confused

[Shell736]

So I am confused and have a question - I have been reading a lot of posts about Xanax and klonopin. I took Klonopin for about 5 years, this was about 10 years ago, and then I got pregnant and stopped cold turkey, with no withdrawals or anything, I was taking .5 about 1-2 a day. After I had my baby I started on Xanax because I found Clonapin depressing, and same thing, I take 1-2 a day, or 1/2 a pill a day for about 3 or 4 years.

I then hurt my back and started taking vicodin, for about 7-9 months on and off and became addicted and this is my 11th day without it - I used Suboxone and Clonadine and now nothing. The doctor prescribed me Celexa which I took for a week and stopped, because I had no appetitie at all and it made me sick. So yesterday I took Xanax again for the first time and felt much better, did not take the Celexa.

I am worried now reading these posts, because I have never been addicted and always been able to step, but according to the posts it is dangerous and addictive - please help with advice!

I would probably prefer a different antidepressant, I heard Wellbutrin is good, not sure about others.

But am worried about the Xanax. And also, believe me, the craving for Vicodin goes away, little by little, it is always in the back of your mind, but it got to be a chore after awhile and did not make you feel good anymore, had to keep taking more and more and figure out how to get them

[Shell736]

by the way the reason I started taking klonopin and Xanax is because I get anxiety attacks

[Clamity2]

Sorry I never took Xanax. But congrats on stopping the 9 mos of vics.

[botchedup]

What's the question???

[bubbles1096]

Xanax produces physiological dependence  with severe w/d symptoms. The higher the dose, the more of a chance of dependence and w/ds. Why are you on Xanax?

You should talk to your presribing doc. Many docs will prescribe an anti depressant with xanax together for a short period of time. Xanax is a widely presribed drug that should be used more cautiously. Personally, I beleive xanax is a drug that should be used either as a last resort, under constant care and as a temporary fix, but I do know there are people out there that suffer from post traumatic stress disorder that may need .25mg every few months to get out of an anxiety attack (Rape victims, plane crash victims, etc) .  If you are on xanax for a long period of time, you arent' really finding the problem as to why you are on it, but that's my opinion. There are tons and tons of new antidepressants out there, and many people have good and bad to say about each and every one of them I'm sure, so the best thing for you to do is sit down and talk to your doc and do some trial runs with antis, at least 6-8 weeks unless you are having bad side effects. I've been on a few and what works best for me may or may not work for others.  

As for your cravings, they will subside, but if you are an addict, they will always be in the back of your mind, something you probably will have to deal with for the rest of your life, but time will ease the thoughts until you eventually and hopefully forget about them all together.

[botchedup]

If I understand you correctly, you are concerned about the addictiveness of anti-depressants or the vicodin?  the reason Dr.s prescribe Xanax is because it works pretty well for anxiety based depression.  All Anti-d's are prescribed usually with the understanding that the individual is in some type of counseling.  I think it's fair to say that any drug that effects receptors, endorphins, serotonin, etc.(the brain)can be "addictive".  Everybody's different.  Men respond to meds differently than women.  The reason you felt fine pregnant is that your hormone levels go through the roof and provide natural anti-depressant effect.  It's natures way of protecting you and the baby.  I;m sure your anxiety did return and probably even more so.  That would be the hormone drop after labor, delivery, and or lactation.  Xanax if used over long periods of time, eats your brain.  Research it.  Your best bet is going to be to detox, find an anti'anxiety med that is safe, and replace the pills with a plant-based diet, hydrate, and exercise.  I know it doesn't sound like much fun,,,especially when experiencing w/d's and malaise....but you CAN get your natural endorphins revved up this way and you will find a new habit and eventually, a new high.  The most successful recovered addicts I know traded a pill buzz for a natural buzz--It can be achieved.  Exercise/yoga have proven to be cures for all that ails a detoxing body.  I know for sure what I loved about opioids was the "energy" they gave me...When that stops and you're upping the dose to achieve energy or just to feel "normal"....it's time to put them down and be careful not to just replace them with benzo's.  I'd rather have physical w/d any day than mental.....Xanax, klons, vals,etc...will just prolong the emotional healing we ALL must do. This disease does not HAVE you yet...Stick with it and take it day by day,,,slow, baby steps,,,take care of yourself.

[Shell736]

The reason I was taking Xanax was for panic attacks, and my question was I took that and Klonopin for a really long time but was never addicted, but reading this site made me nervous - saying it is very addictive - so is it or is it not? How come I never was after taking Xanax for so long

[Shell736]

sorry, what I meant was I never had withdrawals from Xanax, and I took it for 5 years before I was pregnant and just stopped. The vics I have stopped for 11 days now, so I have taken the Xanax again to help me feel better and it is working. I want to know how come I never felt the effects of being addicted to Xanax, especially since I took it for so long

[Trying To Cope]

Xanax is dependent, it is a benzo and should only be used for short periods of time.  My doc tapered me off xanax while putting me on 20mg a day of prozac...I have taken welbutrin too and it is also good....helps ya quit smoking cigs too if you smoke that is but your doctor will give you what he feels as best.  For a long time I was afraid to tell people I was taking prozac because of all the horror stories but it really does help.  My doc told me it's not an antidepressant as much as it is a "coping" drug...Good luck I myself am on day 2 without vics and I congrats you on your recovery!!!

[Clamity2]

So you were on vics when you stopped Xanax ?  

[Shell736]

I was taking them both, but while in detox I didnt take them and for a week after and it did not bother me at all, no effects from that, and like I said, I took them for a long time and then quit (this is in the past before the vics) and quit CT and it did not bother me