Low Dose Of Xanax Frequency

[ellienad]

I suffer from a panic disorder, ptsd, and struggle with general anxiety on a daily basis. I recently started taking half of .25mg - .25mg xanax "as needed". However, I'm finding that "as needed" may be everyday because I usually have at least one panic attack a day... Because I am taking such a low dose, is this safe to take on a daily basis?

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Have you talked with your doctor about it?

You just have to keep in mind that Xanax is addicting. I take Xanax and I have some general anxiety and it is helpful but I only take it if nothing else is working or if it's really bad (I normally go weeks between taking Xanax).

Do you have any other coping skills for panic attacks? Even taking such a low dose, you really should work on some coping skills.

Best wishes.

 

[franciemarnie]

You will eventually build a tolerance with daily intake and then anxiety increases with the same dosage, but sometimes - for a while - we need extra help.

So just be aware that over time, our bodies need more to get the same effect, and when you want to stop taking them - you need to do it under a doctor's supervision and go down in small increments usually - but not always - every two weeks.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am on 0.5 mg of Xanax and it has stabilized me and I take it daily. I do not have panic attacks anymore or very rarely. My anxiety was crippling me and I really needed the help.

 

[ellienad]

@Ayesha I haven't talked to my doctor about it yet because I just started taking it so recently, but I plan to. In regard to coping skills, yes, I have developed some and work on them regularly with my therapist, and have tried using them alone with no medication for quite a long time. However, the reason I started taking Xanax is because my anxiety and panic attacks get so bad I can't even remember how to do the coping skills in the moment. I'm finding that when I take even half of the .25mg Xanax it calms me down enough to where I can actually use the coping mechanisms I've learned.

@franciemarnie Thank you :)

@gizmo Wow, that's great! The stabilization is something I would love/need to have. How long have you been taking it if you don't mind me asking? I'm terrified of becoming addicted or dependent on it. Although, the times I have taken it have been absolutely amazing in making me feel like a "normal" person.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I have been on it for four years. My anxiety started when my husband was diagnosed with severe dementia and he had delusions and halluciinations and was falsely accusing me of all sorts of really insane things.

I was the one who was responsible to do everything for him and the husband I once knew and loved and was cherished by, disappeared. When he died my anxiety shot through the roof. I consider it a tool that really helps me to feel normal too.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

@gizmo if your anxiety 'was' (past tense) crippling you, and you 'needed' (again, passed tense) then why are you still taking Xanax now (in the present)?

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am taking it because it calms me whenever I do feel anxiety. I am just now beginning to build a better life for myself and I believe in taking baby steps. Good question.

 

[mamachick]

@FrancieMarie-ditto, you said exactly what I was going to say about building tolerance. I think it is very important to keep eyes open for that.

Gizmo, I can clearly understand why you are still taking xanax. There is a lot of concern expressed about benzo's (and there should be) in regards to tolerance and addiction. However, I also believe in a quality of life.

Growing up, my mother was an alcoholic. I was removed from the home at age 11. I could not stand to be around her or even talk on the phone when she was drinking. As an adult, the dislike was passed on to others drinking (my issue). There came a point when I blocked her phone number for several months. She would never take an anti depressant because she was afraid of becoming addicted. Her Dr put her on Ativan and the last 10 yrs of her life were much better for her and others. She was welcome at holidays and other times.

Each situation is different. Does the xanax prevent driving, work, etc. A friends sister suffered anxiety with Altzheimers. She cant drive or go anywhere alone, so even if she becomes addicted at 75-who cares.

The question you ask is a good one and important to have all of the information.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Thank you for what you said Bratt. Quality of life means so much more to me now than it ever did before after losing my husband to severe dementia. Even after a year of his being gone, I am so much still burnt out and exhausted as I was the main care giver to him. My psychiatrist also believes in quality of life and I really appreciate the support and help.

I am sad about what you endured and suffered at the hands of your mom and I am so glad you had some good times with her.

I really appreciate your sharing this with me.

The really good part is that I am having more and more good days than bad. By the time my husband had died I had hit rock bottom.

I am just now beginning to drive again. It is slow but good.

 

[mamachick]

You are so welcome gizmo. You have been through so much and need to be in control of your healing, and deserve to take as long as you need-that is the only way real healing occurs, you do it at your own pace and listen to your body.

I have personally experienced increasing xanax and becoming addicted. I also titrated myself off it even though the psychiatrist told me to take it. I was free of it for about 2 years I think. Then back on it when insurance took anti depressant away. Now I am on a good anti depressant and dont usually need xanax during day but do to sleep. I was in a bad relationship and when things burst (dont want to explain), had to increase xanax to level I am not comfortable with at bedtime. My doctor allowed this because of 20 plus yrs history with him. He listens to whats going on and can see anxiety level. If I dont get sleep, I am good for nothing. So now I am titrating down on my own.

Yes my mother was not such a bad person when she was not drunk. She was an ugly drunk that talked about what happened 20, 30, or 40 yrs ago and spewed anger. As a kid, I was a hostage to this. I missed most of elementary school. Funny she feared addiction to anti depressants. I suspect she was abused as kid, maybe had ptsd. The ativan took away her anxiety. I personally think she self medicated with alcohol. I have a sister that self medicated with alcohol and became alcoholic as well. She went into recovery and avoided used of xanax for most part-never used regularly.

I also have to take Adderoll for the rest of my life due to daytime sleepiness disorder that resulted from head injury. I have serious medical problems and pain, NSAIDS (over counter) caused esophagisits, GERD, and hiatal hernia and I went down to 110 lbs and am 5'6'. I will take the prescirption as needed now. Some would say that I am addicted-if I am at 55, so be it. However, there are days that I forget to take my pain meds and am suffering and am busy, then realize that I need to take.

Again, I think there is reason to be concerned about addiction today, but the people that I know that are abusing are often snorting or shooting up pain meds and others. I am not abusing, but I have finally given myself permission to be comfortable and have some quality of life.

Years ago, I refused to take the Adderoll because of fear of addiction. Even though I was on an anti depressant, I could not get fully awake, I could not drive as I felt so sleepy it was like being drunk, I was too tired to do anything, and could not follow a conversation, so I became suicidal. I learned that I will likely have to take this for the rest of my life. I hope a time comes where I can replace meds with behavior changes. I think if I could get good exercise in everyday I might decrease some pain and sleep better. My friend with similiar pain problems has a great physical therapy program. My insurance offers only their own practice and one therapist works with 5 or 6 patients at once and they have no equiptment. We dont all walk in the same shoes.

We do the best we can with what we have. Be cautious of abusing or depending on meds soley, and seek the best quality of life we can while we can. From other posts gizmo, I know you are now taking back your life. Kido's to you. Wishing you happiness that you deserve

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Thank you again Bratt. I so appreciate you sharing this with me. I do not plan on being on medications the rest of my life. I am slowly downdosing on the Xanax. I only took half of my meds yesterday and did fine actually.

Thank you for your mercy and kindness and taking the time to talk to me about this.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me and I can relate to an alcoholic mom who took all of her secrets with her when she was killed in a airplane crash. She was very abusive towards me and favored the other three sibs.

But enough of that. I am so sad that you are in so much pain. But you are seeming to be very wise and intelligent and strong. I hope that you continue to have your wise doctor for a long time.

We had to put my mother in law into a nursing home and they were always talking about quality of life but she was in hell for two years with severe dementia right after her husband died. You are so thoughtful to just say the words. Quality of life.

I am so tired and burnt out still from care giving for my husband for three years all by myself. My daughter was in a verbal and emotionally abusive which turned into domestic violence and she hid this from me to spare me.

As a family, we have really been through the ringer. For so long, and I can really empathize with your physical pain and how it messes with your head. Big hugs to you with great gratitude.