Xanax detox and Paxil

[anxeyety]

I have been taking xanax for a few years, however I get them from friends. This caused a problem when I was unable to get them and I would go into withdraw and not be able to go to work.  I lost a job b/c of  this, now I am trying to get off. I went to a physciatrist (though I didnt mention this to him) and I told him of all my anxiety problems. He prescribed me Paxil, so I want to make it through the two or three week period with paxil, and wean off xanax.  I need to know if I should mention this to my doctor, or will this make it possible for me to get arrested, or worse will he not see me as a patient anymore. WHAT SHOULD I DO... this makes my anxiety even worse.

[RubyWitch]

You're more than welcome and I really am sorry if I came across harsh at times. You were doing so much to help yourself, which took so much courage, the fact you weren't being totally honest did NOT make me think less of you, only that by keeping things hidden, you were not going to get the help you needed.
As far as making bad decisions...........you can't possibly think you're alone in that! It sounds to me like you are in the process of learning much from your bad decisions and that, in the final analysis, is the only thing that really matters.
As you said, you have been carrying this heavy burden long enough and the only consequences are going to be positive ones. They will come at a price, but once paid, you will once again "own" yourself, so whatever the cost, it will be worth it.
You are strong. Stronger than you know. And you are admired by many on this forum who are not ready to make the commitment you have set for yourself. I hope with all my heart that you return and share with us what you have learned.........you will have much to teach. Reaching OUT is good, reaching BACK is better.
I wish you so much...........laughter, light, love and
Peace
Greenlydia  

[anxeyety]

I would like to thank all of you for your advice. I have made some very bad decisions in my life and I'm paying for them now.  However I feel the fact that I am finally going to face up to my problem will be a huge step.  I have an appt with my doc in two weeks, and I promise Greenlydia I will be 100% honest.  This has been a very heavy burnden on me for a long time, and no matter what the consequenses I am ready to deal with it.  I will keep you up to date on how it goes. Thank all of you again for your advice.

-anxeyty

[rye518]

I have Hep C and have been on Interferion and ribavian treatments for 9 weeks. I just found out I am undetectable and I am very happy HOWEVER, Hep C treatment the interferion causes more depression and major anxiety for me. My Doc knows. I was on Zanax and was allot better, I was on 1 to 2mg (2mg is a high dose) per day. Now, I have been off of it (tapered off with my Doc) and I NEED to know what kind of NATURAL (other then Kava, Kava or Valarian Root,,,because it's bad for my liver) anti anxiety product REALLY may work? Any help anyone can give me will be much appreciated. I am also a recovering alcoholic and addict (that's why I never abused the zanax and ultimately got off of it..but if I can not find a natural product,,I will go back on it, so I can not suffer and i want to stick with the horrific hep c treatments, which are Hell emotionally, mentally and physically. PLEASE HELP!!

[Summer123]

I agree with both Greenlydia and xanweaner.  However, I do want to say one more thing.  If, by some chance, you are still going through xanex withdrawal and the doctor will not prescribe benzos to help you withdraw, you do have another option.  Call an addictionologist.  In some places they have psychiatrists who are also addictionologists and if you tell him/her your problem, they will help you get off of it.  I know Greenlydia is correct, except I can imagine that the dr. you see could be mad that you have lied to him and refuse to see you.  This is probably not the case, but I am an anxious person by nature so I naturally tend to go to the "what if" scenario.

[xanweaner]

Just wanted to reconfirm what Greenlydia has posted to you. It's important to level with your pdoc so you're managed appropriately.
There's no reason for holding back anything...your doc is there to help you/heal you...

And, most importantly, xanax isn't a drug to play around with because of the side effects that can occur when you stop taking it. Rebound anxiety can be hell!! (as well as dangerous withdrawal, like potential for seizures, etc.)

I wish you well in your journey forward to feeling better and more at peace.
Best,
-xan-

[RubyWitch]

I shall spare you the lecture of taking someone else's prescription medication........especially one as problematic as Xanax. Consider yourself lucky!
That you go into withdrawl when you can't get them and have even lost a job over this should send up a REALLY big red flag.
I'm going to be a bit harsh here and tell you that while you were smart to see a psychiatrist................you were totally wasting your time AND the doctors by not telling them the truth. If you're going to see a psychiatrist, rule number one is that YOU MUST BE 100% HONEST. There is absolutely no reason to go if you're NOT going to follow this rule.
You must ABSOLUTELY tell your doctor about your Xanax usage! I simply cannot stress this strongly enough. You will NOT be arrested, so get that silly notion out of your head immediately. And he will NOT stop seeing you because of your omission. I KNOW that he will see your "confession" as a really positive step towards you wanting to deal with these problems. HE WILL NOT JUDGE YOU! I PROMISE.
What you should do is go to your next session and tell him straight off that there is something important that you omitted to tell him last time. He needs to know this for many reasons, but perhaps most importantly because he has already prescribed another medication for you. He MUST know about every medication you take and if you use ANY drug in a recreational sense, he must know this as well. (And again I will tell you that you will NOT be arrested if you smoke pot or snort various powders up your nose!) You NEED to get off the Xanax, but you MUST do this under the supervision of your doctor!
Promise me that you will be truthful with him, because he can only help you if he has the truth. ALL of it! You have taken such a huge, positive and courageous step towards helping yourself...........do not compromise it now!
Let us know how you're doing, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia