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Xanax question...

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Posted 9/23/2008 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all... hope everyones doing okay... I uh got a question to the people out there with some EXPERIENCE taking Xanax... or knowing about it... um... I take 3mg a day for bad anxiety attacks, panic disorder, and 100mg Zoloft for depression... I've been actually better in the past few days, but the thought of not having Xanax anymore just makes me cringe...

I freaked out at a story about Xanax/benzo medications on how they can effect your memory and also how the brain is a muscle and it must be used a lot... I feel like I do use my brain a lot but... sometimes I have trouble talking and getting things out, and a lot of the time I have memory problems... man... it's just kind of unfair something that helps me may end up giving me brain damage or something... I can't win.
Posted 9/23/2008 10:21 AM (GMT 0)

Paulos,

Don't be afraid...remember...these medicines were created for a purpose, and the purpose is to make you feel better! If you need to take Zoloft and a benzo at the same time...don't worry about it, I did it and it's fine. All you have to do is follow your doctor's orders and you'll be fine...don't get yourself all bent out of shape over taking medicines or reading about this or that...that will only make you more anxious.

Taking medicine gets a bad rap...it's ok!

D

Posted 9/23/2008 1:54 PM (GMT 0)

Paul,

If you need the Xanax right now, please give yourself permission to use it.  It has been used by many and if it helps you don't start thinking about brain damage. 

You may have a little memory problems due to your other meds to but it will usually pass. 

Make an appointment with your PCP if you are concerned and perhaps he will switch you to a different med.

Know you will be ok as we are all here for you and we care

Hugs
Kitt

Posted 9/23/2008 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree, I think it's valid point to worry about taking too many meds and how it can/may damage an organ.

Paulo, can you talk to your dr about maybe other options?
And yes you can win? You need to adjust your thinking to believe you can and WILL overcome this problem. The brain is a very powerful organ and it can be used as a guide or your worst nightmare, you need to fight through the hard times and know you can feel better with your own will.

I've seen many bi polars, autistic and others with mental disorders get well.
Posted 9/23/2008 9:03 PM (GMT 0)

It is a valid point to know ahead what your medication may do to your body.

However short term use of benzos has been used sucessfully by many people. Paul, discussing your meds with your physician is very important. You are the  person with the anxiety and it is your choice.  I support you in your choice. 

Bless you

Kitt

Posted 9/24/2008 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Paulos as was pointed out we are not professionals here
WE can give our opinions and our own experiences with meds BUT we cannot tell ppl to stop or start a med
THAT is up to your doc
I have been on Valium for 30 plus yrs and I CAN stop for a few days or more if I need or want to and I have with no problems
MY brain is working just fine

Yes meds
ALL MEDS
even the chemo I had to take takes a bit away from you but would I stop the chemo for that
NO nor would I quit insulin if I were insulin dep diabetic

Just my opinion here

Hope you talk to doc Paulos my friend............LYN
Posted 9/24/2008 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Paul,

Checking in early today.  How are you doing.  I am thinking of you.  I will be gone today until Sunday but know I am with you in spirit.

Peace,

Kitt

 

Posted 9/24/2008 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
WE do have to remember ALL meds have side effects of some type
whether it be small or big and yet
we may have to take them to SAVE our lives as well

Talk to your doc and ask him/her just what will this med do and address all your concerns to the professionals that are there to help

WE definitely are your sounding board and your support system my friend ..........

KNOW THIS
Posted 9/25/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your support all, aye I am on Zoloft 100mg and Xanax 3mg a day for stress/depression/ocd/anxiety and fears... that's why I brought it up, it's just I never felt supremely organized in my life, just everyday it seems to keep getting worse on how I'm doing, what I'm doing and how I'm doing... Ever since the increase to 100mg of Zoloft I was beginning to feel slightly better, more interested in things I did and having more confidence... until when I heard about Xanax possibly being what's ruining my brain... ooh it's so unfair how I can't take grip of my life, all I can do is wait for the taxi to take me away... I'm seeing a therapist now too and she is nice, but I don't see her again until Oct 7th... she knows basically everything that's gone on with me regarding alcoholism and pills I take, along with knowing I can't work. So... well... I'm just in a bind, I cleaned my bathroom today but it was a half ass job since I didn't scrub the tub/tub walls and didn't do the whole floor. Anxiety when I have that is when I REALLY need Xanax, but I take my 3mg Xanax anyway in the first place daily because it relieves my severe fears about life for a little while... well... thanks for your care all, ... it feels hopeless again.
Posted 9/25/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)

Paulos,

If the Xanax makes you feel better and increases your quality of life, take it.  Anxiety and depression are probably worse for your brain health than the medication used to treat it.  I have been on and off benzos and AD since my syptoms began and my brian is working just fine.  My brain was not working fine at all untreated.

K

Posted 9/26/2008 5:44 AM (GMT 0)

Paulos,

This is just my story about xanax, not maent to judge or scare okay?

I was put on 2mg xanax when I was 17, by the time I was 20 I was on 6-8mg a day. This was not a helpful dose for me so I took time under a doctors care to swap it to 60mg valium which I then reduced down to 5mg and stopped altogether for a period of time.

IMHO (others may disagree!!! lol) - this has not affected my personality or my intellect and I do not suffer from memory loss from the xanax.

Honestly it was a bit tough changing meds and cutting down, but I know you have done this yourself with your own meds and succeeded. 3mg is not a huge dosage. I would not be concerned unless it creeps up to a very high dose.

Again, this is an issue best discussed with your doctor. Do what YOU feel is the best thing for you in this situation.

Meg

Posted 9/26/2008 10:32 AM (GMT 0)

Morning,

You mentioned an increase in your Zoloft and up till then feeling better. Perhaps your increase in Zoloft is the culprit here.  Please check with your physician.  My P-doc double my dose of Cymbalta and it dorpped my BP and felt ill.  I figured it out and called my P-doc and jsut told her the dose was to high. So she agreed to drop it back to what is was.

Do remember you have to do the most work at getting better.   Believe in yourself and look into the CBT therapy.

Kitt

Posted 9/30/2008 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know... the Zoloft seems to be making me happier and all I just feel really confused a lot... mentally, and OCD and worried about things.
Posted 9/30/2008 4:47 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Paulos,

Have you talked with your physician about the confusion.  Perhaps there is something else going on medically.

I am in the middle of a med change and I am miserable right now to the point of wanting to go back to the way it was but I know I have to work through this.  My brain is a bit foggy too and I do not like this feeling.

Hugs to you
Kitt

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