Just started Xanax...anyone have experiences to share?

Posted by alanism @alanism, Jan 31, 2019

I recently moved to a new house I am not liking, and have always struggled with anxiety. My anxiety has spiked and has been out of control over this move which I feel was a mistake. My doctor prescribed sertraline, but I understand I will not feel the affect of the sertraline for 6-8 weeks. For the past couple of weeks I have been taking two .5 mg of Xanax a day, which has really helped. My doctor said Xanax is not a long term solution but that this is a safe dose. I am afraid of addiction and of Xanax, but right now it seems to be the only thing calming me down. Just wondering what others have experienced with Xanax.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 26, 2021

In reply to @ps1947 "Our 33 year old son passed away 10/11/2020 at home with hospice. Yes I did find..." + (show)

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donnacarp | @donnacarp | Sep 27, 2021

In reply to @ps1947 "I too have been on Xanax for many years. Used to take occasionally as stress hit..." + (show)

My experience is this. It is a good drug for short term use. My late husband was terribly addicted to it after a very short time. He never could get off it.

joannemm34293 | @joannemm30809 | Sep 27, 2021

I have high anxiety and anxiety attacks over the last two years that have been pretty severe and I refuse to take any more antidepressants or anything like that they've given me horrible side effects so the doctor started me on Xanax and I basically cut that pill in half and take one in the morning and if I can't sleep I take the other half at night. It's greatly reduced my anxiety and stress and panic attacks.

I also started on medical marijuana and I am taking CBD / THC tincture drops as well and this has greatly reduced my stress levels my anxiety levels my worrying all the time situation and it's also almost completely removed a lot of my arthritic pain in my feet and knees

dianecostella | @dianecostella | Sep 27, 2021

I was in Xanax for years 0.25 mg. Later on I switched to Klonopin.5 2 x a day. It does help me I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and major depressive disorder I take Zoloft for that. My psychiatrist isn’t concerned about the Klonopin because it’s such a low dose. She says if and when I am ready we will do it can do a weaning off very slowly. I have no intentions of coming off it ever so it’s a moot point for me.

gmajr2858 | @gmajr2858 | Sep 27, 2021

In reply to @ps1947 "I too have been on Xanax for many years. Used to take occasionally as stress hit..." + (show)

I have been on Xanax for 10 years and I have been on 2 mg . I am starting on 1 mg and am a bit scared of how I will feel. My Dr. said it is hard to get off of them. Please be careful 🙏

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Sep 27, 2021

My sister has a male friend with anxiety etc for years. He was taking Xanax for years until he realized he could not stop taking it. I believe he is off now, but it took forever.
I don’t understand why so much Xanax is prescribed, knowing the risk of addiction.
Klonopin as mentioned is not that addictive at all.
When getting off Xanax, it’s probably best to decrease a fraction at a time to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

texastribble | @texastribble | Sep 29, 2021

I took Xanex for several years, along with some other meds that were considered addictive. I asked my doc about it, and he said that if your body needs it and you are using it because of that, you will not become addicted. I mentioned that to a new doc today, and he agreed. On Xanex, I was taking 3 -4 mg /day. As things got better, I started cutting back, Finally, I was just taking it to sleep--1/2 of a 1/4mg tab!. Then, just quit. I would love to have some again because it worked for me and I am under extreme stress right now . But, at least the docs I have talked to, treat you like a hard core druggie if you even mention it. This doc did start me on Ativan last month and increased it today. I have never had a problem stopping any of the meds that I have been on.

meismaria | @meismaria | Jul 3, 2022

In reply to @nire "Have you every had the antibody blood tests for Autoimmune Encephalitis? Sounds like you should! Your..." + (show)

I have autoimmune encephalitis. Feel as if I need Xanax for anxiety. I’ve suffered anxiety and some depression during serious times and now having this brain disease that doesn’t want anxiety which I had before is over the top.

johneckenrode11 | @johneckenrode11 | Jul 4, 2022

I'm not a professional, but believe Xanax is a dangerous drug. If you find you need to use it every day, you're in trouble. Xanax loses its effectiveness over time and you'll need to use more and more for the same result. Then, voila, you're addicted. Proceed carefully and with professional support.

kathy5645 | @kathy5645 | Jul 4, 2022

In reply to @meismaria "I have autoimmune encephalitis. Feel as if I need Xanax for anxiety. I’ve suffered anxiety and..." + (show)

If you use it daily you will become habituated to it in 2 to 3 weeks. It is very difficult to taper off of. Alcohol and Benzodiazepines are the only two drugs that you can die coming off of.
There are many other things you can use for anxiety from natural meds like gaba, magnesium ashwagandha Passion flower and drugs like anti, antihistamines anticonvulsants to name a few. Benzos are only recommended for a week. They now have black box warning from the FDA