Health anxiety and Xanax

Hi Everyone. I wasn't sure whether to post here or in the Depression forum. I've been taking Xanax, .5 to sleep for about year, suffered a lot of anxiety and insomnia. I had a lot of health problems last year and took Ativan for a while. My doc gave me the Xanax but I never really used it other than night, and not everynight either. I've been sick again lately with no real idea why, all my neurologist test came back good so it's a "see you in two months" kind'a deal. That alone has cause me great stress. I find the Xanax works wonders for my nerve pain and it keeps me calm and in a much better mood. As of late, I've been using about 2 mg a day. I know that's not a lot but I feel like I need it right now, keeps the pain away and keeps my fears away that I'm suffering from some horrible fate, which I'm probably not but that doesn't stop my mind from going there. I'm wondering if it's the muscle relaxer part of the Xanax that takes away the pain or the way it calms my overactive CNS or what. I don't want to veer into high doses of this stuff for too long. For now, it works, but I know the ween off can be pretty bad news. I don't like Ativan, it makes me nervous. The Xanax makes me feel normal. Maybe I should be asking for some antidepressant or something, I am depressed by all this medical crap, in addition to the other struggles I face: mother of a disabled child, bought a new house, struggling business, personal stuff about not being healthy and not being where I want to be in life at my ripe old age of 41.

Maybe I need an antidepressant and I'd love any recommendations that might have the same impact as Xanax but without the big gun side effects. I love that centered and calm feeilng from Xanax amid all this chaous. I'm not sure I wouldn't have a breakdown without it and that scares me.

Should I keep taking this or ask for something else to try?

Hi Kitt. You know, I did that today, I just refused to let myself think I had some horrible illness, and my day went well. My pain problems came back around 4 pm, I had a minor "in my head" freakout and took a half a Xanax. Not knowing what's wrong is the hardest part because whatever this is, it's just sort'a parked here for the long haul. I am going to an allergist /immunologist to see if we can find an answer there. I got really sick last year for four months and spent the entire time depressed and in fear. Then, Nov. 4, this nerve paint thing started, first in my right arm, that cleared, went to my left arm and left leg. Now, the pain in the left arm is a lot better this last week but the leg is still there. There's some kind of weird misfiring going on in my head (that's how I describe it) muscle fasculiations that come and go all over, my left foot hurts, the joints seems stiff, I even had those muscle spasms in my neck! The neuro didn't even catch a single one on the EMG, but he let me take a Xanax before, said it doesn't impact what that test looks for. That did calm down the weird ticks but they're still there. At this point, I don't know to think so I'm trying not to think. I'm asking for the Lyme test next week, other than that, I have to wait two months to see if this goes away and go back and see him. Most of today I felt more normal than the past two months, clearing the neuro appt yesterday was a relief, but the problems aren't in my head, they're real, that unknown for this long has caused me to be very depressive. I'm trying to remain upbeat now because I was making myself way sicker, I noticed that today when I kept switching the thoughts off. As soon as they got into my head, I'm turn on the radio or use the phone, or try to put msyelf elsewhere. Around 4 pm the nerve pain hit me hard again, I freaked and grabbed the Xanax, my version of "this isn't happening, this isn't happening." I just want this to go away. But, I am having issues with anxiety and my health so clearly I'm suffering mentally in this way. I really cross a lot of bridges before I even see them on the horizon.

MentalCompass I have heard and am not sure if this is true or not being that I take 1.5 mgs of xanax a day for the same result as you but what some people have told me is that xanax can have the same addictive qualities as heroin. Sometimes I get head aches and take xanax and it goes away I`m not sure if this is from anxiety or withdrawl symtoms. Any feedback on this?

I noticed the Xanax takes away headaches too, I think it's tension headaches that it works best on, my migraines are a different animal. I'm taking 1 mg most night now because you do adjust to it. And I've heard the same things about the addictive qualities of the Xanax but I can't stand the pain otherwise, nerve pain and not knowing why makes my anxiety go into the sky. Just try to keep the dose low, I've read that as long as you don't work up 4mg plus, you'll have withdrawls but not on the same scale as herion. I hope. I don't take it for fun and wish I didn't have to, boy do I ever. :)

Good Morning M.C.
My psychiatrist told me that a person can take 1 mg of xanax a day, for years, with no danger of addiction. I don't know about higher doses. I hope this helps to answer your question.
If this issue concerns you please do check in with your own physician as I am not a physician. I do understand your fears.
Gentle Hugs,

Kitt