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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 raisinb on February 4, 2009, at 20:21:42
I should know better than to google my meds ;)
My pdoc prescribed me 1 mg of Xanax for sleep. Now that I've been reading stuff on the internet I'm a little freaked about long-term cognitive effects and addiction/withdrawal. I'm assuming I'm going to need this med for awhile--at least a couple of months. I asked my pdoc if I should be worried about addiction, but she said if we tapered me off of it things would be fine.
What's your opinion, babble experts? Is it really that dangerous to take Xanax at night for a period of a few months or more? Has it had adverse effects for anyone?
Posted by myco on February 4, 2009, at 20:58:12
In reply to questions about xanax, posted by raisinb on February 4, 2009, at 20:21:42
> I should know better than to google my meds ;)
>
> My pdoc prescribed me 1 mg of Xanax for sleep. Now that I've been reading stuff on the internet I'm a little freaked about long-term cognitive effects and addiction/withdrawal. I'm assuming I'm going to need this med for awhile--at least a couple of months. I asked my pdoc if I should be worried about addiction, but she said if we tapered me off of it things would be fine.
>
> What's your opinion, babble experts? Is it really that dangerous to take Xanax at night for a period of a few months or more? Has it had adverse effects for anyone?
Hi,
Don't worry to much about it. This is a very low dose and benzo's are not scary beasts to avoid as some drs and many online opinions will have you believe. There are many people on here who take much more and have taken for a long time. A nice slow taper off, especially from a low dose like yours, will minimize any withdrawal symptoms you might encounter. There is withdrawal with all psych meds ive taken to some degree...my xanax and klonopin uses were nothing different. You may encounter cognitive "dulling" to some extent but if it effects you badly you can change benzos...there are many and each is unique in its own way. You might be better off with a "pseudo-benzo" sleep aid like zopiclone...these work the same way as benzos and its pretty much just a new effort to remarket benzos with a different "label". I dont remember if you said you took ambien or lunesta etc....well guess what they work the same way and if you have taken them....youve already taken a benzo like xanax :-) so dont worry.myco
Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2009, at 0:36:23
In reply to questions about xanax, posted by raisinb on February 4, 2009, at 20:21:42
raisinb have taken benzos for over 37 years and for me xanax never had a problem going off and have gone first from valium to ativan to xanax tried klonopin and it made me depressed. xanax has a slight antidepressant effect. I used to take 2 mg a day divided over the day. Now just take .5xanax and 15mg of valium at nighttime. Sometimes I think could just skip but then at my age seizures could be a problem after all these years. The benzos are the only meds I have no fear of as I've read horrible things about withdrawal from ad's. Now this is just my opinion. May be a bit tired for a while so you could start at lower dose and see if that works. Love Phillipa
Posted by raisinb on February 5, 2009, at 7:56:12
In reply to Re: questions about xanax » raisinb, posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2009, at 0:36:23
Thanks, guys. It sure is working like a charm for sleep right now.
This is the end of the thread.
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