If anyone takes Xanax ( I am taking .5mg up to 4 times a day ). Do you find that once you take a pill that you need one like within 4 hrs later ?? I have a feeling my dose is just not doing it’s job anymore .. I guess I can ask doc about upping it and see if that helps .
Xanax : If anyone takes Xanax ( I am taking... - Anxiety Support
Xanax
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KateS10
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Wow that’s a lot . I have had Xanax for years but only take when needed . I went onto Zoloft 5 mths ago and it’s been amazing . I sometimes have a Xanax but hardly ever now . And mine is only .05 mg .
Maybe give it a thought , has def helped me and my confidence has gone through the roof .
I have tried Zoloft in the past but it didn’t work .... yes mine is .05 mg as well , but it’s still on the lower end of Xanax. I was initially on .25 mg but she upped it the .05 when I was having a harder time .
That’s a pity it didn’t work for you . Mmm maybe go back to drs . Good luck
Yes she is trying me on Paxil next. Just have to wait till my newer meds kick in for 2 weeks before we start a new med
My heart meds
u should try taking less/ bear the discomfort it will not kill u /develop courage'to bear the discomfort-even if u call it torture, it it's still discomfort
Xanax is not meant to be taken long term.
You are developing a tolerance so you will continue to require more medication for the same result.
It's not ideal; there are other medications that are safer/more effective.
Benzos, in general, are for short term management of anxiety (2 weeks or so) or as a "rescue" medication.
And be sure to never stop taking it cold turkey, you can have life threatening withdrawal.
Millions of people take Xanax for years. I’ve been on them for 30 years.
Yes benzodiazepine are known to be a short term medication. That being said , again benzodiazepine are used for years on end.
If this medication was used only for short term then thousands of Dr’s would be on there way to prison for recklessly handing out benzodiazepine for long term use.
Yes people can build up a tolerance to benzodiazepine and most medications . But some people need a higher dosage to be therapeutic. It appears this person taking .5 mg is not the appropriate dose. Or maybe this prison should be on klonopin as the half life Is 40 hours. Xanax is about 6 hour half-life That’s why they feel the need for the next dose, as it’s a very short half life.
Benzodiazepine are great medication for long term or short term.
That’s reckless advice.. all health providers are “being warned“ about over prescribing benzodiazepines....it is the drug responsible for many patients getting addicted to drugs...glad it works for you but it is NOT the drug of choice for long term anxiety....
It’s not reckless at all , it’s a very solid and proven medication and is very safe. The problem as I’ve said before with this medication is the (Junkies) that buy it and don’t need it for Anxiety. The people that take it for recreational use is why the attention has given it a bad name. It’s the people that get it prescribed and sell it that give it a bad name.
I know a lot of people that take benzodiazepine and don’t abuse it. They take it be because it works.
It reckless for people like you that come to these sites and discharge people from following there Dr’s orders.
Your spreading your propaganda that benzodiazepine are getting people addicted to drugs. That’s just not true and if your going to paint this great medication with such a broad brush back it up with medical Proof. Post a link from the FDA proving that benzodiazepine cause people to go out and get addicted to other drugs as you say. I bet you can’t find that proof !
Your also factually wrong about long term use of this medication. Yes it’s indicated for short term but like most drugs there used off label or for long term use if medically needed. And most people that are on it my take it for life as it’s a chronic condition.
I would never tell another person not to take Xanax if their Dr prescribed it but it’s a fact many patients have gotten hooked on them under Dr supervision. Average, everyday people have gotten hooked on benzos, it’s NOT just junkies. We’ve had this conversation before Ironj. (I “NEVER” said they would lead people to search out other drugs...) I meant addicted to Xanax and if you have ever seen a patient trying to get off of this drug that is really addicted is not a pretty sight. You won’t know what real anxiety feels like until you take this drug continuously for a long period and attempt to stop it..it can be deadly... I’m an retired Emergency Dept. RN And have seen my share of addiction...
It’s a really good drug to help you until you can find a anti-anxiety drug that works for you. I’ve taken them before and I’m NOT against benzodiazepines at all but patients should educate themselves on the risks associated with this medicine...
Your a Nurse and know with every medication you weigh the risk to benefit. There’s no free lunch with any medication. Benzodiazepine give people a quality of life that nothing else can.
I’m sure the Dr’s that prescribed a benzodiazepine tell people that they can become dependent on the medication. For good reason , they work great.
People are dependent on insulin and need to increase insulin over time as well. We can go on and on with all chronic conditions that people become dependent on a medication.
I’ll always defend benzodiazepine or what ever medication that helps people with anxiety.
And I’ve seen people coming off all kinds of illegal and legal drugs and alcohol as I was in law enforcement and have seen it all.
You CANNOT compare insulin for diabetes to Xanax for anxiety...they are NOT a comparable entity...no other drug will subsitute for insulin. Many other drugs will help with anxiety along with exercise, talk therapy and maybe meditation. You just have to find the right method for you. For “MOST”, Xanax is usually not the fix, no pun intended!!
When it comes to having a panic attack there is no other drug that will kick in to stop it. I’d like to see someone try a walk or meditation during a panic attack my bet it won’t work as there in a state of terror.
And to compare insulin for a diabetic it’s a good comparison. When you have high blood sugar you want something fast acting like Humalog to bring you blood sugar down fast. The point I’m making with a benzodiazepine for a panic attack and high blood sugar is you want the fastest acting drug to put you where you need to be.
As well as making a point that they are both chronic condition that need a medication long term. As far as other drugs to treat anxiety. Ssri are to elevate the serotonin in your brain to help with depression . SNRI are to elevate serotonin and Norepinephrine again the chemical in your brain that boost these levels to help depression. People with anxiety/panic attacks have a lack of Gaba. Benzodiazepine are the only medications that fill the Gaba receptors and stop the panic very quick.
I know a lot of people take antidepressants to treat anxiety but they will never work as well as a benzodiazepine.
And let’s not forget how dangerous taking antidepressants can be.
1. antidepressants have a higher risk of suicide as a direct cause of taking antidepressants.
2. You being a Nurse should know there are horrible withdrawals when you come off these drugs (SSRI-SNRI)after taking them long term as well.
Again Benzodiazepine are the best medication when it comes to panic and anxiety attacks. Nothing will substitute that fact.
I agree... Xanax is great for panic attacks...but usually they don’t last nonstop for thirty years...
They are intermittent...!
Antidepressants/anxiety aren’t dangerous for the population at large...not as safe for children..
Withdrawals from an SSRI is a walk in the park compared to withdrawing from Xanax ...that’s a fact..
I wasn’t saying exercise and meditation would work during a full blown panic attack. If you thought that your reading comprehension is a bit off. You want to try and control your anxiety everyday by addressing it by other helpful aids. When a panic attack is happening Xanax is a good drug but you Don’t need to take it “all day long.” If you do, you have a bigger problem and may require in-hospital consultation.
I understand you’re defending your own choice of benzodiazepine use. That’s fine but it’s USUALLY not the answer for long term use...only intermittently for panic attacks.. Every drug has side effects and we have to weigh the benefits against the potential harm..everyone will have to decide for themselves but they better educate themselves before making a decision!!!
Trust me -benzo withdrawal after long term usage is a hell far worse than SSRI withdrawals in that it can actually kill you if not done very carefully and under medical supervision. Withdrawal from any antidepressant will not cause life threatening seizures - too rapid withdrawal from benzo's will. Please look at the work of Professor Ashton, who pioneered the safe withdrawal from benzo's by creating the Ashton Manual, and who recognised that benzo withdrawal is far more protracted and dangerous than withdrawal from antidepressants. Also visit the excellent forums on benzo buddies - there you will see the reality of what being dependent and trying to withdraw from these drugs after long term use can really do.
Well said .....if people think anxiety is hell, try coming off of benzodiazepines after becoming addicted...that said, they can play a helpful role in helping patients deal with short term ( situational) anxiety or for acute panic attacks. There are many new drugs for anxiety that don’t have a high potential for dependency that benzos do. Talk with your Dr. about what may be best for your situation and have him/her explain the differences along with the benefits and risks!
The Dr. Heather Ashton method was used when I was weaned off 30plus years
of benzos. It took me 2 years, slow and safe and yet difficult. What kept me going
was knowing that I was going in the right direction. Well worth it. I'm alive once more. 
xx
There are so many medications that will help control Diabetes, Metformin, faxiga , and the list goes on. My point is fast acting medication to get your blood sugar down is insulin. Just like the only medication that will take your panic attack away very quick is benzodiazepine. Maybe your reading comprehension is in question.
As far as serotonin withdrawals. I’d like for you to tell people that go though hell coming off them that it’s no big deal.
Also you left out the black label with SSRI/SNRI about suicidal thoughts and the people that those drugs accounted for it.
You tell people to think hard before going on a benzodiazepine but leave out this information about SSRI/SNRI.
I will stand strong by benzodiazepines because they absolutely work for short term long term and as needed. Most people take them as needed if the dose is proper. And there are several different Benzodiazepine that have a very long half life that you don’t need them more then one a day or skip a day or so. So in closing I would recommend that people see a psychiatrist that’s a specialist in this field not a GP.
You cannot compare panic or anxiety to diabetes. If a diabetic does not get their insulin, they can go into a diabetic coma and die. As in PHYSICALLY. No one has PHYSICALLY died from panic or anxiety, even though it can be a living hell as I know myself.
The point of the diabetic needing insulin was this. If your sugar was 300 you would need insulin to bring your blood sugar back in normal range fast. I happen to have diabetes so that’s why I’m using that as my point.
When your going though torture with a panic attack you want something that will calm you down very fast hence benzodiazepine.
I’m very aware of the risk of stopping benzodiazepine cold turkey and never have suggest that. If you come off benzodiazepine it must be under the care of your Dr and done very gradually.
But some people try to discourage and scare people into not taking this very good medication that’s been prescribed for decades with great success.
I understand your point. No one is addressing the damage caused by panic and anxiety to body and mind . Benzos where precursors to the new SSRI there is a long history concerning their usage. We don’t know what long term effects of newer drug will be.
Thank you 91342 and your correct about the SSRI. I also think it’s all about the money with the pharmaceutical companies. Benzodiazepine are very cheap so there’s not a lot of profit. Then they push SSRI and when they go generic they start pushing SNRI as they are big money makers for big Pharma.
I dont use xanax. But I have been taking Klonopin for quite a while. And i will continue too. Why? Because it HELPS! THIS "short term" b.s. is a new suggestion due to the drug epidemic. Patients shouldn't suffer due to the irresponsibility of others. Your choices are your choices. Mine will be mine and my p-doc. Call me rude all you want. It's not your job to tell people how to take their psych meds. Or Any meds for that matter.
TDL: this post was meant for Dixie.
You’re not being rude and no one is telling you how to take your meds... that is between what you and your Dr. decide what is best for you...I’m just reminding everyone to be educated and well informed no matter which drug your dr puts you on!!!
If you take Zanax for anxiety , and your anxiety stays with you for a long time . Then it means you have an anxiety disorder . So in many ways its like having a Heart problem or any other health problem. Of which people might have to take medication maybe for a life time .
Your correct Generalized anxiety is a chronic condition like high blood pressure, diabetes and so on. People come dependent on those medications to live. Benzodiazepine give people a quality of life workout they are living in fear.
I’ve been on Xanax on and off for about 25 years. I think it’s a great medication, and if used responsibly it’s a lifesaver. It has helped me through the years and I’m living proof of the efficacy of this medication. Xanax gets a bad rap. Is it addicting? Of course it is, and so are many many other drugs out there, but if used responsibly it’s a great medication. It has helped me for many years, I take them when I need them and I don’t abuse them. But like anything, some people have more tendencies than others to become addicted. And of course Xanax gets a bad rap cause a lot of people use them to get high, and mix with alcohol. Like I said earlier if used responsibly it’s a great medication......SAMSON
Xanax is short acting. I agree with Ironj as far as maybe needing a switch to a longer acting benzo.
This is the problem with the benzodiazepines ,your body begin to need more doses.you need to talk with your doctor ,he is the one who can help you
Thanks everyone for all your advice!! Yes I talked to to doc. Been on Xanax for years ( on and off ).... but steady on it for a year now .... so it’s just a struggle. She is trying to see if the beta blocker I just started will help at all relieve any symptoms I am having ... and we will go from there.....
That's way too much xanax it should never be taken long term. I take. 25 as needed I get concerned if I take more than 4 x in a week let alone a day. There needs to be a medicine change. Highly addictive if course your body will want more
I feel for u so much! There is nothing that works for me. I have tried them. But....klonopin did. I was taking 2 mg. Twice a day for about 2 years. I decided to ween myself off because dr told me to go down biweekly by 1/4. Could not do that. I had to go extremely slow and believe me IT WAS A NIGHTMARE. Never want to go thru that again. I now can’t sleep, have anxiety still, etc but it is nothing like the absolute horror of coming off Klonipin. Just please be careful. If u ever come off it takes a long time. About 2 years before I felt I was free from it’s grip on me , mentally and physically and still have some side effects. God bless and good luck!
Yes, the best thing to do is talk to your Dr. I go through stages. I've been on Xanax for over 20 years along with a plethora of different anxiety meds (currently Zoloft and Buspar.) When I first started Xanax it was one 0.5 4x a day. Then I went through a long period 10-15 years taking it as needed. Right now, I'm going through Xanax like skittles. You can build up a tolerance. That's the draw back to Xanax. Best of luck.
And your response is why she shouldn't be taking it that often. Do your doctors say its ok?
I thought I addressed a couple of issues. Yes, she should talk to her doctor. You can build up a tolerance to Xanax. With GAD you have good times and bad. When I first started on Xanax (20 years ago,) it was the only thing that gave me immediate results. And yes I'm taking a lot of Xanax right now but that's because I'm having a hard time dealing with my Mom passing 2 weeks before Christmas and then 2 days later having a blood occult test coming up positive. I'm not condoning or condemning what Kares10 is doing. I was just trying to address her concerns that her Xanax doesn't seem to be as effective.
I used to take 1mg 3 times daily but ive been weening off to .5 2 times daily. I havent noticed a big difference honestly between .5 and 1mg. Bit yes if youve been on a medication for years you do become immune sometimes and need to change or up it. Hope this helps
Xanax is short acting and wears off quickly sometimes, klonopin is the same class of drug but is much more long acting
I’ve been taking Xanax for years .05mg 2/12 mgs a day my Dr writes mine for 5pillsI just take 4/12pills a day this is how I take mine so it’s always in your system 1 whole pill at 9:am 1/2 pill at 1pm 1/2 at 4:pm 1/2 at7:30 pm 1/2 at 10:30 pm1whole plus1/2 at bedtime which is 1:30 am for me it works better for me that way.
This is a very interesting thread to say the least!
I have a simple opinion on Xanax. If it works and it is doctor prescribed it can be effective to help treat panic attacks and anxiety. With any medication it has side effects and the patient to always be aware of any issues they have when taking the drug. I have no problem taking this medication over the past few years and has made me feel better in dealing with my anxiety. EVERYONE is different and I think its best to let the patient and the doctor decide on the treatment. Generalizations about medication when people are already anxious is not going provide a good direction. I take it as needed. Sometimes a few days in a row.. sometimes not at all. My doctor has asked me to stop counting pills, but she controls the rx.
If you have anxiety and it effects your life-- which most do on this site-- please find what works for you to have a quality of life that makes you feel good. If Xanax assists in that (with medical assistance/advice) that is fine. Take as directed.
Hi all,
Approx 10years ago I was at work and was crawling out of my skin, I asked to be be taken to the hospital, my Blood Pressure was 200/115. It runs in my family and heart disease, so I must of had it for a few years and didn't know (being a single Mother I always put myself on the back burner) feed the kids, cleanup I was always running full speed.
So I was put on Atenolol 25mg 1 time per day. So that's when my panic set in once in a while. Not all the time, but my brain wouldn't stop thinking "what if this happens again and I'm alone". So since it wasn't everyday I asked my GP to prescribe something I could take when I had a panic attack. He wanted to put me on something like an antidepressant, I said no, I don't want to depend on something everyday. So the prescription would run out of time by the time I'd had to go for a refill.... Push forward to 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 2b breast cancer, then Stage 4, due to it also found in my liver. So my oncologist prescribed me 1-2 3x's a day... Never used that much. But now I'm up to 0.5mg 4 x's a day. I hate being alone at home, I'm such a high energy person and my brain works overtime some days, I was always a huge white, gray, blue coat syndrome.... But now even more so!! Last week I had a CT contrast scan (last one they poked through my vein and burned my arm and had to have PT for a month after) and a 2d Echo, I never schedule two tests in one week because of the anxiety. Thus I always need two xanex to even get to the hospital for a test. Bottom line now I have 4 per day. No caffeine, which I miss so much.
Soooo now how do I get off these? I was reading about Benzos and how bad they are for the liver, then antidepressants are also so bad for the liver! But I really need them. And yes I am seeing a psychologist she cannot prescribe any drugs. So I have no idea what I can do. Some days I have so much energy that I have to release, but due to a bad knee now and the cancer meds screwed up my nails, I have limited access to walk around the neighborhood (besides winter).
Is there a better antidepressant that won't affect my liver!?
Thank you all for your input (I hope)
And @&#@ cancer....
Kate, I know what you're talking about regarding the "4 hr. feeling". I have been on .5mg of Xanax (and nothing else) for quite a while now. It has helped me a lot, but there are days when waiting is difficult (actually today is one of those days and I'm clock watching). 4 times a day seems a bit much, though. I do not do that, though my prescription allows for 3x/day. I don't want to be that reliant. Also, memory impairment from Xanax is real and I try to defend against that, at least some.
The trouble is, if you up your dosage, the next level is 1mg and that might make you sleepy or groggy, etc. Driving may be a problem. It's also a lot of Xanax (I've stayed at .5 for 4 years). And, you may still have the 4 hr. feeling.
I do sympathize, though. The relief Xanax can bring from panic/anxiety events is so welcome that as soon as it starts to wane a little...and the panic isn't entirely gone...it makes one want to maintain that level of relief badly.
The advice my doc gave was this: Xanax has a half-life of 11 hrs. The strongest effect will happen between 1-2 hrs after taking. But, after 6-7 hrs., the effect wears pretty thin. Most has been metabolized. So, she had no problem if I took another after 6 hrs, if needed, topping out at 3/day. For me, I need to to do that about 25% of the time.
I see that you've tried Xanax XR. That didn't work very well for me, as, by definition, it extends out the effects without increasing the dosage. Since my problem is more acute panic than a long, grinding anxiety all day, that was not the answer for me. If you're experiencing more all-day anxiety, though, perhaps that will work out. It may make the "clock watch" easier. For me, though, on a hard day, I just tough it out until I hit 6 hrs.
Hope this helps.
you don't fool me.
Hi welcome to this forum. Don't you actually need a prescription for these and not to buy online as they can be very harmful to certain people. I don't get it 🤔 are you a Dr prescribing medication. Is this legal? Sorry I just don't get all of the posts and then website link with information and then to see medication for sale? Is this a trusted website. I am only asking what others are probably thinking. Just very curious to know what your potential is to do on this form?
What country is it you are from and where is this website based?
I do think that in the wrong hands tho could be a bad thing because i am sure over in UK where I am from it is illegal to buy and sell these things online and can only get them prescribed off a Dr. Don't know about this where you are from but 🤷♀️
I will pass thank you. If I go to my Dr can get this medication cheaper and I know its safe and from a source i know and trust 👍
I’ve been on Xanax for 30 years ... it’s an as needed medication. So if your not feeling the need to take it try and just take it when your feeling the anxiety coming on.
I take 2 MG Pills up to 8 MG per day. I don’t always take 8 MG a Day some days I take none. But .5 mg is not a lot it’s a small dose and it you did or do take 4 per day that’s just 2 mg’s. Maybe you need a higher dose and take it once or twice a day. Xanax has a half like of 6-8 hours so if you took a 1 1 MG pill after 8 hours you would still have .5 left in your system that’s 16 hours of coverage.
At certain times of the day are more anxiety provoking. So try and figure out what time of the day that is. Over time you’ll need more of any benzodiazepine as our system builds a tolerance. That said who care if we need more if it’s the only medication that gives us our quality of life back. If I were you I would ask for a higher dose and try one or 2 pills a day or as needed. That 1 mg dose will hit you much harder knocking your anxiety out and maintain that for the first 8 hours and still keep working till bed time with just one pill.
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