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question on xanax

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Posted 1/15/2007 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was wondering about xanax. I've been reading alot of the posts on here and it seems that xanax works well for most people. I like the idea of it being taken as needed. Im usually perfectly fine in the morning, its late afternoon/night when my anxiety really kicks in. Can it be taken any time of the day or just morning? What is the dose most people use? Side effects? Any help would be much appreciated.Thanks everyone
Posted 1/15/2007 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kchicka,

I have been on xanax intermittently since all this started for me 2 years ago. I am on a very low dose, .25 mg, which I sometimes even cut in half. I can take it any time of day. It seems that in my case, that if I'm having a bad panic attack it just calms me down, but for regular anxiety, I don't take it anymore because it makes me sleepy. Even though I rarely take it, it is a comfort to me knowing that it's in my purse...

Bear
Posted 1/15/2007 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Xanax does work well if you take it as needed. When I have code red panic attack, I actually put  a .25 mg xanax under my tongue and it dissolves rapidly and helps the attack within ten minutes. I am now taking Klonopin daily, since it stays in the system longer and my doctor recommended it.
Posted 1/15/2007 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I dont have any info on this med but I am sure someone will be by soon to help you out...
Posted 1/15/2007 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have taken Xanax for 23 years 1 mg 4X a day, without it I wouldn't be able to function at all or leave the house at all, at least with it I can go out sometimes even if I do get some panic. I have had no side effects from it. but everyone is different and reacts differently to meds. for me Xanax makes my life somewhat tolerable.
Posted 1/15/2007 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
thank you all for your help. its not so much panic attacks as it is daily anxiety for me. I do have panic attacks, but not as many as I use to.
Posted 1/15/2007 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried any of the SSRI's Kchika? I too used to suffer from constant anxiety and I found Zoloft helped me break that cycle. I also take xanax as needed, on days that I feel especially anxious for whatever reason. But xanax is a great drug to use as well for the anxiety, and I would recommend starting with a low dose of .25 mg and see how you respond to it. Do not worry about all the negative things that others have posted regarding this drug. Every drug reacts differently depending on the specific persons body chemistry. Talk to your doc about the Xanax and possibly about one of the SSRI's. Keep me posted and best of luck!
Posted 1/15/2007 11:33 PM (GMT 0)

KchickA,

 

You are asking about xanax.....it is a good anti-anxiety, but a strong one.  It is a benzodiazapine along with ativan and klonopin.  I think what I am hearing from you is that it is not always panic attacks, but daily anxiety.  I have both.  Lately the A/P attacks have been more prevelant, but for daily anxiety something that takes a little more time to kick in and lasts longer is something like Klonopin.  I take 1 mg 3 times a day.  Valium is also a great anti-anxiety med as well as a muscle relaxer...it takes alittle more time to work, but works for a long time.  When you are on these meds, and take them as prescribed, your body will get used to it and the anxiety will lessen as each day/week goes by. 

 

For P/A...you need something that kicks in faster.....like xanax or ativan.  A lot of Doc's prefer ativan because it does not knock you of your feet as xanax sometimes can.  Sometimes I wish I had xanax......sometimes it is nice to forget all your problems.  I have been on ativan for a little over a year.  I thought one day that I was having a heart attack.  After much testing...it was a panic attack.  I do take the ativan 1-2 mg every 4-6 hours as needed....so if I feel overly anxious..I take one or two and it works...and I can still function.

 

You may need both...the ativan or xanax to have around if feeling really panicky......and the klonpin or valium just to take daily to take away that anxiety.  Hope I helped.

 

Krissie

 

 

Posted 1/16/2007 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Xanax is great, except for some people it can be highly addictive, because the effects can be felt immediately. I found that its the only thing that helps my anxiety and it doesn't require you to be taking it constantly, a real plus in my book.
Posted 1/16/2007 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Nomore-I have tried prozac and effexor. I don't know if there in that group or not? Neither worked prozac was much worse!

Krissie-Thank you so much for the info! Ya I think somthing for my daily anxiety is what I need. The panic attacks are around, just not half as often as the anxiety that I can't seem to kick.Does the Klonopin have any major side effects??
Posted 1/16/2007 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

 

No major side effects.....they will start you off slowly..it may make you a bit drowsy, but that will go away very soon, and they advance you until you are on the right dose for you.....It works great.  It never made me drowsy......but everyone is different.  That xanax knocked me off my ***.  Look up Klonopin on the net...you will get all the info you want and then you can go to your doc with some good knowledge.  Good luck with everything.....I am always here to talk to.

 

Hugs to you,

Krissie

Posted 1/16/2007 10:54 PM (GMT 0)

yeah   Hello everyone. I stumbled upon this website doing a little research on Zoloft and weight gain. What a great forum this is!

I am weaning off Zoloft (weight gain) and always have Xanax as a backup for anxiety attacks. I don't take it daily, though, only when needed. It works wonders when I can't sleep as well.

I'm looking forward to reading more. Glad I found you all!

Posted 1/17/2007 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
WElcome and thanks for your input looking forward to more posts from you

All have given great input IMO
I take ativan and valium so the others are best to talk to you about xanax IMO

Take care and keep posting Kchica
Lyn
Posted 1/20/2007 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
For general anxiety I think something like Zoloft or Paxil are good meds.  Xanax works great for when you are having an attack but it can become an addiction.  Your body tends to get use to after awhile and may find out you need a stronger dose to get same results.
Posted 1/29/2007 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
nono  xanax will make good people make wrong decisions. I was in a fog for 10 years on xanax and did not even realize it  until off of xanax.I was educated very caring mother and person untill doctors insist i take xanax so long. I missed out on my 3 kids college graduation and 10 of the most important years. I began to have uncontrolled anger very angry and in a horriable fog in my head,high blood pressure, face turn terrible red mini strokes and made every person around me mirsable. At the time didnot realize this because of xanax fog. I got myself off completely 5 years ago at 52 yrars old and still have anger problems which I never had before. I have tried to repair the damage xanax did to my body and life. I am almost back to normal. When I have a problem or nerves I handle it without drugs I am very happy now.
Posted 1/30/2007 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Xanax definitely works, but it should never be used on daily, long-term basis because it is highly addictive. If you use it from time to time when you have an overwhelming panic moment, that's fine.

Most psychiatrists prefer Klonopin for panic/anxiety on a long-term basis. It is longer-acting and less likely to cause very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, but it is likely to increase depression....not a good thing since most of us also have significant depression on top of the anxiety. The two tend to go hand-in-hand.

Zoloft, Lexapro and Paxil are all excellent for anxiety, while Prozac is considered to be more of a crap shoot due to its activating qualities. But some people do very well on Prozac as well.
Posted 1/30/2007 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
From what I know about benzodiazapines ( anti-anxiety's) is that all of them are addictive and withdrawal from any one of them can be horrible.

you are right, xanax is highly addictive and should not be taken every day.  For a severe anxiety attack, yes it is good.  If you are put on xanax, make sure you are put on the losest dose possible: you can always go up.  Xanax has been known to knock a 2oo lb. man off his feet.!!!!!

 

Ativan is another fast acting benzo, but is less potent than xanax.

Klonopin is another benzo...anti-anxiety as all are, but the half life of the medication lasts longer than the others.  For instance you can take two klonopin a day and it helps..whereas after 4-6 hours the effects of xanax or ativan wear off and you need to take more.

 

I am on lexapro also.....it has an anti anxiety component to it also and it doesn't help u gain weight.  It can even help you sleep.

 

Hope that helps,

best of luck and many hugs,

Krissie

Posted 1/30/2007 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
hey there. the first time my doctor gave me a prescription for xanax iwas kinda worried about taking one. i guess i was worried because i heard that they were addictive, but at the time i was going through anxiety and panic attacks really bad. and i honestly think that xanax help me keep my sanity. they really help out when you really need it. Francis
Posted 1/30/2007 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
SSRI's are good because they are long term medicines that help keep the problem at bay. Xanax and other benzos are an "emergency" med. So even though Xanax and Ativan are in the same family of medicines Xanax is more addictive because of the fast "high" and fast "crash" you get when taking them. Ativan doesn't take you as high but it last a lot longer and works better for everyday use. You can take the Xanax anytime of day but it might make you a bit drowsy. I'd suggest starting out with .25 and work your way up if you need.
Posted 1/30/2007 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
I too am on Xanax .25mg as needed - sometimes I take it every day, sometimes I just feel better knowing they're in my pocket - Like my American Express never leave home without em :) Really, I can sometimes work myself into a panic, just knowing I left them at home - kind of a security blanket - I have been on a once a day for like 3 weeks, then none a day for well, only about 10 days but hey, it's not that I am addicted, I did feel myself getiing addicted to them last year, like hey it's 2pm and I haven't had my Xanax yet, then would start to panic that something bad was about to happen (doc had me on .25mg in am and around 2 pm)
Needless to say, I stopped taking it altogether, for about 2 months, now, I only take it as needed - working on day 3 without one :) GO ME!!
LOTS OF LUCK TO US ALL!!
Dawn
Posted 1/30/2007 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
PLease do talk to your doctor about the RIGHT medication for you
All of us are different and I take ativan an/or valium as needed I never felt a thing from
Xanax at all.......did nothing for me but thats me as said we are all so different when it comes to meds .........WE can support you in your decisio hun but as yu know we are not docs so please I ask you again to talk to your doctor about meds
You take care...........
lyn.
Posted 1/30/2007 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Kudos to you shorty girl for doing it th way you are I to am doing the ativan /diazapam ONLY when absoulutely necessary
Lyn
Posted 1/30/2007 6:30 PM (GMT 0)

Soooooooo true....talking to your doc about meds is the only way you will know and he may have to try a few before you both find what is right for you....and unless the anti-anxiety's are written to take every so many hours, they are usually written as needed or PRN.......so if the prescription says take one every 4-6 as needed, that means as you need it, not to take it every 4-6.

Good Luck and a special good luck to you ( I am sory, I cannot remember your name) for trying to get off of the xanax......it is so sad..these meds help us so much, but they are so addictive and the withdrawal can be awful

LUV YA ALL,

Krissie

Posted 2/2/2007 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
For the past year I have been on Xanax, up to 6 mg per day.  I too hae experienced some of the anger problems that 2freedom mentioned.  I've been trying to taper down over the last few months, but I get to 2mg per day and can't stand it so I take 6 mg again.  I can't get off this stuff.  I've withdrawn from meth, cocaine, codeine and alcohol, but I can't beat this stuff.  Pdoc now has me switched over to klonopin.  I feel more peaceful and level already.  For me, the Xanax was a feel good rush followed by a crash of anger.  It definitely helped me out of a bad time in my life but I'm not sure it was the right benzo for me to take.  good luck with whatever you do.
Posted 2/2/2007 8:38 PM (GMT 0)

Green Lantern,

 

I am so glad that you posted that.  I was trying to get the point across that xanax is a huge med., and it comes with serious withdrawal and it is the strongest of the benzo's.

Thank you,

Krissie

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