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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CK1 on January 19, 2007, at 16:15:02
Hey Guys,
I was put on Xanax .25/mg day in February 2006 and it worked very well for 3-4 months and erased all anxiety I had. After a few months, I started having dizzy spells but kept taking it bc my dr. said Xanax doesnt cause dizziness. (to all of you who have experienced dizziness, IT SUCKS, right?!) Well, a month ago the dizziness became worse and I "knew" it was the Xanax so I tried to stop but couldnt and now am on Valium 1.5mg/day trying to get off benzos. I am now getting incredibly dizzy, depressed, and feel my mind is a blur. I am wondering how long the symptoms caused by benzos can last! Some people say up to 6-12 months??! I need some encouragement here as I would hate to have this persistant dizziness for months after stopping the drug.
BTW, I have been functional in my business during this entire time and making great strides however, I feel it is best to now work while getting off as I am very irritable, depressed, and dizzy at the moment!! Whoever has been on benzos and gotten off bc of side effects, please let me know about withdrawel and how long it took for the SE's to go away!!!!Thanks!!!
Posted by Clockwork Ange on January 19, 2007, at 20:08:42
In reply to Xanax - Side Effects, posted by CK1 on January 19, 2007, at 16:15:02
Ahh... xanax... I was on it for a while, went from .25 to .50 to 1 to 4!
Crazy, I know.... but I can honestly say that I never got dizzy from them.. the only sort of effect that I got, other than no anxiety, was that when it wore off, I would be HIT with a wall of anxiety... probably why it's so addictive.
Are you on any other medication that might be making you dizzy?
Otherwise- perhaps not hydrated enough? Just an idea...
Posted by Clockwork Ange on January 19, 2007, at 20:09:59
In reply to Xanax - Side Effects, posted by CK1 on January 19, 2007, at 16:15:02
I just realized you said you are on Valium now... I'm sorry... I've taken Valium, though I hear it's more affective than Xanax for constant anxiety...
Posted by Phillipa on January 19, 2007, at 22:36:04
In reply to duh » CK1, posted by Clockwork Ange on January 19, 2007, at 20:09:59
Hi CK1 I'm still here. I also took xanax for years and that is a very low dose but I never heard of dizzyness unless you miss a dose. But .25 is so low and only lasts a few hours could it be breakthrough anxiety? But valium has a long half life. You shouldn't take long to give up .25 of xanax. Are you sure it's the xanax? No ear problems? As they can cause vertigo dizzyness. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on January 20, 2007, at 3:19:39
In reply to Re: duh, posted by Phillipa on January 19, 2007, at 22:36:04
> Hi CK1 I'm still here. I also took xanax for years and that is a very low dose but I never heard of dizzyness unless you miss a dose. But .25 is so low and only lasts a few hours could it be breakthrough anxiety? But valium has a long half life. You shouldn't take long to give up .25 of xanax. Are you sure it's the xanax? No ear problems? As they can cause vertigo dizzyness. Love Phillipa
I would agree with the above that there could be other organic issues besides anxiety, such as vertigo. I would have an ENT look at you, if your insurance allows that. Also breakthrough anxiety by itself, activating the autonomic nervous system, could cause unpredictable things like dizzyness. There will always be arguments as to how long it takes to get off a particular benzodiazepine, and we needn't get into the Ashton debate here because I don't think its productive -- I think a physical or an appointment with an ear specialist (ENT) would be of possible benefit to rule out things.-- Jay
Posted by CK1 on January 20, 2007, at 7:41:12
In reply to Re: duh » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on January 20, 2007, at 3:19:39
I've ruled everything out and been to see 2 ear specialists and they all say my ears are fine. I was on Klonopin for a month 2 years ago and got very dizzy on that so I think the benzos just affect my vestibular system. Heck, these drugs have dizziness/vertigo as one of the first side effects on the patient info and sometimes we just get this gut feeling that it's the drugs causing these strange symptoms. Thanks for your help guys. I have never ever had any problems with vertigo when I wasnt taking a benzo.....coincidence?
Posted by Phillipa on January 20, 2007, at 18:27:58
In reply to Re: duh, posted by CK1 on January 20, 2007, at 7:41:12
CKl that's great you had everything checked out. Have you been under more stress lately? That could be a factor too. Why dizzyness after all this time? Love Phillipa
Posted by sukarno on January 22, 2007, at 8:59:56
In reply to Re: Why » CK1, posted by Phillipa on January 20, 2007, at 18:27:58
I was started on Xanax 0,5mg TID (3 times daily) when I was 17 or 18 years old for panic disorder. After a few days of taking it I did become quite dizzy when moving my head. That was one of the reasons why I quit taking that and then my psychiatrist tried diazepam (Valium) 5mg QID.
I tried Xanax years later though and it caused no significant dizziness.
Sometimes drugs can cause a side effect once and never cause it the second time you try it. The only way to know for sure would be to discontinue the alprazolam and then go back on it a few weeks later as a rechallenge. If dizziness again occurs then you will know it was probably the drug which caused it.
Good luck and I certainly hope you feel better. Those doses you are on, by the way, are very, very low. The standard dose is 0,5mg TID (sometimes TID is written as "TDS" in other countries). It shouldn't be too difficult to discontinue it since you are on a low dosage.
Posted by Greif on January 23, 2007, at 18:27:32
In reply to Re: Why, posted by sukarno on January 22, 2007, at 8:59:56
I have been On Klon for 2 years. I am tapering off due to tolerance. I dont want to increase dose. I was on three MG of Zanax and tapered off in a few months. The amount of valium you are taking is so low that if slipped in someones coffee they would only feel the cafiene. I would suggest looking for other source my friend. Xanax ten times stonger than valium. Best of Luck
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