Xanax vs ?

[Reader182]

What do you do for anxiety if Xanax no longer works? I’ve Valium an alternative? I take Paxil and won’t be coming off that anytime soon due to withdrawal symptoms. Thanks for any advice.

[Agora1]

Hi Reader182, any benzo eventually will lose it's efficacy because the brain wants morethan we can give it. So what do we do when a benzo no longer works?? A decision made

by you and your doctor.

For me, after being on a small dose of Xanax for 30 years it no longer was effective. I was

switched to other benzos that did nothing...That was the time that I decided I wanted off

my med and was put on an SSRI... They are not just for depression but can be very helpful

for anxiety as well.

I was safely weaned off my xanax and placed on Lexapro. It was a good replacement for me

in that I no longer felt lethargic and foggy headed. Please have a talk with your doctor

and trust in him to find what will work best for you. Not everything works for everybody.

But once you find the right med, life changes for the good xx

[Nina2016]

If you mean to fall asleep I have taken Tylenol pm but I never take mor than one they are really strong! Melatonin can help with sleep

Chamomile tea is good for sleep and nerves I would take it brewed strong and with honey

Trying YouTube meditations where they guide you to be calm and breathe can be nice in a quiet room with the cat or dog. I like Jason Stephenson meditations. Some are 3o min others 3 hours and fade out. I find his voice very calming with nice music to accompany

Best to you. 😍

[Ruthjs89]

I was switched to Ativan. I tried Lexapro and got a small stomach ulcer. Talk with your Dr and see what is the best choice for you

[Daveacr1959]

45 minutes of daily cardio exercise to produce endorphins that battle your anxiety. And I like the Wim Hof breathing exercises. And cold shower daily therapy. You tube has it all on there . 60-65 degree water for 3-4 minutes is great. You don’t have to go so cold . Make sure your heart is ok for cold water

[designguy]

You might try lowering your cortisol by cutting out caffeine and switching to decaf and taking some natural supplements, phosphatidyl serine, ashwaghanda and magnesium glycinate. Also, melatonin for sleep. Practicing mindfulness is also helpful for lowering your anxiety. You could also try CBD for anxiety if it's legal where you live.

[kinikia95 ADAA Volunteer]

Hi Reader182,Like another poster said, Lexapro has been helpful for me; but my goal there was truly as an antidepressant. I still use xanax but as you've experienced, it sometimes stops working the way we would like. My psychiatrist recently added Propranolol 10mg as needed. It's a beta blocker originally intended for high blood pressure, that slows down your heart rate. First time I've heard of it (my previous psych retired) and 10mg is a very low dose. I believe the only downside is that it could lower your BP a touch. It's something to ask your doctor about though as I've found it helpful and has cut down on my xanax usage. I use .25 xanax as needed. Another low dose, but definitely every day.Valium is very calming for things like a complicated dental procedure, MRI, other one-off stressful events. They're both benzos, but IMO valium always leaves a low level of panic just below the surface. I don't find it helpful for generalized anxiety or panic disorder.

[drummerboy1 in reply to kinikia95]

i swear i watched a tv show called HOW IT REALLY HAPPENED and they covered a handful of deaths/witney houston/heath ledger/mickeal jackson etc and they all used or abused the druga named propanalol////you serious ly need to study and google that drug/its effects and why they are used......im not trying to scare you but tread very lightly around that drug,,,,,PLEASE///////////////////DS/////////TUESDAY 11-9??????

[kinikia95 ADAA Volunteer in reply to drummerboy1]

Oh you're speaking of propofol. That's what they often use as anesthesia for colonoscopies or other procedures. You can only get that through an IV. I'm talking about propranolol, the beta blocker. They sound very similar. Thanks for checking, that would be very dangerous!

[drummerboy1]

try google and ask for a list of benzodiazipines which means xanax/valium/it should give you a list/write them down then look up what that drug is used to treat and any side effects etc..educate yourself/i google all meds my doctor puts me on then i question him if i do not understand why he is wanting to start that drug/you have to stand up for yourself or the mental health issues will run you over like a large truck.....i have been treated on meds for 22 years man.....i wish you luck and new wisdom and standing up and asking questions/its time for you to MAN-UP as i was told all the time in the military...no offence to you or your situation/peace man..........................good luck.........................DS