Xanax

[Stump]

I deal with moderate anxiety issues due to a stressful job and all the other day to day things we all deal with. My Doc prescribed Xanax and I was wondering if anyone has any dealings with the drug and would like a little feedback. I hear it works well but withdrawal can be severe. All comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

[DemExpat]

1. My advice

from a past history of use of anxiety meds is to use them very, very sparingly.

I have not taken an anxiety med for over 26 years now after being very addicted to them, but I do have a few on hand as a psychological emergency supply for when I fly, for example. Just having them on hand is a calming thought for me now.

I have a friend who uses them very cautiously, and to me this is healthy. Use them for relief, but don't mask all of the work (and other) stress so that you can find other techniques that may work for you that help coping with stress in more lasting ways.

DemEx

[mdmc]

2. This is the best drug ever. It really works wonders for anxiety AND

depression.

I used to take it QID (4 x per day) and I was eventually on the highest dose you could take.

The med allowed me to stop smoking the leaf. It helped me to not sweat non stop (even in winter I sweat non-stop due to anxiety - I FREEZE!).

The downside is that it dried me out (so I drank more water). Other sides included getting high when taking too much, being dizzy and light headed, and being dry.

I went from QID, to TID (3xper day). Then I went PRN (as needed). Eventually I got to a point where I no longer needed the medication. As long as I had a pill of zanax on me, I was able to handle my anxiety and wouldn't even need the med. The med was so strong that just knowing that I had the option to use it was enough to relieve my symptoms.

[qb]

3. My doctor gave me a prescription to cope with coming out & getting divorced...

I started out taking 3 pills/day (0.25 mg each) and it definitely got rid of my anxiety, but I was really spacey at work. I found that taking one at bedtime gave me a good nights sleep and I felt fine during the day without taking any more. I am now off it, but sometimes wish I had some for occasional episodes. My suggestion is to start low and see how that goes, upping it a little if you need to.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. I use it as needed. .5 mg at a time, a small dose

I don't know about withdrawal. I've never been addicted. I do know that I can't take it within three hours of driving. It makes me very drowsy. That is a decidedly tough side effect; i take the damned thing to ease anxiety, not to escape it. But we do what we can. It does work when it doesn't put me straight to sleep.

Best of luck. :hug: