I recently was preacribed .5mg er daily to combat my anxiety. I never sought treatment for it before but i have to say thank the lord i did. This drug has worked wonders for me. My anxiety is gone, im getting sleep at night, and put my weight back on. Why the bad rap for this drug? Its my first personal experience and i love it. However, since it works for me, when i got from seeing my gp to a psychiatrist do i need to tell him it works for me? I dont want to be viewed a drug seekee.
Anxiety - Is xanax right for me?
- Asked
- 27 May 2012 by football20
- Updated
- 8 Jun 2012
- Topics
- xanax, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
Details:
Responses (7)
endlessPred
27 May 2012
Hi, football. Always tell a doctor the truth. The whole story including how it has helped and how you want to know more. Drug seeking behavior is easy to spot by a psych. So is hiding something. Just be you and all will go well. My experience with alprazolam is that a little goes a long ways. They want you on it short term, but people like my hubby can be on it a decade or more.
It is really about how well the doc knows you and how long that relationship has been. Drug seekers jump from doc to doc, most frequently. People who need some help for a while maintain a strong relationship with their docs. or so my experience has been.
Anyhow, once you see the psych doc you will be evaluated for meds and can go from there. Part of that analysis is to report how other meds have helped or not. This is nothing to fear (anxiety, right?) and something to look forward as a possible relief. Good luck with this. Let us know how you are doing, ok?
kaismama
27 May 2012
Yes, your dr needs to know what meds you are on, to help you appropriately. Telling him this is what I'm taking isn't drug seeking. It doesn't pay not to tell him, then have him find out later. You want him to be honest with you don't you?
Inactive
27 May 2012
Will do football,
Do you know how to friend a person? I haven't seen you yet and I would be notified by email. Click in mu name and when my profile pops up there is the option to friend me or block me, it's a different colored box.
See ya soon...
Laura
Inactive
27 May 2012
Anytime you see a new doctor, they want to see your list of medications. Let your psychiatrist ask the questions. When he asks about the xanax, tell him the truth. When you started it, & how it has helped you. You will not be labeled as a 'drug seeker' if you let the doctor take the lead. Just try not to be so overly anxious about this, & be truthful when you fill out the forms, & talk to the doctor. Tell him/her that anxiety has been a problem for you, & that the xanax ER is helping tremendously. You didn't list why you are going to see a psych, but that doesn't matter. He/she will probably want to take over your prescribing is all. Hope this helps calm your fears... Mary
football20
27 May 2012
I left out that originally my gp tried a different deug that absolitly did not work. Then i was put on this xanax and my life changed! The first try with the other med that didnt work made my anxiety worse after having such high hopes when i left my visit wih a prescription. I wiah to convey this to my new shrink (when i find one). It actually kicks my anxiety into overdeive when i think of he poasibility of being taken off it. Not because of addiction, its only been a month, rather that i dont want to lose my newfound quality of life. How can i go about finding a psychiatrist in orlando area that will understand my needs? This is another worry.
Inactive
27 May 2012
Friend lmariani. I believe she may live in this area or know of someone there you can see... Mary
balbanese
27 May 2012
Most of that bad rap stems from abuse of the drug, which is unfortunately available quite readily without a script. When misused/abused Xanax can cause some pretty serious sides, and the withdrawal is ugly, especially for those who foolishly abused it and just as foolishly stopped too abruptly.
Very happy to hear this wonderful medication is being used properly and working for you! An inspiring success story both for you and the drug. Hope this helps.
Inactive
27 May 2012
Balbanese,
I carefully read your response, noticed a slight change in "jargon" for lack of a better descriptive word. Great answer and I totally agree.
As far as the start of what I call a "Southern Pissing Contest" tween the two of us... I must say your response about me knowing the conversion factors pissed me off, being completely honest and was actually surprised that you remembered the exact point where it started. Just to let you know, I know most conversations but I haven't been on morphine in ten years and didn't have my books unpacked, should have just pq'ed Dzoo.
Just letting you know,
Hippie
balbanese
27 May 2012
I think you either misunderstood me or took it wrong or both, again. Sorry if I p'd you off. Not my intention.
Inactive
28 May 2012
Hello football20. Xanax is a benzodiazepine. It has a tendency that the longer you are on the drug, the more difficult of a time you will have when it is time to stop taking it. And your body will most likely ask for more in as much to whatever dose you are at. That is the nature/chemical makeup of the drug. Your psychiatrist will have your file, if not, will ask you medication history. Regards, pledge
Inactive
5 Jun 2012
I've been on Xanax, Clonazapam, Ativan, etc., for years. (They are all different forms of the original benzodiazapines) The reason I am telling you this is that I have taken myself off of these meds many, many times. If you don't have the disease of addiction, you don't have to worry. If you feel that at a point in your life, that you don't need it anymore, you can take yourself off of the med. You are on a VERY low dose. Actually the lowest they can prescribe, unless you cut your pill in half. So long as you don't abuse the med, you will have no problem. Psychiatrists don't have any problem keeping people on these meds for years,and years. They are VERY helpful medications for a great many people. Don't sweat this. You are ok.
endlessPred
5 Jun 2012
The Xanax I have is .25 and originally three times per day. I reduced it to twice a day once I felt better and then just in the morning to keep the edge off as the prednisone is still the driving course for my anxiety.
So Xanax is in .25 tablets. No need to split pills. My hubby has been on that dose for over ten years.
I agree that if you do not have an addictive personality it is not an issue. If you don't smoke, can drink one small beer or poured drink. No problem. If you party it up and binge drink. Ya got issues. Just be smart.
Inactive
7 Jun 2012
Thank you EP. Sorry, I didn't know that it came that low. I thought at the time (this was 25+ years ago) that it was the lowest dose.
bumblebee90
8 Jun 2012
Inactive
8 Jun 2012
Just one more thought... why would your doctor have prescribed you Xanax, if he didn't think that it would help you?? Just tell the truth, that it has helped you, what more can you ask for?
Further Information
- Xanax Information for Consumers
- Xanax Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Xanax (detailed)
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One more thing, 0.5 mg of Xanax is a very low dose relatively in the grand scheme of psych meds.
Cheers,
Hippie
Ive never had substance abuse issues or anything. I had heard of xanax before and mentioned it to my doctor. She somewhat shunned me at first, my guess she though i was a drug seeker when in reality i had no experience with it. Now that ill be switxhing to a psychiatrist, how to i portray my wish to stay on xanax as it works wonders for me wihout him shurring me off as a drug seeker. Its just so affective for me. Ive never had this quality of life. Im in central florida also if anyone knows a good shrink doc that would understamnd my needs.
Ive never had substance abuse issues or anything. I had heard of xanax before and mentioned it to my doctor. She somewhat shunned me at first, my guess she though i was a drug seeker when in reality i had no experience with it. Now that ill be switxhing to a psychiatrist, how to i portray my wish to stay on xanax as it works wonders for me wihout him shurring me off as a drug seeker. Its just so affective for me. Ive never had this quality of life. Im in central florida also if anyone knows a good shrink doc that would understamnd my needs.
Football,
Look down at endless peer's answer. That would have been my response as I believe truth is always the best policy in everything in life.
Good luck with your shrink, if you get a good one he/she will understand and certainly not classify you as a drug addict. I also live in central Florida. I could give you some good names of great docs on the west coast area.
As always the happy hippie,
Laura
Hi lmariani. I was told to ask you if you knew of a psychiatrist or a doctor that would understand my needs in the central florida area. I sent you a friend request so you can message me a reply. Any help is greatly appreciated. The very thought of a doctor not understanding me kicks my anxiety in hyperdrive. Thanks alot.
Anyone on the west coast of florida would be great too. Not too far from where i live. Please message me with details.