Has anyone been on Xanax XR for an extended period of time? I have been struggling with panic disorder for about 2 yrs now and have been through all the SSRIs, SNRIs etc and nothing seems to work. They either make me feel like an emotionless zombie or actually aggravate my symptoms. My doctor recently put me on Xanax and Effexor and it truly seems to have done the trick. However I recently switched to the XR version of xanax so im not popping pills all day. Anyhow I am concerned about all the negative things I hear about benzos and especially long term benzo treatment. My doctor has told me that he has a few patients where typical SSRI treatment just does not work and I'm one of them. I just wonder if anyone out there can share their experience with me regarding long-term use of Xanax XR and is it really such a bad thing?
Anyone been on Xanax for a long time - is it really such a bad thing?
- Posted:
- 28 Jul 2010 by Rascal01
- Topics:
- xanax, xanax xr, anxiety, panic disorder
Responses (3)
jk1329 Jul 2010
I currently take 3mg of Klonopin. A very very long acting benzo. Xanax XR only lasts 12hr, so either you'll be dosing twice a day, or you'll be using it during the day time as needed. Regardless, Xanax XR will eventually lead to dependence, and NO, it's not such a bad thing. Benzo dependence is just fine if it is something that really helps you. For me personally, it was a large contributing factor as what saved my marriage. It was the only thing that knocked out my irritability, and the majority of my anxiety, so that I can now function properly. For me, it is simply something that I currently need. The old argument that I stand by is why is there no stigma attached to diabetics and their meds? They too need their meds, however, no one raises an eyebrow.
hardfi30 Jul 2010
I was on regular Xanax for seven years and Clonazepam on and off for three years. They both caused me some blackouts but not the type of blackouts that alcoholics get where they do something that they would not normally do. I have had two seizures over this time period and several withdrawls. The withdrawls are miserable but they won't kill you. The seizures happened both in unusual situations that added to the stress of the withdrawl. In some situations, there are creeps out there that take advantage of the fact that these medications can act as date rape drugs. Unless you don't fall asleep at strange places where you don't know anybody that you can trust or don't mix alcohol with them, this can definately be avoided. You should be able to stay on them for a long time if you are like me in the sense that they are the only medication that seems to make life livable.
20 Oct 2011
some say that benzos are bad , personally i have bin on xanax,valuim diazapam,lorazapam,klonapins etc..(spelling may be incorrect) anyways i am currently on 2mg Xanax(bars) twice a day ,i used to get 4x a day and i did this for about 10yrs straight i would eat all of them then buy off the street somedays i would take from 10-20 benzos a day... personally the only bad thing i have to say about benzos is that yes its hard to ween down but people take it a little to far if you look at most the seizure situation its because people where mixing uppers and downers or not eating etc..if you take as prescribed you should be fine,as for xanax xr i wouldnt go there these new drugs there putting on the market aren`t what they appear to be,stick with the ole school benzos 3xtimes a day no more and if a dr ever threatens you off a benzo you tell him he must ween you off or you`ll sue his ass for malpractice because there the ones that got you addicted most likely in the first place!
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thank you so much for your response - your perspective makes a lot of sense and actually aligns with what my doc said... basically he feels a lot of people respond to SSRIs and SNRIs but some don't have as much luck. He tells me essentially if it helps and you feel more like yourself prior to all the panic attacks then why worry about it? If taking it makes your life more managable and you are not abusing the med then don't worry about it.
Thanks again for your response
i too take zanax and avanza and dont beat myself up about it. i also got a bit worried after reading so many negative things about xanax and spoke to my doctor about it, at the end of the day im living a productive life, one I wouldnt be without xanax. you yourself know what works. i say go for it. best of luck
I have been on xanax for 5 years, started at .25mg a day now at 4mgs a day. I am able to do everything fine, working out 5'8 225 bf 11.5%, able to retain anything I lean, and also received my pilots license. I am now on ONAX 2mgs a day. Everyone thinks this new bar is fake while I know they are legit.