESTION is it's been over 2 months since I have had NO xanax and I'm still feeling lightheaeded and brain foggy practically EVERY DAY!  WHEN WILL IT GO AWAY?  I've had other tests done while being on xanax, MRI, seen a neurologist and they couldn't find anything wrong, and told me to get off the medicine.  I did, but I'm still suffering with this lightheadedness.  I hate it.  I've actually had this since last summer, but it's worse now that I'm not taking anymore xanax.  Can someone please help me with this, I've been off it for over two months, I can't even enjoy my 2 year old daughter much because I don't feel well.  Does anyone know if this is ever going to go away??  Please answer if you can.  It's so frustrating feeling like this?  I've been praying a lot and trusting God, I just want to talk to someone who maybe has gone through it or can give me some advice?  IS there anything I can do or take to help get rid of this lightheadedness?  If I get pregnant will that help take away the lightheadedness and brain fogginess?  Thanks for answering me in advance.  

[kathyp821]

Hi my prayers go out to you. I don't have an answer to your questions, actually I came on  here to find out those answers myself. I've read some of the posts and I think it probably depends on the individual. I was on 2mg a day sometime 2 1/2. I started taking Xanax for anxiety but depended on them to be able to sleep. Long story short I just decided it was time to STOP. I prayed to The Lord Our God and to Our Holy Mother for help. I'm going into my 3rd day now, and Thank the Good Lord above i have not had any of these symptoms. A little shaky sure, worst is I can't sleep I finally fell asleep this morning for 4 hours off and on but I expected that. Tonight doesn't seem to be any different but again I expected that. I am not recommending anyone just stop taking them, again I think it depends on the individual. I think the best way to explain it is, it's like your computer, sometime you need to reboot. Well I think thats exactly whats happening to all of us. Our Bodies need to reboot to learn how to deal with things and learn how to function again without the help of these pills. My prayers are with all of you. Stay strong and Pray. God really does hear you and will help you if you ask Him.
God Bless

[nicknameabc]

i have been taking xanax for close to 10 years.for the last 6 years i have been taking 5mg a day.i have got to the point that i run out every month.i have gone through xanax withdrawal so many times i could wright a book.i went 2 months once and still i had double vision and confusion.as i post now it has been 2 weeks so if i misspell somthing please cut me some slack.i am determined to beat it this time.i dont know how long these withdrawals will last but i guess i will find out.  for those of you who want to know the symtems of withdrawal here they are...insomnia..irratabilaty..blurred vision..confusion..anxioty..short breathing..hearing things..seeing things..shaking..trouble using bathroom.. lump in throat..it helps to remind yourself to breath with your stumach going in and out not your chest.i guess i will get back to normal somday.if your doctor gives you meds do alot of reserch it may save you alot of truble in the long run.

[Michael1952]

Yes you will feel normal again.  I have been on Xanax for about 8 months not more than .50mg a day as needed.  Now I have been trying to tapper off
and get off of it totally.  My doctor wanted me to go on Lexapro but it increased my anixiety which I was told would last about 3 weeks and level off and then I would be able to stop taking xanax.. I took the lexapro for one day and decided that replacing one drug with another is not the way to go since Lexapro is addictive also but not as addictive as Xanax.  So I am tappering it is my 3rd day now and I take .25mg every 26hrs.  It is pretty tough in between but exercise will help and keeping your mind busy will help. You just have to be positive and tell yourself when start getting the withdrawl symptoms that it is drug making you feel this way,  I had many tests thinking I had a heart attack or gall stones all came back negitive. I was Xanax about 10 years ago for 3 months when I went through a divorce and tappred off without any problem.  However back then I was taking branded Xanax this time I have been on the generic Xanax and I feel that the generic is harder to stop.  Just my oppinon.  You will feel better it will take time, but DO NOT STOP COLD.  See your Doc for a tappering program.  I will check back and see how you are doing.  

[Hapie]

I've taken Xanax for about 3 years .25 mostly 1 time a day on bad days .50. My body begin to have withdrawal due to the regular dosage not  sufficient enough anymore. My whole personality has changed and I started suffering from depression. It's been  about 3 weeks and I'm having  light headless, dizziness, heart palpations,irritability and mood swings:( I know it's a small dose but I'm about 5'3 and 106 lbs. and on that does for 3 years. Will I ever feel normal again ( assuming I was normal before).

[hepburn2012]

I have just read everyone's comments and I'm glad I did. I had been taking Xanax for nearly 18 years ( panic disorder) (5mg per day). I didn't know how harmful this drug is/was. It needs to be banned - it is an evil drug. Why do medical practitioners prescribe it? (must be because it is an easy solution). In February this year my local doctor wouldn't prescribe them for me (her own way of "getting me off them") - After about a day off them I have no memories at all  - I know I drove about 2.5hours to get to my parents place, I was hallucinating ( so I have been told) I was imagining people from my past (30 years in my past) were talking to me. My sister took me to Emergency at a hospital. I came to about 5 days later. I was very fragile, didn't feel "normal", I was confused. The drs put the puzzle together. (I had a psychotic episode - drug induced) It is now August and I believe I am still suffering the effects of the Xanax stoppage - I feel disjointed, confused, scared, I keep getting headaches, sinus infections, muscle aches & spasms,  and nausea, vomiting (and I am not normally a vomiter)... I have tried to ask drs but they are quite dismissive. I have searched the internet and have found the effects of Xanax withdrawal can last from 1 week to years. I want my life back. I didn't ask to be put on Xanax....

[whiterabbit2]

I agree, I was put on Xanax for a month only. 30 tablets 15mg a day and my doctor called me to say that I need another prescription to continue taking them I said no, this will be my last tablet as I slept 12-14 hours and was always late for work. I had absolutely no idea that I will go through withdrawal just after 30 days! Mainly physical -vomiting, light head, blurry vision, headaches and feeling that I am going to fall! Wow, never ever Xanax.