Anyone pressured to get off of xanax by their Dr. and not been able to sleep?

curlygirl · Post by **curlygirl** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:18 pm

I have been taking xanax for 1 1/2 years and have been taking remeron for 7 months. The remeron has helped me sleep (most nights). My psychiatrist is really pressuring me to get off the xanax because he says its addicting. Honestly, this week I felt better with my anxiety, but I just can't fully relax to be able to sleep. Right now I am taking 4 meds. One for high blood pressure (which I did not get until after my baby was born) (3 months after I got hurt and went through many medical exams, dr. visits, therapy, medications, etc.) and they finally gave me lyrica for fibermaylgia 6 months ago and then the other two meds mentioned above? Does anyone out there have a hard time sleeping? I can't fall asleep and if I do then I wake up constantly? After you got off the xanax how long did it take you to sleep on your own? How are you doing with sleeping?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:00 pm

I haven't taken Xanax or other meds for anxiety, but I definitely have a hard time sleeping. Its like a mixed bag for me cuz I don't like taking sleeping pills and waking up exhausted and I really don't like not sleeping. One thing that works pretty well for me is taking a few melatonin pills. Its just a natural substance which your body produces anyway and its over the counter, you can pick it up at any drugstore. I usually take about 2, you could take more if you needed to. After about 30 minutes from the time I take it I start to get a little drowsy and just drift off. I still wake up once or twice during the night, but I'm able to go back to sleep. I've also had similar success taking valerian, another natural substance. But overall the melatonin works a little better for me. Maybe its worth a shot?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:40 pm

I think that is great that your Dr is trying to get off of Xanax. I think Drs across the board should make patients aware of how addicting Xanax can be. I was on it for way too long and nobody suggest to get off of it. It actually contributed to insomnia for me because it is not even a sleeping aid and I was using it to sleep, also rebound anxiety, and it is a CNS system depressant. Similar clinical effect to alcohol based on what I read from an expert on the subject who studies these drugs and is a Dr. Peter Breggin, he has a number of books out if you google his name. I was talking to my psychologist and he wanted to know why I was on Xanax for so long. He said that if used it should be only used for a few weeks because it can be highly addictive. I know in my personal experience Xanax had a bad effect on my situation and I wish never took it to begin with. I was talking with a lady I know tonight who took it and she experienced adverse reactions and had to get off of it. When getting off of it though, if you decide to just make sure that you go off slowly, with proper instruction. I did not even realize it but I think I became addicted to it because they kept on upping the dose and my system was getting resistant to it. I was under the impression because it is legal means helpful. In my personal experience that was far from the case. Got off of it. Now I have to get off of klonopin which is similar. It sounds like your Dr really has your best interest in mind. I wish more Drs would make patients aware of what the benzos can do prior to prescribing them.
Just from my experience and somebody I know and many things I read, Your Dr seems to certainly be on target. Have you been seeing the same Dr the entire time and is did he just bring it up recently? I wish you well.

John

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:19 am

I was taking Xanax for a short time which was prescribed by my regular doctor. I was only to take it when I have nervousness. My doctor warned me about it. I took it during the day and it really helped me with my anxiety. I was taking Remeron at night which was to help me sleep better, which did not help much. A different doctor had me switch to klonopin. At night, she prescribed me Trazodone, which is an antidepressant and it helps me sleep better. Also, I take Effexor XR during the day which makes me kind of jittery, which I hope will go away. I have only been taking for about 1 1/2 weeks. I only take the klonopin during the day. I am supposed to take it for a short time until other medicine fully helps me. Your doctor seems to have you best interest at heart. Maybe there is something else that he/she can do or prescribe to help you to sleep. I hope all works out for you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:15 pm

Hi there everyone, thank you for your responses. I used to take Ambien CR and it put me to sleep for about 2 months and then after did not work. I saw my psychiatrist today and he told me to continue with my xanax .5 1 hour before I sleep and then the remeron. So we'll see. Hope you have a sleep filled night.