
What Causes Severe Anxiety, Leg Twitching And Hand Tremors After Discontinuation Of Xanax?

Possibility of xanax withdrawal,neurological aspect to be checked
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I can understand your concern for your mom.
Old age diagnosis of bipolar must be checked with MRI brain scan to see neurological abnormality.If MRI done already please upload the report if not done in my opinion she needs it.
Xanax is a benzodiazepine.If she was taking it for long (more than a year or so), sudden stopping of this medicine can cause withdrawal symptoms which are same you mentioned your mother is suffering from.
In that case she should be treated with another long acting benzodiazepine like clonazepam or some mood stabilizer like carbamazapine or sodium valproate.
As she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder zoloft is not an alternative as it should not be used alone in bipolar depression. Mood stabilizer would surely help.
Discuss above aspect with her treating doctor and move forward.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.


yes I know she is taking latuda, but still she needs lithium or valproate
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes I read that she is taking latuda. It is an anti psychotic drug mainly used for schizophrenia as well as in bipolar depression.
She is not improving even after 2.5 months means either medicines are not effective or some diagnostic query.As I mentioned first of all MRI is needed.
If MRI comes normal without any infarct adding valproate or lithium would help.
If there is any specific lesion in MRI, treatment will be modified accordingly.
Xanax withdrawal depends on for how much duration she has taken xanax and in which dose.It can last up to 6 months or more if past used is high.
Maximum dose of zoloft is 200 mg and that of latuda is 120 mg so option if increasing her dose is also there.
-- To diagnose bipolar disorder there should be one episode of mania or hypomania. Was it there in her case and how that episode was treated /subsided?
Let me know above answer to comment more.


yes lithium or sodium valproate will be good
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for information.
For many years xanax means withdrawal should be there.She has not been given any treatment for that. I think sodium valproate and/or clonazepam will help for that.
If depression continues lithium or lamotigine will be good option in bipolar depression according to my clinical experience.
I wish she recovers soon.
Take care.

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