Stress Center Peer Support

Hello guys!I'm currently taking Xanax ER 1mg three times a day.Well my husband earlier today threatened not to buy them for me and I only had three left.It put me in anxiety mode right away because I've read all the warnings about stopping this med suddenly.My nurse also scared me because she said "I don't even want to go into telling you what it would be like to stop them suddenly".My husband said that he'll go ahead and get them tomorrow so I'm relived.I'm feeling pretty low right now just knowing how dependent I've become on this medicine.I still have so much anxiety and am agoraphobia that I'm not able to work right now.very frustrating to know that I'm totally dependent on a man who is no support,verbally abusive,and really shows no love.In was just wandering what could happen to me if I had no choice but to stop suddenly and is it bad if you wean off slowly too?Thank you!

fearnot, wow, what a tough situation. Is your husband worried/scared that you are addicted to Xanax now? Is that why he threatened not buy them? Does he not see that they help you (or don't they?)?

I've been taking Xanax (Not as regularly as you though) for a few weeks now. It really helps when I need it. My wife was scared when I first got the script because she had heard of how addictive it can be. She was also hesitant because her mom took it for many years (she passed away last year) and my wife blames some of her mom's dependence on meds (she was also on pain killers, etc.) on Xanax. Anyway, my wife sees how beneficial it is and is OK with me taking it now.

From what I read of the effects of suddenly stopping Xanax, I would hope that wouldn't even be an option for you or your husband. It does sound bad. Please try to call your doc ASAP and advise him of what's going on. Perhaps he might have some suggestions to wean or to talk to your husband now.

Good luck. God bless you.

I also take Xanax and inquired with my neurologist, primary care physician, and psychiatrist about stopping xanax. Because I don't exceed .5 mgs in a day I can stop anytime but for those that exceed 1-2 mg per day can not stop at anytime......they have to taper down . At one point I did take the XR of xanax but I didn't need to be calm all day....there was just moments I needed to get through. The reality of life is not calm all the time........thats not real life. That means excitement and joy wouldn't be there either.

Blessings Always

Why would your hubby threaten to "cut you off"? I too take Xanax but was just recently switched to it from Klonapin. I find it to be more helpful. I too am taking 1mg in the am and then another mg in the afternoon, my doc. told me I could take 1 more mg through out the day if I felt the need but I try and keep the dose as low as possible. It is NOT safe to "suddenly stop" ANY medication without first consulting your doctor about it. You would need to taper off this med slowly, it could cause a seziour (or how ever you spell it) amongst other things. How much are you perscriptions for this med? Mine are only $10.00 (for the generic brand). Is your hubby your only source of income? If so and you can't find the money elsewhere then talk to your doctor about you problem. Ask them if they could give you samples in order to taper off it it comes to that. Doctors offices have samples of pretty much every med. and are usually more than happy to give them to you at no cost.
I'm sorry about your situation, I hope things get better for you soon! Take care and let us know what happens.

Hello guys!My husband threatens to quite buying them because he uses this as control.He thinks that the medicines not helping because I'm not able to drive yet or go many places.I don't know what this med is doing for me?I take the first pill right when I get up and still for the most part have pretty high anxiety.Sometimes I'll feel off balanced or dizzy.When I take the second pill in the afternoon it finally usually calms me.I'm really getting depressed and my feelings are all over the place do to things that are said to me,things that have happend,and just feel worn out from all this anxiety.I called my nurse at the Dr. yesturday but she just said "I don't know what to do."That's not very comforting.My husband did buy my Xanax.They last me a month so just about every month this is an issue we go through.You ever feel like you're totally on you're own sometimes?Like you're just being left to die and that no one really cares?Thanks guys for posting me back.God Bless!

hi all,
i was prescribed klonopin awhile back and i assume that they are the same as xanax. i was only taking 1mg per day and quit suddenly. i said to hell with this and flushed them all down the toilet. i wanted to use the power of my mind to control the anxieties. i was prescribed cymbalta at the time as well so double the meds. i am only on cymbalta now. i had to go to work so the klonopin plus cymbalta was making me feel like a zombie.
some anxieties are good and make us feel alive but i need to separate the good ones from the useless ones......still haven't figured this out yet.

Is your husband an expert on prescription drugs? I took Xanax for over 20 years and it kept me in control enough to have a wonderful career in the aerospace business! I travelled, held meetings, and spoke to upwards of 250 people (mostly men). I did it because I had xanax and I was too stubborn to let anxiety win. I learned little ways to get through things. It wasn't until I retired (early) that I started to fall apart. My first husband died and that seemed to add fuel to the fire. My anxiety and depression were getting worse and worse. Six months after retiring I started taking Paxil and Clonasepam and reducing xanax. In one month I was off xanax with no noticeable changes.

Now four years later, my doctor says I am on medications that cause far more problems than xanax, and it was probably a mistake to change the medication. I am on Wellbutrin, Effexor and Clonasepam. The Effexor is at 250 mg now and that is about the maximum if I want to stay awake!

Xanax is a bandaid treatment for anxiety. It won't make the problem better, it will just help the panic and stress at this moment. YOU have to WORK to make your anxiety better! I haven't had a panic attack since Session 2 of the program, and I am on Session 11. I have had anticipatory nervousness, but no panic attacks. I suggest you use your xanax as a quick fix when you are finding it unbearable, but work on the program and you won't have a reason to take xanax!

I say tell your husband he's just making you worse, which is no help at all. If he wants to have his say, let him talk to the doctor. He'll find out quickly that this is nothing to fool around with! You cannot just quit medication. It can cause unbelieveable side effects! You are too valuable to treat in this way! Stick to getting better!

Good Luck,
Jackie

Hello Jakie!I know that the Xanax is just a quick fix.I never even wanted to take medication but two years ago I was faced with some major changes that literally broke my heart and made me very emotionally ill.My dad had just had a stroke.We were living with him.I actually never had moved out yet because my mom passed away when I was 19.I had a three week old baby at this time.I married my husband when my son was 5 years old.He is not the father of my son.We had 3 more children and continued living at my dads because after losing my mom my dad had become very attached to my son and this gave him comfort to have us there.Well like I said my dad had a stroke and really needed help.My dad owned his own business in which my husband worked at.All of a sudden my husband decided that he was going to change jobs and if that wasn't hard enough for me to handle he said we were moving.I had to leave my dad and son who was 16 at the time.My husband said either for me to stay there our move with him and my other children.He was going to take my other three kids.My son was fine with staying with his grandpa but we both know what a heck of a load for a 16 year old.I was soooo messed up with everyday with intense panick and anxiety that i could barely function at all.The Dr.told me that I had to take the Xanax or that I'd probably end up in the hospital.I never fully have came out of this and it's been almost two years.My family is very disfunctional.My kids are very mean to me and like I said my husband is a soul destroyer.I won't give up and am working on the skills that I know.I was housebound for two years but slowly making progress.I just wish that I could believe in myself more.By the way I'm not saying that my husband and me should'nt have had our own house but the timing was bad all considering.I've had anxiety for 12 years but never this bad!Thank you for listening.I'm sorry!

fear not,

There is nothing to be sorry for, my dear. You have definitely been through a meat grinder. What a hard time you have had.

I understand what you are saying here, as I too, have had a difficult time with my relationships. How old are your children, and why are they not nice to you? You certainly aren't getting any support in your fight with anxiety!

I wish I lived around the corner from you, then I would be there for you when you needed support. You have a lot of situations here, which are contributing to your problems.

As far as Xanax goes, you need it. However at the same time, only you can stop the anxiety. Are you taking Lucinda's program? What you need to do is to look at your anxiety and figure out what you are saying to yourself. Then counter any negative self talk with positive self talk, and get your mind off the subject. Read a magazine, do a laundry, get your thoughts on something else.

I hope things get better for you, and keep on talking here. It helps to get your fears and thoughts out so others having similar problems can help you.

Bless you,and I send lots of hugs,
Jackie

Hi Fear Not,

I read your posts and felt compelled to write to you.

I know what you mean about how you feel people don't care or understand. I think a person has to experience anxiety and/or depression to actually fully empathize with someone feeling this way. That's what were all here for!

I found some guidelines for discontinuing xanax at <A HREF="http://www.lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html</A>. Run it by your doctor and see what they say if you choose to go off xanax.

On another note, I wanted to ask you if you ever re-read your posts? The reason I ask is because I am concerned about the relationship you are in with your husband. You said that he is a "soul destroyer," offers "no support," is "verbally abusive," "and really shows no love." Is this the type of relationship that you have envisioned yourself to be in?

He doesn't want you taking meds, b/c he feels that it is not helping, but is he doing anything to comfort or support you?

I do believe that only YOU have the power to change your thoughts and make yourself happy, but it helps to have a compassionate partner by your side that can help you get back on your feet. If he isn't, he may actually be contributing to your anxiety and depression!

You also said that your kids hate you. Is this a realistic statement or are you just speaking this way because you are in a low mood? I don't think that your kids hate you. Try empathizing with them. It may be difficult for them to see you feeling anxious and depressed. I think children look at their parents for love, guidance, support, strength, and approval. Are you actively involved in their lives and setting a good example for them as best as you can? You said that you left your son to move away with your husband. If you had to do it all over again, would you? What does your heart say?

Was there ever a time in your life where you weren't agoraphobic? If there was, you'll probably remember that you went to places before w/o a problem. Just know that an object is just an object, a store is just a store, and a car is just a car, etc. until we start relating it something. We all do this. For example, if I say car, you might think of an accident and then not want to drive b/c of the fear of getting into an accident.

If you change your relationship to the object/scary thought, then you won't fear it anymore. Think of driving as a means of transportation and that driving will take you where you need to go. Or ask yourself what are the chances of me actually getting into an accident? Or wouldn't it be great to drive myself to the store w/o having to depend on anybody else?

Try setting little goals for yourself everyday. What are you unhappy with? What do you want to change? What is important to you? What do you enjoy doing?

Write it all down and keep a journal on your progress. Accentuate the positives and pat yourself on the back for any accomplishments, no matter how little they may be.

I feel that you need to make a lot of changes in your life and changes can be scary because its moving in the direction of the unknown, but it will be for the better. You just have to ask yourself: Are you happy with the way your life is? If not, then you need to start making some changes.

Did you ever study nature? Not one thing in nature stays the same way for too long. Change and evolution are inevitable. Trust in God and let your heart's desire guide you in the direction that you need to take. Once you start making positive changes in your life, you will feel like this weight has been lifted.

Remember, once you respect and love yourself, you'll notice a difference in the way your family treats you.

Keep us posted. I want to hear that you are becoming a strong and independent woman!