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Posted 1/30/2008 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I was always an anxious child and became an anxious adult. At the age of 30 I had an onset of full blown Panic Disorder and thats when I was diagnosed. I was put on xanax but not a high enough dose so the attacks came plus withdrawal from dependence on xanax and me trying to taper off them. I felt weak and embarassed to be on anti anxiety drugs. Anyway I suffered terribly for over 4 years....having my daughter in the 4th year. During the pregnancy the hormones seemed to tide me over but the attacks came back full flush after delivery.

 

I then began seeing a specialist in the field in 1995 and he upped the xanax and added Prozac which again I did not want to take. He told me my illness is just like if I had diabetes and had to take meds so I should not feel embarassed to take the meds. Taking the increased dosage of xanax changed my life so much for the better. I went back to school, worked, travelled etc.

 

I now suffer mostly depression but the anxiety is under control except for attacks if I am stressed out about something or if I am not sleeping well. My question is I have been on 3 mgs Xanax daily and extra doses sometimes if I get an attack. I know I will have to be on Xanax for the rest of my life and I have accepted that because Xanax is one of the hardest drug to get off once you are chemically dependent on it. Wow..I am taking a long time to this question..-:).

 

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE ON HERE TAKING 3MGS OR MORE OF XANAX PER DAY?

Posted 1/30/2008 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
find yourself lucky.. Well, zanax never workd for me.. Ativan worked best for my anxiety. I am just waiting for my next appt. because I felt I could just do without the ativan.. and be fine..but it really is hard. I wont even be "anxious" or scared..but i'll have total discomfort in my stomach (anxiety supposedly) I still feel it's something more.. but ativan works in making me feel comfortable.. but doctors wont give it to me because of the addiction it can cause.. which i dont get because, like you, your on it every day? last time I was given 8 tablets.. I just dont understand why they dont prescribe them I know it can be "addicting" but I'drather be addicted than feel total disomfort.. Im too afraid to get back on anti dep because i had horrible side effects... so i choose not to get on them. but anyway, I wouldn't worry about being on zanax, long as you need them... but you should try yoga or meditation... it helps anyone! Since I'm on no meds, that usually helps-
Posted 1/30/2008 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Newmother thanks for responding. As I said I suffered terribly for 4 years when I was not on the Xanax. Ativan belongs to the same group od drugs as Xanax but they say xanax is best. Sorry it did not help you. If the ativan works the doc shoukd should give it to you. That is the same thing they did to me for those 4 years. It was the specialist in Anxiety disorders that gave me the higher dose. He said not controlling the anxiety could lead to heart problems..I guess with all that adrenaline flowing.

Its really awful when you cannot find a doc to treat you properly. I hope you get some better help.

GT

Post Edited (Getting there) : 1/29/2008 7:41:42 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/30/2008 4:30 AM (GMT 0)

Dear GT,
I have been on a benzo for 24 years.  A year ago my Pdoc decided they could not be good for me so I agreed to wean off using a slow wean process.  I was on Ativan 4 mg per day at the time which converts to = 40 mg of Valium per day and I am now down to 2 mg of Valium per day.

Here  is the problem at 2 mg per day the anxiety has crept back in and with it the depression has kicked up .  My pdoc wanted me off the Valium but I have decided that is her goal and not going to be mine.  So I see her next week and I called her office today to tell them I was not doing well on 2mg of Valium per day.  I feel I need at least 4 mg per day and the Rx was called in.  I would rather be on the med and be able to function then to be filled with anxiety and panic and then feel depressed every day. 

Sometimes you have to look at the pros and cons and in my case, I need the med.  After 24 years perhaps I am addicted but I can function on the meds.  Off the med I shake and cry and the anxiety is painful.

Gentle hugs to you. Take care of you.
Kitt

Posted 1/30/2008 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
Xanax never worked for me, I was on clonazepam 3.5mgs which is meant to be a really high equivalent to valium but currently my pdoc won't let me have it anymore and I'm on 10mgs of valium a day.

I agree if the meds are needed the pdocs should be more understanding and hand them out.

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