Tell me about Xanax...

[VillageMama]

Klonopin, isn't any 'safer' than Xanax. It just isn't.

Okay, I'll be sure to tell my doctor you said so.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Okay, I'll be sure to tell my doctor you said so.

Take it from those who know, many doctors are really clueless about these drugs. Read the link I posted above to abcnews. I appreciate sarcasm, but honestly this was inappropriate.

 

[CathrynRose]

Okay, I'll be sure to tell my doctor you said so.

The thing is - my doctor would disagree with you (your doctor). So who's right?

None of us really know. IMO - I don't see how one would be worse than the other, when they're all addictive (to the right personality) and all difficult to come off of (depending on the person, again)

I trust my doctor, as much as you trust yours.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

The thing is - my doctor would disagree with you (your doctor). So who's right?

None of us really know. IMO - I don't see how one would be worse than the other, when they're all addictive (to the right personality) and all difficult to come off of (depending on the person, again)

I trust my doctor, as much as you trust yours.

You are so right CathrynRose, to the right personality, they are extremely addictive. I think I have that addiction gene. My grandparents were alcoholic. I don't really drink, but pills are hard for me to "be good" with.

I'm not sure about saying this but I always thought " a benzo is a benzo is a benzo". They just release in different ways. IDK, I have been on them all and klonopin is the only one I don't have a problem with because it doesn't really "kick in" like the others do.

 

[npmommie]

I've always considered Trifluoperazine to be a superior drug when it comes to panic - take 2mg when you need it and hey presto! You start to think much clearer

Of course, there's more of a stigma surrounding it, being a antipsychotic and all (and a TYPICAL antipsychotic at that!)



Rich::

I would never prescribe this drug to someone with an anxiety disorder.
not appropriate.

I don't know if it's any help, but you can garner quite a lot of information from here:

• Crazy Meds Talk - psychiatric forum, best on the net for help on meds;
• Crazy Meds - Crazy Meds itself, a very human and down to earth take on the more popular psychiatric medications;
• Seratis - my review site on psychiatric medications. Chances are, if you're after info on a med, it should be on there.

Good luck everyone!



Rich::

I didn't look at your sites yet, but I am assuming you are not a mental health clinician?
fyi..........stephen stahl's psychopharmacology books are the best out there.
pretty good prices on amazon too.
just so you can get the most accurate information

 

[Jenvenza]

I think that for someone who was abusing it - I could see where that could become an issue, but since I genuinally feel 'better' and 'normal' - Ive seen weight loss since being on it.

I also saw weight loss when I was taking Xanax daily. I think probably for the same reason as you. I felt better and more like myself, so the weight started coming off.

 

[npmommie]

I just saw when I re-read the thread that this was an old one from 2008. someone with 1 post just bumped it

 

[Missy1961]

I just saw when I re-read the thread that this was an old one from 2008. someone with 1 post just bumped it

Isn't that weird?

 

[crashbb]

I just saw when I re-read the thread that this was an old one from 2008. someone with 1 post just bumped it

It's a company spamming (probably the wrong term).

There is link to a drug rehab in the signature and if you google the user name, they've posted on a number of message boards today - bumping up old threads about Xanax. All new posters with only one post (okay, I only skimmed the results - there may be some with more than one post).

 

[Missy1961]

It's a company spamming (probably the wrong term).

There is link to a drug rehab in the signature and if you google the user name, they've posted on a number of message boards today - bumping up old threads about Xanax. All new posters with only one post (okay, I only skimmed the results - there may be some with more than one post).

I figured it was something like that.

 

[missypie]

Where are y'all GETTING all these drugs? A psychiatrist, or your regular doctor? One time I hinted around to my regular doctor that I needed something for anxiety and he told me to listen to relaxation tapes!

 

[KimR]

I get them from my gynecologist, but I know other people who have gotten them from regular GPs as well.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I get them from my gynecologist, but I know other people who have gotten them from regular GPs as well.

This is one of my pet peeves (so to speak)...gynecologists for example, should not be dealing with mental issues. Yes I am sure most of the time it's bc of postpartum depression, etc., but I honestly feel these types of drugs should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist.

Too many doctors give out these medications like they are tylenol. Too many lives are ruined bc of the withdrawal effects and side effects from these drugs.

 

[CathrynRose]

Where are y'all GETTING all these drugs? A psychiatrist, or your regular doctor? One time I hinted around to my regular doctor that I needed something for anxiety and he told me to listen to relaxation tapes!

 

[LoraJ]

This is one of my pet peeves (so to speak)...gynecologists for example, should not be dealing with mental issues. Yes I am sure most of the time it's bc of postpartum depression, etc., but I honestly feel these types of drugs should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist.

Too many doctors give out these medications like they are tylenol. Too many lives are ruined bc of the withdrawal effects and side effects from these drugs.

I got Lorazapam (sp) once from an ENT. I went in for what I thought was an ear infection, but it turned out I had TMJ. I had been biting down really hard while sleeping (not really grinding) because I was super stressed out.

I need to get to a GP soon, I was hoping to mention my anxiety issues with them and not have to go to a psychiatrist.

 

[CathrynRose]

I was hoping to mention my anxiety issues with them and not have to go to a psychiatrist.

You know, I thought the same thing, and finally sucked it up and went to the Psychiatrist. It really was the best thing I ever did. She took it much more seriously, than my GP did. KWIM?

I felt weird going to one though. Like I shouldn't be there....but I'm glad I went.

 

[dcentity2000]

I would never prescribe this drug to someone with an anxiety disorder.
not appropriate.

On the contrary, Trifluoperazine at low doses is a safe and efficient anxiolitic, not one to openly dismiss. At higher doses, it works as a good major tranquiliser.

I didn't look at your sites yet, but I am assuming you are not a mental health clinician?
fyi..........stephen stahl's psychopharmacology books are the best out there.
pretty good prices on amazon too.
just so you can get the most accurate information

Call my advice a combination of studying and catastrophic experience. No, I'm not going into details. Suffice to say, I ended up in hospitals quite a lot



Rich::

 

[a1tinkfans]

I think Xanax can be a VERY effective drug when used appropriately. It can be very scary for an already-anxious person to read a thread like this and then get scared off from a drug that may potentially help them tremendously. I know, because I used to be like that.

If you have anxiety all day, every day (like GAD) then Xanax is NOT the right drug for you if you need daily medication. Things like Buspar, Cymbalta, etc. should be used for that. (I cannot take Buspar due to nasty side effects, but Cymbalta has been a miracle drug for me).

Xanax is best used to treat occasional bouts of panic. I have been using Xanax for 3 years now, and I bet in that time I have taken less than 10 pills total. I am not addicted to it at all, yet I take comfort in knowing it is there and available if necessary. I actually use Niravam, which is a form of xanax that melts under the tongue. After all, you don't always have water on hand when a panic attack sets in.

I know there are some schools of thought that say "living with the addiction is better than living with the anxiety" and I would agree to an extent. I truly believe my body is addicted to my Cymbalta (SSRI), but honestly, I would much rather live having to take a daily med the rest of my life, than live the way I was pre-medication. Like a PP mentioned, it's like walking around just waiting for "the other shoe to drop." Always worried, scared, waiting for that terrible thing to happen.

I guess my point to this long thread is that if you are experiencing daily anxiety to a point that it is disrupting your life, then there are better alternatives for daily treatment than Xanax. However, Xanax is a wonderful drug that when used properly can truly improve someone's quality of life.

JMHO

Very well said and I wholeheartedly agree. I took them when I lost my baby girl and again, later on during a bout with cancer, for anxiety/panic attacks both times. They were very beneficial!

Many drugs are abused by people that do not take them as instructed (and get them from different doctors and pharmacys as well) . This med is often given for short term use....often prescribed to "get the person thru the crisis" then onto a daily med if needed (many anti depression drugs take a while to kick in)...
As far as "losing people" to this med...Very sad, but I would also think that it is DEPRESSION which factors in somewhere . very very sad...
(
To any/all SUFFERING with ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACKS...PLEASE reach out as there IS HELP. There ARE meds and people that can help.....you CAN feel better and MOVE on with your life......


Good Luck to you OP!!

 

[C.Ann]

I took it very briefly - right after my DH passed away in 2005 - mainly to sleep.. It did not work for me at all and gave me terrible headaches..

 

[PhotobearSam]

I was surprised to see this thread after soo many months....Glad it helped some people but I have not tried Xanax.....I am still on Lorazapam (? spelling) and have not taken any in a month....SO I guess I am doing ok.