Xanax Issues

[Smile]

I've been on Xanax for over 3 years now. Was recently raised to 4 mg from 3 but it's not helping.

It only helps when I take 2 mg at once. I googled and saw that 4 mg is the maximum dose but when used for panic disorder (that's me) can go up to 10 mg.

I know I'm addicted to it already. Problem is my functioning is practically nil. Can barely brush my teeth. Constantly hang panic attacks.

Anyone have higher dose than 4 mg and can you tell me how it went for u?

Thanks, just looking for relief

 

[zephcat]

I've been on Xanax for over 3 years now. Was recently raised to 4 mg from 3 but it's not helping.

It onl...

Is not gonna help, is the problem of benzos. I took benzos for 15 years, and 10 years later, still craving for them. Always needed one in my pocket, waiting for the panic to come.

 

[mamachick]

Smile-I have had experience with xanax, and honestly, I don't think it is going to get better if you continue in the direction you are going. I don't have any magic answers. I went off of xanax for about 6 months and am now on .5 mg-1 mg at bedtime. I was up to 3 mg at bedtime and sometimes another throughout the day. I know where you are now. I was also not functioning well. One of the big problems I have experienced is that -when on this medication, you think your thinking is clear but it is not, and you can be prone to mistakes, just as if you had consumed a large amount of alcohol. It may have made me groggy enough to mess up my medication. I awoke very fuzzy and suspected I had messed up on other meds and I was correct. I went off cold turkey under medical care though. Even if the max dosage is 10 for panic attacks, it is not good for you in those doses. I am taking the small amount right now but seeking other solutions as I want to decrease, not increase. I was clearly dependent on it, and maybe 6 months was not enough time off to stabilize, but need some sleep. Please just be careful.

 

[Friday]

Thanks, just looking for relief

Time to look for relief in other places.

That doesn't mean quitting meds altogether. Hell, it doesn't mean quitting Xanax altogether, either. But since you already know you're addicted (Yay!!! Not at being addicted, but knowing it :D Seriously. Self awareness is huge, and it gives you a whole helluva lot of power/leverage ), then upping dosages is just going to get the same results: addicted to higher and higher levels of it, and it still not working. Until at a certain point your doc realizes you're addicted at an unsafe level, and yanks them from you altogether; and the next many months will be hell on earth dealing with not only unmediated symptoms, but rebound symptoms (worse), and the drug-kick which is super gnarly.

So here's my advice: Look for relief in other places... and work on lowering your tolerance (instead of raising your tolerance, which is what increasing the dose will do). That way you can still use them, and they'll actually work better, and as you find more & better coping skills? Will wean yourself off of them either entirely, or almost entirely, keeping them on hand only for emergencies or to stop a bad cycle before one kicks off. AKA maybe once a month, or a few times a year.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

You are not getting relief because your body is dependent on it thus you need more to get the same relief.

Im prescribed 1mg three times a day though I dont take that much due to another medication that I will talk about in a sec that is helping most of the anxiety.

You need to get off of xanax, I disagree with Friday and will say all together for the moment. You need to flush your system of it. And since you are addicted, their should be more avenues looked at for long term anxiety management.

Seriquel XR is an extended release anti-psycotic when given in low doses for anxiety, depression, bipolar. It's cousin is Abilfy which is also an anti-psycotic given in low doses for the same reason.

Seriquel XR has been my go to long term anxiety management as my anxiety was not being managed by the xanax and she wasnt giving me more then 1mg three times a day and the Dr that prescribed you 4mg and any highers than 1mg or possibly 2 mg should be fired!

There is also things you can do to help. Deep breathing, metaphors, changing thinking patterns etc. All that and more I found in a free anxiety app for a tablet or smart phone called What's Up.

 

[Fadeaway]

I have found Hydroxyzine to be an excellent anti-anxiety medication. It isn't addictive as it is an antihistamine. It is pretty much like ultra strength Benadryl.

 

[Smile]

Smile-I have had experience with xanax, and honestly, I don't think it is going to get better if you cont...

I hear you and ur experience. With me, I have Xanax for panic attacks all day/night long and separate meds for sleeping. And then a THIRD med that's long term... Supposed to help but who knows

 

[Smile]

Time to look for relief in other places.

That doesn't mean quitting meds altogether. Hell, it doesn't m...

Totally agree with you on an intellectual level but it's just not working. I've been working with my T so hard on mindfulness exercises but it's really hard and although it's helped me at times, sometimes I just CANT. In fact, I just took 3 mg at once 2 1/2 hrs ago and barely feel anything. Just starting to feel some relief

 

[Smile]

You are not getting relief because your body is dependent on it thus you need more to get the...

I agree about my psychiatrist. I call him my pill pusher bc he'll give me anything I ask for. I have to pretty much Doctor myself.

I disagree about going off cold turkey. I've had personal experiences with that and it was baaaaad. And dangerous. Can cause seizures. AND my T (who is extremely anti pills) even thinks I should keep at current amount for now

Have never tried ur meds. I'm on Lexapro 20 mg. maybe need to change that

 

[Smile]

I have found Hydroxyzine to be an excellent anti-anxiety medication. It isn't addictive as it is an an...

Thanks! Will look into it. Can I ask what ur diagnosis is?

 

[lostforgottensoul]

In fact, I just took 3 mg at once 2 1/2 hrs ago and barely feel anything.

Because you took 3mgs at once maybe?

There are other long term meds that can help! You are admitted addicted to it, making you an addict. What would you tell an addict of any substance? Get off of it maybe?

Im wondering why you created this thread? Just wondering is all.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I disagree about going off cold turkey

I never said cold turkey but in the end you need to be off something you are addicted to.

There are MANY meds that help anxiety! Many!