Questions about Xanax

[lilminx]

Has anyone here taken Xanax? When did you take it? How often did you take it? How did it make you feel? Do you feel that it impaired your abilities at all, and in what way? What was your dosage?

I know, I know, sorry for the 20 questions, but I'd like some more info on it. I went to WebMD for the clinical info, but now I want practical info. I really don't know much about it.

 

[Guest]

 

[IA951]

As I am sure you know certain drugs affect different people different ways.

I like Xanax quite a bit(when I can get it) when I do take it, I take three or four at a time.
I believe that they are like 10mg apiece?

I always mix, however I have taken them alone a few times.

I would not drive when you take them, you can function, just slowly.
Always had a very calming soothing effect on me. I was in no hurry to get anywhere.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Minxie, it's highly addictive if taken on a daily basis. I have a prescription for it and use it very sparingly. It calms me down in times of stress, but it also makes me very tired. It's not a drug you can take on a regular basis and function in the world on.

In other words, I wouldn't recommend it for anything other than occasional use, not regularly.

I don't think most legitimate doctors would prescribe it for regular use now anyway.

p.s. It's valium's kissing cousin, if that helps.

 

[SamEyeAm]

Has anyone here taken Xanax? When did you take it? How often did you take it? How did it make you feel? Do you feel that it impaired your abilities at all, and in what way? What was your dosage?

I know, I know, sorry for the 20 questions, but I'd like some more info on it. I went to WebMD for the clinical info, but now I want practical info. I really don't know much about it.

It's a very potent and effective anti-anxiety medication, lilminx. Be very careful to take it only as prescribed, and only under a doctor's supervision. It is highly addictive, and therefore should never be stopped abruptly, because it requires a medically supervised tapering down, or detoxification process. Please learn more about it from your doctor or pharmacist before beginning to take the Xanax.

 

[Starfish]

Ruby is right... extended usage of this drug is very addictive. My mother and best friend both suffered addiction and gettin off of them is very bad.

The drug builds up in your lymph nodes and other glands and when you try to reduce dosage it can cause you to have vertigo, extreame hallucinations and a lot of other side effects.

It isn't worth using it regularly, if you don't need it.

All that drug ever did to me was make me feel a bit lofty like opium but, I was hyper sensitive. I would just cry for no reason. It sucked. Very much a downer.

 

[SamEyeAm]

Minxie, it's highly addictive if taken on a daily basis. I have a prescription for it and use it very sparingly. It calms me down in times of stress, but it also makes me very tired. It's not a drug you can take on a regular basis and function in the world on.

In other words, I wouldn't recommend it for anything other than occasional use, not regularly.

I don't think most legitimate doctors would prescribe it for regular use now anyway.

p.s. It's valium's kissing cousin, if that helps.

Ruby, Xanax will do that, when taken sporadically. It is usually prescribed for serious anxiety problems that require a strong medication, such as this is. The anxiety problem has to be quite severe in order to justify using such a potent and addictive medication. In those situation, the medication is prescribed to be taken regularly (daily), with the knowledge that an addiction is being created. Part of the addiction is that the body develops a physical tolerance to the drug, meaning that the side effects that you describe decrease, and then go away. At this point (2-3 weeks), people taking it are able to function normally, with a marked lessening of anxiety. Once the chemical impalance that caused the anxiety has been corrected, and the person is taught new coping skills in therapy, the doctor then gradually detoxes the person from the Xanax. The detox can be very stressful and uncomfortable, but this passes once the drug is out of the system.

 

[Soblue]

I took it for panic attacks a few years ago, but I only took it a few times, maybe for a week or 2 tops.

It did make me feel very calm and happy.

 

[Bigdog]

lilminx-

The effect is dependent on the dosage. Ignore what was said above, 10mg would likely be fatal. The dosages are .25mg (white), .5mg (orange) and 1mg (blue); the first two are the most common. Xanax can make you a bit dopey, much worse if mixed with alcohol.

I take the .25mg for mild panic attacks. It is low enough that I can even take it at work with no loss of sharpness. I have taken the .5mg at home, it does make me a little goofy and sleepy. Not too concerned about addiction since I only take it once or twice a week as needed; a daily dose would be of concern.

If you would like more info, feel free to PM me.

 

[Kitte]

I take .25 mg of Xanax 1-3 times a day and I have for the last ummm bazillion years. I have an intense anxiety disorder and I refuse SSRI's because of the side effects. I have little to no side effects from the Xanax. It is addictive and if you have the type of personality that is easily addicted you should take it under the strict guidence of a dr. For me, I find myself taking less then I should rather then more but I have it available should I need it. For the first week I start it ( I have stopped it a few times) It makes me feel extra sleepy and I get dry mouth. Like any drug it is just that a drug and everyone reacts differently.

 

[Guest]

Minxie, it's highly addictive if taken on a daily basis. I have a prescription for it and use it very sparingly. It calms me down in times of stress, but it also makes me very tired. It's not a drug you can take on a regular basis and function in the world on.

In other words, I wouldn't recommend it for anything other than occasional use, not regularly.

I don't think most legitimate doctors would prescribe it for regular use now anyway.

p.s. It's valium's kissing cousin, if that helps.

Why didn't you PM me about this, minxy? You forget I do this for a living?

Ruby nailed it. It's a highly addictive anti anxiety benzo, take it sparingly. As far as when it is taken, it is a very successful drug as far as calming one down. And it is still prescribed, but it is tapering down a lot. A more mild daily anti-anxiety drug is preferrable unless the patient experiences a lot of panic attcaks that are incapacitating. That last word is the key.

IF this is for anxiety issues, which it most likely is, I'd recommend something else before you try Xanax. Something daily like Paxil, Zoloft, or even Wellbutrin SR or Effexor XR. Those have an antidepressent affect as well, and can take the edge off enough so that Xanax would not be required. SSRI's do have side affects, but in very small percentages, and they are mild. I would not let them stop you from trying them.

Xanax addiction is very serious, too, I treat them all the time. You don't want that.

A good rule is to try the path of least resistance first, and if that doesn't work try something stronger. Xanax should be the last resort.

 

[SilverVeil]

I use Xanax. I started with the orange ones .5 and over 5 yrs moved to the blue ones, 1mg. With the consent of my doctor, I took 1-2 pills AS NEEDED. I did not need it everyday. Just the stressful times I had a hard time coping with. I suffer from panic attacks sometimes, and also can have a hard time controlling anger.

I was under the close supervision of my doctor the entire time I used it in TX. Rhode Island is different ... they give you a RX for 3 months worth of pills and send you on your merry little way !!!

Xanax affects people differently. My best friend used it and became addicted. VERY ADDICTED. However... she was taking 3 1mg pills a day for a long period of time. I have been off and on ( right now is an off period ) for about 2 yrs now. I am one of the lucky ones who use it, what I term " casually ". Meaning only every so often.

It has never affected how I can work or drive, it makes me a little weary but coffee or tea combats that right away. I say weary rather than sleepy, because I am not tired, just slow paced when I first take it.

Make sure your doctor is well informed and keeping tabs on you if Xanax is the route you both feel is best.

 

[lilminx]

Thank you all for your input. I am not supposed to take them on a regular basis at all; just when I start to feel really anxious. Ihave been getting really sick and both my doctor and I think that it's stress-related. He gave me .5 to take, and told me ONLY to take them when I really needed to. I am not the type of person to become addicted to a drug- I won't let that happen to me.

I'm just really tired of having to take off of work every time I become sick due to stress.

 

[Kitte]

I'm just really tired of having to take off of work every time I become sick due to stress.

I understand that completely. I have incapacitating anxiety. I was agoraphobic at my worst, right now I am the best I have been in 5 years with minimal attacks but a great deal of anticipatory anxiety. I find that one .25 a day does the trick for me. I have the others if I need them but rarely do lately (knock wood) I also take a beta blocker to help combat the physical anxiety. I use some meditation and alot of anti anxiety techniques to make it through usually. It isnt easy but as you can tell you are not alone...there are alot of us out here with varying degrees of anxiety. I hope what you are doing works for you. Good Luck

 

[Worm]

Well

I was prescribed some for panic/anxiety attacks.....I took them twice and trashed them cuz I cannot function on that stuff. If you are just gonna sit home and relax its fine.

 

[lilminx]

Thanks Kitte. I actually get physically sick. I'm not agoraphobic- it affects me internally.

 

[Kitte]

Thanks Kitte. I actually get physically sick. I'm not agoraphobic- it affects me internally.

I will keep a happy non anxious thought for ya!

Hmm do I have a non anxious thought...if I find one I will earmark it for you