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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jealibeanz on September 8, 2006, at 21:02:51
What would be a typical therapuetic range for someone with GAD? I started with .25mg t.i.d. Then raised it to .5mg t.i.d. I want to ask about increasing again? Would this be on the high side of normal? I'm also beginning to experience mild prolonged panic symptoms (severe muscle tension, difficulty breathing, tight chest, lightheaded). I think that would put me in a different category, neccessitating a higher dose.
Posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2006, at 21:10:28
In reply to Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by jealibeanz on September 8, 2006, at 21:02:51
A lot of pdoc will combine a long acting benzo with an as needed short acting one. I'd say 2-3mg is about average . I took only xanax for years and averaged 2 mg. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on September 8, 2006, at 21:22:19
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2006, at 21:10:28
A long acting would be nice since my anxiety is not just situational. Klonopin was just not good. I've heard Xanax XR isn't very effective, although I don't understand why it wouldn't be at the correct dose. Then again, I didn't feel that Klonopin really made me calm and less anxious like Xanax. Klonopin made me drowsy, uncoordinated, and depressed.
Posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2006, at 21:46:52
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by jealibeanz on September 8, 2006, at 21:22:19
Valium works great my first benzo. That with xanax is what my pdoc Rx'd me. Love Phillipa
Posted by ace on September 9, 2006, at 0:26:54
In reply to Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by jealibeanz on September 8, 2006, at 21:02:51
> What would be a typical therapuetic range for someone with GAD? I started with .25mg t.i.d. Then raised it to .5mg t.i.d. I want to ask about increasing again? Would this be on the high side of normal? I'm also beginning to experience mild prolonged panic symptoms (severe muscle tension, difficulty breathing, tight chest, lightheaded). I think that would put me in a different category, neccessitating a higher dose.
That's a VERY low dose! Personally I would reccomend for you (i am unsure whether you are on other meds) 2mg b.i.d. (Obviously titrating to this level)What will happen is you will gain a tolerance and need to kee upping the does. HOWEVER, as the liver enzymes settle down, you will be able to remail on the same dose with the same efficacy.
Clinical trials show (when used responsibly) most Benzo users DROP their dose of their own volition over time.
Hope this helps, Xanax is a great drug!
Ace
Posted by ace on September 9, 2006, at 0:28:11
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing ?jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2006, at 21:46:52
> Valium works great my first benzo. That with xanax is what my pdoc Rx'd me. Love Phillipa
Hey Phillipa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yeah, Valium is a great drug too...nice long half life!!!!!!!!!
Xanax is better but!
Posted by jealibeanz on September 9, 2006, at 6:49:36
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing » jealibeanz, posted by ace on September 9, 2006, at 0:26:54
I think my next move would be 1mg t.i.d. if my doctor were to raise it. So my current .5mg t.i.d. dosage is fairly low? I know my initial .25mg t.i.d prescription was very low. He basically indicated it was almost nothing and was surprised I responded to it.
I do hesistate to ask, but if anxiety is going to become disabling, it should be treated, right?
I would hope that eventually I'd lower it. I've just always been such an anxious person. I doubt that I'll be able to work in a demanding job without medication, at least in the next few years.
Posted by valene on September 9, 2006, at 9:19:22
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by jealibeanz on September 9, 2006, at 6:49:36
I took 1mg xanax tid for years. It worked just fine. I now am at 1.75mg/day and doing even better on that dosage. I wish you all the best. Xanax has been the best benzo for me although I have only ever tried ativan and valium for short time. Valium is more sedating for me. Xanax works great. Find a dosage that helps and eventually work down from that, the best way to use a benzo IMHO.
Val> I think my next move would be 1mg t.i.d. if my doctor were to raise it. So my current .5mg t.i.d. dosage is fairly low? I know my initial .25mg t.i.d prescription was very low. He basically indicated it was almost nothing and was surprised I responded to it.
>
> I do hesistate to ask, but if anxiety is going to become disabling, it should be treated, right?
>
> I would hope that eventually I'd lower it. I've just always been such an anxious person. I doubt that I'll be able to work in a demanding job without medication, at least in the next few years.
Posted by jealibeanz on September 9, 2006, at 9:40:54
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by valene on September 9, 2006, at 9:19:22
How did you feel about Ativan and Valium compared to Xanax? Ativan lasts slightly longer than Xanax, right? I've gotten used to the slight sedation Xanax used to give me and don't want anything that would cause me to be sleepy.
Posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2006, at 19:38:13
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by jealibeanz on September 9, 2006, at 9:40:54
Jelly stay on the xanax then it has a slight antideprssant effect too. And the others will make you sleepier. But ativan was good to me. For a long while. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2006, at 19:40:10
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by ace on September 9, 2006, at 0:28:11
Ace I agree with you but suddenly instead of it relieving anxiety it just started making me tired. Why would that happen. It was during menopause. Love Your Queen Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on September 9, 2006, at 19:49:38
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2006, at 19:38:13
Yeah, I don't want to play around too much with different meds right now. I just looked up Xanax prescibing into, technically I'm at a possible starting dose! Didn't know that! I no longer feel bad about asking to increase. Doc does seem to be surprised it's helping reduce the symptoms enough.
Posted by valene on September 10, 2006, at 9:37:01
In reply to Re: Daily Xanax Dosing, posted by jealibeanz on September 9, 2006, at 9:40:54
Valium was more depressing to me and also was more sedating, it has metabolites that xanax does not have and it stays in your system (half-life) much longer, but I do well taking xanax 3 x a day with no noticeable interdose w/d symptoms.
Ativan I was only on for a short time but I do remember it helped anxiety quite a lot. I have heard numerous people say they build up a tolerance much faster to ativan. I like the mild antidepressant quality of xanax. For me it's the better benzo but everyone is different.
Val
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