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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jane on June 1, 1999, at 10:00:12
Why would most docs say xanax is not good for long term use and mine say I should take it for the rest of my life for cyclothymia?
Posted by Sean on June 1, 1999, at 15:19:26
In reply to Xanax, posted by Jane on June 1, 1999, at 10:00:12
> Why would most docs say xanax is not good for long term use and mine say I should take it for the rest of my life for cyclothymia?
Is your doc a psychiatrist?
Xanax does exert some mood-related effects, but
all the literature I've seen about cyclothymia
suggests it should be treated as a form of bipolar
disorder but with lower doses of lithium or one
of the other mood stabilizers...
Posted by Kate on June 3, 1999, at 20:04:19
In reply to Xanax, posted by Jane on June 1, 1999, at 10:00:12
> Why would most docs say xanax is not good for long term use and mine say I should take it for the rest of my life for cyclothymia?
It's adddictive, similar makeup to valium with a slightly anti-depressive affect. The side-effect of extended use of this drug for anxiety is anxiety. You will begin to feel like you need it and it can be quite insidious; starts messing with your head a bit.
Posted by robert on June 10, 1999, at 6:10:05
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by Kate on June 3, 1999, at 20:04:19
> > Why would most docs say xanax is not good for long term use and mine say I should take it for the rest of my life for cyclothymia?
>
> It's adddictive, similar makeup to valium with a slightly anti-depressive affect. The side-effect of extended use of this drug for anxiety is anxiety. You will begin to feel like you need it and it can be quite insidious; starts messing with your head a bit.it is an extremly powerful drug and can eliminate anxiety like no other drug ive tried but i think long term use is not good because you can get a rush like feeling i,e, no anxiety, so when its time to stop taking the drug the anxiety rushes back and this was a major problem for me
i didnt want to stop taking the drug, the same holds true for depreshion, you go off and you get so depressed you want to commit suicide. short term use for panic attacks. like one shot just to stop the panic attack. the best way to deal with panic attacks is through cognitive therapy.
Posted by MikeLoan on June 17, 1999, at 20:50:46
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by robert on June 10, 1999, at 6:10:05
> > > Why would most docs say xanax is not good for long term use and mine say I should take it for the rest of my life for cyclothymia?
> >
> > It's adddictive, similar makeup to valium with a slightly anti-depressive affect. The side-effect of extended use of this drug for anxiety is anxiety. You will begin to feel like you need it and it can be quite insidious; starts messing with your head a bit.
>
> it is an extremly powerful drug and can eliminate anxiety like no other drug ive tried but i think long term use is not good because you can get a rush like feeling i,e, no anxiety, so when its time to stop taking the drug the anxiety rushes back and this was a major problem for me
> i didnt want to stop taking the drug, the same holds true for depreshion, you go off and you get so depressed you want to commit suicide. short term use for panic attacks. like one shot just to stop the panic attack. the best way to deal with panic attacks is through cognitive therapy.
In the early 80's I took 8MGs of Xanax per day. It was very effective - it eliminated my anxiety. However, after two years at 8MG I decided that I did not like the sensation of feeling oversedated. So, I slowly tapered off with no side effects. My anxiety certainly returned but it was no worse than before I started Xanax.I found that, for me, anything less than 8mgs of Xanax is ineffective. My current doctor "hates" benzos and will only prescribe small amounts of Klonopin. (i.e. 1 to 3 mgs per day)which is useless for my anxiety.
I don't understand all the "hand-wringing" over benzodiazepines. Most of the anti-depressants that I have tried had more severe side effects and and caused more problems than any benzo that I used in the past. Even at 8mgs of Xanax I was more alert and functional than when I took Effexor which turned me into a zombie. But my shrink continues to shove these new, "improved" anti-depressants down my throat because she is so concerned about benzo dependency and alleged mental impairment. I certainly had more "mental impairment" on anti-depressants than on any benzodiazepine.
Posted by Deb on June 26, 1999, at 15:21:11
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by MikeLoan on June 17, 1999, at 20:50:46
> > > > Why would most docs say xanax is not good for long term use and mine say I should take it for the rest of my life for cyclothymia?
> > >
> > > It's adddictive, similar makeup to valium with a slightly anti-depressive affect. The side-effect of extended use of this drug for anxiety is anxiety. You will begin to feel like you need it and it can be quite insidious; starts messing with your head a bit.
> >
> > it is an extremly powerful drug and can eliminate anxiety like no other drug ive tried but i think long term use is not good because you can get a rush like feeling i,e, no anxiety, so when its time to stop taking the drug the anxiety rushes back and this was a major problem for me
> > i didnt want to stop taking the drug, the same holds true for depreshion, you go off and you get so depressed you want to commit suicide. short term use for panic attacks. like one shot just to stop the panic attack. the best way to deal with panic attacks is through cognitive therapy.
>
>
> In the early 80's I took 8MGs of Xanax per day. It was very effective - it eliminated my anxiety. However, after two years at 8MG I decided that I did not like the sensation of feeling oversedated. So, I slowly tapered off with no side effects. My anxiety certainly returned but it was no worse than before I started Xanax.
>
> I found that, for me, anything less than 8mgs of Xanax is ineffective. My current doctor "hates" benzos and will only prescribe small amounts of Klonopin. (i.e. 1 to 3 mgs per day)which is useless for my anxiety.
>
> I don't understand all the "hand-wringing" over benzodiazepines. Most of the anti-depressants that I have tried had more severe side effects and and caused more problems than any benzo that I used in the past. Even at 8mgs of Xanax I was more alert and functional than when I took Effexor which turned me into a zombie. But my shrink continues to shove these new, "improved" anti-depressants down my throat because she is so concerned about benzo dependency and alleged mental impairment. I certainly had more "mental impairment" on anti-depressants than on any benzodiazepine.I have been on Xanax since 1987 for panic attacks and anxiety. My psychiatrists prescribes it, as my gp seems to have some problems with this kind of long-term use. I don't know why so many docs are afraid of the benzo's. I look at Xanax as something I have to have to function, just like a diabetic needs insulin. My dosage started out at 8mg/day at now I am leveled off on 1mg. three times a day. If I have a pa, I take an extra tablet. I don't have any sedation, rush, or any other side effects that I can tell. My psychiatris monitors me carefully and writes my scrips for one month at a time, when I go in for my therapy. I've tried several of the alternative meds, with horrible side effects, so I am happy right where I am. I know my body and I listen to what it tells me. Maybe in the future this won't be the case, but for now, Xanax is the drug for me. No, I'm not a walking ad for the drug, everyone has to find what's right for them. Through therapy and experimentation that's what I've done. Hope it continues to work.
Posted by spydie on March 26, 2001, at 17:45:33
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by MikeLoan on June 17, 1999, at 20:50:46
I just wanna know how many mgs it takes to get the job of life over with
thank you for I hope your quick response> > > > Why would most docs say xanax is not good for long term use and mine say I should take it for the rest of my life for cyclothymia?
> > >
> > > It's adddictive, similar makeup to valium with a slightly anti-depressive affect. The side-effect of extended use of this drug for anxiety is anxiety. You will begin to feel like you need it and it can be quite insidious; starts messing with your head a bit.
> >
> > it is an extremly powerful drug and can eliminate anxiety like no other drug ive tried but i think long term use is not good because you can get a rush like feeling i,e, no anxiety, so when its time to stop taking the drug the anxiety rushes back and this was a major problem for me
> > i didnt want to stop taking the drug, the same holds true for depreshion, you go off and you get so depressed you want to commit suicide. short term use for panic attacks. like one shot just to stop the panic attack. the best way to deal with panic attacks is through cognitive therapy.
>
>
> In the early 80's I took 8MGs of Xanax per day. It was very effective - it eliminated my anxiety. However, after two years at 8MG I decided that I did not like the sensation of feeling oversedated. So, I slowly tapered off with no side effects. My anxiety certainly returned but it was no worse than before I started Xanax.
>
> I found that, for me, anything less than 8mgs of Xanax is ineffective. My current doctor "hates" benzos and will only prescribe small amounts of Klonopin. (i.e. 1 to 3 mgs per day)which is useless for my anxiety.
>
> I don't understand all the "hand-wringing" over benzodiazepines. Most of the anti-depressants that I have tried had more severe side effects and and caused more problems than any benzo that I used in the past. Even at 8mgs of Xanax I was more alert and functional than when I took Effexor which turned me into a zombie. But my shrink continues to shove these new, "improved" anti-depressants down my throat because she is so concerned about benzo dependency and alleged mental impairment. I certainly had more "mental impairment" on anti-depressants than on any benzodiazepine.
This is the end of the thread.
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