Help please!

Hi.
I haven't been here in over a year. I am now on xanax xr 1mg., one daily, for a year now. It's not working well anymore. I guess I've become used to it and now need more. The year previous, I was on xanax xr.5mg for a year. Before that, regular xanax as needed, for about 3 years.
I need to get off this med, as I think it is making me feel worse, now. Is this possible?
I have always had anxiety, I just quit smoking 9 mths ago, I have started seeing a psycholygist, (spelling?) about a month ago. He is going to help me deal with stress. That is where I started. Do I now see a psychyatrist? For meds?
My general dr. has me on the anxiety med.
I also have a bunch of other health issues, including: bladder cancer, neuropathy of hands and feet and cervical stynosis, to start with.
What should I do? I remember reading about klonapin?????
Thanks, Cindy

[cj29]

I am glad you are seeing a psychologist for therapy...this will help tremendously in my opinion.  As far as getting on the right meds, if you have a good relationship with your primary doctor, can your therapist work with him/her?  My therapist worked with my doctor to find out what the right course of treatment was for me.  Xanax is usually prescribed short term and you can build a tolerance to it.  Don't come off it 'cold turkey.'  The slower the better is my mantra, but again don't do it on your own...ensure you do it with your doctor, pharmacist, etc.  I have taken klonopin before and it is usually prescribed more long term, but have you ever been on an AD like Zoloft, Prozac, etc?  While I am a big supporter of medications like these, I believe that your talk therapy is the most important step you are taking in confronting this...please keep us posted!

[MrGreen]

( Thought this might interest you. Also see private message. )

If you were on 1 milligrams of Xanax-XR and switched directly to Klonopin, you will undergo Xanax withdrawal. The time frame varies from 3-14 days, depending on your liver metabolism. A "window of vulnerability", if you will.

Due to the half-life variations between the two drugs (Xanax mean half-life = 11 hours, and Klonopin mean half-life = 36 hours), the Klonopin will not instantaneously replace the Xanax until it accumulates to steady-state. The accumulation phase is complete in roughly two weeks, at which point the Klonopin will fully replace the Xanax.

It is generally advisable to slowly discontinue the Xanax while simultaneously introducing the Klonopin, as to prevent or minimize withdrawal symptoms. This allows for the Klonopin to accumulate while the Xanax is being withdrawn.

The Klonopin should be dosed twice daily at the minimum. If it is not, it will not accumulate, nor will it replace the Xanax. The Klonopin dosage should be equal to the former Xanax dosage (1 milligrams daily).

[lou52]

Thank you very much. I will discuss this with my dr.'s, and I still think I will make an appointment with a psychiatrist, to help me get off this med. I am inclined to think this kind of dr. would be the most knowledgable in this matter.
Again, thank you, for caring enough to respond to my question, and thanks for finding the time table for me. I'll keep you up to date with my progress.
Cindy

[lou52]

Forgot, I tried zoloft, and it made me worse. My dr. had me stop it. My neurologist also once put me on a med that made me feel the same way. When I called her and told her what it was doing, and that it was the same expierence I had whed on zoloft, she told me they were in the same "family". She switched me to another. Don't want to do paxil of  effexor, read negative things there.
Cindy

[cj29]

Remember that there will be EVERY possible side effect of any medication out there.  For example, aspirin can cause bleeding and various other crazy symptoms.  Just don't corner yourself into being afraid to take something if that is what you and your doctor decide is best for you.  Unfortunately, different medications affect people differently; one may help another while it is absolutely useless to you.  For me, SSRIs like Zoloft actually make me feel worse for a couple of weeks before I start to feel better, but I am glad you are proactive and are taking steps to confront this!  I think the combination of your attitude and willingness to work through this will really help you get through this.  

[lou52]

I NEED to get through it. I want off! I finally quit smoking after 35+ years. My church family and I did alot of praying!  I have alot of faith in God to help me. That is the only way I can do this because I have 0 will power, and no confidence.
I do know pretty much about meds. I was a pharmacy tech for 8 years. Just don't know about the "half life" parts. I do know what meds that give me grief.......from trial and error.
I loved working in a pharmacy, always learning! However, the owner and her partner were a couple, and CONSTANTLY fighting. I got tired of ducking flying objects!!!!
Any way, thanks for the encouragement!

Cindy

[lou52]

Hi,
I just now made an appointment with a psychiatrist. He can't get me in until November 8, but I will continue with the xanax xr and my visits to my psycholigist until then. I am hoping to begin to get off the xanax. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks, cindy