Xanax XR

[JeepJessy79]

Is anyone out there on Xanax XR or know of anyone on it?  I'm thinking about asking my Doctor to put me on it.  Let me know please.

[RCA7591]

For the long-term maintenance of anxiety disorders, this preparation is a poor choice. It is no better than regular Xanax with regard to tolerance, dependency, and horrible withdrawal phenomenon upon discontinuation. It is merely an extended release version of the original Xanax.

Ideally, Xanax (in any form), should be used only temporarily. The XR version was designed to prevent "interdose anxiety" due to the short half-life of Alprazolam (about 4 hours).

The original Xanax should only be used on a PRN basis, and the XR version for the temporary treatment of short-term anxiety disorders (one or two weeks).

If used long term, the drug is extremely difficult to taper from directly, namely due to the short half-life. Alprazolam does not accumulate in the body, therefore, the withdrawal phenomenon is abrupt (occurs shortly after the drug is discontinued). Even with the XR version, the drug never reaches steady-state.

Ativan is similar, but less potent.

Better choices for the long-term are Klonopin 1/2 mg BID or TID, Valium 10 mg TID or QID, or Librium 25 mg QID. The more popular choice is Klonopin. These Benzodiazepines have an intermediate to long half-life, and reach steady-state over a period of three days to two weeks. Steady-state plasma levels eliminate interdose anxiety. They are also easier to discontinue, as the plasma levels fall gradually when the drug is tapered slowly.

The nice thing about the long-acting Benzodiazepines is that they rarely lose their anxiolytic effect (that is, their anti-anxiety properties). Tolerance to this effect is extremely rare.

-Ryan

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i have been taking ativan .05 everyother day is it a bad drug to take do you get used to it to, i need something right now to get me over lots stress ive been through , mom surgery and lots of pac , i dont have stress like this ofton but now its really bad everyday i wake up i have it . i need a little help to get over it . guess i need go dr see what they say .

[Raine9]

I'm so glad I read your response!  My psych tried to push this drug on me!

[debaser23]

Xanax XR is probably under patent, isn't it?  I'm guessing whichever pharmaco makes it is putting the hard sell on docs.

I don't know much about benzos other than the one I'm taking, but Xanax has a notorious reputation for the reasons Ryan talked about.  Seems like it would only be used short-term in a controlled environment (in-patient).  

I took Xanax recreationally as a kid, and certainly wouldn't want to use it to treat anxiety.  No doubt it works, but there are too many drawbacks.

[RCA7591]

"i have been taking ativan .05 everyother day is it a bad drug to take do you get used to it to, i need something right now to get me over lots stress ive been through , mom surgery and lots of pac , i dont have stress like this ofton but now its really bad everyday i wake up i have it . i need a little help to get over it . guess i need go dr see what they say ."

--end quote--

1/2 mg of Ativan every *other* day isn't bad, provided you're only taking ONE 1/2 mg tablet every other day. 1/2 mg is a small dose, equal to 0.25 mg of Xanax or 0.125 mg of Klonopin (or 2.5 mg of Valium). I really don't see a problem here, as the dose is extremely small.

Ativan has a half-life of 8 hours, which means by the second day, almost all of the drug is eliminated from your system before your next dose. It never has a chance to reach "steady-state", and your risk of dependency is small.

If taking the Ativan in this manner is helping you to cope, continue on.

-Ryan

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

thank you for that advice how do you know so much about ativan or the drugs.
i only take it when needed and here and now i need it to get passed my stress anxiety. its .05 took one this am but i counterd it i almost waited to late to take it , it took 4 hours before i calmed down on it . . so this does not build up in system thats good than why do drs have such a hard time giving them. its not like you get hooked on .05  if you take it now and than they act like its a bad drug and you will need more and more . ive bben taking them for 23 years . i get a bottle of 30 they last me a year or more so they have to see i dont abuse them. am glad to see they last 8 hours i was thinking you said 4 hours for ativan, so that makes me a little happier. i did see a dr who wanted me to go on lexapro 10mg a day but i dont want to do it if i can take ativan and get over the stress it will go away sooner or later . ok thanks your a great help ryan

[Tybenzo]

Please Help. I am about to be perscribed Xanax XR once a day due to my ups and downs on regular Xanax. I have been on Xanax 3x a day at .5 mg for 3 years and decided to make the switch. My question is what is the recommended starting dosage of XR if I'm currently take 1.5 Mg a day total? 1 MG, 2MG or 3MG Xanax XR?

[cassy235]

yea i was on .5 mg three times a day of regular xanax.  the doctor is thinking about giving me XR if he gives me .5 of XR is that the equivilant of .5 three times a day.  or is it only .5 mg spread out among a long time, being less effective?

[RCA7591]

To answer your questions:

Xanax is a short acting Benzodiazepine indicated for the short term treatment of anxiety disorders, or for use on a PRN (as-needed) basis. Xanax is not indicated for the long term management of anxiety disorders, and should not be used for more than a few weeks consistently. Ideally, it is best reserved for use on an as-needed basis, for aborting sporadic panic attacks.

Xanax has a rapid onset of action (15-20 minutes), and a half-life of 4-6 hours. The effects are short lived, and the drug does not accumulate. If it is used over a prolonged period of time on a daily basis, tolerance to the effects develops rapidly, as the plasma level never reaches steady-state. Therefore, Xanax is not indicated for long term use, or for the management of GAD or Panic Disorder, as the risk of tolerance is high.

Xanax-XR is merely an extended-release version of the original Xanax. It is designed to release a specific dose roughly every six hours. The 0.5 mg version releases 0.5 mg every six hours, and so on. However, the drug is still indicated for short-term use only, and the same risk of tolerance applies. Xanax-XR is NOT indicated for long term use.

While Xanax may provide you with relief now, over the long run, it will cause nothing but grief. The effectiveness will continue to decrease, and the dose will need to be increased to maintain the same therapeutic effect. Xanax is also very difficult to discontinue, and it cannot be tapered from directly without producing severe withdrawal phenomena and rebound symptoms.

Therefore, rather than requesting Xanax-XR (which is not indicated for the management of anxiety disorders), you may want to request Klonopin instead. Klonopin is a long acting Benzodiazepine, and is indicated for the long term management of anxiety disorders. Tolerance to Klonopin is rare, as the drug carries a long 50-hour half-life. Klonopin works on the principal of steady-state and accumulation, unlike Xanax (which works immediately). Plasma levels of Xanax peak and trough, while plasma levels of Klonopin are maintained (providing 24 hr coverage of symptoms).

Making the transition from Xanax to Klonopin is straight-foward (they are dose equivalent), however, the full benefits of Klonopin are not instantaneous. Klonopin requires roughly two weeks to reach steady-state. During the transition from Xanax to Klonopin, there is a window of vulnerability where you may experience rebound and withdrawal phenomenon. This will pass within two weeks.

In short, neither of you should be using Xanax long-term. If you continue to use it, you are going to suffer in the future. Ask the doctor to switch you from Xanax to Klonopin.

-Ryan

[Slappy3243]

I have been on Xanax XR for over a year now and I have not built up any tolerance to it. There are many conflicting studies as to whether or not Xanax can be used long-term. My psychiatrist believes that it works long-term and I am proof. Also, doing a quick google search will show that there have been studies done that show Xanax does not lose its efficacy with long-term use. In fact, Xanax XR was designed from the ground up to be taken daily. Klonopin, while great for many people, made me depressed. Xanax XR does not do that to me. Benzos in general get a very bad reputation but that reputation mostly comes from the fact that they are abused. When abused, they can make your life a living hell I am sure.

Basically, take what you read on these forums with a grain of salt. Xanax XR works great in the long-term for many people as placebo trials have proven. While people may become tolerant to its hypnotic effects after two weeks or so, the anxiolytic effects remain the same.

Don't give up on the Xanax XR just because of some of the horror stories. They seem to be the only stories that get posted on the internet anyway. There are plenty of long-term users like myself out there who find Xanax XR to completely viable in the long-term. I am not sure if this forum allows links to be posted so I won't post any but again, use google to your advantage. Read the drug guidelines set forth by the makers of Xanax XR in detail. It is not a demon drug when it comes to long-term use.

-Adam

[Slappy3243]

To make a correction, Xanax XR was not designed from the ground up. I meant it was formulated to avoid the ups and downs of regular Xanax and formulated so that it could be taken daily. Since it does not work nearly as fast as regular Xanax, you can't just pop one when you are having a panic attack and expect great results. The drug is meant to be taken regularly and to prevent panic attacks from even starting.

-Adam

[xanweaner]

Xanax definitely has its place - it's saved me many times over the years, but I made sure that once my depression/anxiety leveled off, I tapered off the drug. I have experience with both the XR as well as the short-acting.

I've done extensive research on xanax withdrawal symptoms as I'm in the process of weaning off. What makes the drug dangerous to get off  of is how long many of the withdrawal effects can last. Just because it has a short-life does not mean that it's also out of your system quickly.

Many of the top psychiatrists in the field have documented how long withdrawal symptoms can last. Some say patients can get them from 6 mos. up to 18 months. They say it can take that long for your brain to reach homeostasis again.

I'm glad that I'm able to obtain info. on withdrawal effects because the information keeps me going during the weaning and confirms that what I'm feeling may be quite "normal" and can happen.

I noticed that this first post was in 2007 - I sure hope that the person who first posted this  was able to find a drug that worked for them to provide some relief  and comfort.

[Slappy3243]

I have also done a great deal of research on Xanax withdrawal since I do want to come off of it as well and see how I handle things without it. My psychiatrist is aware of the withdrawal effects that will happen and said he will work with me. From what I have read, withdrawal symptoms lasting 6-18 months is rare and only happens in patients on a higher than normal dose who have been on the drug for a long time. In his 25 years of experience, he said that most of his patients have a harder time coming off an SSRI like Paxil or an SNRI like Effexor. Hopefully that will make you feel a bit better. You are correct that Xanax will be harder to come off of than the longer lasting benzos though. Right now I am getting off of the Lexapro since I felt like it wasn't doing anything. My anxiety has increased a great deal along with feelings of sadness. I know that this is probably since this is only my seventh day of withdrawal but it makes you wonder if the Lexapro was helping me afterall. I just wish I was normal.

-Adam

[xanweaner]

Adam,
Thanks for that info. I'm just doing my weaning, bit by bit, slowly, so I don't get a return of my severe original problems of trembling and shaking. So far, so good.

That's great the you're working with your Dr.

Did you read some of the papers by psychiatrists about xanax as well as addiction Docs? Excerpts from Toxic Psychiatry by Peter Breggin, M.D. -

Chapter 11

Individuals who take only one pill daily for sleep or anxiety are not exempt from withdrawal problems. In my private practice during the last few years I have worked with several people who were unable to stop taking a once-a-day standard dose of Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, or other minor tranquilizers. In each case, the attempt to stop the medication led to a disturbing degree of anxiety or insomnia within twenty-four hours. The problem seemed to be caused by rebound anxiety or rebound insomnia (see ahead). In a personal communication in late December 1990, internist John Steinberg confirmed that patients taking one Xanax tablet each day for several weeks can become addicted. Steinberg is medical director of the Chemical Dependency Program at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and president of the Maryland Society of Addiction Medicine. He points to research that Xanax and other short-acting benzodiazepines can cause a reactive hyperactivity of the receptors that they block. The hyperactive receptors then require one or more doses of Xanax each day or they produce anxiety and emotional discomfort. Steinberg calls the impact of Xanax "a fundamental change in the homeostasis of the brain." After the patient stops taking the Xanax, according to Steinberg, it takes the brain six to eighteen months to recover. Xanax patients should be warned, he says, that it can take a long time to get over painful withdrawal symptoms. Since doctors frequently don't realize this, they, too, are likely to be confused and to continue the drug in the hope of "treating" the patient's drug-induced anxiety and tension

Obviously, this is one opinion, but it helps me in knowing that some of what I feel can be due to my xanax weaning and it helps me to push through it and get through another day so some day I can be xanax-free.

Thanks...

[Slappy3243]

How slowly are you tapering off of the Xanax? I am just wondering since it seems to be going well for you. When the time comes for me to taper, I want to make it as easy on myself as possible. And yes, that is just the opinion of one doctor. May doctors disagree such as mine and feel that although there will be withdrawal effects without a doubt, they can be minimized and should only last for a few weeks after the taper is totally completed.

-Adam

[xanweaner]

My weaning if moving forward - it's been very tough at times throughout this process - started on Oct. 1, 07. This last tapering was the toughest - I stayed at the same dose for about 39 days. I'm just about ready to go down again. I didn't taper down any faster than 14 days and only cut one of my doses of the short-acting xanax in 1/2. Right now, I take .25 so  i cut it 1/2 - only .125.
I know that the Dr's saw it should only last for a few weeks, but I've found other psychiatrists reference longer withdrawals for some patients.
Everyone is unique and I'm sure have different experiences.
To me, what was most compelling was tDr. Steinberg's statement of the impact of xanax on the brain. Since his specialty is addiction, I'm sure he has treated his share of xanax addicts.

Also, this info. below comes from the Xanax XR site:

Xanax withdrawal symptoms may include panic attack and a bereavement type of emotional instability. The nature of symptoms being internal makes the diagnosis and cure very difficult. Generally, patients find it hard to describe verbally what is occurring. More hopelessly, many of the descriptions resemble the emotional or psychiatric problem for which they originally started taking Xanax, and leaves in dilemma of taking that as withdrawal symptom. However, Xanax withdrawal symptoms can be easily detected with some of the more defining features.

The early stage of withdrawal symptoms is accompanied by a sense of anxiety and apprehension coupled with rising tremor feelings and slight bi-frontal headache. This stage rapidly progresses to feelings of panic-like anxiety with palpitations. The patient also starts feeling de-realization, along with marked startle response and increased sensory input.

One may start crying at a sudden or may start shivering out of fear without any external event. These frequent consequences make him feel weak emotionally like bereavement & often describe painful emotions. Because of feelings of amplified sensory inputs, one may experience bizarre misinterpretations ranging from feeling one's teeth rotating in their sockets to parts of their bodies falling off.

Further advancing withdrawal symptom include illusions and hallucinations initially with patterns and geometric shapes, and then into full-formed complex visual hallucinations. Sometimes, at this stage, patients may have delusions of bodily dysfunction. One may feel as if he is having a nervous breakdown, or going crazy in an attempt to understand what is going on. With further progression, disorientation to person get replace with full delirium, and eventually withdrawal ends up at major motor seizure activity. The last triad of symptoms including hallucination, delirium and seizure are classified as major Xanax withdrawal symptoms.

However, all cases are not associated with withdrawal symptoms but most are found to have withdrawal for at least several months. It has been documented that it may take six months to two years to resolve Xanax withdrawal symptoms.
__________________________________________________________________

Luckily, I did not get the horrible withdrawal symptoms, but did get the sadness, tearfulness, bereavement, tingling in my limbs, derealization, not wanting to face people...

One thing that stands out to me is that more than one source documents that the complete withdrawal can last up to 2 years, in some cases.
Thought I'd pass this along - you can let your Dr. know the sorces of the info. esp. the info. on the Xanax XR site.

[Slappy3243]

I think that most of the symptoms that were described from the Xanax XR site are not the norm. The symptoms that you experienced such as sadness and the derealization are much more common. I do believe that an obscure minority of people will have the worse case scenario symptoms. However, the same applies when withdrawing from an SSRI. There are some people who get such bad withdrawal symptoms that they cannot come off of the medication. If I were you, I would focus more on the people that come off of the Xanax with mild to moderate symptoms like you since that is much more likely to occur.

Also, Dr. Shipko is one of the most well known psychiatrists when it comes to anxiety and panic disorder and his view on withdrawal from Xanax differs greatly from the doomsday scenario that you posted. Dr. Shipko actually founded the Panic Disorder Institute and has written a book, along with a ton of research  in regards to how anxiety and other parts of the body react with each other. His website is http://www.stuartshipko.com/. You can view the various research and publications he has been involved in. He is also on the expert panel of Doctors at power-surge (http://www.power-surge.com/asktheexperts/anxiety2.shtml). Dr. Shipko is very fond of benzos, especially Xanax, and knows how useful they can be when treating panic/anxiety disorders.

I also emailed my psychiatrist and he feels that I will not have much of a problem coming off the Xanax XR. He said most of his patients experience symptoms that are much less menacing than those when coming off of an SSRI or SNRI. I do expect to feel sad, shaky, tingle, derealization (I already have that anyway)...etc. I don't expect I will have seizures or hallucinate though. Also, Xanax addicts and abusers tend to take the drug in much higher doses than a doctor would normally prescribe which could lead to those bad withdrawals. That is just something else to consider. Thanks for the information.

-Adam

[xanweaner]

Hi Adam,

You had written...
{Also, Dr. Shipko is one of the most well known psychiatrists when it comes to
anxiety and panic disorder and his view on withdrawal from Xanax differs greatly from the doomsday scenario that you posted. Dr. Shipko actually founded the Panic Disorder Institute and has written a book, along with a ton of research  in regards to how anxiety and other parts of the body react with each other}

I referred to a Dr. John Steinberg, who wrote:

"John Steinberg confirmed that patients taking one Xanax tablet each day for several weeks can become addicted. Steinberg is medical director of the Chemical Dependency Program at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and president of the Maryland Society of Addiction Medicine. He points to research that Xanax and other short-acting benzodiazepines can cause a reactive hyperactivity of the receptors that they block. The hyperactive receptors then require one or more doses of Xanax each day or they produce anxiety and emotional discomfort. Steinberg calls the impact of Xanax "a fundamental change in the homeostasis of the brain." After the patient stops taking the Xanax, according to Steinberg, it takes the brain six to eighteen months to recover. Xanax patients should be warned, he says, that it can take a long time to get over painful withdrawal symptoms. Since doctors frequently don't realize this, they, too, are likely to be confused and to continue the drug in the hope of "treating" the patient's drug-induced anxiety and tension."


Luckily, I did not experience extreme reactions, but do experience some of the withdrawal symptoms talked about. Either way, it's not fun and I post this so others can see that although the drug, xanax, may be eliminated from the blood stream, that does not mean that the withdrawal symptoms stop.  It's the brain chemistry that has to recover, and many times, our Dr.'s are confused and prescribe another drug to "treat" what is a drug-induced anxiety and tension.

I just want to wean off the xanax and not replace it with another pharmaceutical agent, if possible.

Thanks for your info...and I hope sharing the data helps others...

[Slappy3243]

I understand that Dr. Steinberg has a different view of how Xanax affects the brain. However, there are also many other doctors that disagree with him was just the point I was trying to make. There is no set rule in how one person will react when coming off of a benzo. You just have to do it and see what happens. I like you want to be drug free as well. I am coming off of Lexapro right now and I feel depressed, sad, anxious...etc but I keep telling myself to ride out the storm and see if these symptoms disappear after a few weeks. If they remain, then I may have to try another SSRI. I truly wish I could be medicine free just as you wish. I wish these drugs were more black and white but unfortunately, everybody seems to react differently.

Anyway, I am glad that you are having more of the minor withdrawal symptoms that are to be expected when coming off a benzo (although they still suck). The brain's chemistry does has to recover, just like it needs to recover after taking an SSRI for a period of time. After my research, I just find that 6-18 months is not the norm but the exception.

I wish you the quickest possible recovery though.

-Adam

[xanweaner]

That's good news about the 6 - 18 mo. recovery being the exception. But, I will say one thing - today, I'm on my 40th day of a dosage reduction, and I experienced a brief period of anxiousness/near physical trembling that I had when I first went on xanax last  April. Luckily, I caught it, went into a warm bath to relax and felt better.  But, that was a surprise since that feeling has rarely happened during my 4-mo. weaning period.

So, who knows??
Wishing you good luck also in your withdrawal from Lexapro - I'm sure that you've done your research and know what can be expected. I hope that you can exceed and be SSRI-free.  After the xanax weanng, the next drug I have to tackle is Ambien. Fortunately, I've been able to taper off in the past, so I hope that the same will hold true. I currently take 10 mg. each evening.....

Wishing you a strong recovery, too...and thanks again.

[oblivionean]

I was given Xanax by my doctor and got highly addicted taking nearly 20 a day on and off for 4years and constantly for 1 year and now have kidney disease and I am only 26. I had to have kidney surgery last year because of dying tissue in my ureter tubes which aloud urine to flow from my bladder back into my kidneys. Even after the surgery I still get them and have to take antibiotics everyday. Now my right kidney is failing and continues to put off dead tissue. I am not blaming Xanax completely but by me abusing them like I did had something to do with it. Be careful when the doctor tries to prescribe you Xanax because they are highly addictive and have major side effects.

[tinkandpeg]

my mother was forced to stop taking xanax by her doctor when she said she thought she was addicted.my mother had no withdrawal programme and was stopped abruptly.the doctor had previously told my mother that xanax was less addictive than other benzos.two years on my mother is still suffering terrible.could it still be withdrawal?no other prescription drugs work,shes on diazepam at moment and it seem to make her worse.shes tried most ssris and benzos all have bad effect.both her doctor and pshychiatrist wont believe she was ever addicted and even if she was she wouldnt still be suffering now.they say its GAD.what she has suffered these past two is nothing like her previous anxiety.she took 0.25mg up to 5 a day for 4 months.does anyone know if this could still be symptoms from xanax?we are desperate for answers.

[xanweaner]

Is your mother still suffering now for 2 years since her abrupt termination of xanax? How are her symptoms different than they were before?

[BabaluandOtis2]

Others here are much more knowledgeable w the different meds . But I highly doubt your mom is still suffering any Xanax w/d.
That dose added up is only 1.25 mg a day, if she took 5 a day. She could have had w/ d by being abruptly stopped on the med. But not this long.
What concerns me is you said she's being given other SSRI's and benzos. If she is constantly being put on and taken off all these types of meds, without being properly tapered before starting a new one.....THAT will mess her up. It certainly seems like she might have GAD. But, is the GAD being induced by what these doctors are doing to her?
Also some benzos work better than others for different people. I was given Ativan I think one time and it was horrible for me. The Xanax worked wonders on the other hand.
If she truly has GAD she needs to try ONE of the meds first to see if it helps and not be abruptly taken off of it or switched to another too soon. If she is really in bad shape the xanax might be helpfull as it works immediately, but as you have read, Klonopin which is more longer acting might be better for her if it is GAD.

Maybe you should take her to a new doc for a different perspective.
I hope your Mom feels better soon.
Take care  ; )

[tinkandpeg]

thankyou 4 replying.my mothers symptoms differ in b4 xanax her anxiety caused her severe sweating,loose bowels and loss of appetite,also sleepless nights.now although she can get to sleep she wakes around 2am with severe body tension and intense fear.sleep is then out of the question.her symptom may ease during the morning but will gradually creep back for some reason after her midday meal?she no longer gets the sweating etc as b4.its the tension,chest pain and feelings of being strangled,which seem 2 me the symptoms of an addict.i agree with you about her being messed about with drugs from doctors.the problem is doctors and us cant understand why tablets she used prior 2 xanax worked but now dont.my mother is reluctant to change her doctor as she knows doctors dont like taking on patients with mental health problems[b4 retirment she was a doctors receptionist].she is seeing a phychiatrist and attending community group sessions.everyone cant understand why her sufering is incresed no matter what tablet shes put on,even diazepam.she did try lorazipam which was great,but same as xanax quickly became tolerant and needed more.thankyou so much 4 your concern. xx

[johanni]

Xanax is certainly an "evil" drug!It destroyed my friends life.RCA7591 is providing you with very good advice.I myself am on valium 10mg daily,an it helps control my anxiety.It is very safe and my dose is very low.My friend started with 0.5mg of xanax and ended up taking 10mg daily.The anxiety became worse as the dose was increased and she ended up in a detox clinic.She is slowly recovering and has switched to valium.Avoid xanax at all costs!

[LadyLuck77]

I have been reading all of everyone's posts on Xanax and Xanax XR.  I hae been on Xanax for over 5 years.  My doctor put me on Xanax XR when it first came out and I was kind of excited not having to take them all the time, but after two days of taking it the time release did not work as planned, it dissolved to quickly in my system and was released all at once (well I should say gradually over about an hours time).  So for me it did not work well at all.  I have been taking 1mg 3x a day for some time now (that is what I was prescribed, it was higher 2mg 3x a day but asked for smaller dose) I try not to take this much a day as I use it when I have any panic attacks and for anxiety attacks, plus I have insomnia so I kill two birds with one stone.  I have never been dependant on Xanax and have stopped taking it many times by tapering my dose over a few weeks thinking it was all stressed related but apparently in my case its not just stress.   My doc now wants me to start trying new medications that are out like Buspar and some others but after reading side effects (which I am extremely sensitive to most meds) I am scared to try them.  I finally broke down two days ago and tried one called Seroquel 100mg.  This medication just totally threw me, I was hallucinating could not talk or walk.  I was not functional at all by any means and all I took was 25mg of it.  After this I decided I was not comfortable changing my meds and my doc does not agree and does not want to continue my Xanax that I normally take.  I am kind of confused why my doc would want to change a medication that is working perfectly for me with no side effects and I can function properly on and I have never had to increase my dosage, I use it as needed for attacks but .5mg at night for sleep.  Does anyone else seem to be having the same pressure to change meds from their docs, to get them off of Xanax to other drugs that cause more harm?

I have tried most of them in the begining before trying Xanax and nothing was working for me that was not giving me worse side effects or having to take another pill to cover up another side effect.

~Just wondering

[MysticSymphony]

I just wanted to say I'm very grateful to see both sides of the Xanax XR story.  I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder 2 years ago, where many of my panic attacks were very situational, but so frequent and unpredictable and debilitating that I landed in the ER more times than I wanted to and also spent a week on inpatient care.  During my inpatient stay, I was switched from Lexapro to Klonopin and it was the Klonopin that seemed to only provide short term relief.  I tried to wean off it after 9 months of being on the medication and experiencing side effects where I felt as though I was "walking dead" and had such a violent relapse that I hesitate to ever go near the drug again.  My psychiatrist put me on Xanax XR a year ago now and with the combination of Zoloft, I find that I can experience much less "drug paranoia" (the bad experience with Klonopin caused me to quit treatment altogether until I was completely incapacitated by panic attacks, having them 3 or 4 times daily) and just live a somewhat normal life.

I'm wondering, though...if you have panic disorder, are you condemned to be on medication for life?  My before Xanax XR days were horrifying but I've always wanted to come off of medication entirely.  My psychiatrist has to keep reminding me that treatment is a one day at a time thing but I'm all about the big picture.  I'm assuming I should just listen to my psychiatrist- she is pretty excellent and has really helped me through- but I'm just curious.