Stress test results.. and a question about Xanax

Well the cardiologist called me this morning and my stress test/echo results were good...nothing abnormal. So now we're just waiting on this 30 day event monitor to catch an episode of the palps and see if that shows anything concerning. So that's terrific news!...My anxiety has decreased by a lot within the past few weeks after my Lexapro incident where it made me a nervous wreck...I'm pretty surprised. When I think I'm going to have an attack I tell myself "you're fine... you're heart is fine.. you're healthy.." and try to go about my business. This headache is going on a month and I've been taking Excedrin and Ibuprofen 800 everyday so now I worried about my stomach...but hopefully my Prilosec and this pepto bismol keeps it under control while I'm taking all these meds. My Dr. wont give me migraine meds for some reason and every time I go to the ER for them, they do the same "cocktail" of iV meds and CT scan and it never works and my brain is fine.. nothing new! But as for the Xanax, I've been on it off and on for a while now but I'd say everyday now for the past 6-8 months steadily 2-3-4 times a day or so...the past few days I've only been trying to take it once a day because I want to wean off. I don't WANT to have to be on it forever if I don't HAVE to be. The only downfall I'm having is every morning I'm soo shaky and feel like if I don't take it I'll have a seizure or something because the anxiety is that high.. or if I try and hold off... the latest I can hold off is until about 1-2 p.m. at home.. if I have school and I'm running around to school and work and dropping kids off where they need to go I have no choice but to take it because my adrenaline is that high and I'm a nervous wreck. I used to be able to do all of this without the Xanax and take it on an "as needed basis" until my mornings everyday became so anxious as soon as I opened my eyes and I began to have no choice but to take it. Is this worse now because my body is so used to taking it everyday and I "need" it? And I would have to "wean" off of it now? Even if Im only taking one in the morning? Or is this how my body is working with this "morning anxiety" and I have no choice but to take it for the rest of my life? I try to hold off when I start to get shaky when it wears off from the morning dose and I've been doing pretty good, but sometimes I just really need it. That's why Im thinking about starting back on my anti depressant even though I don't really want to. I hate the shaking and the tremors. Hate hate hate it!!!! Any info from anyone who uses Xanax would be a great help...please and thank you in advance!!!


Have a wonderful day/holiday everyone!!


Lacey

Thanks Larry. Yeah I was at a point where I was taking 4 a day (that's how its still prescribed right now) although it helps tremendously with the anxiety, it doesn't help with my fatigue already from the depression and anxiety.. I never thought about it that way because for awhile I didn't think it was making me tired.. I didn't think it was.. sometimes it wasn't even working for me it was that bad, but because of the withdrawal symptoms of coming off of benzo's I did not want to ask for a higher dosage, so my Dr just gave me 4 a day instead of 2-3 a day. I just don't like the fact that as soon as I wake up I HAVE to take it or I'm a nervous, shaky wreck. Not sure if this is from the Xanax wearing off or this morning anxiety that I hear people talking about quite often. There was a time before my Xanax that my heart raced for over an hour straight the one morning before I went to school and did not know what to do..I thought for sure it was a heart attack or stroke, that was terrible, but a time I could have really used the Xanax. I just don't like the fact that my body needs it every morning or Im a crazy bat, haha. Hopefully it all get better soon though, I'm hoping and praying!!

Lacey

Happy Holidays,

Glad to know your cardiologist feels things are going to be fine for you.  Positive strides in the anxiety too.  It feels a bit to me like not taking the benzo is frightening to you as you are  worried about the 'what ifs?" if you don't take Xanax?

I weaned off of Ativan 4mg which equals about 40 mg of Valium. It took me 7 months to wean down to 2 mgs per day but I made it.  Valium can be broken down into smaller doses so you can wean very slowly and hardly notice much. 

I worked very closely with my psychiatrist.

Here is a link to another site from our resources you may want to check out.  As I mentioned, I don't feel like your addicted but it is really easy to become mentally dependent on any thing that will take away our anxiety or lower it to a place where you can function normally.

Anxiety is a nasty things as it is "fear" and that is not a good feeling.

On-line drug weaning information: (to be used in conjunction with, not substitution for your doctor's instructions)

http://www.theroadback.org/

Be well,

Kitt

 

oh how many mgs is your Xanax? you say for 6-8 months you have taken it daily 3-4xs a day?

ok heres the short answer, you can not and SHOULD not go from taking it that many xs a day to just once. Dangerous...sorry but these meds are not to be played with.

now that I have your attention (sorry if I am scaring you) you absolutely need to wean down and slowly at that.

10% every couple weeks is the preferred method.

so the trembling and high anxiety can be contributed to the body responding to the lack of the benzo in your system.

I am guessing that you are probably taking .25mgs and at 4xs a day that's only one mg which is not all that worrisome, you can get off this, but do it the right way

Im here if you need me or email me and we can talk privately

Emma, you are starting to figure things out, I know you had to go back to ER, but a bug is a bug and you
are going to keep getting better, Peace.

Larry ***

Lacey,

Great news about your stress test...I am sure that your holter will show similar good results!

I am sorry to hear of your bad morning anxiety.:( If you do decide that you want to lower/discontinue your benzo use, I would suggest this:

Following your doctor's weaning schedule of course, put into place a good solid morning routine.

Wake up early enough so that you are not rushed, and spend time just lying in bed doing your coping skills. I would start with deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.

Then you could move on to some seated meditation and finally a bit of yoga.

Allowing your body and mind to wake up slowly will most likely make the effects of Cortisol (stress hormone that causes anxiety and is at its highest level in the morning) less.

Wishing you the best in whatever you decide...keep us posted!

S.C.