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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 fayth on December 26, 2003, at 21:01:02
Three years ago I went to Cabrini mental health clinic durring a rough time I was having in my life. I have always had a terrible fear of medications and never really wanted to be on an anti depressant... since I was so afraid they put me on a mg and a half of xanax so that i wouldnt panic on meds.. they left me on it for 3 years.. I never went over my doseage.. but they never told me all the bad things about it.. never couseled me and never attempted to ween me.. they assured me everything i was on was compleately safe.. now I am trying to ween off this stuff.. cant find one kind docter to just help me cope with side effects.. friends and family dont understand.. I lost everything.. all savings, family friends who cant understand why i just cant be strapped to a bed in Bellview for a few days and be fine.. I have called everywhere looking a nice doc... cant find anyone..
I get alot of flu aches.. docs dont think that exists.. also lately have been deeply depressed and wonder if this is a side effect as well... right now I am down to 2 .25mgs per day.. the psych I have at a clinic does not allow me to call her in between one month apart sessions to ask questions unless its a medical emergency.. so I am lost and out there on my own.. if I dont get my life back soon I dont know what I am going to do. The whole thing is like one big joke.. has anyone been thru this and can give me some clues??? PLEASE..
Posted by ian24 on December 26, 2003, at 23:39:19
In reply to Totally lost and losing hope, posted by fayth on December 26, 2003, at 21:01:02
Hi,I was on Zanax for 2 years at 1.5 to 2 mgs a day. I came off it but it was over a NINE month period. I would cut 1/8 to 1/4 and stay at that or 2 to 3 weeks then I'd feel ok and then cut 1/8th of a pill again. Anyway I'm sorry you are having a hard time. You need to find a good therapist and a good Dr. You also should consider that maybe you do need some kind of med for depresion or whatever your condition is besides zanax I don't know. Find a good caring therapists and sone friends who understand too. I went to lots of aa meetings and jogged when I came off zanax. You will be ok
Posted by fayth on December 26, 2003, at 23:46:22
In reply to Re: Totally lost and losing hope, posted by ian24 on December 26, 2003, at 23:39:19
Thank you... I am just experiencing some unusually intense depression and I dont know why.. I am on an anti depressant for hypersomnia but it dosnt help me much emotionally..its really not like me to be this down. Thats why I was wondering if its a side effect...
Posted by ian24 on December 26, 2003, at 23:59:43
In reply to Re: Totally lost and losing hope, posted by fayth on December 26, 2003, at 23:46:22
I know that anxiety coming back is a side affect of coming off zanax and I wouldn't be surprised if depression were not also since , for me anyway, anxiety leads to isoaltion and depression. Maybe others here can add input here as well?
Posted by Siraris on December 27, 2003, at 4:06:53
In reply to Totally lost and losing hope, posted by fayth on December 26, 2003, at 21:01:02
If you have panic disorder, panic is a side effect because you have panic disorder. If you are someone who can deal with the panic, and it will go away, you can get off the medication, as the symptoms will most likely not be there (no one really knows until they try though). If there are things you are still anxious about and panicy about you should see a therapist/cognitive behavorist before you try getting off your meds.
If you want to get off your meds, especially a drug like Xanax, you will have side effects no matter what, this will happen with any medication. You have to realize that there are side effects for almost everything, and all the doctors were trying to do was help you. I know it feels easy to blame them for not telling you, but they were thinking of helping you at that point in your life, and then deal with the rest down the road.
I would suggest you talk to a qualfied therapist before you go on. Someone you can trust. If they say "Oh just stop taking it and you'll be fine or "Just drop a miligram this week and the rest next week", MOVE ON.
And don't give up hope, you'll be fine :).
Posted by Viridis on December 27, 2003, at 5:03:36
In reply to Totally lost and losing hope, posted by fayth on December 26, 2003, at 21:01:02
It's really hard to tell how much of the anxiety that people experience when discontinuing a benzo is "withdrawal", and how much is just a return to pre-benzo anxiety levels.
I have no doubt that withdrawal occurs with sudden benzo discontinuation (in fact, stopping abruptly can be dangerous), but I really suspect that a large component of "withdrawal' for many people is just a return to an unacceptable state of anxiety that we forgot existed while on the benzos. And yes, in my experience, anxiety can be a major cause of depression.
Posted by Guy on December 28, 2003, at 19:02:11
In reply to Totally lost and losing hope, posted by fayth on December 26, 2003, at 21:01:02
Two months ago I was in your shoes. Now I am feeling fine thanks to 10 mg of Zyprexa per day. My shrink said I wouldn't have a life until I found the right med...he was right. I've given up on hopes of living med-free because my underlying problems are so great. The main side-effect for most is weight gain...I have not experienced this but that doesn't mean you won't.
This is the end of the thread.
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