Anceity desperation

[KevinNewYork]

Hello everyone.  This is my first time posting.  I am 25 and my life has come to a complete halt because of anxiety and depression about 3 years ago.  I have tryd just about all the anti depressants and found none of them had any affect.  Yesterday i got a job for the first time in 6 months and left after 2 hours of being there.  Needless to say i'm starting to become very worried about all this.  

I was thinking of trying xanax as i hear its a sure shot or at least i will have some affect from it but i hear your not supposed to take it for very long. I was wondering whats the longest people are on it for?  2 weeks really wont help me hold a job

Also from the anxiety and depression my energy levels are terrible.  It goes up and down all day and sometimes i can't even sit at the computer without having to go lay down. Does anyone else get this?  I don't eat fast food. i take strong multi vitamins along with weight training and running and a healthy diet but it gives me no relief.  Anyones thoughts would be appreciated as i feel like i'm becoming increasingly alone.

ALso i don't get extreme panic attacks its just mild to alittle intense anxiety throughout the day.  Enough however to make me have no friends and dread public places and meeting people.  =(

[magen7984]

xanax is supposed to be taken as needed not everyday. I have been taking it for 2 years now i am not dependent on it. As i only take it as needed maybe once or twice a week. I know how you feel about working i have felt the same way. i acually started my own business so i would not have to deal with working with others. I took a major paycut but you need to do what makes you feel good. I used to feel as bad as you over the last couple of months i have started to feel better. You should get this book. Anxiety and phobia workbook by edmund j bourne it has helped me alot i got it on ebay for 7$ best 7 dollars i ever spent. Just try too think of the best! it will get better you will learn how to cope wiht it all but seriously the book really helps.

[KevinNewYork]

thats great you were able to start your own business, magen.  i used to make websites when i was like 16 and had my own domain and all.  i made 600$ one week through sponsors. i always dream of doing that again but nowadays internet sponsors are very scarce. back then there were plenty of them.   it would be easy to say try that but its very difficult and getting traffic to ur site !

i must look into that workbook. i got this thing called the 'Linden method'  its like anxiety tapes and stuff but never really did much ( cost 500$)

how long does the relief from taking xanax once, last?   i was thinking maybe if i could take it before work it would let me at least get there without being a nervous wreck and through maybe some of the day and then i would calm alittle bit.  thanks for ur time =)

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

if you need long term try klonopin its a long term med and you take .05 am and .o5 om after two weeks it reaches steady mind and things will be a lot better for you, search klonopin on the home page on this site there is a lot about it . your body will not want more of this med like ativan and xanax does .  search it out . wish you best of luck.

[RCA7591]

"I have tryd just about all the anti depressants and found none of them had any affect.  Yesterday i got a job for the first time in 6 months and left after 2 hours of being there.  Needless to say i'm starting to become very worried about all this."

--end quote--  

Your negative responses to the antidepressants suggests that you suffer primarily from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are more often than not, progressive (simply meaning that they get worse over time without intervention).

Whenever an anxiety disorder disrupts your normal lifestyle, it warrants treatment. It will not get better on its own, and at this point, the best suggestion that I could give you would be to consult with a psychiatrist with regards to your issues.

Xanax's onset of action is roughly 15-20 minutes, and a single dose lasts roughly four hours. However, it is only indicated for short-term use, or as-needed use only on an infrequent basis. The issue with Xanax is *tolerance* (the need to increase the dosage to produce the same desired effect). Xanax is best reserved for the treatment of sporadic panic attacks. It is not a long-term viable option, due to the tolerance issue.

From what you've written, you most likely have an anxiety disorder, one that will require long-term treatment until you can resolve your issues. The drug of choice for long-term treatment is Klonopin. Like Xanax, Klonopin is a Benzodiazepine. Unlike Xanax, Klonopin actually maintains the anxiety disorder that it is being used to treat. This results in 24 hour coverage against the symptoms of anxiety. Nothing is a 100% cure-all, but it will be of tremendous help.

Klonopin works on the principals of steady-state and accumulation. Unlike Xanax (which works immediately and is short lived), Klonopin (when dosed twice daily or more) accumulates to steady-state within two weeks. Within one month, it will accumulate to 1.5 - 3 times that of steady-state. It is this steady-state level that maintains the disorder over a prolonged period of time. There is no rebound, or "rollercoaster" effect, such as the type you'd experience with Xanax. You won't get the sensation as though it is going to "wear off". The development of *tolerance* is exceedingly rare with Klonopin (due to the retainment of steady-state), and Klonopin IS indicated for the long-term treatment of anxiety disorders.

If you have not yet taken the Xanax, I would refrain from doing so. I would consult with a psychiatrist with regards to your issues. Ideally, you would want to request a long-acting agent, something that will help you over the long-term without losing its efficacy. Klonopin would be the front-line treatment.

Those folks who start on Xanax and remain on it for an extended period of time experience severe issues in the future (namely, rebound anxiety from loss of efficacy). Therefore, it would be best to avoid those issues now, while you still have that option. Switching from Xanax to a longer-acting agent in the future often requires an adjustment period of two weeks.

Ryan

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

so good to see you back on to help out . hope you have a great day .

[KevinNewYork]

Thanks Ryan that sounds very informative.  May i ask are you on Klonopin?   And by long term use of Klonopin does that mean 2 months or 1 year or ?   Its just very worrying as i've been searching forums and i see alot of threads like " OMG Klonopin/xanax withdrawal i'm in hell" .    

Naturally enough i don't want to end some drug and feel worse then before but maybe through the state the drug puts you in i can use it to get a job and start a normal life and after my treatment of the drug i MIGHT adapt alittle to that lifestyle but i just wonder will i crash right back down to my current restrictions.  

Hard to know really i guess. I have an appointment this tuesday with my doctor so i will discuss the use of Klonopin with her. but your post is more informative then she will be. Thank you.

[RCA7591]

Barbara, hope your day is going well, too!

Kevin:

I utilized Klonopin as a tool for the past eight months to help me through a difficult period in my life. It has served me well, and now I am in the process of tapering off of it.

Any Benzodiazepine will cause physical and psychological *dependency*, however dependency is a non-issue when treating a long-term anxiety disorder. In the case of Klonopin, it may be utilized for a few months (or, if necessary, indefinitely). Klonopin was originally designed as an anti-convulsant to treat certain forms of epilepsy. Since epilepsy is more often than not a chronic condition, efficacy must be maintained over the long term. Klonopin does just that (unlike Xanax). The only issue is *tolerance*, which is to be avoided at all costs.

Do not read the horror stories on the internet. Bear in mind that such horror stories stem from the improper use of these drugs, or from an improper taper regimen. In some cases, folks have quit using them abruptly. This accounts for the majority of the horror stories. Tapering Klonopin properly will not result in horrible withdrawal.

You would be using Klonopin for a medical purpose, to regain the quality of your life. Quality of life is more important than anything else. If you require medication to help you acheive that goal, there is no shame in that.

At any rate, there is no reason to suffer, as viable treatment options are readily available to help you. Please take advantage of them. You have your entire life to look forward to.

In your case, 1/2 mg twice daily is the target dosage for Klonopin. I would not hesitate to inquire about it.

Ryan