From Xanax To Valium... Not Working!

[Smile]

No------not all ERs have psychiatrists. Some hospitals won't let you see a psychiatrist until you...

What is rebound anxiety?

 

[EveHarrington]

Rebound anxiety is when you come off a med that reduces anxiety and your anxiety levels are pushed higher than they normally would be------due to withdrawal effects.

Similar to rebound insomnia when you come off a med that helps you sleep. Your insomnia can be worse than your baseline insomnia due to withdrawal effects.

The rebound effect can happen with many different kinds of medications.

 

[joeylittle]

So, you have a dependency problem.

And yes, you are going to need to take the time to let your system recalibrate.

You didn't tell your doc how much Xanax you were taking, correct? You should leave a message with the accurate info and see what they recommend.

Also - your body got accustomed to the higher doses; the next step is, it stops working at all. So - going back to it isn't anything except a bandaid that won't work for very long.

You also need a long-term strategy that isn't benzo-based.

I'd strongly recommend making sure your doc knows how much you were taking, what a hard time you are having, and whether they recommend a short inpatient stay.

 

[Smile]

Rebound anxiety is when you come off a med that reduces anxiety and your anxiety levels are pushe...

Thanks

 

[Smile]

So, you have a dependency problem.

And yes, you are going to need to take the time to let your sy...

Thanks for the advice. I went back to the doc, gave him back the bottle of Valium and he wrote me a prescription for Xanax. So I'm back on it.

Yes, I have told him that I take more because it doesn't seem to be helping but to be honest... He doesn't give a damn.

My T referred me to another psychiatrist. So let's see if I can see someone who's not just a pill pusher :(

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

I think it's totally crazy that Drs in the states have you on this stuff long term. In the uk you can only get Valium for a month at a time, if that. Unless you're on for withdrawal (alcohol as well as drug) then they slowly taper down. It's really addictive and stops working after a month then you need to up the dose to get the same affect (effect?). If Valium isn't doing anything (although 5mg is quite low) what the heck is Xanax like? You must get a great buzz off it. although Valium gets prescribed up to 60mg+, I can't even imagine, most I've had is 15mg. I was prescribed two weeks worth of Valium 5mg and it lasted me 3 +months as I only uses when absolutely needed. But taking something like that everyday? Your body builds up a resistance then you need to take more and more. It's just a slippery slope. I have abused things like this in the past so I tend to stay clear I mean yeah it's great not to feel anxious but it's better feeling just a little floaty.

I have to agree with joey little here. better coping skills would be better long term. It sucks balls being anxious especially long term. I can't imagine you're practicing coping techniques when you don't need to because you're medicated, and that's the thing they need to be practiced. I do hope you feel better soon.

 

[Smile]

I think it's totally crazy that Drs in the states have you on this stuff long term. In the uk...

Thanks & I totally agree with u on doc's prescribing strong doses without at least a follow up plan.

Xanax does NOT give me a high. Partial relief... Yes.

I've been working very hard on coping skills but it's 2 steps forward, 7 steps back

 

[8888]

Xanax and Valium aren't the only two drugs out there. There's Klonopin along with many others, my brain is just drawing a blank on other names.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

It's not strong doses more long term use I was referring to.

People with PTSD in the UK don't have any different form of PTSD, but there's no way they would be prescribed these types of meds long term. What I'm saying or trying to say is there's other options. I know you're suffering I really do. Being on this stuff long term isn't an option. You maybe don't want to hear this because you've grown dependant on it now. Eventually you will have to come off it and is it going to be shittier now or a few more years down the line when what you need to take for it work could be a lot more than you're taking now.

I feel like this might be kinda preachy now but if there wasn't massive amounts of money in this kind of thing doctors in the states wouldn't be prescribing it.

 

[Smile]

Xanax and Valium aren't the only two drugs out there. There's Klonopin along with many others, my brain i...

Tried klonopin & many others... Xanax was the one that worked the best and for the longest

 

[Smile]

It's not strong doses more long term use I was referring to.

People with PTSD in the UK don...

I know. I've had the withdrawal side effects before... It was a living nightmare. I'm petrified of going through that again