Does anyone know of a safer pill then xanax?

Anxious Jenny · Post by **Anxious Jenny** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:51 am

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone knew of a safer pill then xanax that has the same effects as xanax. I take very little but have been on it for 8 months now! I take .125mg twice a day. Is this a lot? I don't know if I'm addicted or not. My GP thinks I'm on too little to be addicted. I just want to go a more natural root or with something less addicting. Please let me know!
Thanks so much!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:33 am

I am also so on xanax 1 mg. twice a day. I fear addiction too,but my GP thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. I really am worried about addiction.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:18 am

I am also on Xanax, .5 mg once daily "as needed." Some days I don't take it at all, others I take 1/2 of it and others the whole thing. I also fear addiction, that's why I started seeing a therapist in October, 2008, and joined this program in January. I have no answers for you, but can offer understanding. I just applied for 2 positions in my field, which ridiculously enough I spent 8 years acquiring a degree for only to resign after 2 months because I was so stressed out. I feel the anxiety coming on, but am telling myself that I have to try because I have invested so much to get here. Listen to your doctor, take your meds, and work the program. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Let me know how things are going. We're all in this together. We can do it,
kittylover

ClearSky · Post by **ClearSky** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:55 am

For what it may be worth:
I took Xanax for many years. .125 -.25 up to 4 times a day. Not a very big dose at all.
Then when I saw a new doctor they suggested switching to Clonazepam.
I was able to switch with no problems and like the Clonazepam better because it stays in your system longer.
In 3-4 hrs. the Xanax is gone.
It takes very little of the Clonazepam to make a big difference. I'm much happier with it.
~~g~~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:16 am

I was on xanax for many years in the early 90s. I was concerned about addiction and I went to another doctor for a second opinion on my medicine. He said my dose .25 2x daily was so little and I should not be afraid. He also said I would definitely need to be stepped down from it when I was ready to go off. He stepped me down gradually over a 2-3 week period with no side effects or withdrawals. You should not stop the xanax abruptly if you have been taking it daily.

LisaLisa

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:04 am

Thank you all so much for replying! I now know that there is hope and that I shouldn't be so scared to take it if I need it! I refused to take an anti-depressant along with the xanax because I hated the side effects. I was only on it for 3 days and felt even more anxious and got off it! See, I plan on starting to try to have a baby in 4 months or so and don't want to have to rely on meds. And plus I know I can't be on xanax and pregnant. I guess I'm just scared of everything!

But I thank you all for supporting me and making me feel there is some hope to get off it without going insane!

I hope you are all doing well and that we can be anxiety-free with the help of this program and our own determination! Take Care and best wishes!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:18 pm

I personally take .25mg three times a day. but I never take what I am perscribed. I think xanax is the safest side effect med I have read about. It works quick and I am to fearful to become addicted. I think that is the difference in becoming addicted. People who are addicted don't even question oe fear of becoming addicted. SO if you are aware of what the meds do to you and are reserved in taking it I believe you cant be addicted. Maybe I am wrong.
But for me xanax has helped me, but not as much as the relaxation session in this program.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:45 am

If you can take pills which I have a hard time doing. There is a natural supplement called
Sam-E you can get it at any vitamin store like GNC. I would still ask your doctor just to make sure you can take it while you are prego but it is a natural supp. so Ithink it would be ok. Stil ask because I am no dr. It is supposed to help relese the seritonin in our brain which we need more of. Also being in the sun early morning for about 5-10 minutes gives you vitamin D which helps the release as well. One last thing is exercise. This helps as well just walking around for 30 minutes and then you will get you vitamin-D too.

. Hope this helps.

Barb G. · Post by **Barb G.** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:11 am

I by no means want to promote doing/taking something that hasn't been discussed with a doctor. However, at one point I was having some anxiety at night and got insomnia, and my doctor gave me what is actually equivalent to Benadryl. The drowsiness effects alone relaxed me enough to get some rest. He did this so I wouldn't get any type of addiction to meds like Xanax. Like I stated before though I wouldn't do anything without discussing things with your doctor.