pharmacologic treatment of anxiety/panic,d... - Anxiety Support

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pharmacologic treatment of anxiety/panic,depression

hfarfell profile image
9 Replies

interested in benefits of extremely low dose (0.125 mgm) alprazolam once or twice per day

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hfarfell
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9 Replies
Agora1 profile image
Agora1

hfarfell, it WILL work. That is what I started on years ago. 0.125mg Alprazolam once a day. Twice a day if anxiety was bad or I had a tension headache. It is an extremely low dose but works within 15-20 minutes. Give it a try, but also work on other methods such as therapy since the pill isn't the complete answer to anxiety/panic. Good Luck, follow your doctor's orders.

blackcat64013 profile image
blackcat64013

Hi hfarfell,

Alprazolam, available under the trade name Xanax, is a potent, short-acting benzodiazepine anxiolytic—a minor tranquilizer.

Before taking any medication, research consumer information /ask your doctor or pharmacist about the medication side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage.

Make the decision together with your prescriber based on your preference and the doctor's clinical experience.

As every body reacts differently there is no guarantees what will happen if you take it.

Take Agora's advice about supplementing medication with therapy.

hfarfell profile image
hfarfell in reply to blackcat64013

I am a physician who prefers to avoid the benzodiazapines.The severity and increasing frequency of the anxiety/panic/depression continuum was not mitigated by exercise,breathing and mindfulness attempts and so,reluctantly,I have started on a minuscule,nearly homeopathic dosage(not self prescribed,by the way).It seems to be helping but with severe lethargy as a side effect.Interested in experience of people taking similarly low doses.Thanks.

Poloplayer_76 profile image
Poloplayer_76 in reply to hfarfell

This must be tough for you dealing with patients who hv similiar issues

blackcat64013 profile image
blackcat64013 in reply to hfarfell

Hi hfarfell,

Great that you are on the forum! As we are anonymous, we don't know if we are talking the patient or the doctor or the carer. You can contribute from an interesting perspective, both as a physician and person with lived experience :)

hfarfell profile image
hfarfell in reply to blackcat64013

My specialty is (was,now retired) orthopaedic surgery and my professional exposure to anxiety/panic/depression was extremely limited.Admittedly I felt that people who had such problems were somewhat weak....learned the hard way that I was wrong !Plan to continue with low dose alprazolam which is indeed helpful...tried several SSRIs but felt worse immediately after initiation of therapy.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to hfarfell

Hi Doctor, I know how difficult it is to be at the other end of the spectrum of patient care. This shows you that none of us are immune to Anxiety and it's counterparts. Alprazolam has it's place in therapeutic reduction of symptoms however it should be used with an SSRI that is longer lasting. With all the options out in the field today, they may be able to find one that will work for you. Finding the right drug and dosage is unfortunately a trial and error thing since we all respond differently. Also necessary during this time of being on medication is to start therapy in conjunction with the meds. This will allow you to go forward by learning the root of your anxiety/panic and depression.

If medication (SSRIs) is not for you, then there is another option which has been used successfully more recently. Know as Transdermal Electrical Neurostimulation Therapy in Psychiatry. Doctors are using this method for those who are on medication and need that boost or ones who cannot or will not accept medication.

This is basically a Tens Unit which unlike ECT is non-invasive. Electrodes are clipped to the ear lobes and the current is adjusted according to the patient's needs for 15-20 minutes. A patient can also purchase this unit for home use. (A little pricey)

I personally use meditation and deep breathing after having gotten off benzos. I'm glad you found this forum. I think you will see the comfort and understanding from other patients who are going through mental health issues now as well as those of us who have put that in the past. Good Luck doctor.

hfarfell profile image
hfarfell in reply to Agora1

Thanks for your well formulated and reasoned presentation

Vbee profile image
Vbee in reply to hfarfell

You must be very sensitive as i tried .125 and felt nothing. I am 60kg female. May I suggest the book by Barry McDonagh called the DARE Response - it is far superior to any other "method " i have tried or investigated including pharmaceuticals.

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