I am now shocked that she did as well! Let me be clear as a blue sky here....I have NOT abused my medication whatsoever. I went from taking, as prescribed, 1mg up to the 3mg I am currently at, obviously after building a tolerance to it. I'm shocked that my doctor and I have never had this conversation. I don't EVER remember being told one single negative side effect. I also cannot believe she upped my dose when I told her that 1mg and 2mg were no longer working well. I am shocked that wasn't a huge red flag to her. I am seriously taken aback at the moment, and pray to God this numbness and insomnia go away at some point. I hope she calls me today yet. Thank you for sharing.

@tooncinator I have heard stories such as yours before about the horrible withdrawals from this class of drug. I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I read those pamphlets that accompany a Rx and keep the first one to refer back to if I feel "off" with a drug. I used to take Klonopin and there is nothing in there about how you will feel coming off the drug. My doctor never told me either.
tooncinator, are you still experiencing the withdrawal symptoms? Now that you are off Alpralozam, what are you doing to try to sleep better?
Jen

Hi, @tooncinator -- just thinking of you and the symptoms you were experiencing when you ran out of prescription Alpralozam and stopped taking it. Curious what your doctor said about your physical reaction and what you decided to do regarding that medication? How is your insomnia recently?

I apologize for responding 4 months later! I don't recall getting notification that someone had replied. So I have not taken any since September 17th, the numbness in my mouth and gums and skin have not improved they are the same. I am still suffering from incredible insomnia and huge mental fog and fatigue. I have tried over-the-counter Tylenol PM type things, I am currently trying hemp oil, and nothing helps whatsoever. It is very very difficult to try and function some days. A few friends of mine have shared things like boiling bananas and using cinnamon that I can't try due to dietary restrictions at the moment, so I just trudge through everyday. It is getting very very old.

Oh, my doctor. When I contacted the office when she was still out on surgery, they reached out to her and she wanted me to check into an addiction Clinic so they could monitor my withdrawal and make sure I didn't have seizures. I certainly don't have the time or money for that so I did not. I am not predisposed to seizures and I guess that's when it would become pertinent to be under a doctor's care. I've not seen or talked to my doctor since 3 weeks before I ran out, so not since August. I will have to make an appointment soon to get my blood work done for my thyroid medication and that will be the first time communicating with her since all of this. I am still a little disgusted with her.

Hi, @tooncinator -- not to worry it's been a bit. Very glad to hear from you. I am saddened to hear all those side effects are still plaguing you.

Since you have to go to your doctor shortly to get blood work done for your thyroid, what do you think about telling her what your barriers were for checking into an addiction clinic and telling her that you ended up having to do this solo and are still experiencing the effects?

Hi Tooncinator, It is not necessary to check into an addiction clinic to withdraw from Alprazolom and I believe it may be harmful. The important thing to avoid seizures is to titrate off the drug very, very, slowly. Do not under any circumstances withdraw cold turkey. Many doctors, mine included know a lot about “ the take off” but very little about “ the landing” Please read the Ashton Manuel which many consider the Bible when it comes to benzo withdrawal. It is full of information about how to withdraw and what to expect. For about ten years I took a benzo for sleep. I never abused the drug and never increased my dosage. It stopped working and I decided to quit taking it rather than increase my dosage or change to a more potent drug. I was on Estazolam, the generic equivalent of Soma. My psychiatrist suggested I titrate off the drug over about a week. Well, I didn’t sleep more than six hours over a three week period. During those frightening nights I spent a lot of time on the computer and found the Ashton Manuel. I reinstated with Valium and spent the next 18 months withdrawing from the drug. I am 10 months free, but still experiencing insomnia and intermittent high anxiety. It is slowly getting better. Many people normalize much quicker than me so don’t let my continuing symptoms scare you. There is a great book, called “ The Benzo Book” by Jack Hobson-DuPont which will also help you understand what is happening to you. Good luck and keep in touch.

Hi, @tooncinator -- I saw a post from you when I was doing a search on the site today and wondered how you were doing. Have you ended up going in to your doctor for your blood work and telling her about your experiences with coming off the Alprazolam?