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

I had a good experience followed by a bad one with Xanax. Years ago, Dr, had me on it long term and he took me off of it cold turkey. I did not suffer from the cold turkey withdrawal other than not sleeping much, but years later when I started Xanax again there was a feeling of I could not function without it. Now I steer clear of it. I use natural supplements.

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stay away from xanax unless it is used for a very short time . More than a few days and suddenly stopping can be a horrendous experience . The anxiety that you feel is nothing in comparison to xanax withdrawal

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Hi...I guess I want to offer words of encouragement and to let you know “you’re going to be just fine.” I am 58 and have been on a wide variety of anti-depressants since 1990. Sometimes one particular kind simply didn’t work, or gave me side affects. I have found that about 4 different kinds of anti-depressants work just fine for me, (but at the correct dosages.) So, there have been rare times when insurance changed, or I’d been on a particular anti-depressant for a period of years and it ran its usefulness course, so I knew I could switch back to another one that worked for me. Of the 4ish that work for me, some just may have worked a tad better, but any of them were fine. Make sense?

The key is which one, at what dosage, and without side affects, works for YOU. 🙂

I’ve also been on Alprazolam (generic Xanax) since 1990; again nearly 30 years. I started with up to 3/day at .5mg way back when. Thankfully the very first doctor I saw understood that Alprazolam is absolutely crucial for a lot of people. THAT’S the kind of doctor you want to see.

You could line up 100 doctors about the issue of Xanax, and x amount would think you’re asking for Meth, x amount would be in the camp of “ok, but only at this dosage for this long,” some would understand certain people may need to be on it for their entire lives and that’s perfectly ok, and some are somewhere on that spectrum.

Personally, I came to terms with this ages ago that I will most likely have to be on Alprazolam for my whole life, and that’s A-OK. Same with an anti-depressant. Big deal. We wouldn’t ask a Diabetic patient to go off insulin.
They must take it to function well; so do I with my medications. 🙂

My doctors over the 30 years of course monitor my use of Alprazolam. That’s being good doctors. They can see I’ve never ever asked for an early refill. I’m stable on this med, which is a doctor’s goal.

Oh....and I’m one of the rare birds where my Alprazolam works great as my sleep med! So I take .75/night for that. Works like a charm. They tried everything for me to sleep (Ambien, Trazodone, the anti-depressants that have build in anti-anxiety stuff) but none of those worked at all.

Don’t be afraid to be YOU, because you are the only one who knows your body. If a doctor doesn’t feel right for you, or doesn’t listen, move on.

Note: My Head isn’t in the sand that some people become somewhat addicted, or totally addicted, to Alprazolam. But then, I think, we have to make sure we’re using the term “addicted” in its true sense.

For me, my two meds, just like my Levothyroxin, is necessary. Nothing more, nothing less. And I’m thankful for them. They keep me level. I do things like deep breathing, mindfulness, fresh air, watch something fun on TV, lay down, etc. if my anxiety is starting. And I’ve taken it so long that I know when to stay ahead of the anxiety the minute I feel it coming on, through these techniques & taking my Alprazolam.

I have gotten a lot out of a highly respected and highly studied blogger named: Therese Borchard. She runs “Project Beyond Blue.” Excellent forums on any type of mental health condition (I wish they could call it “brain health” because that’s what it is.)

And about that house you don’t like? Give it a year, and if it literally brings you down at that point, say adiós to it and find your happy place to live! During the year’s time, a lot may change. You may get regulated on your meds, find something fun to get involved in, volunteer, and find that, by golly, life there is pretty good. The Lord may put a special neighbor there for you, or vice versa...well you just never know.

Hope you had a huge cup of coffee while reading that! I didn’t expect to get on a roll. Haha 😂

I sure hope this was helpful. 😊

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Hi...I guess I want to offer words of encouragement and to let you know “you’re going to be just fine.” I am 58 and have been on a wide variety of anti-depressants since 1990. Sometimes one particular kind simply didn’t work, or gave me side affects. I have found that about 4 different kinds of anti-depressants work just fine for me, (but at the correct dosages.) So, there have been rare times when insurance changed, or I’d been on a particular anti-depressant for a period of years and it ran its usefulness course, so I knew I could switch back to another one that worked for me. Of the 4ish that work for me, some just may have worked a tad better, but any of them were fine. Make sense?

The key is which one, at what dosage, and without side affects, works for YOU. 🙂

I’ve also been on Alprazolam (generic Xanax) since 1990; again nearly 30 years. I started with up to 3/day at .5mg way back when. Thankfully the very first doctor I saw understood that Alprazolam is absolutely crucial for a lot of people. THAT’S the kind of doctor you want to see.

You could line up 100 doctors about the issue of Xanax, and x amount would think you’re asking for Meth, x amount would be in the camp of “ok, but only at this dosage for this long,” some would understand certain people may need to be on it for their entire lives and that’s perfectly ok, and some are somewhere on that spectrum.

Personally, I came to terms with this ages ago that I will most likely have to be on Alprazolam for my whole life, and that’s A-OK. Same with an anti-depressant. Big deal. We wouldn’t ask a Diabetic patient to go off insulin.
They must take it to function well; so do I with my medications. 🙂

My doctors over the 30 years of course monitor my use of Alprazolam. That’s being good doctors. They can see I’ve never ever asked for an early refill. I’m stable on this med, which is a doctor’s goal.

Oh....and I’m one of the rare birds where my Alprazolam works great as my sleep med! So I take .75/night for that. Works like a charm. They tried everything for me to sleep (Ambien, Trazodone, the anti-depressants that have build in anti-anxiety stuff) but none of those worked at all.

Don’t be afraid to be YOU, because you are the only one who knows your body. If a doctor doesn’t feel right for you, or doesn’t listen, move on.

Note: My Head isn’t in the sand that some people become somewhat addicted, or totally addicted, to Alprazolam. But then, I think, we have to make sure we’re using the term “addicted” in its true sense.

For me, my two meds, just like my Levothyroxin, is necessary. Nothing more, nothing less. And I’m thankful for them. They keep me level. I do things like deep breathing, mindfulness, fresh air, watch something fun on TV, lay down, etc. if my anxiety is starting. And I’ve taken it so long that I know when to stay ahead of the anxiety the minute I feel it coming on, through these techniques & taking my Alprazolam.

I have gotten a lot out of a highly respected and highly studied blogger named: Therese Borchard. She runs “Project Beyond Blue.” Excellent forums on any type of mental health condition (I wish they could call it “brain health” because that’s what it is.)

And about that house you don’t like? Give it a year, and if it literally brings you down at that point, say adiós to it and find your happy place to live! During the year’s time, a lot may change. You may get regulated on your meds, find something fun to get involved in, volunteer, and find that, by golly, life there is pretty good. The Lord may put a special neighbor there for you, or vice versa...well you just never know.

Hope you had a huge cup of coffee while reading that! I didn’t expect to get on a roll. Haha 😂

I sure hope this was helpful. 😊

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Hi alanism,
I can suffer from anxiety also and it can become a walk down a very bumpy lane. What works for some may not work for you. It may take a trial and error period to see what helps. Some years ago, I was put on Prozac which did help but I had to decrease the dose as I was working and it made me feel tired. I eventually weaned off of it.
I am probably going to be the exception here but I have been taking Xanax daily for probably 10 years. Anxiety reared it's ugly head when I was/am having health issues and still had to deal with other fami,y responsibilities. My original prescription was .5 mg 3 X daily. I seldom took that much. For a long time, I was taking 1/2 pill at bed time, which didn't do much, but Instill do. I am sure I have built up a tolerance to it. Sometimes, if I feel anxious during the day, ir I am going to be in a situation that might make me uncomfortable, I will take 1/2 pill. There have been times where I need some medical procedure done, last being an MRI, I will take a whole one before. Let me add, I "always" check with the doctors first to make sure that is ok to do.
Usually, my prescription for a month's supply, lasts me 2 - 2 1/2 months. There are no refills so my doctor can see I am not abusing this med. All my doctors know I take this and how long I have been on it and none of them have suggested I stop it. They know I am under a lot of stress and this takes the edge off. I am in no way saying this is right or wrong. This is only "my" experience with this med. Always go in the recommendation of your doctor.
If you feel anxious, take a half a pill and lay down for a while, if you are able to do that. Sit down and count to 4 and take a slow, deep breath in. Hold it and count to 4. Exhale slowly and count to 4. My accupuncture Doctor suggested this and it really does help me and I can do it anywhere.
You can make yourself anxious just from feeling anxious!
One step at a time. You CAN do this. 👍

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My story is almost like yours. I've had my script for ten plus years and am also on Prozac plus Buspar. I am prescribed 90 a month so I could take 3 a day but I'm pretty sure I've never done that. I rarely take more than1 a day and that's not even every day. For me it's a Godsend. It's always with me in case I need it but I am not addicted. I have terrible anxiety and find that walking helps a lot, but right now I'm home bound because of a health issue. I also find talking about it helps at times too. So this forum is a good place to do it.

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