Question about Xanax

A Silver · Post by **A Silver** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:03 pm

I have been on a very low dose of Xanax for a few years now. I have done wonderful on it until a few weeks ago. I started a new job a few months ago and everything seemed perfect. Then all of the sudden the symptoms I had a few years ago started coming back (racing heart, feeling of fainting, racing thoughts, etc.)I work with children so this isn't a job that I have alot of time to think of myself . It had got to the point where I was constantly thinking something horible was going to happen to me. All of this was going on while I as still taking 0.25 mg of the Xanax. At night I have been waking up shaking & trembling and it is awful to have to wake up my husband because I think something is happening to me. Not to mention in the mornings I feel horrible because I can't get enough adequate rest. My Dr. has now put me on 0.05 mg and he told me if it seems too much to cut it in half. I am scared now because I have to take a diffrent dose. Does anyone else have a situation similar to this ? Any input would be appreciated

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:31 pm

I can completely relate. I have 2 bottles of different dosages from the same Doctor of Xanax. One is for .25 mg and the other is for .5 mg. Some days I only need to take half of the .25 and some days 2 of the .5. The reason is so I don't have to keep cutting them up or breaking them. Each day is different and I only use the Xanax as needed. I have never abused it. There have been days when I didn't need it and then thought something was wrong with me because I didn't require anything...lol...lol. Just stinking thinking...lol. Remember if you take Xanax daily your body WILL build a tolerance and you will require a higher dosage. Then with any life changes yes a higher dosage will be needed. Be sure to use your tools and use Xanax as a last resort.....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:17 pm

It's been 10 years for me & I am (as needed) up to 1 mg. 4 times daily. Been at this stage for about 2 years now. I think no matter how much you take (everyones system is different) eventually you build up a tolerance. I am just hoping this program really works & I can begin to ween off. I have run out before the month is up & the withdrawal is horrible so never stop w/o reducing because I'll tell ya if you think your anxiety is bad with Xanax it's a million times worse if you run out & have to go cold turkey. I did take Buspar a few years back along with Effexor or however you spell it & did get some relief from the anxiety but the effexor was a complete weight gainer med. Like 50lbs in a year & as soon as I got off I lost the weight & the buspar was not enough alone. Ativan is a good anti-anxiety med that does not seem to be as addictive as xanax. I just hope we all can "Atk.Anxiety" with this program for good. Good luck to you. Don't be scared to ask a million questions when it comes to your medication.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:08 pm

Thank You, for replying to my question. It makes me feel ALOT better knowing that I am not alone, and that their are others going through the same situation as I am. It is easy for alot of people who do not understand the whole "panic and Anxiety" issue to say, "Just get a hold of yourself and get over it," believe me I have been told this alot. It is not that easy to just get over, however, I believe Lucinda's program has the tools to get those of us with this on the right track! God Bless and thanks again.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:24 pm

I agree wholeheartedly about all the comments on xanax. It worked REALLY well for me, unfortunately my body became habituated to a fairly high dosage, so my psych. switched me to ativan. Again, same thing... now I've been on klono. for about 2 months, and from what I've read, unlike xanax and even ativan, it stays in the body longer. I guess this can be either good or bad- bad because I don't like knowing a drug is in my system for more than a few hours or days (like xanax / ativan), but good because when a person is ready to taper, klono. gradually leaves your body with little or no side effects (?).

I've also come across several tapering programs that look reasonable. One is theroadack.org. I really think that many of these drugs are depleting our bodies of essential nutrients (my pharmacist agrees). I ordered these supplements and found the passion flower to be nothing short of a miracle!

By the way, I was on xanax for 4 1/2 years and ativan for 3 1/2. I don't know if this really matters or not, all I know is that I want off these Rx PERMANENTLY!

fischee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:26 pm

Oh, and anyone who says, "Just get over it," is a cruel, heartless, idiot!!!
fischee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:40 pm

Hello!I too am currently taking Xanax.I take 1mg of the extended release 3 times a day.I've been on it for two years.They put me on the extended release because they said that it's less addicting.I still have anxiety and panick attacks on this dosage.The panick attacks are getting better.I guess that I'm glad that the medicine doesn't take all the anxiety away because if it did then I would'nt no how much that I still have to work on my anxiety.I'm well aware of what it feels like when the Xanax wares off.It's intense adrenaline rush that you feel like you can't handle.Panick attack times twenty!Does anyone know if it's like that if your weaned off slowly?This is something that I worry about alot.I'm scared that I'll never be able to go without it.Please tell me that I can even though I've been on this dose for two years.I'll probably have to be on it for awhile more.I can also relate to the waking up shaking and trembling.I had that happen everyday about two years ago.It's not like that anymore sense they upped my dose of xanax.I know that's an awful thing to go through!Nobody understood me either.The only advice that I can give you right now is to go ahead and listen to your Dr. and take the dosage he wants you to take right now.That's still a very low dose.Work with the program and give all your fears to God.Trust in Him fully and let the symptoms float by.I know that's easy to say but please believe me it really works!It's really the only thing that's worked for me.I've tied many things and I've had this anxiety for about 12 years.Turn it over to God and start letting go.I hope that I helped you in some way.Take care of yourself and God Bless you!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:45 pm

I take Xanax at .25mg as needed. After my ER visit and saying that I had used Ativan and now my doctor gave me a .5mg prescription of this. I have not taken the Ativan yet, but do take the Xanax as needed.

The only thing I see from Xanax is sometimes the next day or at some point I can be less patient, especially with my kids. Just agitated per se. Not that I want that and lately I seem to be OK. Is this possible?

I try not to take my Xanax two days in a row. I think I have only done it once.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:33 pm

i take .5 of zanax and welbution. i used to take the xanax at night but the dr told me to take half at night to rest and the other half with my welbution and it does so much better..if the dr said to take 1/2 then try that and see how it work...5 is a small dose and .25 is smaller not by much..but you will see a differance in awhile i am sure..if it keeps bothering you sk him about welbution. it works different drom one to the other but i find it works well for me..take care and keep in touch and let me know how it does..GOD BLESS.
DON

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:48 am

Hey D, I take 200 mg. daily of welbutrin but don't really see it's ..maybe i should say feel it's working but if I forget 2 take it for a couple days my husband will ask me if I have taken my med. I was on 450 mg's that was 3 of those pills a day & I felt like a zombie with lockjaw, reduced it to 2 pills daily on my own but told doc. what I was doing. I just couldn't function. So after all that my question is do you really feel the benefits of the welbutrin? I don't feel any less depressed but I don't want to jump off a building anymore either.
Thanks for your time & input. Lisa