Question/Comment:

I TAKE XANAX AS AN AS NEEDED MEDICATION TO HELP ME SLEEP. MY DR DID A GREAT JOB OF EXPLAINING THE RISKS BEFORE I STARTED SO I USE IT ONLY IF MY INSOMNIA IS REALLY BAD. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ADDICTION HAVING RECENTLY GONE 2 MONTHS WITHOUT TAKING ANY. I ALSO TAKE LEXAPRO FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION WHICH CAN INCREASE THE SEDATIVE EFFECT SO FOUND 1/2 A PILL OF XANAX DID THE TRICK. THESE COMBINED WITH THE WELBUTRIN I HAVE BEEN ON FOR 10 YEARS HAVE LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE. I HAD BEEN GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE WHICH WAS OCCURRING PARTIALLY DUE TO MY UNTREATED MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. OVER TIME MY DR AND I HAVE FOUND WHAT WORKS SO THAT I CAN NOT ONLY GET UP IN THE MORNING BUT MOST DAYS ACTUALLY LOOK FORWARD TO IT. FORTUNATELY THIS COMBO WORKS FOR ME; BUT AS THE OTHER GENTLEMAN POINTED OUT WE ARE EACH DIFFERENT AND NEED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR DR AND PHARMACIST TO STAY SAFE. THAT IS WHY I HAVE STUCK WITH MY PHYSICIAN FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND USED THE SAME PHARMACY FOR OVER 15. A LITTLE FEAR IS GOOD AS LONG AS IT LEADS YOU TO BE BETTER INFORMED RATHER THAN KEEP YOU FROM TAKING A MEDICATION THAT COULD GREATLY IMPROVE YOUR LIFE. AS WITH ALL MEDS YOU NEED TO WEIGH THE RISKS AND BENEFITS FOR YOU AND MAKE YOUR DECISION. TO THE WOMAN WHO EWNT COLD TURKEY OFF HER MEDS OF COURSE YOU FELT STRANGE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUSE TO GO OFF ALL MEDS AT ONCE. MOST YOU NEED TO BACK OFF FROM GRADUALLY TO BE SAFE. HOPE YOU ARE DOING OK.
49 YEAR OLD GRANDMA

Question/Comment:

To the 46 yr old female who posted on 11/13/08, I would say to "chill out" and read some other posts (such as the one before yours). Terms like "never" and "hooked" are not terms used in the medical field, esp. "never." Different drugs affect and work for different peoople differently, just as different foods do (allergies, etc). This is the kind of posting that is conducive to panic and irrational worries (stress only aggravates ANY medical condition) others may have. I had neurosurgery in 2002, and have been taking Aprasalom (generic for Xanax) since..with only one increase in dosage. I have gone without it recently for as many as 5 days, with no side effects. I livea lone and my wife is soon to be my ex and I don't know how I would have kept my cool in the face of her lying and cheating (while I was the primary caregiver (@ages 46-7); while I was home with the baby she conducted an affair at a work place at which I helped her get the job, and about which she lied to my face repeatedly (to very "pointed" questions. I have a BA and MA in English Literature and writing, with some short term mem. loss from sergury (which included a stroke). Through all this, with the tumor being in the area of the brain which affects the "affective" (emotional) functions, as well as the sleep/wake function, I have used Xanax as needed. It was make and approved by the FDA for very good reasons. Some people can get addicted to anything (my wife is to lying), fortunately for some, they not as vulnerable to addiction. For expample, alcohol:why is it some are so prone to abuse it, while others can drink regularly without addiction or side effects? Because we are all DIFFERENT.
48yr old male

Question/Comment:

my dr put me on xanax 0.25mg to help me sleep and chill out. I was also on other meds at the same time i stoped cold taking all my meds. what are the withdrawls side efcs. cause my body is feeling funny

Answer/Reply:

i hope you have let your dr know you quit your medications. i have worked in mental health for many years and currently take medications for anxiety and depression. i have learned from both experiences that it is critical not to go off your meds all at once as this will shock your system. you could have pretty severe side effects from quitting. i know we do not know each other but please talk to you dr about your concerns and see what healthy options you have. why did you go off all of them at once? fear? if it was concern over the side effect or addiction risks think about what symptoms you were taking the med for and ask yourself if it is worth the risk. for me it was because i was not enjoying life anymore and had not been for many years before I started my treatment. Now I wonder why I let myself suffer so long and realize it was due to a fear of admitting I had a mental illness that needed treatment.

Good Luck, 49 yr old grandma

Question/Comment:

I have been taking xanax 1mg for 7 yrs, primary Dr. put me on them after I had my hysterectomy and he had to bring me off the hrts. a year later due to extreme angina
attacks! Instead of really checking my heart out he decided it was an anxiety attacks
which yes I did have! Anyway, he had me on 3 a day and I couldnt handle that, I was
like a zombie so, I reduced it to 1 at night well, I had some major family & physical
problems happen to me 2 yrs ago & I had to up it to 1 & 1/2 a day and then had heart
attack & stents put in now I am taking 1/2 in the morning 1 & 1/2 at night and feel
like they arent working as they used to but, I have been diagnosed with PTSD also,
y primary Dr. who put me on them seems to think I need off now but, I told him I
would be in a nut house without them! I am addicted but, dont want to go through
withdraws from them! I have no insurance and enough medical bills now, one more
would put us in bankrupsty!
female 50

Question/Comment:

It works very well for me.I have rare problems with anxiety. I only take it when my anxiety seems severe, and I can break the anxiety pattern using only one or two doses. When I have mild anxiety, I don't bother with the alprazolam (xanax). I seem to only need it 3 or 4 times a year. It is not at all effective for my 32 year old daughter''s anxiety, however.

Answer/Reply:

I take it nightly so that I can sleep. Otherwise my brain just doesn't slow down and I can feel my heart pounding.