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I have been on Xanax on a nd off for 13 years. Was just taking .25 twice a day if that until my anxiety reared it's ugly head in beginning of February. I take .25 3x's a day but I can take more if I want..trying to do minimal....take more during that time of the month anxiety so much worse then. You take 1mg. 3 times daily...does that work well?
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Guest
Hi fear not,
I hope my post doesn't cause you more anxiety... this was my experience with xanax (although now I know they have a controlled release form?? never tried it). I was on xanax for 4 1/2 years (guessing- I've kind of forgotton) and my body became habituated to it, meaning I kept needing a higher and higher dosage- I did stay at about 3 mgs. for the first couple years. Eventually, I wound up at 7+ mgs. per day and was then switched to ativan, which I used until fall of 07; same thing, higher dosage and habituation. I was then switched to klonopin (which I still currently take and am getting ready to slowly tapper- it's the only Rx drug I'm still on, and I was on MANY!!!).
This is what i've come to learn about the benzos. (xanax, ativan, and klono.): the effects of regular xanax are intended to last for approx 4-6 hours and it was created for short term use or emergency situations (like flying or public speaking). *Please note I know nothing about xanax cr. Ativan is expected to last about 8 hours and people usually use it when goig through very stressful, but can see the light at the end of the tunnel situations ie.- divorce. Of the three, klono lasts the longest- a minimum of 12 hours and is slower acting (when I used to take xanax, the effects were immediate- it takes me at least 45 mins. to feel the klono). My understanding is that it is stronger, longer lasting, and supposidedly "safer" (for most ) to use for an extended period of time. It's ESSENTIAL to remember that all of these drugs are a form of benzodiazapine, just like valium, and all have the potential for our bodies to become "used" to, hence the higher dosage. This is NOT addiction unless you're misusing (overusing).
I don't really know what else to tell you, except that I wish I knew 10 years ago what i know now. I firmly believe I would not be currently taking klono. I've spent a great deal of time researching vitamin supplements and other wholistic methods. I currently see an accupressurist and no longer have acid reflux or migraines, nor take the meds for either. I've just started homeopathy, and believe(I think?) that it has helped with my anxiety and insomnia- a least something has caused a cataclysmatic (sp?)shift in the past month, which is when I began the natural remedy prescribed. There is another program I fully believe in and wish I lived near a practicing physician- it's called theroadback.org and focuses on vitamins and nutrients to help taper. *The bodycalm and bodycalm supreme (especially bodycalm supreme) has helped me tremendously in the past.
As I said, I hope this doesn't freak you out; I really just don't want anyone to have to endure what I've been through over the course of 10 years. And, frankly, living in the Stress, it's hard to find a physician/specialist who isn't all over conventional treatment. I don't even have a general prac. anymore- I lost a GREAT deal of respect for them a few years back. If you have any questions, you're more welcome to pm me- I've stayed off the boards for the past year because I reached a point where 1.) I didn't have time and 2.) it was counter-productive to keep dwelling on my anxiety.
Kind Regards,
Emily
I hope my post doesn't cause you more anxiety... this was my experience with xanax (although now I know they have a controlled release form?? never tried it). I was on xanax for 4 1/2 years (guessing- I've kind of forgotton) and my body became habituated to it, meaning I kept needing a higher and higher dosage- I did stay at about 3 mgs. for the first couple years. Eventually, I wound up at 7+ mgs. per day and was then switched to ativan, which I used until fall of 07; same thing, higher dosage and habituation. I was then switched to klonopin (which I still currently take and am getting ready to slowly tapper- it's the only Rx drug I'm still on, and I was on MANY!!!).
This is what i've come to learn about the benzos. (xanax, ativan, and klono.): the effects of regular xanax are intended to last for approx 4-6 hours and it was created for short term use or emergency situations (like flying or public speaking). *Please note I know nothing about xanax cr. Ativan is expected to last about 8 hours and people usually use it when goig through very stressful, but can see the light at the end of the tunnel situations ie.- divorce. Of the three, klono lasts the longest- a minimum of 12 hours and is slower acting (when I used to take xanax, the effects were immediate- it takes me at least 45 mins. to feel the klono). My understanding is that it is stronger, longer lasting, and supposidedly "safer" (for most ) to use for an extended period of time. It's ESSENTIAL to remember that all of these drugs are a form of benzodiazapine, just like valium, and all have the potential for our bodies to become "used" to, hence the higher dosage. This is NOT addiction unless you're misusing (overusing).
I don't really know what else to tell you, except that I wish I knew 10 years ago what i know now. I firmly believe I would not be currently taking klono. I've spent a great deal of time researching vitamin supplements and other wholistic methods. I currently see an accupressurist and no longer have acid reflux or migraines, nor take the meds for either. I've just started homeopathy, and believe(I think?) that it has helped with my anxiety and insomnia- a least something has caused a cataclysmatic (sp?)shift in the past month, which is when I began the natural remedy prescribed. There is another program I fully believe in and wish I lived near a practicing physician- it's called theroadback.org and focuses on vitamins and nutrients to help taper. *The bodycalm and bodycalm supreme (especially bodycalm supreme) has helped me tremendously in the past.
As I said, I hope this doesn't freak you out; I really just don't want anyone to have to endure what I've been through over the course of 10 years. And, frankly, living in the Stress, it's hard to find a physician/specialist who isn't all over conventional treatment. I don't even have a general prac. anymore- I lost a GREAT deal of respect for them a few years back. If you have any questions, you're more welcome to pm me- I've stayed off the boards for the past year because I reached a point where 1.) I didn't have time and 2.) it was counter-productive to keep dwelling on my anxiety.
Kind Regards,
Emily
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Guest
Hello Emily:
I'm so happy to hear from you again!
It has been a long time.
Your posts some time ago helped me a lot.
That is, some of the information you gave me about vitamins and supplements.
I was able to finally break free of the medication I'd been on so long.
However, I juat wanted to say "hello" this morning and how glad I was to see your post again.
Have a great Independance Day holiday!!!
MJ
I'm so happy to hear from you again!
It has been a long time.
Your posts some time ago helped me a lot.
That is, some of the information you gave me about vitamins and supplements.
I was able to finally break free of the medication I'd been on so long.
However, I juat wanted to say "hello" this morning and how glad I was to see your post again.
Have a great Independance Day holiday!!!
MJ
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Guest
Well, hello to you, too, Mary Jane ;*)!
How wonderful to hear that you're no longer hostage to meds!!! What a blessing (and relief). I hope you understand my reasoning for leaving the boards. There are only a handful of peole that I still wonder about, and you are one of them... *grin* I'm so happy to hear you're doing well.
Peace and Hugs,
Emily
How wonderful to hear that you're no longer hostage to meds!!! What a blessing (and relief). I hope you understand my reasoning for leaving the boards. There are only a handful of peole that I still wonder about, and you are one of them... *grin* I'm so happy to hear you're doing well.
Peace and Hugs,
Emily
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Guest
Dear Emily:
Yes, I do understand.
But I missed you.
Yes, I am med free now!! And I give a lot of credit for that to the information on helpful
supplements that you and others provided me with.
Like taking calcium and magnesium to help with the withdrawals.
I did make some good friends on these forum boards. And that helped very much too.
I am so glad that you graced the boards with a little visit. As I am so happy to see you again.
Take care.
You won't be forgotten.
MaryJane
Yes, I do understand.
But I missed you.
Yes, I am med free now!! And I give a lot of credit for that to the information on helpful
supplements that you and others provided me with.
Like taking calcium and magnesium to help with the withdrawals.
I did make some good friends on these forum boards. And that helped very much too.
I am so glad that you graced the boards with a little visit. As I am so happy to see you again.
Take care.
You won't be forgotten.
MaryJane