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more help with med advice... thanks!

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Posted 8/22/2007 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I wrote a week or so back... and could use a bit more advice.

I have been on Xanax for the most part for almost 3 months, everyday .25 pills.
I took one and a half in the morning, and one at night, sometimes one in the afternoon if my anxiety needed it but the afternoon does was rare. Doc told me that I need to do something other than xanax because it is addictive. Tried cymbalta... felt like I lost my mind for 2 days... about 1 week later tried lexipro...took a week worth of pills...felt awful.

Decided to stop all of them been off lexipro for a week now and xanax for 3 or so days. Yesterday I felt much better and thought I had made the right decision and work up this am in the middle of a colossal panic attack -profuse sweating, racing heart, fear, anxiety.

I have no idea now if I am experiencing xanax withdrawl.... or made the wrong decision in stopping the meds... Anyone else ever have xanax withdrawl?

Forgot to add.. have no appetite and have lost 30+ pounds in the past 2 months... could not eating increase my problems?

I am unbelieveably frustrated with this. Never had a panic or depression problem in my life. And now it suddenly rules me...

Any advice? especially on xanax withdrawl?

Thanks!
Posted 8/22/2007 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I was taking 7 to 10mg ativan daily(too much) when I first became diagnosed. I was having panic and anxiety so bad throughout the day I just couldn't take it. I had tried a couple of SSRI's and was started out at a way high dose and flipped out. I finally got in to see a Pdoc and he brought me down from the Ativan I had been on for six weeks and it was rough. I then started on an AD and used klonopin here and there when I am in a uncomfortable situation.

If I were you I would definatly wait until you found a something long term before stopping the Xanax. Starting up on AD's is not easy and alot of people take a benzo to get them through until the med starts to take effect. Usually the first 2-3 weeks of start up is the worst with SSRI's.

It hit me the same had an anxiety attack one week, two weeks later another, and then they came on full force and began living in fear day to day. Things have improved alot since then!
Posted 8/22/2007 10:21 PM (GMT 0)

I agree you need to wean off the Xanax, so talk with you physician re a weaning schedule.  Suddenly stopping the med can cause sympotoms you posted as well as a panic attack.

I hope you get relief soon and I am here for you. (((((HUGS))))))))

Posted 8/23/2007 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Never, EVER stop a benzodiazepine cold turkey. NEVER. Get back on your prior dose and see a doctor right away about tapering. He may switch you to a longer-acting benzo such as Valium or Klonopin because they're easier to taper from. If he doesn't suggest doing that, come right out and ask him to do it.

Three months is more than enough time to build a dependency to a strong benzo like Xanax, and you can't simply stop taking it. It says so in the literature you got from the pharmacist, but your doctor should have informed you of it, too.
Posted 8/23/2007 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
PLEASE dont ever stop a benzo or the ssri like you did w/o having a weaning schedule with your doc
YOu have been off the Lexapro a week and now the Xanax ....ZNot good and of coure you will go thru hades for awile
YOu need to wean off of them as all have posted
This is serious so I thin that is why PPL are giving the GREAT input they are

Let us know how you make out at the docs and where you go from here

PLEASE stay with us you need the support and caring right now
lyn
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