Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 3006

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

medicine question-when is it a long enough trial

Posted by Dona on February 16, 1999, at 13:04:48

I have been on 20mg of Celexa since 1/25. My depression in better most days, but I hardly feel totally balanced yet. How long does a person stay on a med to get full befefits. And I never feel like I get enough rest unless I take xanax or ambien. Are these drugs really wrong for everyday use, if they help? I am so tired of feeling "out of balance."

 

Re: medicine question-when is it a long enough trial

Posted by Elizabeth on February 16, 1999, at 14:18:03

In reply to medicine question-when is it a long enough trial, posted by Dona on February 16, 1999, at 13:04:48

> I have been on 20mg of Celexa since 1/25. My depression in better most days, but I hardly feel totally balanced yet. How long does a person stay on a med to get full befefits. And I never feel like I get enough rest unless I take xanax or ambien. Are these drugs really wrong for everyday use, if they help? I am so tired of feeling "out of balance."

I would say that is not a long enough trial, especially since 20mg is on the low end for Celexa. Six weeks seems to be enough time to determine that something is not working; if you're having a partial response at low dose (and it's still a little early to say for sure whether this is the best that 20mg will give you) and with no intolerable side effects, try to stick with it if you can.

My own experience has been that I don't develop a tolerance to Ambien, but you're also likely to hear from some people who say it stopped working for them after a while. Chronic insomnia is a nasty thing to have to deal with.

(Xanax is likely to stop helping you sleep if you take it too often.)

Was sleep a problem for you before you started the Celexa? It can be a side effect of some antidepressants, although it tends to get better after you've been taking the antidepressant for a while. It could also, of course, be part of your depression.

Good luck, eh?

 

Re: medicine question-when is it a long enough trial

Posted by bigbertha on February 17, 1999, at 5:31:45

In reply to Re: medicine question-when is it a long enough trial, posted by Elizabeth on February 16, 1999, at 14:18:03

I didn't get relief from either my depression
or ADD until my doc asked me to try "pushing"
the dose. It's weird but apparently these drugs act
differently at low doses (you may have anxiety,etc
as side effects) than at a higher dose. For me
that meant a "calming" effect. But you can't slam
the increase - you will need to work up slowly, so
it may take a couple of weeks.

 

how long does xanax show in urinel

Posted by Dona on February 18, 1999, at 19:03:32

In reply to medicine question-when is it a long enough trial, posted by Dona on February 16, 1999, at 13:04:48

I have been on about 1.5mgm of xanax for last three months for anxiety. I have a new job opportunity and worried about will it show in urine drug testing. Does anyone know if it will show at this dosage or if I stop it for a few days witll my urine be clear?? Thanks

 

Re: how long does xanax show in urinel

Posted by bigbertha on February 20, 1999, at 13:03:21

In reply to how long does xanax show in urinel, posted by Dona on February 18, 1999, at 19:03:32

> I have been on about 1.5mgm of xanax for last three months for anxiety. I have a new job opportunity and worried about will it show in urine drug testing. Does anyone know if it will show at this dosage or if I stop it for a few days witll my urine be clear?? Thanks

Of the benzos, Xanax has a short half-life: 10-20hrs.
Compare that with Valium: metabolites appear up to
200 hrs later! So it should clear your system if you can stay off
it for at least 2 days. However, I would speak with your
physician or pharmacist to confirm this and/or to explore
your rights during drug testing. Remember, this applies only
to URINE testing; if they request a hair sample (and this
type of testing has accuracy problems) it probably will be
there.

 

how long does xanax show in hair

Posted by Dr. Bob on February 21, 1999, at 12:24:47

In reply to Re: how long does xanax show in urinel, posted by bigbertha on February 20, 1999, at 13:03:21

> Remember, this applies only
> to URINE testing; if they request a hair sample (and this
> type of testing has accuracy problems) it probably will be
> there.

Unless you've shaved your head! :-)

Bob

 

Re: how long does xanax show in urinel

Posted by saintjames on February 21, 1999, at 17:55:49

In reply to how long does xanax show in urinel, posted by Dona on February 18, 1999, at 19:03:32

> I have been on about 1.5mgm of xanax for last three months for anxiety. I have a new job opportunity and worried about will it show in urine drug testing. Does anyone know if it will show at this dosage or if I stop it for a few days witll my urine be clear?? Thanks

If you have a legal perscription for Xanax this is a non issue, These tests are for illicit drugs not meds. All one needs is a letter from the perscribing doc; present at testing time.

Fat sol drug= 30 days, generally

 

Re: Drug testing and need to know

Posted by bigbertha on February 22, 1999, at 8:55:38

In reply to Re: how long does xanax show in urinel, posted by saintjames on February 21, 1999, at 17:55:49

> If you have a legal prescription for Xanax this is a non issue, These tests are for illicit drugs not meds. All one needs is a letter from the perscribing doc; present at testing time.
>
> Fat sol drug= 30 days, generally

If you present the evidence that you are legitimately taking
these medications, does this info ever get to the
potential employer? Or does the employer simply
get a report that you are "drug-free"? Thanks for all
your help!

 

Re: hair-less!!

Posted by bigbertha on February 23, 1999, at 9:07:02

In reply to how long does xanax show in hair, posted by Dr. Bob on February 21, 1999, at 12:24:47

> > Remember, this applies only
> > to URINE testing; if they request a hair sample (and this
> > type of testing has accuracy problems) it probably will be
> > there.
>
> Unless you've shaved your head! :-)
>
> Bob
Good point Br. B, but if you think I'm going
to look like Gov. Jesse Ventura...

 

Re: how long does xanax show in urinel

Posted by Elizabeth on February 25, 1999, at 18:45:58

In reply to Re: how long does xanax show in urinel, posted by bigbertha on February 20, 1999, at 13:03:21

A general recommendation I have heard is 6 half-lives. I think 2 days would probably be too short for Xanax.

I disagree with the claim that if the Xanax is legally prescribed, it's a "non-issue," James. It *should* be a non-issue, but people who take medications for anxiety are discriminated against; IMHO it is none of the prospective employer's business.


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