Question about Xanax
My doctor prescribed one .25 a day. I've been taking just 1/2 at night. It has helped a lot. I've taken it for about 10 days. Now today I'm having anxiety. I didn't sleep well last night. Hubby suggested I take the other 1/2 now but I'm afraid of getting too dependant. Any suggestions?
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~~ Ronald Reagan
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Faith
The only time I took an anti-anxiety (ativan) was the first few wks of starting an antidepressant 9. I think actually, I don't remember what my dose was, but I started the first two weeks taking the full tablet, but then the third wk half and then I think I even cut that the fourth wk. My doctor laughed and said the last cut was wasting it b/c it was at that point useless. My point is, b/c you are afraid of being dependent, is a good indication that you won't get dependent. I would take the full if you need it and be more concerned about how long you intend to take it-a pharmacist once told me I would be alright taking it for like a couple of months but like I said, after 4 wks, my antidepressant kicked in and I stopped. Good Luck.
The only time I took an anti-anxiety (ativan) was the first few wks of starting an antidepressant 9. I think actually, I don't remember what my dose was, but I started the first two weeks taking the full tablet, but then the third wk half and then I think I even cut that the fourth wk. My doctor laughed and said the last cut was wasting it b/c it was at that point useless. My point is, b/c you are afraid of being dependent, is a good indication that you won't get dependent. I would take the full if you need it and be more concerned about how long you intend to take it-a pharmacist once told me I would be alright taking it for like a couple of months but like I said, after 4 wks, my antidepressant kicked in and I stopped. Good Luck.
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Guest
Yeah I'm really wondering if I need to go ahead and take an antidepressant with it. I was going to and got scared and then the Xanax has been helping so I thought I was all set. But we have so much going on right now it's kicking back in again. Then when I go back and forth in my mind on what to do that makes me more anxious.
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Guest
ok Faith, I was on xanax for yrs. and now am on atian. All those yrs. I only took it as needed. For whatever reason it hit 4 days in a row. So I only took l/2 ev. nite those 4 days. Once in a while when really stressed or strong crying feelings came I would take it during the day. Your husband is right,listen to him. When you get real anxious take l/2. If it makes you tired but you don't want to sleep set a timer for l/2 hr. and you'll feel better. Promise! Now don't worry about it. I'm always so glad to see you posting and still keep in touch since we started about the same time. God bless!!
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Chris, (Sorry I always want to call you Faith)
Is there something in your life right now that's causing the anxiety to come back again? You were doing well last time we talked. If you feel some better after taking it today could you try going without tonite or if you can't sleep you better take it but maybe tomorrow will be better and you won't need it again during the day. Keep me posted.
Is there something in your life right now that's causing the anxiety to come back again? You were doing well last time we talked. If you feel some better after taking it today could you try going without tonite or if you can't sleep you better take it but maybe tomorrow will be better and you won't need it again during the day. Keep me posted.
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Guest
I didn't take it during the day today. I decided to wait. But, I am thinking of taking a whole one tonight or 3/4 instead of a half. We'll see.
My anxiety came back pretty bad a couple months ago. We do have a lot going on.
We moved in July and I started a new job in August. Jim's mother has been very sick and she died just before Christmas. Jim had a job in August that he quit in December and there was stress of that. Plus we're going through bankruptcy after losing our business.
JIm just got a new job and this week I'm doing more because he's not home. . . I drop off kids in the morning and work and pick them up at night. . . and by the time we get home, fed, played with, and a bath, it's bed time. And,, I've been falling asleep with the kids and no time to unwind.
So, hopefully things will settle down once I get used to the new routine.
I'm also considering switching schools for AJ because it's adding over an hour to my commute total bringing him to and from his school which is in the opposite direction from work.
Thanks so much for your support.
It's good seeing you again too.
My anxiety came back pretty bad a couple months ago. We do have a lot going on.
We moved in July and I started a new job in August. Jim's mother has been very sick and she died just before Christmas. Jim had a job in August that he quit in December and there was stress of that. Plus we're going through bankruptcy after losing our business.
JIm just got a new job and this week I'm doing more because he's not home. . . I drop off kids in the morning and work and pick them up at night. . . and by the time we get home, fed, played with, and a bath, it's bed time. And,, I've been falling asleep with the kids and no time to unwind.
So, hopefully things will settle down once I get used to the new routine.
I'm also considering switching schools for AJ because it's adding over an hour to my commute total bringing him to and from his school which is in the opposite direction from work.
Thanks so much for your support.
It's good seeing you again too.-
Guest
Hi Chris,
Xanax is not supposed to be taken continusely (daily), something my Dr. failed to inform me about when he prescribed it back in November. It should only be used for times when the anxiety gets out of control and you can’t get yourself calmed down by any other means. Think of it like a fire engine, just use it to put out fires.
When I was taking it I didn’t I didn't realize this and like you was taking it daily. But within 2 weeks I noticed that I was REALLY looking forward each day to my next dose. That's when I started worrying about running out of it and when I noticed the prescription was not refillable. So I did some research on the internet (google xanax) and started reading. Wow, that scared the living bee gee bees out of me! I should have done my homework first.
Fortunately, I was not on it very long so I was able to wean myself off of it in short order. Yes I had some anxiety but it was manageable. I exercised and used my CBT tools to work my way through it.
Also, you have to teach yourself it’s ok to have some anxiety. However, if you haven’t reached the point where your CBT skills can allow you to cope on your own. You might want to consider an SSRI like Lexapro. It is MUCH safer than xanax but understand it works very differently.
From the way you describe what’s causing your anxiety, it sound pretty normal to me. Anxiety is a reasonable response to what’s happening in your life. The problem comes in when your anxiety
is allowed to continue to grow until it is well beyond what it should be.
I recommend checking out some more ways to deal with the stress and anxiety without drugs so you can make some progress getting off xanax.
Here’s one site (there are dozens) that might help:
<A HREF="http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities ... ements.asp" TARGET=_blank>http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities ... nts.asp</A>
Xanax is not supposed to be taken continusely (daily), something my Dr. failed to inform me about when he prescribed it back in November. It should only be used for times when the anxiety gets out of control and you can’t get yourself calmed down by any other means. Think of it like a fire engine, just use it to put out fires.
When I was taking it I didn’t I didn't realize this and like you was taking it daily. But within 2 weeks I noticed that I was REALLY looking forward each day to my next dose. That's when I started worrying about running out of it and when I noticed the prescription was not refillable. So I did some research on the internet (google xanax) and started reading. Wow, that scared the living bee gee bees out of me! I should have done my homework first.
Fortunately, I was not on it very long so I was able to wean myself off of it in short order. Yes I had some anxiety but it was manageable. I exercised and used my CBT tools to work my way through it.
Also, you have to teach yourself it’s ok to have some anxiety. However, if you haven’t reached the point where your CBT skills can allow you to cope on your own. You might want to consider an SSRI like Lexapro. It is MUCH safer than xanax but understand it works very differently.
From the way you describe what’s causing your anxiety, it sound pretty normal to me. Anxiety is a reasonable response to what’s happening in your life. The problem comes in when your anxiety
is allowed to continue to grow until it is well beyond what it should be.
I recommend checking out some more ways to deal with the stress and anxiety without drugs so you can make some progress getting off xanax.
Here’s one site (there are dozens) that might help:
<A HREF="http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities ... ements.asp" TARGET=_blank>http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities ... nts.asp</A>
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sandy krahn
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Thanks. I know what you mean, I've been 'looking forward' to mine too and I don't like that. I'm only taking 1/2 of a .25 dose but last night I ended up taking another 1/2 dose at 3am. It really didn't help me. I just had a rough night.
My husband takes one every day and has for several months. We have the save doctor. He takes antidepressant too though.
I've only been taking it for a couple weeks and I have always preferred to try to work through anxiety on my own, but I was having panic attacks several times a day almost every day so something had to give.
I'm considering going back to my old CBT counselor. The one I see now is really great for relationship issues but doesn't really work on anxiety much. I think he figures if I work out conflicts with people in my life my anxiety will go away. I think it helps but that's not the whole picture.
My husband takes one every day and has for several months. We have the save doctor. He takes antidepressant too though.
I've only been taking it for a couple weeks and I have always preferred to try to work through anxiety on my own, but I was having panic attacks several times a day almost every day so something had to give.
I'm considering going back to my old CBT counselor. The one I see now is really great for relationship issues but doesn't really work on anxiety much. I think he figures if I work out conflicts with people in my life my anxiety will go away. I think it helps but that's not the whole picture.
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