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Quitting Xanax and anxiety when driving

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Posted 9/29/2006 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all. I am new here and am ever so grateful I found this site. I have panic disorder and have suffered with it for about 8 years. Off and on, most certainly when there are major changes in my life. Most of my attacks occur when I am driving, especially on 'unfamiliar routes' in new places. I have recently moved to a new town, new state and of course am having serious problems now. The only thing I have found that stops my attacks is alprazolam - this works almost immediately. The only problem is I am self-medicating as no doctors want to prescribe this anymore as this med has been abused by many. My husband is now asking that I just QUIT taking them as I am trying to find a new job in this new town and though benzodiazipines I hear are rarely tested for it is still a possibility. Today is my first day without the meds and so far so good, but I haven't had to drive anywhere yet. Any advice anyone could give me on handling my attacks w/out meds would be so greatly appreciated.
Posted 9/30/2006 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
While it's true that many docs don't want to give xanax a lot, there are ones that will. There are also other benzos that can be prescribed, such as Ativan, Klonipin, and Valium. Please find a doc. If you get a new job, ther should be no problem with having benzos in your system as long as you are getting it under a doctor's care.
janet
Posted 9/30/2006 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Valium is a great benzo, as far as benzo's go, other than a sedative effect for the first week or so you take it. .....Janet is right as usual there should be no problem as long as you are getting it under a Drs care
Posted 9/30/2006 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
There are many docs that will give you benzos, but you need to get to a doc, how long have you been taking them? It isnt a great idea to just stop all at once if you have had them very long. I hope all goes well and you feel better soon,
shell
Posted 9/30/2006 7:03 PM (GMT 0)

to panicin

now isnt a good time to quit xanax, you need it to help settle in and get a job, a pity your husband doesnt understand but this is sadly common, many docs dont understand anxiety or panic attacks either

panic attacks are common when driving but  in general,crashes dont happen so dont stop driving

you need to learn CBT, that is new ways of calming and relaxing yourself

for exapmle it always helps to breathe deep and slow and if panicky, disolve a xanax tablet under the tongue

get a collection of self help books for recovery from agoraphobia and panic disorder and study them closely

far as I know, benzos arent tested for with drug screens

stay with us yeah

Posted 10/1/2006 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
I am going through the same process.... We can get through this.
Posted 10/1/2006 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for the advice - ya'll can't begin to know how much I appreciate it. I am working on getting these things done - finding a doctor and trying to settle myself calmly and happily in this new city. I just want to thank everyone who took the time to reply - you are all a blessing for me.

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