Xanex

I took xanax for years and still carry it, it seems to help knowing its there and
I can endure some stress without taking it, I used it mostly for sleep also.

Larry ***

Wait a sec. I feel the need to chime in here about these meds.

#1 Yes, it is true that anti-depressants are not only used for depression, there are a whole host of SSRI's that are used for anxiety and panic disorders. So please don't be thrown off by the "label".

#2 There is NOTHING wrong with taking xanax. Even though it can be addictive in some people, statistics show that if it is given to a person who genuinely needs it to control panic and anxiety attacks, it is rarely taken in higher quantities than is prescribed, and most of the time the person will actually take LESS than is prescribed for the simple FEAR of the addiction factor that follows this particular type of med. (Myself being one of these people) So please don't let the whole addiction thing get in the way of finding relief for yourself.

Also, I would like to point out another factor here. Ian Victor states that SSRI's are not addicting, BUT.... your body does form a dependency to these pills also. If you try and stop taking an SSRI abruptly, without weaning, you also suffer withdrawal symptoms. Same as you would if you were to stop taking the xanax abruptly. That is why we have to wean off of BOTH of these meds.

So in my honest opinion, and this is not to scare you away from either one, they both have DEPENDENCY issues for people like us, not addiction issues. You're not out looking to "score" some pills for recreational use, now that would be an addiction, but your body has become DEPENDENT on the medication in order to function properly without the anxiety or panic attacks.

If you are afraid of the "addiction" factor with the xanax, then by all means try an SSRI. They really do work for anxiety and panic disorders, trust me, I take both, an SSRI (Lexapro) and Xanax every day! If you're really that uneasy about taking any meds, then there's always CBT and other self help techniques and books you could try.

I hope this helps you in deciding which path to choose!

Fox

Hello take from someone who knows you should stop xanex a.s.a.p it don't help the long term part of anxiety,and truth is it will only add to your stress a smart doctor wouldn't give this med unless it was to someone who was real bad off&that was me early in this year,but one shouldn't get to a point where tgey feel they have to take it to get by. Because sooner or later one will have another problem,if the cycle isn't broken quickly there is Benadryl that can be taken(2pills) this will help you sleep. Are something with pm in it$it's much more safe,Iam not a doctor just telling you what I been through and desire to see the best for all. And Iam sorry to say even when I thought I should go back to xanex,because it's a quick fix that I myself fight to stay away from it&ativan they are powerful meds,that can become a problem if not careful and I wish you the best of luck.

Brittney,

I'm one of the unfortunate ones who had a lot of problems with a benzodiazapine. I've known others who say their benzo is a gift from heaven...it depends on the person taking it.

If you're afraid of addiction and it's not truly helping you more than taking it scares you...don't take it. You will have to wean from it. You can't just jump off...it takes time to wean so you won't have bad withdrawal from stopping it.

When you say you're confused on what to do it makes me think that it's better for you not to take the xanax until and if you become completely comfortable in taking it. Take care and the best to you...Joni

I need to clarify my comments. I said that Xanax is not indicated for sleep-- and that is a true statement.

1. There is nothing wrong with taking Xanax in general, but if you are looking for long-term treatment, benzodiazapines like Xanax are not the first line of treatment-- (Look at the AMA Psychiatric Association's recommendations for best practice in treating panic disorder).

2. Your body does not form a dependancy to SSRI's. Your body may develop a tolerance but not a dependancy-- there's a big difference. Addicts aren't out on the streets trying to score Zoloft, they're trying to score Xanax-- think about that. Ask any police offficer about street sales and drug crimes involving Xanax.

Edit:  I am sorry for the edit, however, I am requesting  that you read the rules and guidelines of HealingWell.  We are peer support here and all of us leave our titles at the door.

8. If you are a medical professional, do not use the forums to distribute professional medical advice and/or promote your services.

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 7/27/2013 5:38:57 PM (GMT-6)

Ian I stand by my statments, everyone will not become an addict, this was the
best thing that ever happened to me during my bad years with PAD, that being said I know everyone will not respond to it the same.

Respectively

Larry Mandrell

Thanks for everyone's opinion I value all of it.. And it is a personal opinion I must make but I'm trying to see what others have experienced so thank you for all who answered...

Fox-- There is a big difference between addiction, dependancy and tolerance. Addiction involves a craving. Let me give you an example. I take Prilosec for acid reflux disease. In fact, I'm having surgery next month to correct the condition. If I were to quit taking Prilosec today, within 24 hour I would become sick to my stomach and I would in fact become quite ill from suddenly discontinuing the medication. Does that make me a Prilosec addict? No. The same holds true for antidepressants. I used to take Tofranil. I had to wean of that medication over a 30 day period. Many people with a medical condition will have some type of physiological response if the suddenly stop their medication.

Addiction is an entirely different process. There is an intense craving for the drug. The addictive drugs involve some type of "high" when used, thus the continued and ongoing need to maintain the "high." SSRIs don't do that. They're not a strictly regulated drug like benzodiazepines or Ritalin. Xanax has a very short half-life. The potential for addiction is very high. I have used Xanax for the first three weeks in my treatment of Panic Disorder. Once the Tofranil kicked-in I no longer needed Xanax.

As one psychiatrist explained to me, the challenge with Xanax is that when it wears-off, a lot of people have rebound anxiety due to the high that the drug creates.

In this case, regarding SSRIs, I'm using the term "no physical dependance" in the context that the dependance is not due to addiction-- and that's a very different type of dependance when compared to Xanax.

I just read the article 6mg a day wow. I take .5mg pills and break them in half and if things are still bad will take the other half. Usaully half is plenty. I can only remember one day were things were really bad and I took a total of 1mg put me to sleep in the middle of the afternoon, was really bad that day.
Ed