Xanax question

A Silver · Post by **A Silver** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:23 am

I have recently began taking 0.5 mg of xanax after taking 0.25 for about four years. I never took the 0.25 3x as directed because taking it twice a day helped. Well, now that I am taking 0.5 because 0.25 stopped being effective, I am constantly feeling strange. I am very sensitive to medications so I am only taking half in the morning and the other half in the evening. I really feel strange when it starts taking effect and then all the sudden I am overwhelmed with tiredness. The new dosage has helped me with sleeping through the night however when the 0.25 was working before I felt so much better. I know I should talk to my dr. about this I just don't want to seem like I am complaining all the time. I just don't want to feel bad everyday. Any advice???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:59 am

Hi,
First, Im a little confused because you said you are taking half of .5, which is essentially the same as the .25mg you were on before, no?? Xanax is an addictive medication and it does stop being effective at a normal dosage, which is why people need to take more and more of it just to get the same effect. You dont mention if you have ever tried any other medication besides a benzodiazapene?? Are you doing the program?? You should definitely talk to you doctor about the medication, dont feel like you are bothering him!! And maybe its time to start looking at the reason why you need the meds in the first place and address the cause of the anxiety instead of simply trying to mask it with meds. The program is great for that, I know I was on xanax for 3 years (at .25mg 3x/day) and did the program, now I have been off xanax for over 9 years and never felt better!! Good luck!

hopehound · Post by **hopehound** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:11 pm

Thanks for the response. I am only taking the xanax in half right now because of my sensitivity to meds (making me unusually tired.)
It is actaully about the same dosage I was taking before at (0.25) however for some reason the half I am taking is making me alot more tired than the entire 0.25 ever had. (weird I know, when essentially it should be the same.) And when I was taking just the .25 pill I never slept through the night. I have started doing the program, however it will take some time for me. Actually I am not trying to mask my issues with meds either. When I was first put on Xanax it was because I was having heart palpatations and th drs actually at first thought something could be wrong with my heart (so did I.) It was discoved after extensive tests that It was anxiety. Xanax calmed this, and actually helped me quite a bit. I always just thought I was a "nervous person", but I guess I have always had underlying anxiety. I am glad the program has worked for you, that is definately inspiration to others!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:47 am

Almost all anti-anxiety meds such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, etc. contain controlled substances which can be addictive. Over an extended period of time taking these meds our bodies build up a tolerance to the drugs (they become less effective) and we have to take a larger dose to get a therapuetic effect.

There may be another anti-anxiety med which would be more effective for you. Meds are trial and error and sometimes the side effects (what you are experiencing now) are bothersome.

Some of us need these meds to be stable enough for the program to be effective for us. But, once the program begins to work many find they need less and less meds as a result.

Once the program started working for me the dosage of valium/buspar I was on became too much for me causing me to be tired, lethargic, and sleep longer. Cutting back the dosage was the answer.

I don't know how long you've been working the program, but one possible explanation for taking the same dosage and feeling tired would be due to needing less of it. That could also explain why you are sleeping through the night now even though it is the same dosage.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:46 am

Thank You for your response. It puts things in a different perspective and makes alot of sense. The problem may now be that I need less of the med. at times, and actually I had not thought about it that way. I will talk to my dr. and see what he thinks also.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:20 am

Hi all,
this is a good discussion for me. I started the mid west program in December 07 (this past December). I have been having bad panic attacks in the past month, lots of stress, relationship stress and family stress. I have been missing work, which is not good, it is now effecting my job. I love my job for the most part. I am home today b/c of my anxiety. I have a prescription of xanax that I use for emergencies and for when I fly (which is not that often). I take 1/2 a pill and sometimes a full pill. the pill dosage that I have is .25mg.
I went off of Lexapro in January of 08. Lexapro definately made me less anxious but I felt weird on it, i was on it for 2 years. I want to not be on anti-depressants but now, I really don't know what my options are. xanax or clonepan (spelling?) are both addicting but the xanax does work in the moment of panic (kicks in - in about 10 minutes). Does anyone know if there is a non-addicting anti-anxiety drug?
I am missing work now and I just started with a personal coach from StressCenter, so I don't know what to do. my anxiety is worse lately and I can't be missing work. Does anyone have any advise?
A Silver, let us know what your doctor says about your xanax dosage.
Thanks and peace all,
Mary

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:07 am

I HAVE BEEN TAKING ALPRAZOLAM XR WHICH IS THE GENERIC FORM OF ZANAX. 3MG TWICE A DAY. I ALSO TAKE LAMICTAL 150MG 2X A DAY. I DO NOT LIKE BEING ON MEDS AND MY DOCTOR TOLD ME NEITHER ONE OF THESE ARE ADDICTIVE. I DONT BELIEVE IT. I STARTED THE PROGRAM THE BEGINNING OF APRIL BUT I AM STILL STRUGGLING. I JUST CANT SEEM TO GET THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OUT OF MY MIND. NEED HELP AND ADVICE. THANK YOU.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:36 pm

m4

Buspar is not physically addictive and is an anti-anxiety med. It didn't work perfect for me but it did work fairly well.

terri64,

Try and be patient with the program and keep working with it. Journaling and learning how to restructure your negative thoughts is very important in learning how to recover. It took some time and practice, but I got good at it and it worked well for me. Just give it time and you'll get better.

jane235 · Post by **jane235** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:43 pm

thank you so much for all your help. i will take your advice and keep working hard,

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:28 am

People please don’t be so hard on yourself for taking xanax and the benzo-family ...anxiety and panic patients are the worst for taking meds in the first place...people that take substance to escape have additive tendencies and take the meds for the high and the escape effect…we are afraid of the control portion and when we panic we feel like we have no control and taking meds scares us that we are losing control and the worry of addiction…the average dose for panic disorder is 5.5 daily …Take the meds… they work and help to build a certain confidence needed to subside the panic then you work on the cognitive remedies…do not suffer needlessly and do not worry about the addiction portion…we are here because we have Anxiety disorders not Drug addictions