Xanax question

[Adamj]

Okay, so the doctor gave me Xanax like a month ago I’ve been to afraid to try them they’re .5mg my panic and anxiety has gotten intense again the buspar only seems to make my mind clear. Basically I’m afraid to try the Xanax have they helped anyone that’s taken them? I’ve been told I won’t get addicted to them that I have to use my will power to not let that happen I don’t think it will because I hate taking meds but I really need something to take this edge off my body is in constant panic most the time. I was thinking of maybe trying one when I have someone around me. Ativan didn’t do anything for me I tried so many different dosage of it.

[Hidden]

Gotta Go! Zoom Zoom!

[Hidden]

Why would you even write that you’re a Xanax junkie?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Don’t want to mislead anyone, Here I want to be up front & honest. Think it is easier for me & the right approach to others. Hope you understand Scarlet

[EndUser13]

Having had some unpleasant reactions to certain medications I can relate to where you're coming from. Xanax has been commonly prescribed for anxiety and this is a low dose. You can find horror stories for about anything if you look hard enough and Xanax has been widely abused as a party drug, giving it kind of a bad name. It's not addictive like heroin and has been safely used by a massive amount of people for a long time.

I'd give it a try and see how it makes you feel. Just about anything can form into a habit when you think about it. Any fears about addiction should come into play when you're taking a medication far more than suggested or if you have an addictive personality. I think it says something positive in a way, that you are concerned about the possibility of abuse- I'd be FAR less concerned about a person who thought like this abusing a medication. It may help you and if not you're not stuck with it for life.

[Adamj in reply to EndUser13]

Thank you I think I will give it a try!

[Agora1]

Hi Adamj I was like you at one time, stocking my shelves with filled meds that I wastoo afraid to take. It's sad that our fears extend into something that may help us but

we will never know if we don't try.

Xanax has been one of the best working benzos since it came out years ago.

Used with discretion and according to your doctor's orders, it will help break

the cycle of fear. Buspar and Ativan didn't work for me either.

Whenever I tried a new medication, I would do it when someone was with me.

I'd write down the time, the name of the med and the dosage. Once you take it

do not fight the relaxed feeling. Watch tv or read a book and just breathe.

You have nothing to lose by taking one but everything to gain. GoodLuck Adam xx

[EndUser13 in reply to Agora1]

I have built up a phobia of trying new medications. I recognize that I over-think things. It's good advice to keep busy, to have distractions.

[Agora1 in reply to EndUser13]

EndUser, and that is why I have the cleanest closets in town lolKeeping busy both physically and mentally is the trick. Plus the benefit

of self esteem knowing you accomplished something. xx

[Adamj in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. I think I am going to give Xanax a try the buspar is just yeah I do have my calm though I don’t know if it’s from the buspar or me finally being like I’m going to learn to deal with this anxiety/panic and move on. The calm feels fake though. And my anxiety greatly increases like 30-60 minutes after I take the buspar and the dizziness and lightheadedness. The doctor is like it’s up to you we are going to try pridtiq though can either take two meds or one. But she wants me to give pristiq a good month.

[Agora1 in reply to Adamj]

Follow your doctor's orders carefully. Once your doctor has given you somethingelse in place of what you haven't taken in the past, don't suddenly add that to the

mix. Doctor know what goes with what. Stay safe... xx

[Adamj in reply to Agora1]

By fake calm I mean like my body feels calm but I still feel like the anxiety under it it’s odd

[Agora1 in reply to Adamj]

No I understand what you are saying. I felt the same way when I was taking xanax.It worked but something was different, like a veil put over the anxiety.

[Hidden]

All I have to say is take it as it’s prescribed and don’t take more than the recommended dose. Ativan has been what helped me in the past. A stupid medical doctor prescribed Xanax as needed to my grandfather and he started taking too much of it and he really messed himself up.

[Lm92]

I too have a phobia of new medications. Let me say that I realize Xanax can be addictive, but I have used it for over 25 years with great success. Please keep in mind that I don't use it daily. I use it when my anxiety is more than my daily Lexapro and learned coping skills aren't enough. The ones that I have prescribed are 0.5 mg and since Xanax is a fairly fast acting medication, I'll start with half of one pill and if it's not enough, I'll take the other half. Another tip is that I have my psychiatrist only write a script for 10 pills at a time. That way I have the comfort of knowing they're there, but also knowing that I can't get addicted without my doctor and I both catching on to how quickly I'm using up a script. It is an excellent tool when used as intended. It doesn't leave the feeling of anxiety just beneath the surface just waiting for the medication to wear off. It completely quiets it and allows you to relax and recuperate.

[AnxiousCanadianChic]

I’m like you,I get medication and it sits for a long time while I research the heck out of it. Xanax was no different and I was terrified I would get addicted. I had never used addictive street drugs so I didn’t know if I was at risk of becoming addicted. I eventually tried it and it helped A LOT. I can see how/why people get addicted, it made me feel “normal”.

I’m very good when it comes to willpower and although I’d love to feel “normal “ everyday, I know addiction is waaaay worse than anxiety. I rarely take it, usually if I have an appointment (ie eye appointment) or any other appointment that would cause me extreme anxiety. I’d say I only take it once every few months as I’m mostly a homebody.

If you find yourself wanting to take it everyday, don’t! If you find you can’t control yourself, maybe have someone you trust keep it for you and only give it to you once in awhile.

[Purple8-]

Xnax not available in Australia but I can get some illegally now I’m scared

[Avidknitter]

My provider prescribed Xanax for me recently and I only took it when I really needed it but now I’m beginning to work on my eating disorder which I’ve had for probably close to 60 years so I told him I would probably have to take the Xanax twice a day as prescribed for a while. He said that was fine, that he didn’t think I would get addicted but I also know that he can’t and won’t prescribe it for me indefinitely. So I feel I have a good safety net with him and my therapist and my primary care provider so I’m going to trust that they won’t let me get dependent on the Xanax and just work very hard on my BED and get better. Perhaps you can make a plan as to when you will take the Xanax and discuss with your provider your fear of becoming dependent (if that’s the problem) and get his/her help with it. I wish you the best.

[Catlover55]

I was afraid of it, too. My psychiatric nurse prescribed propranolol for morning anxiety and it has really helped me. It's a blood pressure med at a very low dose.

[Daveacr1959]

It’s good medicine. Just don’t take more than prescribed. I took 1 every 8 hours for 5 years. And then I started a rigorous cardio exercise program daily. And was able to get off Xanax and go to klonopin. Which is weaker and longer lasting.

[bethelbee]

I took xanax years ago and at the time it really helped. When I switched doctors she would not prescribe any benzos and put me on Buspar, which for me worked once it kicked in. There were many years I didn't need any of them. Fast forward(a few decades) and presently on Ativan 1 mg prn. I don't always need it so just take it when I do. Many are quick to say benzos are addictive but not for everyone especially if you only take them as prescribed. I have never had a problem and most people haven't. Try the xanax; what you were given is a small dose. Hopefully it works for you!!

[Adamj in reply to bethelbee]

How long did it take for the buspar to work for you? I’ve been on it consistently for 3 weeks at first it felt like it was slightly helping though after I took the pill 30-60 minutes later I’d start to feel the dizziness lightheadedness and increased anxiety

[bethelbee in reply to Adamj]

If I remember correctly, as it's been at least a couple decades since I've taken it, it took a few weeks to start working, like most antidepressants do. Obviously everyone is different, but I don't remember having any side effects at all. I'm not denying you are having them but some of the effects you are experiencing may be anticipatory , as in expecting side effects when there may not be any. I understand the anxiety of trying something new.

[Kamgal5]

Xanax literally pulled me out of my first big panic attack and then continuous ones right after. I took only .25 then. You could always break yours in half. I get my rx renewed every year or so as a security blanket so to speak. When I feel a bit anxious- I break a .25 in half. I maybe only do this 3 times a year or so- so you do have the ability to not become addicted.

[Marc787]

Stay away from any anti anxiety meds. Its not worth it.

[Adamj in reply to Marc787]

At this point I’m not sure what to do. I’ve been suffering pretty bad the last 2 months and this all has been going on since the beginning of march. I’m tired of all the sensations tired of my body feeling like garbage