Xanax Pros and cons...
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Stormyeyes66
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2009 12:26 am
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Guest
Hello stormyeyes66
The answer to your question is a yes and a no. Yes it does help and no the side effects are usually not scary to most people. The part that scares you is just the anxiety talking and not the medication itself. If you think about it there is nothing in any pill to actually scare you and is more of a reaction to how you are thinking they may make you feel. Just understand that Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan or any other type of anti anxiety medication is a temporary fix and will never ever be a cure for anxiety. I believe they are very useful if your anxiety is so disruptive that it is making situations difficult, interfering with every day life or it is basically just hard to cope. On the down side I also believe that they can delay the process of getting better because you are in fact masking the symptoms and alleviating the stress that is causing the anxiety and this is only temporary. When you quit using the medication the underlying causes of the anxiety are still there and need to be addressed and overcome through the use of the program. As an alternative you could combine medication with the program and still funtion effectively while learning the skills for a more permanent solution. So it becomes more of a win win for you which could bring much releif.
The answer to your question is a yes and a no. Yes it does help and no the side effects are usually not scary to most people. The part that scares you is just the anxiety talking and not the medication itself. If you think about it there is nothing in any pill to actually scare you and is more of a reaction to how you are thinking they may make you feel. Just understand that Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan or any other type of anti anxiety medication is a temporary fix and will never ever be a cure for anxiety. I believe they are very useful if your anxiety is so disruptive that it is making situations difficult, interfering with every day life or it is basically just hard to cope. On the down side I also believe that they can delay the process of getting better because you are in fact masking the symptoms and alleviating the stress that is causing the anxiety and this is only temporary. When you quit using the medication the underlying causes of the anxiety are still there and need to be addressed and overcome through the use of the program. As an alternative you could combine medication with the program and still funtion effectively while learning the skills for a more permanent solution. So it becomes more of a win win for you which could bring much releif.
Stormyeyes66-
I was in your position a few weeks ago. Medication was suggested to me but I just was so scared to take it. I made an appointment with my dr and she prescribed me Lexapro and Xanax. I kept the Xanax with me all day today and finally took half of the dose (normal dose for me is .25mg so I just broke it in half) And let me tell you, the fear or taking the pill is the only thing that held me back so long but I am glad I overcame this fear. I too only feel comfortable taking Advil. I swear by Advil. I am doing the program but believe that my anxiety was too consuming to focus and live life. I can honestly say for the first time in a long time, I am at peace, my body is peaceful!
I was in your position a few weeks ago. Medication was suggested to me but I just was so scared to take it. I made an appointment with my dr and she prescribed me Lexapro and Xanax. I kept the Xanax with me all day today and finally took half of the dose (normal dose for me is .25mg so I just broke it in half) And let me tell you, the fear or taking the pill is the only thing that held me back so long but I am glad I overcame this fear. I too only feel comfortable taking Advil. I swear by Advil. I am doing the program but believe that my anxiety was too consuming to focus and live life. I can honestly say for the first time in a long time, I am at peace, my body is peaceful!
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Guest
I can really relate - my doctor gave me Xanax but I, too, am afraid to take it. I took it occasionally about 15 years ago and it just made me sleepy and groggy. Now, however, I am afraid to take any medication. I feel so liberated to know that this is typical of those who suffer from anxiety disorder. My brother-in-law also suffers from anxiety disorder and takes Klonopin and swears by it. He as well is fearful of taking medication but overcame that fear and is now taking Klonopin regularly. I do feel that many physicians just want to medicate those who suffer from anxiety disorder and depression but I want to learn life-long coping skills without being dependent on medicine which is why I bought this program. However, if push comes to shove, I may try Klonopin (try halving it at first like my brother-in-law did) but I really want to get well and not be dependent on meds long term.
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Guest
Don't be afraid of the meds...they do take the edge off, and in many instances are definitely needed. WHY SUFFER when you can take even a very small dose to get you through UNTIL you learn all of the coping skills?
Remember, anxiety is no different than hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism... it sometimes mandates medication.
I promise, it will not hurt you, and I thank goodness I have it for the rough and tough times!
Remember, anxiety is no different than hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism... it sometimes mandates medication.
I promise, it will not hurt you, and I thank goodness I have it for the rough and tough times!
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Guest
I have taken Xanax off and on for about 15 years, and I get anxious everytime I have to take a new drug, so I know the feeling. Xanax gave me myself back, it was amazing. I had what I discribed as an internal vibration that never quit, 20 minutes after taking my first Xanax it quit. I have never had any side affects but I have had trouble getting off of it after taking for long periods.
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Guest
My Dr. gave me Xanax to take to help with the "break through" anxiety that the Effexor was causing the first few weeks I was on it. It really helped. Don't fight taking it. This is not going to last forever. I am now on the Effexor only and am doing fine. I get scared thinking that medication is doing the trick and have to keep telling myslef that Lucinda's program will help and one day I may be able to go off of the Effexor. I guess I also have a perfection streak and taking medication for anxiety (even having anxiety) is difficult for me to accept too. I do agree with Ms Bast and that doctors only know how to medicate. They have to or they and the pharmacutical companies wouldn't be in such great need as they are if we used stuff like Lucinda's program or other non drug related rememdies!
Kathleen
Kathleen
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Guest
Hello Stormyeyes66,
About 8 years ago, when I was in the heart of the beast, doctors tried several drugs on me. I used them, but felt little relief and some just made me too tired to function. I took to carrying around a little bottle of valium. It was my safety net, security blanket. For me, knowing I had that option was all the help I needed as far as medication. I have no fear of medication now, but still I try to use any meds only when truely called for. Our bodies are amazing and need to be allowed to give us messages and learn to heal what is needed to heal. If you are really in need, DO IT, but do it in conjunction with action....walk,breath,look at things of beauty, watch funny movies and shows (laughter is so powerful)do ALL the program. And, maybe fill the prescriptin and just have it handy, in case. I don't want to preach, but I know the power of this program, and the mind and spirit. You will do great. And tell your family and friends about your anxiety,then you have one less thing to fear. Good luck, you'll do great. Aloha, Laurena
About 8 years ago, when I was in the heart of the beast, doctors tried several drugs on me. I used them, but felt little relief and some just made me too tired to function. I took to carrying around a little bottle of valium. It was my safety net, security blanket. For me, knowing I had that option was all the help I needed as far as medication. I have no fear of medication now, but still I try to use any meds only when truely called for. Our bodies are amazing and need to be allowed to give us messages and learn to heal what is needed to heal. If you are really in need, DO IT, but do it in conjunction with action....walk,breath,look at things of beauty, watch funny movies and shows (laughter is so powerful)do ALL the program. And, maybe fill the prescriptin and just have it handy, in case. I don't want to preach, but I know the power of this program, and the mind and spirit. You will do great. And tell your family and friends about your anxiety,then you have one less thing to fear. Good luck, you'll do great. Aloha, Laurena
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Guest
I was on xanex and amitriptaline for about 14 months after suffering a severe depression in February of 2008. It helped me alot for that year, however the Dr. that put me on it left town.So I decided in March of 2009 to get off. I was only taking half of a .25mg. every couple days. The withdrawal symtoms have not been good. I still can't sleep at night for more than a couple hours at a time. And the anxiety is pretty bad too. Some days are better than others but its been a rough road. I'm not sure if I am still having withdrawals or if I'm back to square one where I was before I started it. Just be careful. I've been told its OK for short term but not for long. Now I am afraid to take anything,even natural supliments some times scare me.
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Guest
HI Stormyeyes66, my name is mary, and i have been on Xanax for 25 years of my life now. I take 3 .05 a day. and it was scary taking med's. but i have had no side effects at all.
i can't take alot of meds. I just wounder if i decide to stop taking them if at this point i would be able to taper off of them. It hasn't made the panic attacks go away. but It did give me some control or feeling of well being. i haven't gotten the program in the mail yet. but i have been fighting this for years. And i thank i am going to finally be free of the what if things soon. i ordered this program to help me the getting rid of these feelings once and for all. i started taking 3 .1 that's a higher dose than the .05 i have tapered myself off the high dose but i am still having to take them. my plan is to get better and stop all med's. so to answer your question, a person that has reacting to just about everything they have worked fine for me. you can e-mail if you want.
i can't take alot of meds. I just wounder if i decide to stop taking them if at this point i would be able to taper off of them. It hasn't made the panic attacks go away. but It did give me some control or feeling of well being. i haven't gotten the program in the mail yet. but i have been fighting this for years. And i thank i am going to finally be free of the what if things soon. i ordered this program to help me the getting rid of these feelings once and for all. i started taking 3 .1 that's a higher dose than the .05 i have tapered myself off the high dose but i am still having to take them. my plan is to get better and stop all med's. so to answer your question, a person that has reacting to just about everything they have worked fine for me. you can e-mail if you want.