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Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » Honore

Posted by jealibeanz on March 24, 2007, at 13:36:20

In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by Honore on March 24, 2007, at 12:39:29

Thanks for the article. It definitely makes me think a little about my situation.

I don't deny that I "like" the feeling of Xanax. It does provide anxiety relief, which I'm in need of with my GAD. I don't feel euphoric. Not at all. Just brings me to what I consider normal and gives me some help, which allows me to live a higher quality life.

I didn't start taking it for panic, it's for constent GAD, so I've always taken it 3-4 times a day. I never had that "more, more, more" feeling, because I was used to taking it every few hours and always stuck to taking it as prescribed. I agree that it is good for a situation with very high anxiety and you want fairly immediate relief. So it helps, but I see where the worry about that agument for a learned helplessness comes in.

From the article, it seems that the only benefit from Xanax XR, rather than Xanax IR, is that you get away from feeling like you "need" the medication when anxiety sets is. Ideally, you'd take the XR in the AM and be covered for the day.

I don't think there would be any benefit from the XR in terms of GABA production by the brain, but I'm not sure.

So, I'm stuck with the dilemma that so many benzo users have to face. Do you take a medication that relieves anxiety, with the risk that you will have a difficult time discontinuing the med? Or do you live a crippled life with anxiety?

It's a tough decision. It's not completely mine, obviously, since I'm not the one with the DEA license and prescription pad.

I'd have anxiety if I never took the medication. I'd have anxiety if I took it and then went off. This isn't something that I think will go away.

Too bad nobody thinks of SSRI's in this same fashion. It's not looked down upon in the medical world for someone to stay on an SSRI indefinitely for GAD, since stopping the med would mean that anxiety would return. SSRI's can cause the brain to produce fewer neurotransmitters after extended use, just like benzo's.

I don't know what to think or do right now. Feel bad about taking medication? Suck it up and keep taking one that doesn't help me? Ask for regular Xanax? Be "strong" and go med-free?

I've got to say, this isn't a fun disorder. Most other medical conditions are just treated. You don't question it. Just treat it properly to relieve symptoms or to help rid of pathology. Anxiety meds only treat symptoms, so I suppose this is why they are looked upon as the easy way out.

I don't mean for this post to be negative. Just me thinking out loud and being torn between options.


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