xanax withdrawals / Emergency Room

[lisa20020]

I have been out of Xanax for a week now.  I have already been to the Emergency Room where I was given 10 Ativans.  That lasted for 5 days at 2 mg per day.  This is day one with no anti anxiety medications at all.  I was taking xanax for years at 3 mgs a day and moved to another state 2 months ago.  I have no money and no insurance yet and thought my body was going to give out yesterday as the withdrawals started again.  I feel like an animal that can get no help.  My blood pressure medication helps slightly (Clonidine), I feel a little better than yesterday but I don't know if I will make it.  I feel detached from my body, my heart is racing, every part of my body feels tingly with hot flashes, I am sweating and feel I will die. My body is exhausted from fighting this feeling. Will it be easier this time since I have been on Ativan for a week now with no Xanax.  Should I go yet again to the Emergency room or WAIT TILL I DIE FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY TO HELP ME?????????????????????/  I have called NAMI, I have called all the numbers I have been given for medical help as referrals all with dead ends.  That was over 20 #'s.  Should I just tough this out ??? I am so embarrassed over this.  How many times can I go to the ER?  

[ymouszanon]

Doctors have become nasty because the damn hypocritical, destructive, prohibition, "war on drugs" industry and politicians have got their tentacles in the doctor patient relationship.  doctors have to walk a tight rope these days. they can be arrested.  It is immoral what this war on drugs is doing on our streets and in the doctor patient relationship. below is an amazing group of law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, lay people, patients, etc called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition or LEAP.  they are for the legalization of all drugs.  for the fact that the violence and death is due to the fact that it is the fact that drugs are illegal which is what causes all the social ills and violence.  anyone can go to this site.  Read it well and it will change your mind, and that the war on drugs only benefits politicians, drug cartels, big banks that launder the drug money, the prison industry, and harms not only the user or addict but all of us common people

http://www.leap.cc/

[ymouszanon]

Excellent advice.  My doctor put me on a longer acting benzodiazepine.  You may no longer get the "high" you do from xanax but the stuff has such a short half life that in approx 10 hrs after you stop taking them you can easily have a seizure.  I am on clonazepam but i think valium is even better because you don't go into full out withdrawal until 5 days after stopping.

It is 2015 that i am writing this.  Things have changed for the worst in a big way.  The feds have made it so scarry for doctors to rx benzos and pharmacies are afraid they don't even give you the 3 day grace if you over use by a measly 3 days.  And with Obama care and my stupid state contracting out medicaid to "for profit" insurance providers making it that more difficult.

I am disabled and in a lot of pain and suffering from several medical conditions.  Last shrink I saw said in your condition it would be inhumane for me the doctor to send you to detox.(my family doctor has been rx ing my benzo for the past year)  He said that benzo detox is by far the worst and the longest recovery period, worse than kicking smack.  dozens of ex and current heroin addicts have told me they had a much harder time detoxing off the benzos their withdrawal doctors gave them afteer they kicked heroin.


You've got to get long acting benzo in your system. But you need to do a "cross over" from Xanax to valium or klonopin. The taper needs to be very, very slow. A doctor has to taper you. You are addicted. You will find that doctors, hospitals, rehabs and detoxes will taper you WAY to fast.

Go to site  benzo.org.uk (the ashton manual).

Cry from the roof tops to the ER that you need a script to come off and a doctor to taper you. Tell them that you are not a drug seeking person, you got dependant accidentally and you just want off these drugs. You do need to get a benzo in your system now.

Don't take no for an answer. Insurance usually doesn't pay for benzos anyway, and possibly the county can get you to a doctor to help you taper.

abby

I know what you're going through. And so do others. This is a crime.

abby


btw nursegirl you may be a nurse but have you ever been on benzos long term? or even short term? I disagree with your disagreeing with abby10.

[nursegirl6572]

This thread is very very old...you would be better off starting a new one, so your post doesn't get passed by (as they often do on old threads like this).

While I understand the unfortunate and unpleasant situation you were in, you have to understand how much the medical professionals are cracking down on controlled substances due to the rampant abuse going on.  Sadly, they have heard it all from people who are abusing their scripts....they lost their medication, it was stolen, it accidentally fell down the drain, you name it.  In the end, it's the call of the doctor to make, and many just aren't comfortable putting their license and DEA# on the line.  This is why it's just SO important to do whatever you can to always remember your medication.  There are all kinds of things you can do, one thing is carrying a 3-4 day supply ON you at all times (IN the Rx bottle).  That's a good idea for a lot of reasons.  What if you ran into a situation where you were stuck somewhere for a few days, due to weather, illness, what have you?  You never want to be surprised like that, because as you found out, it's not easy to get the medication when it's a narcotic.

Sorry you went through this, but I hope you now realize the importance of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances.  If you need more help, please start a new thread, just to ensure you get the replies you're looking for.  Take care.

[MBB55]

That happened to me. I work as a live in caregiver for 72 hr sessions. I forgot to bring my lorazepam and had no way to leave or have someone get it for me.
I called the pharmacy and they said they could not give me any emergency pills even if I had a way to get some. I called the doctor on call after my son got done working at 11 p.m. and he said he wouldn't give me any because it was a controlled substance. He said I should go to urgent care in the morning. Well, I finally found someone to care for my 2 with Alzheimers so I could go to urgent care in the afternoon. I was already sick from withdrawal symptoms. The urgent care doctor did not want to give me any meds. Finally I talked them into giving me a couple to get through the weekend but the on=call doctor and urgent care doctor treated me like I was an abusive drug addict. NOTHING can make your anxiety more horrible than an incident like this. I was absolutely traumatized!
You would think they would allow for emergencies! I am not a criminal!!!

[LillyDaFoe]

It is not only medical malpractice to cut a person off of a benzodiazepine, but you can easily sue a facility for risking your health. I was cut and the reasoning is all due to big pharmaceutical companies pushing for other medicines that cost more to be prescribed. This is one of those things that a medical professional would NEVER DO as they would know better. You need to go to a pro bono lawyer and also get information with the help of a librarian on the topic that isnt a recent media hyped piece of gossip to scare everyone. Benzodiazepines work very well for a lot of things, there is no ... i repeat NO anti anxiety medicine, or antidepressant, that is not addictive. If you are a long term user because you have a disorder, this should never be held against you...nor should your prescribing doctor be harassed that is discrimination and harassment is illegal. If you have broken the law, or you are an injection drug user... you need to talk to your medical doctor for help but if you are a law abiding person and are not abusing medicines, the malpractice here is real and the discrimination is also real. Sue someone and also get some advocacy for your trouble. I have been going through the same thing. I do not drink, I am agoraphobic and i cannot take other medicines due to sensitivities. I am not a "drug addict" though my body is dependent on my medicine to cope. The new laws are not working, they need to be rewritten so that patients and doctors are not forced to behave illegally in order to perform a legal medical diagnosis. This is ridiculous. Go to the ER... also, before you leave, go down to get all of your records ( free) including doctors notes and dictation from them, take that to your pro bono lawyer. Good luck and God Bless.

[strickendowngirl]

This happened to me, too!  After being on Xanax and Klonopin for 22 years!
I went to see him for my regular check up, and he yanked Three mgs./day right from under me with only one klonodine patch for the night.  I plead for a tapering of some kind.. begging him with tears.  He was mercinary.  I ended up shaking, throwing up, panicking out of my wits.  My daughter had to witness this.  She called 911,. The paramedics could hardly get me to sit in the chair that would take me down the stairs  I ended up in the ICU for Three days and Four nights, just shivering, with vertigo, nausea and feeling at the brink of a most sufferable death.  He never apologized.  Thank God, my brother is an attorney, who called up this doctor and reasoned with him.  I am still seeking another doctor.  Currently, I'm writing a small graphic arts novella on this;  with recurring nightmares and a damaged nervous system, I've been diagnosed with PTSD.  You have Got to get a doctor who has compassion.  Truly, you really do.  I wish you a lot of luck.

[abby10]

Agreed jake,

This information has been posted over and over and over. Thank you for your efforts.

abby

[jakegorzen]

abby is right,
The xanax 's active life is around...4 hours
Klonopin's active life is around 12.
So, when you make a transistion over to Klonopin dosed 2X "Sometimes 3" a day, it actualy builds up in your system.
so when you make your cuts, you dont feel the actual amount being cut, it "tricks" your body into thinking it was a even lower cut.

I tried explaining it as simple as possible for you "allot of people have a hard time understanding the differences between benzos"

your withdraw will BE SO MUCH SMOOTHER with a benzo that stays in your system longer.

as long as you take it slow, youll be fine:)

[Anz428]

K thanks.  Should I wait and see what a doctor says.  The xanax does help me at night calm down.  Sorry i'm just talking about me now when this was someone elses forum.  I'm just trying to get the facts straight.

[abby10]

No no no....way too fast. Get on a longer acting benzo and taper slow. The longer benzo stays in the system longer and you won't have the interdose withdrawals. Dry cuts are brutal with Xanax. Xanax is very potient.  A longer acting benzo would be klonopin or valium.

Get to benzo sites and learn about about the benzodiazepines. Someone can giive you a slow taper plan. Please don't be afraid. You are fortunate to have the internet and get information.

Hugs,

abby

[nursegirl6572]

Don't be scared by reading other's experiences.  Educate yourself, and YES, these types of meds need to be properly tapered.  This is something you should discuss with your doc ahead of time.....ask lots of questions...like..."How do you handle someone coming off Xanax, what do you recommend/prescribe?"

If it's done correctly, then withdrawals should be manageable.

[Anz428]

I'm scared now cause I am on xanax.  I don't want these withdrawal symptoms from this...isn't it better to start tappering down from it?  Like a whole for a while, then a half, then a 4th and then nothing?  Or no????  Why do doctors even prescribe these things then?  That's wrong!!!!!!

[nursegirl6572]

EVERYONE has a different story when it comes to these types of meds.  I personally have had a tremendous amt of success on Zoloft, Prozac, and Lexapro.  Sure, I had to withstand some uncomfortable side effects at first, but I can honestly say that I did not suffer withdrawal coming off ANY of these meds.  I consider myself lucky, b/c I know a lot of people do suffer w/d's, even during a taper.

Thing is....I don't get where "psychiatrists deny the existance" of w/d?  I think that is painting with quite a braod brush.  All doctors?  I disagree.

My p-doc, along with my pcp warned me of the effects of stopping these types of meds...including my very first experience with an SSRI, which was Zoloft (my max dose being 200 mg daily) back in 1991- 1992ish?  Maybe I got lucky with good docs, but I dont entirely buy that either.

Even professionally....pretty much since being in the field of nursing...my patients have always been educated about possible w/d phenomena, and observed for it.  To me, it has always been common knowledge.

Just like not every experience is like mine...not every one is like Paxilled's either, and I think that is important to mention...ESPECIALLY on forum where people are coming for insight who have never even heard of these meds, let alone taken them.  

Therefore....for readers...always remember that knowledge is power and certain things are important to know....but there is no guaruntee that YOU will have these types of experiences.  Reading and posting here for a long time....I have seen horror stories, and stories where these meds have changed lives.  Allow yourself to have your own experience...and be prepared, but do not EXPECT the worst.

Oh, and the good ? that Paxilled raised...can one ever live without these meds?  Answer is yes.  I have functioned both on and off these meds.  Anxiety disorders work in cycles...so when I start having problems...I generally seek the help of Lexapro until I feel comfortable enough with my OWN coping mechanisms to not need it anymore.  It's a process that has worked pretty good so far.

[Paxiled]

Oh, and I still maintain, who cares if Xanax is addictive?  If it's the only thing that helps, why not use it?  Better to have an addicted life than a life of constant suffering.  This thread has left me very disturbed; I can't believe people are being abandoned when they face the real threat of seizure and death from abrupt discontinuation of benzos.  It's not as if this isn't well known.  This should be criminal negligence.

[Paxiled]

The lawsuits about Zoloft began with GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturers of Paxil, way back in 1996.  Most of these have been long settled out of court, and the statute of limitations is probably up.  There are still some lawsuits pending, particularly regarding suicidal thoughts and use during pregnancy, for some ssris.  The suits weren't malpractice suits, they were because all these companies withheld from the public that their medications caused withdrawal and suicidal and violent thoughts and actions despite having discovered this to be true during the development phase.  Malpractice suits would be against psychiatrists and physicians, not the pharmaceutical companies.  I have a good one against the psychiatrist who took me off Paxil because at no time did he ever inform me of the possibility even while I was going through it, and three years later my emotional state is a complete wreck -- the withdrawal never ended.  This is of course rare if not unprecedented, lucky me, but that's how malpractice could come into play.  (I didn't sue, if you were wondering).  Problem with malpractice is, you have to incur enough monetary damages to get an attorney to represent you, and it has to be provable in court.  Since psychiatrists mostly deny withdrawal even now, with a warning label required by FDA right on the prescribing info due to what was discovered during these lawsuits, it's hard to prove, and attorneys don't take cases that are hard to prove.  This is a little known fact about malpractice --  doctors always complain about it, but it has to be pretty obvious with a lot of monetary damages to even get a lawyer to represent you.  And physicians brought these suits on themselves by refusing for years to testify against one another and altering admission slips on hospital forms until, finally, in the late 1950s, courts finally said forget it, if you're just going to lie we're just going to assume that if something strange happened you're liable.  If physicians had been honest about their capabilities and what they did all along, we wouldn't have this problem with lawsuits.  But withdrawal's a hard one, given psychiatrists deny its existence.  At least the FDA finally admits it exists!  On the other hand, don't be so afraid of it; very few people have committed suicide or acts of violence because of it.  It happens, but not frequently.  Most people get through it.  Some don't.  What I worry about is, once you're on these meds, can you ever function again without them?  Even a few year later you keep reading how people ended up back on them.  My newest question is, do they alter the way the brain functions so much that the brain has a hard time for some people to ever function comfortably again without them.  I don't have an answer, but after my situation, and reading so many of the posts on sites like this one, I am forming the question.

[nursegirl6572]

Zoloft definitely has to be tapered.

I don't know where you got that info...but I would be very surprised if it is possible to receive compensation for w/d symptoms.

Reason being...for any type of malpractice case to be successful, there has to be long-term "injuries" or disabilities.  There has to be some type of permanent negative outcome.   Also, when it comes to prescriptions, the patient has the responsibility to accept that there are risks when taking any new med, including side effects, and are supposed to educate themselves, despite what a doctor did OR DIDN'T say.

That is why every med now comes with an educational monograph outlining the potential risks and side effects.  The patient is supposed to read those carefully and weigh the benefits vs risks.  

Unfortunately, a lot of doctors either fail to mention these things...or down play the severity of the side effects.  The other thing that will unfortunately go against you in any kind of attempt to be compensated is that you discontinued the medication without asking your doctor first....and as general rule...you shouldn't stop taking ANY med without first checking into how it should be safely d/c'ed.

Therefore, while you have really gone thru a lot of he**, maybe just consider it a hard lesson learned about being more knowedgeable about the meds you're taking?  And, believe me...I do not mean that in a bad way AT ALL.  A lot of people put so much faith in their docs (which you really should want to do that)...that they maybe fail to do their own research about things.

And always read the insert that comes from the Pharmacy.  As a rule, they'll scare you to death and make you NEVER want to take another pill in your life (lol).....but they are very informative.  You can always ask your Pharmacist for a one on one about a new med..they are GREAT resources that people don't use enough.

So, while it certainly may be worth looking into, just don't get your hopes too high.  The liability factor is covered pretty well when it comes to prescription meds and most times, the onus is on the patient.

[lisa20020]

I just made an appointment with a doctor for next Tuesday who is going to help me taper off klonopin very slowly.  Actually, now that I have some klonopin to get me by for at least a week, I might shop around a bit more and try a find a doctor that is educated or at least aware the problems with benzo withdrawals.

As for now I am not going to start taking Zoloft again until I do more research on it and become more informed.

I read this and dont know if it is true or not:

"If you or a loved one has had to undergo Zoloft withdrawal, then you know how painful the symptoms can be. Patients who are currently taking Zoloft may wish to discontinue its use in order to reduce the potential symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal, rather than waiting until the body has become even more addicted. Under no circumstances should patients taking Zoloft discontinue or scale back its use without consulting a physician. Patients who have endured Zoloft withdrawal may be entitled to financial compensation from the drug's manufacturers and distributors. To learn more about lawsuits relating to Zoloft withdrawal, you may wish to contact an attorney who represents clients affected by Zoloft withdrawal."

[nursegirl6572]

Oh boy lisa......sounds like maybe the Zoloft withdrawal may have been playing a factor here, too, yikes!  Yes, the SSRI meds have a withdrawal phenomena of their own, and also should not be stopped abruptly.  Unlike benzodiazepines, that may result in seizure activity if abruptly d/c'd....the SSRI w/d's aren't necessairly "dangerous" in the same ways...but w/d can be absolutely wicked.

Have you found a new p-doc who you can work with to set up a solid treatment plan?  It's great that you're now oon the Klonopin, that's a great start...but I think you need to find a caring doctor who can set up a treatment plan and work with you to meet your goals, including if you are going to stay on Zoloft...or another kind of maintenence med.

Keep in mind as well that it isn't uncommon to experience a significant amount of emotional w/d's after discontinuing Zoloft (and other SSRI's)....so keep that in mind.  If you haven't taken any Zoloft in 2 weeks...then most likely you'll start noticing an improvement in those symptoms pretty soon.

Sorry you've had such a rough time, things will start looking up real soon for you.  Good luck!

[lisa20020]

Loved that post!!!!!  Took the words right out of my mouth.  Now look at what I have just found.

"Zoloft withdrawal can cause jolting electric "zaps", dizziness, motor instability, extreme nausea, vomiting, high fever, abdominal discomfort, flu symptoms, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, aggression, nightmares, tremor, seizures, and confusion. In some persons, Zoloft withdrawal has become so painful that it lead them to commit suicide rather than face the agony any longer."

Excuse my language but WTF???????????????  I have been out zoloft for the last 2 weeks also.  I am sure the most of my situation was caused by the xanax, but I am becoming too frightened to take anything at this point.  

[Hensley258]

I have been thru 6 different Psychiatrist in the last 18 years and they are all the same when it comes to Xanax. The worst part is that it is medical fact that if one stops taking Xanax cold turkery then they run a serious risk of going into sezure.

This fact is lost on Psychiatrist and even MD's. There is a reason for this happining. You see, doctors that prescribe Xanax are worried that the patient they are responsible for will build an addiction to the drug. If a patient get's addicted then that patient can file a law suit against the doctor that prescribed more than what is deemed "an exceptable dosage and amount."

This is the doctors best interest at work and is counter productive to our mental health. Not only that, but this fear of legal action by the FDA and DEA makes doctors completly indifferent to what their patients needs are.

I have to call my doc this week to get my Xanax refilled and I have a feeling that he will say no. That means I must make a trip to the hospital just to get enough to get me by a couple days or else I risk sezure.

[mjbrown]

I hear ya! I went through hell for 5 days at the onset of my latest breakdown, and my shrink refused to give me an extra .5mg to take once a day (I only take .5mg 3x a day). She knew I was freaking out.. and she just told me to go to the ER if I feel like killing myself. Mind you.. I've seen her for the last 5 years, and never once asked for an increase in my xanax, never "lost my meds," and never took anymore than was prescribed to me. The lock down on xanax is insane.. and unnecessary for people who really need it.

[Hensley258]

Yea, Xanax withdrawl is hell on earth. I also take 3mgs a day and I once ran out. I pretty much went insane for 8 days.

Funny thing is that when you call your doctor and tell him your in severe withdrawl from Xanax, they don't give a **** and will not refill. Their attitude is have a sezure and deal with it punk.

Doctors lock that Xanax up so damn tight that they squeek when they walk. They don't care how sick you get, nor does the hospital because if they did they would have given you a 45 day supply of 2Mg bars.

It's like HELLO doc I'm already an addict. You can't make my addiction any worse than it already is by making me get sick.

[lisa20020]

I got my klonopin today.  Now to start a taper process with a new doctor.

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback on this issue.

[mjbrown]

That is great news that you found a doctor who takes benzo withdrawal seriously. Hang on to this doctor! Hopefully everything will work out, and you won't have to suffer like this for too much longer.

Best of luck.. and keep us posted!