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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by eve70 on July 18, 2007, at 13:05:12
Hi,
I'm going to reduce my daily dosage of benzo that i use for insomnia. I think that the benzo that i use (a long-half-life derivate of valium) put me in a subtile sedative/depressive condition.
I've have read sometimes in this board that Xanax could help in lifting mood and could give more energy during the day.
But i am not sure how an anxiolytic Benzo (as X) could give these positive effects.
Do you have any exp or opinion to share?
Thanx very much in advance!
eve.
Posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2007, at 13:40:31
In reply to XANAX could bright mood and give more energy?, posted by eve70 on July 18, 2007, at 13:05:12
Supposedly xanax is a slight antidepressant. Love Phillipa
Posted by spriggy on July 18, 2007, at 18:20:36
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » eve70, posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2007, at 13:40:31
I know I have read somewhere that xanex hits seratonin slightly; so I guess in some folks, it could give you energy.
I used to take it for panic attacks and it knocked me out cold. Probably the best sleep I've had was after taking it.
Oh, and about the benzo's causing depression; I was on Ativan for almost a year. My doctor actually prescribed for sleep due to fibromyalgia pain.
Anyway, when I found out I was pregnant ( 4 months ago), I stopped taking it ( which wasn't easy, it was a nightmare in fact) BUT now that it's cleared my system.. I told my husband that I think the "brain fog" I had daily was possibly from the Ativan I took the night before.It kind of felt like a hang over ( I remember those from the good ole' teenage years).
So, you may really notice a difference; I hope so.
Posted by cactus on July 18, 2007, at 21:07:32
In reply to XANAX could bright mood and give more energy?, posted by eve70 on July 18, 2007, at 13:05:12
I found xanax had a positive effect on my mood, but I wouldn't say it was energizing. It helped me leave the house and go about my daily business but then it's short half life made me need more in a very short period of time. It's the only benzo I have ever had a problem with, as in I became very addicted to it and I had a terrible time coming off it. BUT it does help with mood elevation, with sedation at the same time. I crashed after each dose very quickly needing more, but everyone is different. I prefer sticking to long acting benzo's, valium has been a life saver for me and I don't need to raise my dose. Good luck
Posted by Abby Cunningham on July 19, 2007, at 9:37:47
In reply to XANAX could bright mood and give more energy?, posted by eve70 on July 18, 2007, at 13:05:12
I have taken xanax for over 20 years, and I have not become tolerant to its effects as an anxiolytic and I also get a slight lift in mood from it, as in when I am due for my next dose, I can tell I feel sort of down sometimes!
I also seem to metabolize it more slowly than others here; I go from 7am until at least 2-3pm between doses, then a bedtime dose. It has worked perfectly for me, and I love it's effects. I do not, however, like tapering as the withdrawals are unpleasant. I did taper down and still it works for me! I will probably be on it the rest of my life, but I don't care because I have not reached tolerance w/d in all these years, and even if I go up in dose, it will be around 2.5mg. or so. Just my experience.
Oh, as far as more energy, I would say "no". Don't see how a benzo can give energy?
Abby
Posted by confuzyq on July 19, 2007, at 11:14:28
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » eve70, posted by Abby Cunningham on July 19, 2007, at 9:37:47
I have found that for me, either xanax or valium will help for "public" situations when I'm feeling anxious. But that I'm "safer" taking xanax when I need something while at home, but am afraid that if I take something I'll lose my motivation and energy to get anything done. I work at home, so am in the precarious situation to where I could give up and do nothing.
On the other hand, I take such minute amounts (usually 1/4 to 1/2 of either .5 MG xanax or a 10 MG valium), and at that relatively infrequently, so I'm not entirely sure my "tests" have been valid. I purposely don't take it as often as I really could benefit from it. But if I worked outside the home again, I think I'd need to take something much more often. And as long as I didn't have the option of giving up, I'm not sure it would matter which benzo it was. (Although probably not klonopin, as I did seem to feel more depressed with that one.)
I do feel that xanax preserves my energy more, but it could be psychological, from reading so often that many feel it has AD & even "energizing" effects.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on July 19, 2007, at 21:59:09
In reply to XANAX could bright mood and give more energy?, posted by eve70 on July 18, 2007, at 13:05:12
For me, xanax just takes the energy that was making me nervous and turns it into productive energy. If I'm tired and am having insomnia because my mind is racing, it doesn't "give" me energy. However it won't sedate me if I'm not already tired. I love xanax, but doctors are afraid of it. My pdoc has tried me on Ativan, but it just makes me sluggish and sometimes I'm still anxious. I take .25 mg of xanax, sometimes twice a day. I don't think that's enough to be a problem, but you know how it is with the benzo propoganda. :-\ Hopefully I can continue to convince my doctors that I am using xanax responsibly.
Ok sorry, I got off track there. Xanax can brighten my mood, but I rarely have taken it because I'm depressed. I haven't had to use it for that since I got on Lamictal.
Hope that feedback works for ya.
-Bonnie
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 27, 2007, at 18:43:52
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » eve70, posted by Abby Cunningham on July 19, 2007, at 9:37:47
> I have taken xanax for over 20 years, and I have not become tolerant to its effects as an anxiolytic and I also get a slight lift in mood from it, as in when I am due for my next dose, I can tell I feel sort of down sometimes!
>
> I also seem to metabolize it more slowly than others here; I go from 7am until at least 2-3pm between doses, then a bedtime dose. It has worked perfectly for me, and I love it's effects. I do not, however, like tapering as the withdrawals are unpleasant. I did taper down and still it works for me! I will probably be on it the rest of my life, but I don't care because I have not reached tolerance w/d in all these years, and even if I go up in dose, it will be around 2.5mg. or so. Just my experience.
>
> Oh, as far as more energy, I would say "no". Don't see how a benzo can give energy?
>
> AbbyMy pdoc wants me to take Xanax as other AD's don't work for me. How much do you take and how often each day? Does it make you feel very tired and if so, does the sedation pass?
Thanks so much, Karen
Posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2007, at 21:16:53
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy?, posted by KarenRB53 on August 27, 2007, at 18:43:52
I do know the dose let's just say it's under 2mg. And the best of luck to you. Yes I've also taken xanax never more than 2mg split up throughout the day. I do think it has some antidepressant effect. Oh also request greenstone generic if can't afford namebrand it is definitely better made by the same company as the real xanax. Phillipa
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 28, 2007, at 8:55:08
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » KarenRB53, posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2007, at 21:16:53
> I do know the dose let's just say it's under 2mg. And the best of luck to you. Yes I've also taken xanax never more than 2mg split up throughout the day. I do think it has some antidepressant effect. Oh also request greenstone generic if can't afford namebrand it is definitely better made by the same company as the real xanax. Phillipa
I'm a bit concerned its going to take away my motivation (the little bit I do have). Does it do that? Also, how long before the sedative effect wears off?
Thanks, Karen
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2007, at 20:16:42
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » Phillipa, posted by KarenRB53 on August 28, 2007, at 8:55:08
Didn't sedate me at all. I just felt normal. Play with the dose. Phillipa
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 28, 2007, at 21:01:57
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » KarenRB53, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2007, at 20:16:42
> Didn't sedate me at all. I just felt normal. Play with the dose. Phillipa
Could you please tell me what dosage you started on and how often you upped your dose if indeed you needed to? My pdoc wants me to take 2mg, 4times daily. I'd be in a coma!!! Even taking 1mg makes my speech very slow and I have trouble walking.
Thanks, Karen
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2007, at 22:00:26
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » Phillipa, posted by KarenRB53 on August 28, 2007, at 21:01:57
I must have a high tolerance to xanax. But there was a time I took .l25 at night for sleep. Mostly .5 four times a day. Now why don't you try a little dose in the morning and a small one afternoon if you need it. And a larger one at bedtime if you have trouble sleeping. I know a poster who only requires it twice a day. I never got high, never had withdrawal as I was always told by pdocs a benzo is a benzo . I found this to not be true. But xanax probably worked the best. I think docs avoid it more so you or others will take a longer acting benzo and won't think about when the next dose is due. Phillipa
Posted by curiousfish on August 29, 2007, at 3:17:08
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » KarenRB53, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2007, at 22:00:26
i thought xanax was mostly used as a PRN agent for acute anxiety. I've used it now and then. It was good when i used to get panic attacks which gave me suicidal impulses. The last few times ive used it, I have gotten icky groggy. I had a 'hangover' from it one morning. the most i ever took was .5mg. I usually break it in half. I think klonopin is used for daily use as it has a longer half life.
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 29, 2007, at 8:55:28
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy? » eve70, posted by Bonnie_CA on July 19, 2007, at 21:59:09
> For me, xanax just takes the energy that was making me nervous and turns it into productive energy. If I'm tired and am having insomnia because my mind is racing, it doesn't "give" me energy. However it won't sedate me if I'm not already tired. I love xanax, but doctors are afraid of it. My pdoc has tried me on Ativan, but it just makes me sluggish and sometimes I'm still anxious. I take .25 mg of xanax, sometimes twice a day. I don't think that's enough to be a problem, but you know how it is with the benzo propoganda. :-\ Hopefully I can continue to convince my doctors that I am using xanax responsibly.
>
> Ok sorry, I got off track there. Xanax can brighten my mood, but I rarely have taken it because I'm depressed. I haven't had to use it for that since I got on Lamictal.
>
> Hope that feedback works for ya.
>
> -BonnieAre you taking Lamictal with the Xanax? I think thats my problem, my pdoc seems to want to treat my agitation as panic attacks and thats not whats happening. I'm depressed and because of that I get anxious and especially Prozac which causes such inner agitation so he wants to treat the anxiety and thinks that will treat the depression. Maybe I'm wrong but does that seem right? I agree maybe I need a benzo PRN but as it is with Xanax, I'm walking around bumping into things and my speech is slow and thats on 0.5mg. When I take 1mg it puts me right out. I'm confused. Thanks for your help.
Karen
Posted by Greif on August 30, 2007, at 9:13:42
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy?, posted by curiousfish on August 29, 2007, at 3:17:08
i thought xanax was mostly used as a PRN agent for acute anxiety.>>> Exactly what it is intended for. If you take it for more tahn 14 days you become physicaly dependant on it. Discontinued use may result in seizures. Tolerance develops very rapidly and within a year you need 3 mg just to feel normal. I tapered off 3 mg years ago and it took months and was hell. You can talk to your doctor. Psych detoxs for benzos are bedlam. There is no way to treat the w/d except time. Some experience protacted withdrawl syndrome for 18 months after slow cessasion. I have too many friends who have become dependent on benzos and they destroyed their lives. Stevie Nicks the singer was addicted to Klonopin for years and has written about the horrible experience. Take PRN with extreme caution.
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2007, at 20:02:33
In reply to Re: XANAX could bright mood and give more energy?, posted by Greif on August 30, 2007, at 9:13:42
I guess some people just have different constitutions as I just gave up lunesta and xanax at the same time. Still on valium going down on that too. When anxiety controlled just don't need it. No withdrawal ever for me in the almost 40 years been on them down to .125 of xanax at one time. Life circumstances dictate my use and coping skills. Phillipa
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