HI - I was prescribed Xanax a few weeks ago to take the edge off anxiety/panic as needed. Over the past 2 weeks I probably only took half a tablet - that's .25mg to help with sleep related issues maybe once every 3-4 days.

Since taking it I've noticed that I've developed chronic insomnia, night jerks, and worse anxiety and generally feeling like rubbish. Someone alerted me yesterday to the rebound effect of these drugs - i.e. that when the effect wears off your original symptoms come back but are worse. Plus the withdrawal effects which cause insomnia, etc.

I thought I was losing my marbles but this seems to make sense to me because of the timing. Trouble is I can't sleep and these jerks scare the hell out of me.

Anyone else experienced this with short acting benzos? Would love to hear your advice. I was on such a low dose and infrequently taking them that I hope this isn't with me for long! I took my last .25mg dose on Monday night.