Xanax question

[Shutterbug65]

I’ve been on 1.0 mg of Xanax XR for over a year now, I was taking 2.0 mg but reduced it. My concern is I’ve read that Xanax should not be prescribed for longer than two months! It’s not made for long term use. However my phychiatrist said I need it because of my anxiety. Any thoughts or comments? Is anyone on Xanax long term? Thank you and I hope everyone finds some peace and happiness today.

[StayPositive333]

I was on Klonopin (clonazepam) another benzo for over 6 years before I weaned off. Same as xanax but with a much longer half life. Found out you shouldn't be on them more than 2-3 weeks. I hit tolerance where it not only wasn't working but made me feel worse. Can be horrid coming off for many but not all. If you do FB there are many support groups reguarding benzo recovery. Might be good to check it out as there are over 3000 people in some of those groups. Most who have been prescribed them long term. Wish you well...

[Shutterbug65 in reply to StayPositive333]

Thank you. That certainly gives me something more to worry about. I always do what my doc. tells me regarding my meds. but this really has me concerned. I never wanted to become addicted. When you came off klonopin did your anxiety get worse?

[StayPositive333 in reply to Shutterbug65]

I don't want to worry you as everyone is different both in weaning and once off. My tapering lower + jumping off wasn't so bad though i did become more aggitated. Once i did come off though i did get worse. It is good to learn coping techniques (wish I did this before ever going on) such as prayer, meditation, breathing techniques + mindfulness. These are all calming strategies. Also eating healthy (stay away from sugar, caffine, less carbs) would help tremendously. I'm a junk food eater and still am.

Again, some can come off with NO issues.

Any form of benzo.. xanex, Klonopin, valium, remove our own Gaba neurotransmitter responses (which are our natural calming responses) so it can take a while for these to strengthen and return to normal.

I don't want to override you're DR but want to help you be informed.

I am currently taking NO medication and if anything will only take suppliments like magnesium glycinate, +L-Theinine. These also help calm but are natural in nature.

Hope you're doing OK and I don't want this to strees you but you need to be informed. Any other questions ask away...

[Shutterbug65 in reply to StayPositive333]

Thank you for your information. I do worry about not taking Xanax because I’ve been on it for so long. I think back to when I wasn’t on these meds. and I really believe I was better off. For some reason I feel worse now, I also take Celexa and Mirtazapine for insomnia. It’s like I’m going backwards and I’m not making any progress. I would be open to learning the coping skills you mentioned. My goal is to get off these meds or atleast reduce my need for them.

Xanax XR does help reduce my anxiety during the day. My nervousness peaks in the morning, I always wake up with horrible anxiety. But like I said before I was on these meds I wasn’t this bad if that makes any sense.

You mentioned half life. And I can’t afford a once a week session with a therapist. I tried it for about four sessions over a year ago, my copay each week is to high. Crappy insurance.

[StayPositive333 in reply to Shutterbug65]

I also want you to know that people who are on any Benzo use the term "Dependent" over "Addiction" as by taking these your body/ mind become dependent on these as your body/ mind is no longer able to maintain its own GABA. I was happy to come off as it was my choice not my DR's... happy to be free of them now!

[destressme in reply to StayPositive333]

How did you get off of them? Even if I ween I get really bad withdrawals?

[StayPositive333 in reply to destressme]

Lorazepam aka Ativan...I am unfamiliar with but it is a benzo..I came of Klonopin aka clonazepam which had a long half life meaning it stays in the system longer then xanax anyway.. you need to taper very slowly, very slowly but 10% suggested. My husband and I could always tell when I cut to a lesser dose. Very slowly. With Benzos you tend to hour a tolerance written the amount yoy are taking and will continually need more to get the same affect. Unfortunately this inhibits your own GABA receptors which are responsible to calm yoy down. You no longer work on your own brains control but by the meds. They pass the blood brain barrier.. I've learned allot...a lot... taper slowly.. there are fb groups for this which helped me tremendously

[destressme in reply to Shutterbug65]

I have done the same thing but with Lorazapam, I listened to my doctor not knowing what this medication could do to you, I have been on it for 10 years I ran out once and haven't been the same since. I got rid of that dr. cause he said I was putting him in a perdicument. I have been dealing with this for way to long even when they try to ween me off of this by body goes into twitches, I can't breath. I have been in 3 detox centers none of them helped only scared the shit out of me. I am not one to do drugs I was just a little depressed and this whole this is making me worse.

[califa]

You can´t stop this medication without the approval of your therapist.

[StayPositive333 in reply to califa]

I agree you should not stop without talking with your DR. Not only that but you need to taper off slowly and your DR will teach you how if that's what you both decide. I'm not endorsing anything, but be informed as this is a short term med

[Dolphin14 in reply to califa]

Dr not therapist

[BonnieSue]

I think it depends on you, your level of need, and your diagnosis. I have GAD--Generalized Anxiety Disorder--that meant high anxiety around the clock for years and years for me. Not anymore, I take nothing now and have no anxiety, but for years I did. So I was on a benzo as StayPositive said, one with a much longer half life than xanax. I agree with those who say xanax is a short term drug with a short half life. I found it peaks at about 1.5-2.5 hours...it varies according to circumstances. It's easy to become sleepy at this point and give in to that urge to sleep. From there it weakens and tapers off. The need to cover your anxiety level better I theorize leads ppl to want more xanax and this leads to addiction, perhaps.

If you switch to a longer-acting benzo you can maintain an effective dose level for 8-12 hours with no ups or downs. This allows you to conduct yourself normally and ends the rollercoaster ride of xanax use. At 8 hours you can then take your next dose of your longer acting benzo. Make any sense?

Best wishes for a healthy you.

PS: I could tell when my need for a benzo lessened and I began to cut back. I knew cold turkey was a bad idea so I didn't try. I reduced the benzo a little at a time until I was taking nothing at all. I kept my prescribing doctor informed. I was not addicted and got off easily after about 28 years of 4mgs/day.

[StayPositive333 in reply to BonnieSue]

Good for you to get off and be med free! I'm just using coping tools to try to relax. The posters xanex is XR so it is a time release which is why the half life is working longer. I'm glad you got off with no major problems. Thumbs up!

[Shutterbug65 in reply to BonnieSue]

Thank you for your reply. I’m on extended release Xanax, 1 mg a day, I was at 2 mg but not anymore. I’m really worried about the side effects of coming off it. Mostly that my anxiety will get much worse. I only see a phychiatrist for meds. I can’t afford a therapist every week, the co pay is much to high. So I never learned about CBT or any other coping skills. I have no one to talk to and don’t know what to do. I would just like to gradually reduce the Xanax.

[BonnieSue in reply to Shutterbug65]

Please excuse me if this is a little long, there's a lot to consider:

-How did you do when you cut your xanax in half?

-Are you on any other drugs that may help cover your anxiety?

-Does your body feel ready to cut back on the xanax?

-Have you discussed this with your doctor? What does your doc say?

-I am guessing that you are trying to avoid being on a benzo, is that right?

-You allude to counseling having to be weekly but it can be spread out more thinly so you can afford it. Have you thought about going less frequently? How about group meetings for depression and/or anxiety? Checked into local groups meeting in your area? Usually free or nearly free. You really need something along this line.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to BonnieSue]

I was fine when I cut my Xanax from 2mg to 1mg.

Yes I did discuss this with my doctor, she seems to think I need to stay on this medication but I’m just so worried about addiction and the long term effects of being on Xanax. I also take medication for depression and insomnia.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to BonnieSue]

I also have GAD along with social anxiety which I’ve had for years.

[BonnieSue in reply to Shutterbug65]

Having no problem cutting your xanax in half, I'd say you can probably relax some regarding fearing addiction. And I'd trust your doctor's gut feelings on this, too. 👍🌿💖

You could try cutting back a little bit on your 1mg xanax pill but I suspect you'll get symptoms. I think it comes in a "cutable" pill so you can try this but I'm not too keen on you doing this without bringing your doc in on this. Your depression med might help cover your anxiety but she would know how much you should be on --what dose--in order to do that.

You haven't mentioned if you're willing to go to counseling in group or individual settings...you do need this. Please think about this seriously. And fyi: I would describe your anxiety this way: The GAD is your actual serious disorder that generates plenty of anxiety, the social anxiety is where the GAD chooses to direct or focus the anxiety in order to make you feel more comfortable most of your day that you aren't being sociable. It could have just as easily been a health anxiety or another fear. The underlying disorder is always the GAD. I hope I explained that clearly. (??) 😉

Best wishes for you and whatever you decide. 😘🌷🌿

[StayPositive333]

What happens with benzos is that your mind/ body build up a tolerance to the med meaning you need more to get the same affect. I didn't know this which is why I got off because like you, I started feeling worse then before I first started taking it. That's one reason it should only be short term.

If it's working for you, continue, just be aware.

Breathing exercises, mindfulness, meditation + prayer have helped me get through.

[Shutterbug65]

Thanks. That’s a lot of questions but I did fine when I cut back from 2mg. to 1mg. no issues to speak of.

I’m on Celexa for depression and Mirtazapine to help with sleep. I get maybe 5 hours of sleep a night.

I take my Xanax around 11:00 am because I’m always so tired driving to work. I don’t want to feel more fatigued. I always feel better in the afternoon, my mornings are filled with anxiety and dread. I feel like I’m going insane or atleast loosing my mind. But in the evening it’s like I’m a different person.

So yes eventually I do want to quit these meds all together. And if I could find some counseling that would help. I hope..

[Sometimesme]

First and foremost, where your individual health, especially mental/emotional is concerned, you should never hold yourself to standards set as blanket rules or generalities. While we're all human, there is only one you. You have a unique brain, and physiology, that even the most subtle differences that separate you from what may be considered average, can make all the difference in your life. Xanax is one of many drugs in the benzodiazapine family. Unfortunately, even though Ativan and Klonopin (just to name a couple) are almost the same, except for a few small differences, Xanax is the most notoriously abused and recognizable name of all of them. In fact, my former psychiatrist of 16 years had notices posted throughout her office stating her practice would not prescribe it, meanwhile, she and all other doctors and P.A's working in her practise had no problem prescribing any and all other benzos, which have the same potential for abuse. So more and more, people using Xanax as prescribed, are facing the repercussions of that stigma. As far as the 2 or 3 month time limit? That is in my opinion, one of the most rediculous so called rules of thumb in the entire medical/pharmaceutical community, let alone psychiatry! It was typically formulated to prevent dependence or otherwise addiction. Well, I'm 47, I had my first panic attack at 11. I've been suffering from severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic ever since. I have quite a few other dianoses or comorbidities with GAD as kind of the main one. I've been taking one or more benzos with my med regimen for 36 years. Am I "dependant" on them? Basically yes. But my version of that word is: without them, my symptoms can be unbearable. Even with the baseline meds I take, and a couple of mood stabilizers, panic, and other rapid onset symptoms are only helped fast enough to matter, by a benzo. If you are able to reduce the amount you take, it is technically a good idea, because in a perfect world, your body shouldn't take really any drug if it doesn't have to. But if you need Xanax or any of its close cousins in the benzodiazapine family to get the relief that they're designed to give, then I would concentrate on you as a unique and special person who can't be placed into a cookie cutter generalization, created by people who as educated as they may be, don't feel what you're feeling. Psychiatry and the meds used are in my opinion, the most inexact examples of science in the entire medical community. So Shutterbug65, I sincerely hope and pray that sooner than later, with as much professional and self help you can possibly take advantage of, you will be rid of the need for any drug to feel better! In the meantime, don't let guidelines, generalities or stereotypes about the issues you're experiencing take away your intrinsic value as the only 'you' and the right to be respected as such. Best wishes, and please stay hopeful no matter what!

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Sometimesme]

Thank you. Sometimes I feel like giving up, I never see myself getting better as I get older. Loneliness and insecurity never allow me to feel good about myself. I guess until I can get my head in a better place mentally I’ll continue with Xanax XR. Right now without this benzodiazepine my anxiety would be much worse, so I keep myself on 1.0 mg once a day. Does this sound like a high dosage to you? I’m looking for that baseline that you have described. Also, is insomnia common with anxiety?

Thanks so much for your thoughtful message. I’m going to re read it. You provided much to think about regarding my continued use of this med. and what would be best for me.

[guynfl2chat]

I take xanax as needed. Sometimes just .25mg .. sometimes(rarely) 2 dosages of .50 mg for the day. I do not take it everyday. My doctor has prescribed for anxiety and I have taken it this way for about 4 years. I try not to count pills (but I do), however I am taking a low dosage and it seems to help me manage. I wouldnt worry about addiction. I was actually told by my cardiologist that it is prescribed for patients with pvc/pacs (which I have) and she was ok with me taking it. I actually felt pretty good about that :). I do admit I try not to take it WHEN I actually should! I think that causes me some issues because it does help. In the long run taking a small amount when needed makes me feel better longer.. Is that makes sense?

[Shutterbug65 in reply to guynfl2chat]

Do you take extended release or regular Xanax? I’m guessing the regular kind. You see I take one mg extended release. Now one mg seems like a lot to me. I’m not sure what I should do. My Dr. says I have severe anxiety and I need it. I also have .25 mg as well but I never take it. What are pvc/pacs? Thank you for your comment, and yes what you said makes a lot of sense.

[guynfl2chat in reply to Shutterbug65]

I take the regular xanax. My therapist asked me about the xr but never tried them. PACs and PVCs are irregular heartbeats. I was diagnosed with them this year. They can cause anxiety and/or anxiety causes them. It was sort of a relief that I had a reason for some of my sensations. One is sort of more severe and I only get those 1 percent of the time. The cardiologist wants to basically almost eliminate those with a beta blocker. She told me that xanax actually can help lessen these beats. Again it sort of gave me a medical understanding of what might be making my anxiety more severe sometimes. She was careful to tell me not to blame anxiety for these but she acknowledges there can be a cause and effect.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to guynfl2chat]

I take medication to control my high blood pressure. And I’m constantly aware of my heart rate. I also get flutters in my chest sometimes and it worries me which causes my anxiety go up. The mornings are always the worst time for me my mind is flooded with negative thoughts and worries. Insomnia is also a big problem, I sometimes only get 4 hours of sleep and I wake up with cold feet and hands and a racing heart. My Dr. said my fast heart rate was due to anxiety. I take Mirtazapine to help get to sleep but I still wake up early. I just feel like I’m losing it. The lack of sleep only makes things worse.

[guynfl2chat in reply to Shutterbug65]

You need some good sleep. Is there anything else you can take to sleep? Maybe Melatonin? If you get some good sleep you will feel more refreshed. I sometimes wake up and feel like crape too with anxiety and over thinking the day or week ahead. Sleep helps me feel better. Dont be afraid to nap if you can

Work on the sleep first.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to guynfl2chat]

I know. When I lay down my mind starts to wander and I worry about all my problems. I used to be able to nap very easily. But now it seems I need to get up and pace around. I just can’t relax, I miss the person I used to be. But now if I get 6 hours I think that’s an accomplishment.

[gleason9guy]

I've been on Xanax for 4 years due to anxiety. I've used it on a daily basis, but sparingly. I've never felt that it wasn't working or felt the need to take more than prescribed. If you're concerned about being addicted, skip a day every now and then. It won't hurt to do that and you'll feel better knowing you're not addicted.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to gleason9guy]

Thanks for your reply. I take one mg of Xanax XR. I do feel like it’s working to curb my anxiety throughout the day, and I’ve been on it for a couple of years now. I just hear a lot about the addictive nature of benzo’s. And that makes me worry. Are you still taking Xanax? And do you think one mg is a lot?

[gleason9guy in reply to Shutterbug65]

Yes, I still take Xanax as it's working and has not been problematic. I take the half miligrams and usually consume 1.5 mg daily. So to answer your question, as long as your doctor approves and you're feeling like it's working for you, you most likely don't have anything to be concerned about.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to gleason9guy]

Thank you for the information. I am just concerned about the addictive nature of these meds. You provided some good perspective, other than the people here I don’t know anyone who’s on these meds.

[Barbie72]

I've been on Xanax XR for about 2 years now. I am looking to get off it but a hard time just going from 1 mg to .5 mg. Don't want to go through that again. Panic attacks were often, that's what started the Xanax time release. But I have also been reading that it should be only taken for 6 weeks at the most. Last doc said it's such a low dose not to worry. She said she has a patient that is in his 80s and is still on it with no problem. I want to go back to "as needed". Also, hate the hassle of getting refills with my insurance only approving it when I'm on the last pill, which is nerve racking.