Get Informed: Xanax

Question/Comment:

Are seizures common with long term use?

Answer/Reply from iGuard:

Seizures while taking alprazolam are not a common side effect - less than 1% of patients experience seizures while taking alprazolam. However, there is an increased risk of experiencing a seizure if the alprazolam is taken regularly and then stopped suddenly. If you are experiencing seizures or have concerns regarding your medication therapy, please make an appointment to discuss your questions with your physician.

Question/Comment:

I went to my doctor and told him that I was just informed that my husband has cancer and from all I have read, it's pretty much hopeless. I have COPD. For the longest time I knew I was sick and not going to live as long as most people but was ok with that. I knew my husband would be there to take care of our 2 - a 10 and a 12 yr. old. Now, I am totally destroyed over this. My doctor gave me xanax. I wasn't real happy with it so he gave me citalopram. He never said to discontinue the xanax so I didn't but now this site is telling me I shouldn't take them together - that it might be too much. Well, I have been able to handle not only what was going on but now taking my sister in for her biopsy on Monday without breaking totally into pieces. Not sure what I should do now though.

Question/Comment:

I've decided to only target the one bad thing I've found with this medication rather than commenting on all of the good. If you take even .25mg / day of this for a period longer than 5 days your body will get addicted. Hell, in smaller people it could be as little as 3 days time. It depends on your body comp I guess. I'm a 27 year old male, 200lbs, 6'0" 200lbs, and in pretty decent shape. However, I had to take a .25mg dose for roughly 2 weeks straight daily to help fight off what I'd describe as a self-caused anxiety. For some reason I got a phobia of getting sick and wasn't able to shake it. Half of the problem, I believe, was the elevated blood pressure and heartrate I was getting due to having to take Ibuprofen and Sudafed together for a lengthy period of time. I'm currently RARELY taking the ibuprofen or sudafed and have tried to pry myself off of the xanax. I have had no luck because after about 2-3 days of not taking 1 .25mg dose I start to shake, become very nervous, and well you all know the problems we face with anxiety. My doctor, as well as my pharmacist, has recommended trying to take myself off of it slowly but I also deal with bad indigestion/gas that sometimes feels like I'm having a panic/anxiety attack. It's hard to judge what is causing it and 90% of the time I'm able to just calm myself down. Other times my heartrate and blood pressure jump up and I don't think I can control it myself. I'm stubborn and "old fashioned" I guess you can say. I believe, for the most part, we should all be able to beat our anxiety issues since most of it is self caused mentally. If we can stay happy and do things that make us happy, then we shouldn't have many anxiety problems in my opinion. Well, I'm done ranting now. Feel free to comment or give me your opinion. Thanks for reading!

Answer/Reply:

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time coming off. I had to take for two months straight last year 1mg twice a day. Well I didn't feel it was helping for my pvc so I just stopped taking it. I had the shakes and realized the next day it was stopping without weaning. So I took 1/2 a 1mg at lunch and 1mg at bed for 3 days and took 1/2 tabelet less ever three days till I was down to .25 at night. Then I took it every other day for a week till I was weaned off. I wish you luck and try spliting your pill in half for a while then go from there. You are probable experiencing anxiety from your other issues also and that isn't going to help when you are trying to get off something that was helping you. Maybe you could talk to the doctor about going on something that you take every day for anxiety. It might help. xanax is not supposed to be used for extended time as you know. Good luck

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Have you ever tried taking Valerian Root? It's an herbal supplement. It smells really bad but it works very well. Also, maybe you will have better luck with a different benzodiazepine such as klonopin or ativan. My best friend recently had the same complaint about the xanax, so you're not alone. I really think that ativan or klonopin would be better for you in the long run. It wouldn't hurt to bring it up to your doctor. Ativan supposedly has a better side effect profile than xanax anyway, and it works well. I have a prescription for xanax, I'm supposed to take two of the .5 mg every day but I usually take less than five a month and stash the rest of it away for emergencies. If you're able to, try to only take it when it is absolutely necessary and it will work like a charm every time. You should look into the Valerian Root, though. The only complaint (aside from the smell) anyone ever has is the potential for a mild "hangover" the next morning if they take two to get to sleep. But there is a good reason why they call it "herbal valium". Good luck!

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Oh my. I am a 63,yr old female, and take xanax on occasion, but my dr. said it is very addictive. He didn't prescribe it, another did, but tho I asked about Dilantin (for panic attacks), he said they don't know the long-term effects. At my age, I'm not going to worry about that, lol, but he wouldn't prescribe it.
For me, melatonin causes vivid dreams and nightmares, and the next day I feel like I haven't slept all night, so I am tired and more anxious.

I'm a small person, and now am worried that I may already be addicted to the xanax, as I do take it a few times a week. I would also like to stop taking it, and find something safer.
Has anyone tried Holy Basil for anxiety??

Answer/Reply:

i have to disagree w/you on part of what u said-i have lots of happiness in my life but i still have the anxiety that requires my taking xanax.i am also on methadone for chronic pain and i get so tired of hearing people ask how long i will be on it or i should be strong enough not to need it.well,if it takes my medication for me to be able to live a normal,pain-free life i will be on it forever.just my opinion.thanks,43 yr old female

Answer/Reply:

You said "i get so tired of hearing people ask how long i will be on it or i should be strong enough not to need it", because your on methadone for pain.......Well, I am on xanax & MMT & it's NOT for pain - its for opium abuse (xanax for anxiety). That being so, Methadone DOES NOT EASE MY PAIN!
In fact during a surgery I had, a stronger synthetic medicine had to be given because methadone isn't really meant to be a pain reliever, thus making it where they had to find synthetic morphine, as methadone blocks out a lot of pain killers.
I get tired of going to uninformed Dr.s & dentists who think that methadones' primary use is to kill pain. Its not.In my case, it doesn't help pain. I have other health issues, had surgery with these Dr's & their beliefs. They were wrong , I suffered, then found a new Dr.!
While MMT can be used to treat chronic pain like "neuropathic pain" & others The reasons its taking you so long to get off (if you even need to get off - thats YOUR decision, no matter what your on MMT for!) are that it is physically addicting, its best use is to treat opioid addiction, so taking this may take longer to feel better than if you where on, say, a Oxycontin regimen.
You & I are on opposite sides of the same coin. They really should be giving you something better or IN ADDITION to methadone for your pain! But if its working for YOU - thats ALL THAT MATTERS!
All that being said......It has nothing to do with strength. Its a medicine. Are Diabetics ever asked when they will finally lose a few pounds, stop eating bad sweets and foods, and gee, when are they ever gonna get off that Glucophage?! No, of course people don't say that! And whether people are asking you or me....when it comes to MMT....We shouldn't be asked - let alone apologize for needing medication!
Good for you! Keep it up!

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I forgot to give my email, its sherextc@hotmail.com

Answer/Reply:

Hey I couldn't help but reply, I am also on xanax and have been for years. Like you I will be on this for the rest of my life, I have PTSD with anxiety and panic disorder. I know that they it is very addictive, but the only way I can live a somewhat normal life is by being on this among other medications. I am glad I'm not the only one that hears that, I've been told a number of times I shouldn't be on and I should try to stop or get on something. They just don't realize how debilitating this can be, good luck and if you need or want to chat I'm here. Take care

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I completley agree with you about the addiction. I was on .25 and it only last about 15 min. to an hour and I have 4 kid's, my dad died, and I was going through a nasty divorce. After a month of this "wonderful quick fix med." I realised I was eating them like tic tac's just to function with everyday thing's like going to the mailbox. And when I didn't have one that's all I could think about...get one get 2 hell just get the script. The Dr. dropped the script cold turkey on me and the first week was the hardest, but 2 year's later I am okay! Still wish I had one every now and again, but I honestly don't need them like that anymore. Hang in there it get's better. Nikki

Answer/Reply:

Though I completely agree with you that lifestyle changes are key to eliminating unhealty stress/anxiety, I cannot agree that those changes alone would eliminate anxiety disorder. Because of my own experience and many documented research studies, I would encourage you to NOT dismiss you anxiety/panic disorder as something that you can eliminate or control only by changing your attitude or lifestyle. While a positive outlook on defeating the disorder certainly makes progress more likely, anxiety disorder is a chemical imbalance that, when corrected for a sufficient period of time, can be restored to "normal". I participated in a research study for anxiety at a large teaching hospital in my area. After the research study was completed, I had seen more than a significant decrease, almost elimination, of my anxiety disorder. I was assigned to a psychologist for ongoing monitoring of my medication and my anxiety. I felt so much better after three months that I told the psychologist that I wanted to stop taking the medication. He told me that research has shown that the chemical pattern of anxiety needed to be interrupted for at least nine months before long-term results were achieved. I insisted and he released me from treatment. I hate feeling dependent upon medication! Within a few months, I was back in his office and took his advice to stay on the medication for at least nine months. I was anxiety free from late 1990 until late 1999, using no anti-anxiety medication. Then multiple crisis hit my family within a three-month time..four very serious situations...and my anxiety began to return. I put off and put off going back to my regular doctor, who had been my doctor since 1982 and knew my history well, and my anxiety gradually became unmanageable and I was placed on short-term disability for 7 months. It was at the beginning of my short term disability that I returned to treatment and was put on Wellbutrin (using generic bupropion) along with specific anxiety medication. Over time, my anxiety decreased significantly and I did not need my anxiety medication from about 2002 until 2005, when two more severe crisis hit my family. I continue my Wellbutrin/Bupropion without interruption and with good success. So, though I believe extreme stress is the major factor in triggering anxiety, I also believe that once the chemical pattern of anxiety is again triggered, you must have medication to eliminate or minimize the anxiety attacks. Anxiety is inherited and I have it in my family history; another factor that points toward chemical imbalance.

Thanks for reading my comments! I just want to encourage you to NOT hesitate to use medication for treatment. I recall telling my doctor that taking medication made me feel weak. He responded: "Have you ever thought that you are not being too weak now, but that you've had to be too strong for too long?" That really did hit the nail on the head! He was right and the extreme stress over those years altered my chemistry which improved only when restored by medication...I am a true believer!

Answer/Reply:

I only take 1mg per day and the only bad side effect is lapse of memory.I tell my doctor but she doesn't say anything. I know i'm hooked on it but oh well it works good on my anxiety and i've been taking it for months .And what i was going through this is god sent,i have ptsd from my time in army .I can sleep real good am more calm and patient ,so to me it's worth being hooked on ,if my quality of life is better ,i'll take it for life .I hope this comments will help somebody out there and i am a 58 year old male .Thanks for reading my comments.

Answer/Reply:

Thank you so much for your comment towards the end. I take .5 mg 3 x's a day, even though the dr. prescribed 1mg 3x's a day...that's just too much for me. Well anyway, as you described stomach issues and feeling like a panic/anxiety attack, it releives my feelings a little. I did not know that the stomach could actually cause that feeling, but it does make since. I have been having test done on my stomach and have gastritis, which if I eat certain things I feel panicy and anxious, now I know that it is possible it is my stomach causing some of those feelings, really a relief...that's something the dr. did not tell me.

Answer/Reply:

Hi, I am a 41 year old Woman. I was originally precribed Xanax by my Gastroenerologist because my stomach produces 10 times the normal amount of nervous acids. I was 22 years old and throwing up a yellow foamy acid substance first thing most mornings. The Xanax stopped it cold, as well as helping me cope with being diagnosed with Chrons disease at 25 years old. Both of my Grandmothers had Colitis. My GI doctor called Xanax "The GI Miracle Drug" when he 1st prescribed it, back when it was brand name only and about $400.00/month, and for me it was a miracle. I am prescribed 1mg 3x day, but try to take 1 or 2 1/2 pills (.5mg) a day. My only complaint is the memory loss issue which I feel is real, but it totally beats throwing up every morning. Bottom Line, don't listen to what friends and family say so much as LISTEN TO YOUR BODY my advice..take only as much as you need but DO take what you need. Taking care of yourself IS STRONG not WEAK. Wish you well.

Answer/Reply:

I know where you are coming from. Last year I was on .50's 3/day and I couldn't handle the aftermath. It made me so dizzy and just plain weird in the head, that I had to get off of it somehow. I told my doctor and he said if you think you need to do this, you do it, but do it for all the right reasons. You have to decide to dedicate yourself totally to getting off Xanax. Well, last year I fought long and hard and dropped 1/2 pill for 3 months at a time until I was down to 3 - .25's a day, which is where I'm at now. When you go off these, it takes 7 days to come off a .25. Then it takes about 3 months for your body to adjust. I suggest that you cut your pill in half and go off the same way as I did last year. But, go slowly, cause it can really grab hold of you and screw with your head, and you know the rest of the story. Believe me when I tell you these things. I've been on them for 7 years. Off and on, the past 3 years every day. I suffer from Chronic anxiety that is stress (job) related. Sure, get rid of the job and you feel better until something else in your life decides to smack you in the face, and off goes your anxiety again. It's a victious circle. Self talk, relaxation tapes, cognitive therapy will help, but regardless of how you turn the page, or want to hear this, the only thing that ever gave me the peace we need is God. I'm 53 and come in about 120 lbs and you are right - all bodies are different in comp., and these pills work differently in all of us, but if you have the man upstairs directing your journey, then coming off these pills will help you in ways you can't possibly imagine. If you are asking why haven't I dropped the .25's yet? I'm not ready to back off yet. You have to be ready in your head as well as your heart. Once you've come to that point in your life, or crossroads, quitting will be easier. I will stop at some point, but only when I'm ready, not when someone thinks I should stop. And do it slowly, 1/2 at a time - 3 months and then drop the other half, it will take you 6 months to drop 1 - .25 but you will be better for it. And don't forget to ask your God for help. 'If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it'. Good luck in your endevour and Stay the path of Faith and you will be just fine.

Rev. Fred
www.plantingtheseed.info

Stay Blessed

Answer/Reply:

I began taking 0.5 mg of Xanax three times daily for extreme anxiety and panic disorder. It didn't stop them immediately, but soon. Generalized anxiety and panic disorder is a very real problem. In addition to the Xanax, I also sought counseling with an experienced anxiety counselor. After a few months, I got better and now, 5 years later, I haven't had another serious panic attack. I still have my Xanax and have continued to take it since I have had several severely stressful situations occur in my life during the 5 years. (4 deaths in my family, loss of job/income, medical problems). My doctor told me that when we wean me off the Xanax, it will be a very gradual process - reducing 1/2 tablet at a time (at night) for a month, then reduce by another 1/2 tablet for another month, etc. until I am weaned off. Even though our body develops a dependency, I feel much safer with the Xanax and have much less side effects than with the seratonin medications or some of the other drug families. Just know that your anxiety is a very real thing that you may need the Xanax for as well as other assistance to overcome, but it is definitely possible to overcome or manage it. There is always a 'root' to the anxiety. Finding the root is key to overcoming it. Also, I used an anxiety program (CD's) that helped me understand it and gave me encouragement. (Lucinda Basset - Attacking Anxiety)
Good luck - I wish you the best.

59 year old female

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I was on Xanax for over three years after the death of my husband. I used .5 mg nightly as a sleep aid. I found I would have a bommerang effect during the next day, as if the pendulum would swing to the opposite end after calming me for the night. I then took 1/2 a pill nightly then went to 1/2 pill every other night. I no longer take it at all and have not had any anxiety attacks during the day. I feel great! Hope you can master it-good luck.

64 year old female

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Hi xanax is very hard to get off, you cant go cold turkey , im on them but at a stronger dose .
1mg , i ended up to 8 to 10 a day now im around 5 x 1mg a day . there bad news ,
i have been on then for at least 12years. i ran out once and had all the systoms of what i thought was the flue, except panic attacks started to kick in ,

my doctor suggested lexapro it is used to reduce xanax, it takes about 5 weeks to kick in .
yes twice i have tryed with lexapro ,after first time it was 3 weeks nothing so i went off them
when seen by my doctor he asked why i went off then which i told him there not doing anything so why take more medication, he explained try again it can take 4 to 5 weeks , also some people cannot get off xanax they may reduce .i suggest dont get a stronger xanax and break your tablet in half.see how you go ,im trying to drag mine out as long as possible, it hard
take it easy relax regards geoff

Answer/Reply:

I also have had the indigestion/gas that can seem to either cause anxiety or stem from it, not sure which. I use gas-x. The thin strips work really well and fast. It helps to ease part of the anxiety. Talking with a friend or distracting yourself with something you love to do will help with regular anxiety attacks. As for the xanax, try taking the pills in smaller doses. Like break it into 4 pieces with a knife and take 3 of the 4 a day Until you are okay with that, Then cut down to 2 and so on until you are off completely. That's what I did with Zoloft. I take xanax every now and again. But seeing as how I had already battled zoloft I didn't take any chances on the xanax and only take a quarter of a pill when need be, and if it doesn't help shortly, I take another quarter pill. But I only use it as an absolute last resort. Hope this helps some. Good luck.

Question/Comment:

Try taking melatonin. It is available through on line vitamin companies.

Answer/Reply:

Melatonin will work for sleep, but you'll wake still feeling tierd.. I take xanax 2 or 3 times a week , to get a good, restfull nights sleep..It allows me to totally relax, and it works in 20-30 minutes after taking it..Also wake up MUCH more refreshed.....Could not take without going to sleep though, Dont recommend taking this and expecting to 'function'.. Wont work ....

Answer/Reply:

You can buy Melatonin at any Walmart on the Vitamin aisle, or any Drug Store. You may
be able to find it at some Grocery Stores and any Health Food Store carries it. But, I've
found that it is alot cheaper at Wal-Mart. What I started using it for was to help me sleep,
because I was always waking up at all hours and sometimes could not get back to sleep.
The melatonin has helped with that, I take 2 tablets every night and they are not addictive.
AW in Alabama

Question/Comment:

I wish I could mark on here when I only take drugs as needed. I don't take Xanax regularly, but have an active prescription I get filled whenever I'm out. I have terrible anxiety about visiting with doctors - the drug allows me to see a doctor without crying, having panic attacks or passing out. I find the worst of it is its hard for me to remember things, so I've learned to have my docs write everything down for it after each visit so I don't forget anything. I've never had a problem with addiction or any of the other side effects - probably because I only take a pill on average, once a month.

Answer/Reply:

To be effective you should be taking Xanax on a regular schedule as prescribed by the Dr. who gave it to you. It can help you but you must take it regularly to work for you. Also it sounds to me like you should be taking something for depression (also helpful for people with such anxiety as you have. Give it a try. Your Dr. should help you out on this problem. It can change your outlook on life and make you feel good. Good Luck. Be Happy.

Answer/Reply:

You need to take Xnax every day . It will help you. Follow your Dr.s orders. It is not going to make you a drug addict. Dr. can tell you that.
I have been taking it and it helps,believe me. I'm a 76 year old female with lots of health problems, and it helps me thru it all.

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I take Xnax every day. about .5 total. I don't think it is addictive. I am hyperactive and it helps me somewhat. I think its fine and do not feel I have to take it. At my age of 67, I think its fine.
I have not tried Melatonin, as I have had heart problems, so don't try too many other things than regular blood pressure med of Fosinopril and Coumadin.

Answer/Reply:

it is good but you must take it daily to be helpful. your dr. should have told you this.

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Hello,
I'm sorry that I read your comments on taking Xanax. I also take Xanax, because I have
anxiety attacks, and have horrible nerves. I seriously have to take a Xanax before I go to
Wal-Mart because it seems that someone has a SCREAMING kid in there every time that
I go, and I can hardly stand it. I want to go find the parent of this child and tell them to take
their child home because I and I'm sure a few other people in the store did not come here to
listen to that!! I have very little patience and it seems like the Xanax helps with that, also.
I have been taking this medication off and on since 1994, when my nerves had gotten so
bad, that I actually broke out in tiny blisters and thought that I was going to itch to death.
I actually went to the emergency room for this situation, which was the first time that I
was ever given Xanax. I think it is a wonderful drug. Even if I take it every day, once a day
for awhle, I have never had any kind of withdrawals or any other side effects of not taking it
everyday. I know that everyone is different, but I just wanted to let you know that there is
nothing wrong with taking a medication that seems to help you. I also take a Xanax before
going to the doctor and usually write anything down that I need to ask, just so that I dont
forget. I hope this helps you in some way, knowing that your not alone.
Best Wishes,
AW in Alabama