Posted by Daveman on January 29, 2001, at 14:31:13
In reply to Re: Xanax tolerance » Daveman, posted by JaneST on January 28, 2001, at 18:00:24
> D.~
>
> Of course everyone is different...but my experience was that Xanax, though helpful for panic/anxiety/etc., was extremely addictive. It seems the therapeutic effect only lasted up to a few months or so and then the dose would have to be upped.
>
> After a few years, I found myself telling doctors how much I was prescribed and they would look at me in disbelief...no one should be walking around at those levels. And let me tell you...weaning off the stuff was not a pretty picture...even though it was done over a long period of time...I never want to go through that again!
>
> Now I'm taking Lorazepam (Ativan) and have successfully remained on the same dosage for 2 years...so my advice is to tread lightly here...and I'm rooting for the Paxil.
>
> Best of Luck...
> JaneHi Jane:
Your post has confirmed my worst fears about Xanax. But Ativan is a benzo also and there are other posts just as frightening about it. How high a dose of Xanax were you on before you began your taper? Have the docs explained why you had tolerance to one benzo but not another? I sure don't want to get trapped in an escalating cycle of dependency and addiction, but my current level of anxiety is completlely disabling. To say I am terrified of what seem like no good choices (unless the Paxil works, of which there is no sign yet)would be an understatement in the extreme.
D
poster:Daveman
thread:52590
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52888.html