Why is it so hard getting Xanex?

I have what I guess would be described as mild anxiety. It is more situational than anything and it helps me sleep when I am stressed. about a year ago I got a prescription for 20 xanex. I break them in half and it has lasted me over a year. to me that seems like a small amount. since I am down to the last 2 I asked my doctor if I can get a new prescription. all of a sudden it is like pulling teeth. she told me that last time they had to show proof and write a letter why I needed them. Most of the time I just need to know I have them just in case. I am not sure now if they will even prescribe them again. If not, what are my other options. I have tried every natural supplement and they dont help. I tried valium and it did nothing. I figured a lot of people had anxiety but why is it so hard to get xanex

I had no idea. I really done want to have to see a psychiatrist just for this. It might cost a small fortune. I will figure something else.

one should not use Xanax for sleep for any reason. there are plenty good sleep aids with out resorting to a Xanax. a combo of chamomile capsules and L theine is a effective herbal for mild anxiety. also there is Vistaril and buspar-both non narcotic anxiety meds and the Vistaril is effective as a sleep aid also. the reason drs don't prescribe Xanax much any more is the danger of addiction is very high. even tho you were using yours in a responsible manner-too many others abused theirs and they have cracked down now

I was told not to use it for sleep but I still do. I use to get ambien but not anymore. I was told Xanax doesn't let you go into fourth stage sleep but I still dream. So I don't know what to think, lately I can't sleep without it.

I usually meditate before sleep and that helps but lately I have had too much on my mind. I only take .25mg and I only get two a day. But it helps.

I am surprised they would give klonopin and not Xanax. Klonopin sounds more addictive than Xanax.

Hugs, Karen...

I think what you say Snoopy about addiction being in the individual is true. Some people have addictive personalities. I read somewhere that withdrawal symptoms of klonopin is vomiting. It was probably an article trying to scare people. But I have seen it abused, well not the action per say, but the person taking them. But I think that person abused Xanax too. I think because you and I use for anxiety, we don't get the "high". I can't even picture anybody getting high off of Xanax. I guess because it doesn't do that for me. If I took too much I would just fall asleep.

Yeah, Xanax is only about four hours. Though I only take twice a day.

I too saw medication abuse at a young age so I am careful. Especially because it was my family so I figured I would inherit the gene. If I spelled that right.

I don't think Xanax helps much with muscles. It doesn't seem to for me. I thought about asking for a switch to valium, as it does relax the muscles. I have never taken klonopin so I didn't realize it would relax the muscles. I use to take soma for muscle relaxer but I don't anymore. I doubt they would prescribe it as it is another one that is abused.

It is too bad people abuse the medications as it makes it harder for people who do need it. Oh well, such is life I guess.

Snoopy, I hope you have an anxiety free holiday. I will be glad when it is over actually. Not that I don't like it but I will be more relaxed I think.

Have a good one.

Hugs, Karen...

Taking over a year to use up the equivalent of 40 doses of Xanax is exemplary use stickersteve, your doctor freaking out probably either means she suspects you're doctor shopping and getting prescriptions from others, this is a big problem with opiates, in which case you should probably fire her because a doctor who thinks you're lying is dangerous, or the local legal situation has gotten so bad she's worried about losing her license, which would also mean she couldn't continue to help you and others.

As others have recommended, get a refill from a psychiatrist. Since Xanax has worked so well for you, there's no reason to change to another.

about Klonopin and other benzodiazepines, my experience from using them on and off for 25 years, plus what I've researched, is that they're pretty much all the same in terms of hitting the biological target (which is also roughly the same as the Z-drugs like Ambien), which particular one is best is based on how they act in the body, like how fast they take effect (the faster, the more addiction potential), how long they last, and how your body removes them, which has potential for interactions with other drugs.

I was started on Ativan, but I cleared it from my body too quickly getting withdrawal symptoms before the normal 8 hours were up, so I was changed to Klonopin, which has a much longer half-life. Withdrawing from it is more than obnoxious, although not quite "hell" for me, what I've done is to do it very slowly, taking at least 3 weeks for each dosage reduction, 2 weeks that are not fun, and another to recover, the whole process taking many months if starting from my max of 0.5 mg 3 times a day. One problem is that it's a potent drug, with the lowest tablet of 0.5 mg way too much unless you're good with an Xacto knife, or your doctor switches you to another benzodiazepine with lower effective dosages in the smaller pills. And when I say "good", at minimum I need to divide a single tablet into sixths for the last few steps.

And the above and what other people are saying emphasizes that if possible, you should take these drugs as seldom as you can like you do, take a steady dosage over 2-3 weeks and your body will get adapted to them, which you could say is form of addiction.

Xanax should NEVER be used for sleep. fastest way to become addicted. same for klonipin.

I would make an appointment with a psychiatrist.

I took the same low dose of xanax for several years (.5 mg), never once increased it or abused it, never asked for more than that. My doctor's office closed and the new family doctor would only prescribe Klonopin which did nothing for me....didn't even help me sleep unless I took double the dose. She sent me to a psychiatrist and the psych lady also would only give me klonopin. She gave me 1.5 month's worth of my xanax and would not give me any more. It is absolutely ridiculous. Now I've been hanging on to that last script since last May. I have about 8-9 pills left. There are days I was extremely anxious but did not take one because I have so few left and I never want to get below 5. So yeah, do I seem like an addict?! Nope! The doctors are being inhumane and it is absolute BS.

I am hoping if I go back to her this spring, she will give me another month's worth since she can look it up in the computer system and see the last script I made last an entire year. I don't ever want to rely on it daily again but I would like to be able to take it once a month or every other month if I need to. I have never shown any signs of addiction to xanax or pain medicine when I've had that (that's another rant I won't get into here...sigh).

super20dan said...
Xanax should NEVER be used for sleep. fastest way to become addicted. same for klonipin.

Z class of drugs can become addictive as well to include Ambien.

It would be nice if nobody ever needed benzos and doctors were more knowledgeable and compassionate regarding the prescription and withdrawal effects. Sadly most are not aware or don't care.

I was prescribed ativan and like another poster was having inter dose withdrawal symptoms. I found a very nice compassionate doctor and was able to start a taper process.

Anyone who is on benzos and wants to reduce or get off try to find a good physcian or psychaitrist. You will most likely have to switch from a fast acting benzo to a slower acting one like valium. Valium can stay in the system for 200 hours as opposed to the half life of ativan and xanax.

Once you are stable on the longer lasting benzo you can start a tapering process. The Ashton manual was created by a British doctor who noticed all the issues that came when people quit benzos cold turkey or were lowering their dose faster than they needed. Some of her initial information is great and some has been improved.

There are many forums that are dedicated to benzo taper and withdrawal. It is a double edged sword as you will find lots of nice helpful people and situations similar to your own. You will also read lots of horror stories, symptom lists and encounter a few who let benzos withdrawal define them and they get off on the suffering. So take things with a grain of salt.

I hope this information helps someone.

my dose of chamollie caps was 1 350 mg with the same ltheanie dose you take. the chamollie would last a good 6 hrs usually. give it a try and see if it works for you

I did not try it but was interested in doing so. I can tell you how bad benzo withdrawl is first hand, thank goodness I have a ssri that works and hopefully will never touch a benzo again.

I used very low dose Klonopin for two weeks to help me sleep, when I started on Zoloft. It helped a lot. Never took it again but I’m glad I have it just in case.