intense ringing or buzzing in my head. Has anyone had this and if so how long does it last?
Quit xanax cold turkey 1/10/12 took 1 mg a day for 4 years at bedtime. Having?
Question posted by SS67 on 6 April 2012
Last updated on 17 April 2018
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11 Answers
wickedomar19
8 Oct 2016
Hello i had anyone's help please I have been forced to stop alprazolam becuse I ran out and can't get an appointment for my priscrition for a week and its been 6 days now of living hell was on 0.5mg miday and half of that at night time , I was taking it like this for 6 months I also take paroxetine 20my in the morning,, I suffer from depression ,but mainly bad social anxiety and panic attacks,,, i really need your help and advice ,,, i feel so bad everyday i have very bad anxiety and I'm not feeling myself or acting like myself , and feel the withdrawals symptoms I don't know how much longer I can take this , paranoia anxiety scared and much more at work and everywhere to be honest ,,, how long will this withdrawal take its been 6 days now, this is my first time ever writing on a fourn I'm in that much of need of help ,
I'm unable to think clearly and becuse I'm so uncontrollably anxious outside and around people it's causing me to act different and I am aware of it which make it worse and my days have been long and draining but I do my best to stay strong but and up falling ,,, sorry for going on ,,, how long will it take for me to be somwhat stable from this withdrawal
Msmalls
6 Aug 2016
I been taking 1mg xzanx to go sleep four years now ,should I go to medical detoxs to come off ?
Jaydw85
29 July 2017
That's a pretty low dose, you probably would be okay but I still would not recommend it as it does alter the chemicals in your brain.
pamcorey
8 Jan 2016
Yes have ringing in my ear
MikeR8898
18 Nov 2012
Hello all,
I was originally prescribed 0.5 mg Xanax to take 30 min before bed to help me fall asleep. It was originally supposed to be for only a week or two, but I ended up taking it almost every night for roughly 8 months. The few nights I missed, I was not able to sleep at all. Four nights ago, however, I ran out of pills, and decided to give it another go. It has been 4 nights so far without Xanax (after having quit cold turkey), and I'm feeling better. I'm glad I'm not on the drug anymore. I do not have withdrawal symptoms, and I have been able to sleep. I didn't sleep well before taking xanax, so my sleep now is comparable to the sleep I got before taking the drug.
After researching Xanax in more detail, there may be other unknown effects of this CNS depressant. I absolutely did not want to be on the drug long term, and so I am not going to be taking another Xanax. Instead of using Xanax, I use a 5mg Melatonin pill every night. It is a much safer alternative.
I wish you all the best in coming off of Xanax.
Sincerely,
Michael
26 y/o
MikeR8898
25 Nov 2012
Edit: Although I'm off of Xanax, I still have sleep problems and chronic fatigue. I just never feel rested. Unfortunately I don't have time right now to go from doctor to doctor to find a diagnosis or solution.
JuddyB
25 April 2014
Hello all,
I was on Xanax for 4 weeks, 1mg, 3 times a day. I was injured and had to just relax. It felt good so I took them, today it's been about 3 days without taking any and I haven't felt like myself for about 3 days now.. I hope I return to my normal feeling self soon. I can feel it less each day it seems.. I'm not about to go get more Xanax, that's for sure!
Thylacine
2 Feb 2017
I'm having the same exact issue now 0.5 alprazolam been taking it every night to sleep if I don't take it I will wake up at 4 a.m. guarantee then I have to take a half of one to get back to sleep. I know it's a very low dose but I don't want to be hooked on it. I've been taking the Xanax at this dose for several years but not as an ongoing every-night thing only when needed now I've been taking it every night for at least 6 months or more straight. I used to be able to sleep normally and the reason I started taking it to sleep was because I would have to get to bed at a certain time to wake up early. So it would force me to get tired at that time and it worked for a while and now I've noticed I'm feeling very lethargic like I'm sleeping too much.
Say I take the pill at 10 and then I am not tired till 12 and then I don't want to wake up till noon the next day It's probably the seasonal depression but I'm sure Xanax has something to do with it as well. I would just want to get off xanax and only have it when I really need it that was the whole purpose in the first place not as a sleep aid all the time. I'm trying to figure out how to wean off of it without affecting my sleep for work the next day. maybe I will be okay because it is only 0.5. Any suggestions would help because the doctor is worthless to be honest and I'm reading on here other people have the same experience. Seems like they would rather pump you up with drugs then get you off them. For the record I'm not taking any other medications with the Xanax it's just the Xanax that I'm on.
Inactive
3 Nov 2012
You have had many answers here, but most were on a really high dose of xanax. Since your dose was fairly low & you haven't complained of any other symptom, I think you are ok, & I wouldn't worry about a siezure or anything. I find it interesteing that you are having ringing in your ears as that is actually a symptom of taking xanax. I take it also at bedtime to get to sleep, & have horrible ringing in my ear that I am actually deaf in...
Inactive
3 Nov 2012
Am interested since you posted thisin April & it's now November if the ringing has stopped?
ryn5669
14 June 2015
Ringing in the ears is a very common WITHDRAWAL symptom NOT side effect of taking xanax. You may have ringing in the ears while taking Xanax but if you do it would not be a Common side effect. Not even listed as a rare side effect xaxax@ drugs.com
Jaydw85
29 July 2017
I've been on 2mgs 3x a day and I get the same ringing and terrible headache.. that was my symptoms before I had 2 grand mal seizures.
Dopetron
3 Nov 2012
For about two years I've been taking both Xanax and Klonopin. Initially, I was taking 2mg four times a day. A VERY high dose. After I ended up on the county's health insurance, the doctor tapered me down to 2mg a day and switched me to klonopin. I abused my script, however, and since klonopins have such a long half-life, I took 6mg every two days. I skipped doses just so my rx wasn't early. Two months ago, I binged hard... going doctor shopping... going through 60 1mg Xanax in 3 days. When I quit cold turkey, I felt like HELL!! I had three seizures, each time waking up on the cold floor in my guest house, all alone. I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure I hit my head pretty hard, and I'd throw up each time. Every seizure was accompied by intense disturbing visuals. In fact, I felt like I was on mushrooms for a good 48 hours and nothing felt real. I wondered if I had brain damage. I cried to my parents, who didn't believe me and laughed in my face.
My mom later told me she laughed because she didn't understand the seriousness of the situation. She didn't think the withdrawals were a big deal. My pops is a pharmacist, do he understood, but had recently divorced my mom and moved out. So his ass wasn't really home to help. 5 days into my withdrawal, I saw my doctor and she prescribed me propranolol for my heart and seroquel to help me sleep. I'm very surprised she continued to let me detox cold turkey. My blood pressure was like 200/100. Right now I feel fantastic. I'm full of hope and energy. It's amazing how motivated I am to stay clean, especially after I beat the odds (at least so far... knock on wood). Looking back, I would NEVER quit benzos cold turkey again. You CAN die. It would have been nice to have professionals around to help.
Peace
seven33333
20 Sep 2012
Im currently going through withdrawls, from a high does of 4 mg a day for the last 6 years, to cold turkey nada..someone stole my script and ive been puking and my head feels like its giving birth
... when do you know its an emergency
Inactive
21 Sep 2012
NOW! It's an emerency! You need to contact the police first that your meds were stolen & then immediately contact your doctor. Tell them you reported it & are in withdrawal. You could have seizures or anything. You are on a high dose. do not let this continue as you can have permanet damage...
Jaydw85
29 July 2017
Absolutely emergency now! I know this is old but people must educate the dangers of quitting benzos cold tukey. It is one of THE MOST DANGEROUS drug to stop. If u have been on a dose like that for years you absolutely will have a seizure, I know this first hand after suffering 2 grand Mal seizures after just days of quitting 6mgs a day..
Hippy79
31 July 2017
Yes immediately. I have an issue. My fiancé has been on xanax for almost 20 yrs. She is prescribed 90 a month, 3 a day or as needed. The as needed is wrote on bottle every month & she can get them filled every 28 days. Her doc writes her 3 refills & then has to go back to see him. Well the problem is when she goes back to see him her schedule is about 10-12 days off from getting them filled from the 28 day schedule. She has an appointment next Monday but she has been out of meds since Wednesday. According to the pharmacy she could of got them filled Thursday. She is very very sick. I took her to the ER Friday & they wrote her 10 Ativans. The issue is her doc has her 11-12 days off whenever she has to go see him again after the 3 refills. He is starting to piss me off. She has been asleep since yesterday evening & im thinking strongly on waking her & taking her in to her doc plus taking the papers from the ER.
When she doesn't have her meds she gets sick very fast. She doesn't abuse them at all but some days she does take 4-5 bc of panic attacks. She gets very dillusional & has no balance at all. She also has a bad heart as well. I'm just wondering if there is anything we can do to make this doc realize he is making a mistake. He's a very cocky dr & doesn't like it when someone comes in say a week early. But idc I've gotta do something bc there's no way she can go another week without her meds. I swear sum docs just really piss me off! Excuse my language.
dove777
29 June 2012
i stop taking xanax in march after 12 years, the ringing and buzzing in my ear ran me crazy, so i put ear plugs in my ear and it stop for awhile and then came back, this is july so i would say it will last for three months, mean while when the buzzing comes focus on something else or put on some relaxing music.
SS67
30 June 2012
It has been 6mos now since quitting xanax--What a Ride! I have cut the lexapro in 1/2 and the klonopin by 2/3. Most symtoms are gone-I am sleeping well-- buzzing or ringing comes and goes but I really do not notice unless I think about it. I would say I am feeling pretty darn good. I was lucky not to have any seizures-but the withdrawl symptoms is something that I do not wish on anyone.
on2long
11 April 2012
Xanax(benzos) and alcohol are the 2 main drugs that YOU CAN DIE from quitting w/o medical assistance. I have been on a very high dose of it for 6 years and recently my doctor got his license suspended leaving me with no doctor( I'M also on suboxone) I tried to just quit and had seizures... I've now found a doctor that is taking me down 1/4 mg a month... you know you're body and it's hard to judge another's symptoms I'M NOT A DOCTOR but benzo w/d can last up to a few months... the buzzing in my head is THE FIRST of many more symptoms to come. Why did u decide to stop taking it??? Just curious.
SS67
11 April 2012
I was ignorant to the fact that xanax was addictive. Did not realize that I was having withdrawl. I went to the doctor in Febuary and told him that the stress and anxiety from work was making me nuts. He told me to excersise and gave me Lexapro& Ambien(still me not knowing it was Xanax). Well I forced my way into see him 5 days later after discussing my symptoms to friends who also could not get Xanax any more. Boy did the light come on after that, we all were completly ignorant of the effects that xanax withdrawl. Anyway spoke with the Doctor about me having Xanax withdrawl and he changed the ambien to Restoril. That did not work called him and he did not call me back. I was so frustrated or disperate I went to another doctor told him what was going on and this guy gave me Buspirone and Rameron and said to see him in 2 weeks. Went back in 2 weeks tried to talk to him and he just sort of brushed it off.
So I went on the hunt again- this time to a Neuro who is a freindof a family member. He actually spent time with me and we discussed what options I had. He got me with a Psycholigist who is well versed in what I was going thru. Met with him this AM. Although the initial withdrawl symptoms have subsided, my current symptoms are the ringing in my head and extreme anxiety which is causing to not sleep well and hard to focus at work. I have been given Lexapro 10 mg and Klonopin at bed time and we will be weening down once we get the anxiety levels to a controlable level. I Have an excellent support group that are working with me to get thru this and I hope the worst is behind me.
Sherri Wallace
21 Nov 2015
I have been taking Xanax for 30 + years and it is a drug that I can take it or leave it ... no withdrawal I think I am immunes to them and yes I have had withdraws before from it ... Quite severe but your mind controls the body and if we just keep that in mind then we are okay ,,, all this stuff you all are talking about withdraw and all that should consider that you maybe have something else in your system causing the symptoms and if nothing then I Dont know what to tell you
then but yes it is dangerous to stop anything that is controlled like alprazalam but I think people just read to much and then it scares them too !
Jaydw85
29 July 2017
Also it is absolutely not all in the "mind". It's in the brain, chemicals are effected by xanax that is not something you can just will yourself off of.
Elination
17 April 2018
All mind baby trust me f these weak minds
puckiemull
8 April 2012
I agree with subb,you should really taper off xanax especially when on them for such a long period of time,along with the rebound anxiety and long list of withdrawl effects you may suffer,seizures are also added to the list and those can be fatal. Many on here have experienced bad episodes while coming off benzo's and doing cold turkey is very dangerous.
Please take the advice and see your doc or local er for help in coming off xanax carefully!!
Take care and best wishes to you
subb1976
6 April 2012
Man you should not have quit cold turkey,now you are going to have rebound anxiety, insomnia,irritated mood and with you being on them that long maybe even seizures. You need to get back to your dr and get weined off the right way. Im not trying to scare you but its dangerous to do what your doing without help. If you cant afford the doc go to the e. R. And tell them whats going on they will usually help you in dire situations like that.
dove777
30 June 2012
subb you are right, i stop taking xanax the middle of march and by the end of march i had a seizure and a mild stroke and i am taking speech therapy to restore my speech and i lost some of my brain function, i have trouble with memory and recalling things that i know,so please be careful when getting off xanax.
bumblebee90
3 Nov 2012
Dear dove777, It's been a while since you posted this, but a couple of things. I used to take Xanax a few years ago after my mother's death, and the last few year's was swithched to Klonopin for anxiety/panic attack's. I agree %100 with subb1976. He took the words right out of my mouth. I went into rehab for alcohol several yr.s ago (been sober for 6 yr's. now), and they tried to stop Xanax cold turkey which surprised me. I almost had to go to the ER because of withdrawel's. They immediately put me right back on it, and kept me on it. I was wondering what you did or how you dealed with the situation, and how you're doing currently? Again, subb 1976 is absolutely right if you should try this again. I wish you nothing but wellness. Take care, and best wishes. And thank you subb 1976 for you're very appropriate and great advice. You're Friend, Ruthie
pamcorey
15 Sep 2015
I quit without my knowledge. Now 55 in a nursing home. Took 0.05 for 18 years. I am taking them again after a year..I lost my memory but getting it back but do I need to take more feel funny. My blood pressure was high until I took another one. Do I need to be on higher dose.
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Further information
- Xanax uses and safety info
- Xanax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax (detailed)
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