xanax

[vonne]

I take xanax at bedtime to sleep. Could it make me feel bad or hungover all the next day? I take 1/2 of the blue tablets.

[Barbara]

I have read that tranquilizers such as xanax, Valium and Klonopin can make you feel hung over the next day. It depends on the person I guess. Klonopin doesn't make me feel hung over but gives me a bad headache and makes me tired. I am on a much higher dose than you though for alcohol withdrawal, so that explains the tiredness with me.

[brian]

Any benzodiazepine can cause one to feel lethargic, etc. the next day.  It is certainly not recommended that one use Xanax or any other benzo on a regular basis for sleep.  You will become addicted and the withdrawal is quite bad.

[to brian]

do you take xanax? how much?

[imus3]

thats the good thing about xanax, it doesent leave you drowsy and tired the next day like some meds, like elivil,  as for brian, why do U keep talking about why people shouldent take meds,? and how they are going to get all addicted to them, We are not stupid. Nobody asked you to be their net doctor, why cant you just answer a post without runing on a bunch of BS that we all hear from our docs anyway.

[Kate to Brian]

Imus is an ass.  Brian you have a lot of knowledge and you share it with a lot of people.  You are very helpful and have something to share with everyone.  People can learn from your experience and I think that is great.  You've answered some of my questions previously and I am very appreciative, so THANK YOU. Imus, if you don't want help, you've come to the wrong place!!

[barbara to Kate and Brian]

I agree with you Kate. Brian has very helpful advice. Imus3 sounds to be angry and frustrated by the tone of his comments and that will never help anyone here.

[me]

Sounds to mwe like Imus is in denial.

[mike f]

cant tell the difference from withdrawl or my anxiety? currently tapering from xanax.when i feel bad am i relieving my wthdrawl from xanax or releiving my anxiety?

[brian]

Thank you all for your kind words.  As for you Imus, I do not believe all pills are bad, or that people should not take them if needed.  However, in case you haven't noticed THIS IS AN ADDICTION FORUM!!  People come here for advice about ADDICTION.  Why you come here I have no idea although I suspect deep down you know you are an addict and are trying to come to grips with this.  What I post comes mostly from my own experience, but also comes from quite a bit of education in the field of addiction and medication.  My philosophy is that people should be aware of the potential or likely consequences of taking certain drugs for a period of time.  The likelihood with most people taking Xanax for an extended period of time is addiction to Xanax.  Since the withdrawal is really bad, and since there are other effective medications for sleep that do not entail addiction  to benzodiazepines, Xanax is NOT an appropriate sleep medication in my opinion.  Finally, if you hear all this from your doctor, it is abundantly clear that YOU DO NOT LISTEN.  I humbly suggest that your posts would be best suited for someplace like alt.drugs.hard and NOT HERE.

[imus3]

I see what your sayin, and I  know im addicted to my pills,  I dident mean to be an ass, so if I was , im sorry, It just seams like everyone in here looks at the bad side of meds and not the helpfull side,,

[imus3]

brian wrote .;;.Xanax is NOT an appropriate sleep medication in my opinion.

If your not a doctor though, you opinion doesent mean anything, inless you have takin xanax befor . have you,?

[Brian to Imus]

Yes, I have taken Xanax.  I was prescribed Xanax by a doctor who knows nothing about addiction.  It is a wonderful medication to be taken short term for anxiety (i.e. perhaps for a short time after the death of a loved one).  It is also appropriate to take long-term if nothing less addictive (like Buspar) will work.  However, although it is a great medication it is VERY addictive (I know from personal experience) and is often not prescribed appropriately (such as for sleep).  As far as most posts here being anti-medications, I think that is simply a function of the nature of the problems being encountered by the people here.  I think painkillers are essential to many people and work great, and I have no bias against them; however, they are a huge problem to those of us that became addicted to them. Same thing goes with benzodiazepines, etc. I don't blame the pills or the doctors.

[Brighty to Imus]

I think it's really important that all of us exchange ideas and also facts. Sometimes we have ideas that are incorrect. I know that has been the case for me. I read an article on the net that in England and some other countries Xanax can only be administered in a controlled hospital setting. I am not sure of the accuracy of this... but it sure sounds like a good idea since more people are complaining here about Xanax than any other benzodiazepine. Xanax binds more tightly to the brain receptors than the "lesser" benzos. That makes it more  addictive and in a shorter period of time than the others. It's half life is the reason it causes prolonged and dangerous withdrawl. I am a lot more biased in my OPINION than the other people here... I think it's too widely prescribed, often very indiscriminately, so I personaly think it should also be confined to very controlled use. We are creating thousands upon thousands of "medical addicts", ruining lives and financially feeding the addiction industry... People addict so fast to this drug that before the bottle is empty they are looking for a second doctor to get extras.. happens all the time. I don't believe that this drug is more helpful than harmful when you compare risks to benefits.  Combining other non chemical methods of anxiety reduction with milder drugs is better because a person learns to do something other than take a pill. My dauther is a heroin addict. She developed anxiety disorder in 11th grade and was given Xanax..she nor we were informed of how addictive it was. It worked so well that she could not bear to be without it... after we found out that she was getting it from 6 different doctors in the county we called a medical board to get help... long story.... the bottom line is that she developed addiction and as all the addicts here know, one drug leads to another, often for self medication. It didn't take her long to find out where she could get Xanax illegally.. this put her into the drug culture that she had not formerly been part of... you know the rest. So Imus, no, it's not a sleep medication... a walk around the block will help with that. I do think you are in the right place by coming here so please don't leave or feel intimidated. You just admitted you are addicted to your pills. Maybe that's why you came here in the first place. I hope you see what's helping others and realize that you can get well if you want to. I am not an addict but I had some horrible opinions of who they were and why... I was just in the darkness... now I know it could happen to me too. This helps me to better understand our human condition and also my wonderful daughter. Good luck to you. Brighty

[Barbara]

One of the most common abused drugs is alcohol! Because it is legal no one seems to pay too much attention to the alcoholics until they hit the so called bottom, lose their job, house, wife, etc.

If people don't take xanax or other prescribed drugs, they simply self medicate with alcohol which produces the same effects and addiction. I wish there were addiction warnings about alcohol years ago. I always thought alkies were only mentally ill bums who could not function in life and that it was all psychological.

I always avoided prescribed drugs and was offered many over the  years for various ailments but refused their usage. I started to self medicate with alcohol for relaxation and to kill pain, only to my own demise! There should be much more education on the physical addiction of alcohol in my opinion especially since it is a cheap and legal destructive drug!

[BUSPAR any good?]

I am about to quit a hefty heroin habit-- the only meds I have are clonidine and Buspar..I have a huge supply of Buspar; is it like an antidepressant in that I'll have to wait a week or two for it to work, or is it more like Xanax in that it will reduce anxiety immediately after taking i?.
Thanks for any advice.

Tex

[Brian to Tex]

Buspar starts working over a 2-4 week period.  Unfortunately it does not have an immediate effect like the benzodiazepines.

[Jane]

Okay , I have read all of the posts, I took a prescribed med {Valium] becuase I had trouble sleeping because of my anxiety, for two years I took the med only to sleep, I woke up one day and decided that I didnt want them anymore because they were making me depressed, so I quit cold turkey. After ten days of sheer terror, sweats, shaking, twitching, lack of concentration, i went to see a doctor.  My blood pressure was 170 over whatever, cant remember, but since I was far from home and nowhere near my own doctor, the emergency room doctor told me that I had become addicted and that I was going thru withdrawals. he put me on Librium to ween me off of the Valium. Now after seven months of being clean I have intense Anxiety, worse than I ever had before my insomnia. Why? Why do i still have this? The withdrawals have got to be over...what is going on. Why do I want to jump out of my skin? My doctor prescribed Zoloft when I got back home, but, after a month on them, I feel horrible, and worse, so I quit taking the Zoloft. And although I am still riddled with anxiety, I feel better without the Zoloft and the side effects that come with it. What do I do now? Will this ever go away...please help explain.

[Brian to Jane]

It sounds like you may have an anxiety disorder.  Your physician could try Buspar which is not addictive, or an antidepressant such as Serzone which is used for both its antidepressant properties as well as its calming effect in those with depression accompanied by anxiety.  I would tend to doubt that after seven months you are experiencing "withdrawal" however the body does after addiction to a drug tend to react with the opposite effect of whatever drug you were taking had.  Cocaine users often experience extreme fatigue, sometimes for months, after detox.  Those who were addicted to valium, etc. often experience anxiety.  I heard it best described as being like a pendulum, once it swings far in one direction, it must swing far in the other direction before settling in the middle.  Hang in there and discuss these options for other meds with your physician.

[imus3]

jane wote;. about valium

I quit cold turkey. After ten days of sheer terror, sweats, shaking, twitching, lack of concentration, i went to see a doctor. My blood pressure was 170 over whatever


You cant quit those kinds of meds, benzo's ,opieats' barbs' exc.. Cold Turkey and not go through withdraw.  why dident you take some of the valium when you felt your self geting sick??? thats all you need to do,

[From Jane to Imus]

i didnt know that I was addicted, beleive it or not, i thought i had a terrible flu. When I went to the emergency room they gave me a two week weening supply. In retrospect, and had I known now what I didnt know then, I would have weened off of them in more time, an made it less horrible, but the plain fact is that back then I was so angry at myself for letting it happen that I refused to ever take another one (valium) but that was then, now I know so much more about addiction, and how emergency room doctors like to get you out fast, send you on your way, I was too ashamed to see my regular doctor about it, so I suffered. Let my exp, show others that Cold turkey is very dangerous, and so is weening too fast from a drug. thaks you guys for your support. jane

[jullie]

my husband was using xanax for over 6 months and tried to stop and suffered severe withdrawl.  He is excessive/compulsive personality and has sleep disorders.  Finally we went to a professional clinic who prescribed something other than benzos to get to sleep - trazedone... non-addictive.  He is also on paxil - but i have heard paxil can cause withdrawl.

[Mike]

In 1981 or 1982, when xanax was introduced to the market it was prescribed for me. Ive been on it every since. If i quit taking it it can cause the horrendous side effects of withdrawl or even worse. The last 5 times ive quit this drug, ive had major complications,ie heartattacks, seizures,kidney stones and i suspect strokes.I realize now that i am physically addicted to this drug, but after all ive been through, i do not intend to beat myself up about my addiction, nor to quit taking this drug ever again.  Any suggestions. ***@****

[dr x]

i can tell you that any controlled substance has the potential for abuse.   i  think xanax works well but i use it only for short periods of time. i use it when a person is an emotional wreck as  in the death of a spouse.  i tell them it is addictive.  buspar can work on some people but it takes time for the desired result.
the real problem with xanax is folks who are addiction prone will try and find another doctor to write it due to the way it makes them feel.  a good doctor would never write this stuff if he knew that the patient would become addicted.  i never write this drug
for people who have known addiction potential.  i can also tell
you that this drug has helped countless people live normal lives
it it a tough call. yes it is dangerous /yes it also is a wonderful
drug when used appropriately with medical supervision.
always consult your md for advice
good luck to all.. dr  x

[muza]

Ive been taking xanax for 2 months now @ the prescribed rate of 2 per day. However Ive become more depressed and self medicating, uping the dose to as much as 8 per day, dumb I know, but this drug is a benzo and addictive. Reserch has shown that after about 2 weeks tolerance has built up and you can expirence withdrawal even while still taking the med. Today is the start of my withdrawal program, last night I only had 1.5 tabs not the 6 to 8 I had been taking and a had a really bad night, insomnia, mental confushion,depreshion, head ackes,  much worse than cold turky on Valium ( ive been there too).  I beleive (and I am not a doctor or a medical expert)that it is dangerouse to go cold turky on any benzo. cut back slowly and make sure you tell your doctor.  Seek drug & alcohol rehab. advice, telephone concelling. And drink lots of water 2 or 3 l. per day helps the liver & kidenys deal with getting rid of the toxins. This problem of addiction ( to prescription medication)is common.

Best of luck, take controll of your own life & God bless.

[Susan]

I used to take Xanax but I became dependent on it so my Dr. no longer prescribes it for me.  I was too embarassed to call him when I was detoxing from it so I went it alone, and of course with the help of my husband.  I strongly suggest that if you think you're addicted to it, then you probably are and DON'T try to stop using it without the help of your doctor.  It can actually cause death when you are addicted and stop it abruptly without the help of a professional.  It was wonderful for me at first, I was stressed so I took one, I was bored so I took one, I was REALLY stressed so I took two, and on the story goes.  I took a 6 mos. supply in 3 weeks.  By that time I wasn't taking it to calm natural nervous tensions or to sleep, I needed it to function.  The thing about this drug is that when you first start taking it it might be to take the edge off the everyday stresses that are overwhelming you.  After a while it might fell like you're stressed out but actually your body is craving the medication so you have to take it to feed the craving and feel normal.  I'm not an M.D. or an expert on any of these medications.  I'm only speaking from my own experience and from my heart.  I don't think Xanax is a good idea PERIOD.  If you take nothing else from what I've said, please do take this very seriously, PLEASE DON'T DISCONTINUE THIS DRUG ALONE!!!, your life may depend on it.

[Mojo]

I have been taking Xanax for the past 21/2 years.  I do know that it is very addictive.  There is no way I can stop taking it cold turkey, I would have a seziure.  the withdrawls are terrible.  I take 2 of the blue pills a night (2mgs).  I am currently going to start tapering off of Xanax with the help of my doctor.  He prescribed Paxil to help with the tapering but i am scared to fill the prescription after what I have read here about Paxil withdrawls and how hard it is to get off that antidepressant.  The Xanax can definately give you a "hungover" feeling in the a.m.  But as time goes on you will build a tolerance to the medication and you will no longer feel hung-over.   Good luck, Mojo

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Don't be too afraid of the Paxil. It will help with the anxiety caused by the withdrawal. Your dose is small, so the tapering should go fairly well. If you are afraid of Paxil you may want to ask for Celexa a similar anti-depressant SSRI drug.

I am currently on Celexa to help me stop drinking. I just went through ten days in-patient detox and required 7 1/4 mg of Klonopin a day to stop seizures and DT's.

I am still taking the current dosage of Klonopin and my psychiatrist says she will do a very slow taper off of it giving the Celexa plenty of time to kick in.

I know what you mean about the hang over feeling. My psychiatrist joked that most people would be comatose on the dosage of Klonopin I am taking but I guess it's counter balancing the quart of vodka I was consuming every day for three years. I can drive and work with no problems!

[Susaness]

Following painful cervical spine surgery in Dec, I took xanax on five occasions when my pulse and blood pressure spiked and my body tremored uncontrollably.  When I was cautioned about its potential for addiction, I threw the pills away, and the first night without the crutch, I was fearful, but used mental and spiritual tools.
I needed massive narcotics for pain following surgery.  I was hooked up to a dilaudid IV and came home from hospital taking 60 mg oxycontin and 42 mg dilaudid.  Two weeks later and down to 8 mg dilaudid and 60 mg ocycontin daily, I became profoundly (chemically-induced) depressed.  To my regret, cold turkey was not possible, and I weaned in four days.  No dilaudid the first day and only 40 mg oxycontin.  Second day 10 mg oxycontin.  Third day 5mg percocet.  Each day my arm muscles ached.  The fourth day 2.5 mg percocet.  The fifth day I was anxious and achey (achy).  The sixth day withdrawal was gone and depression lifted.  I never experienced euphoria or even a cloudy sense of well being despite the massive doses of dilaudid, the drug which reportedly led to the Elvis's demise.

[dave]

was on xanax a long time ago for severe anxiety. the doctor took me off and i had the most worst withdrawls. he tried putting me on every antianxiety med possible and they all made me sick. xanax was the only thing that has ever worked for me and so he put me back on it.i know its not the greatest med to be on, but when you have severe panic  disorder along with anxiety probs it works great.ive beeen on buspar, paxil,clonopin,and a few others. he told me there are some people who neeed to be on xanax for good if it is the only thing that works.he said you dont become addicted , just dependant on it. if you abuse it ya you will become adicted, but take it the right way it does have a good effect. just have to moderate it. thanx for listenin

[J]

I've been on xanax for the past 2+ years.  Down from 8mg. to now only .5mg. at night for sleep.  I'm feeling awful.  What are the "terrible withdrawl symptoms"  you guys keep talking about?  What happens to you?  I'm having some really weird symptoms.  I don't know if all this is caused by going off the xanax.  How long does it take to get off of xanax?  I do not want to be dependant on ANYTHING, especially a tranquilizer.  I also stopped taking zoloft a couple of weeks ago.  I do not want to take anything anymore.  Any ideas?

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

The most common withdrawal symptoms with Xanax are: anxiety/agitation; insomnia; muscle twitching/aches and some lesser symptoms (hot/cold sensations, etc.).  Since you are now on .5mg per day, you could try breaking the pill in half and taking .25 per day for a couple of weeks, then .25 every other day for a week or so and then stop.  You still may experience some withdrawal but it will likely be mild and last only a few weeks.  Did you taper off the Zoloft or just stop?