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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Temmie on April 19, 2003, at 18:39:49
Hello friends. In addition to recent post(s) about sleep problems, I’m writing in search of info/feedback related to rekindling a dependency on Xanax. As noted elsewhere, I have chronic depression with PTSD. I believe my MD said “major depressive disorder,” but in any case, this is accompanied by anxiety. In the early 90s I had an Rx for Xanax on an as-need basis, but when I moved to a different state, I was not able to get this Rx renewed. The MD in the new state referred me to a treatment facility for detox. Silly me. I thought – with daily therapy, regular visits to the pool, walks in the woods, etc., the experience would be akin to a Golden Door sort of retreat. Of course it was much uglier than this. Despite encouragement to regard myself as an addict, I never took the Rx to get high, or other than prescribed. Which leads to questions today ....
In the last couple of months I’ve been given a new Rx for Xanax on an “as-need” basis. I’ve limited this to 1-3 daily, and on many days, did not use it at all. But then ... this new relationship I'm in got a bit tumultuous, and I also used Xanax to help with sleep problems. For three or four days or more, I was probably (didn't keep track) using six or more daily. Now, having gone without any Xanax at all for a couple of days, I’m feeling a bit jangley. :-( The membrane in my mouth feels thin, and I have that metallic sort of taste of blood in my mouth. I am also – struggling with feeling – normal, calm, and “in my skin.” Believe me, I’d feel better with a pill (.25, by the way), but I’m fighting against the need ....
My doc said I’d be okay with Xanax so long as I didn’t use it for a week or more. (Why didn’t she say that at the outset?) I wonder what I should do .... I am hanging in there – jangled feelings and all – and using Seroquel for sleep. Ack. I hate to bring this up to my MD because I’m afraid of the Rx being yanked, and Xanax is so helpful when interviewing ... dealing with presentations, etc., at work.
How does one know when enough is too much?
Posted by Snoozy on April 19, 2003, at 19:18:59
In reply to Rekindling dependency to Xanax?, posted by Temmie on April 19, 2003, at 18:39:49
> Hello friends. In addition to recent post(s) about sleep problems, I’m writing in search of info/feedback related to rekindling a dependency on Xanax. As noted elsewhere, I have chronic depression with PTSD. I believe my MD said “major depressive disorder,” but in any case, this is accompanied by anxiety. In the early 90s I had an Rx for Xanax on an as-need basis, but when I moved to a different state, I was not able to get this Rx renewed. The MD in the new state referred me to a treatment facility for detox. Silly me. I thought – with daily therapy, regular visits to the pool, walks in the woods, etc., the experience would be akin to a Golden Door sort of retreat. Of course it was much uglier than this. Despite encouragement to regard myself as an addict, I never took the Rx to get high, or other than prescribed. Which leads to questions today ....
>
> In the last couple of months I’ve been given a new Rx for Xanax on an “as-need” basis. I’ve limited this to 1-3 daily, and on many days, did not use it at all. But then ... this new relationship I'm in got a bit tumultuous, and I also used Xanax to help with sleep problems. For three or four days or more, I was probably (didn't keep track) using six or more daily. Now, having gone without any Xanax at all for a couple of days, I’m feeling a bit jangley. :-( The membrane in my mouth feels thin, and I have that metallic sort of taste of blood in my mouth. I am also – struggling with feeling – normal, calm, and “in my skin.” Believe me, I’d feel better with a pill (.25, by the way), but I’m fighting against the need ....
>
> My doc said I’d be okay with Xanax so long as I didn’t use it for a week or more. (Why didn’t she say that at the outset?) I wonder what I should do .... I am hanging in there – jangled feelings and all – and using Seroquel for sleep. Ack. I hate to bring this up to my MD because I’m afraid of the Rx being yanked, and Xanax is so helpful when interviewing ... dealing with presentations, etc., at work.
>
> How does one know when enough is too much?
>
>I've seen others write it here, but I'll say it too. There is a difference between being addicted to Xanax vs. being physically dependent. If you're calling in fake Xanax prescriptions, that would probably be an addiction. But when you take Xanax long-term, your body does become dependent on it, in that if you stopped taking it suddenly you would feel pretty awful. I think that's true for everyone who takes it long-term. If you're pretty much staying within the guidelines of what your dr prescribed, I don't think that would be addiction.
If you've been taking it for a while, you really want to taper and not go cold turkey. (I cut my daily dose in half and I did it incredibly gradually and was ok).
Is it the same dr who referred you to detox that you are currently seeing? And is your rx for .25mg tabs?
*This is totally my opinion*If you've been taking it for a while, you might want to take a small amount now and then continue with a withdrawl schedule.
I know it's a nasty thing to go through. Good luck.
Posted by jenh on April 19, 2003, at 22:57:25
In reply to Rekindling dependency to Xanax?, posted by Temmie on April 19, 2003, at 18:39:49
I used to take .5 Xanax as needed for panic. Like you, I don't feel that I overused it & was nervous when my pdoc suggested switching to Klonopin 2x daily. I did it and I'm really glad. The Klonopin keeps me from getting all panicky in the 1st place. And for me, I felt like I had more control as opposed to taking a Xanax at the onset of my panic & counting down the 15 minutes before it would work. I take .5 mg Klonopin 2x a day. I've take a 3rd when needed, but it's only been a handful of times in the last 5 yrs.
I hope this helps you
jenh
Posted by lady fever on April 20, 2003, at 16:18:53
In reply to Re: Rekindling dependency to Xanax?, posted by jenh on April 19, 2003, at 22:57:25
Such a small dose! I take 8 times that sometimes at once.
I've read 2 mg a day is a small dose
4 mg a day is a medium dose
6 mg or above a day is a large doseGood luck. I have had similar side effects from withdrawal, but on 2-4 mg, rarely skipping a dose, for half a decade. I noticed withdrawals after about 6 months. Before that, I could skip. I started on a low dose too.
This is the end of the thread.
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