anxiety and xanax

I have GAD and am bipolar. I have been relatively stable on 1mg of xanax 3 times a day but am beginning to have problems with anxiety over and above the norm when I go shopping or am going out to ride or work my horse. I have never felt this anxious doing either. I have begun to take an extra xanax before shopping ( and this is only 2hrs after I take my morning dose) and another before I work or ride. My dr says that I can take 4mg a day but 5? You need to be calm around horses as they can sense any nervousness and it can make them nervous in turn which is NOT good. Any thoughts or ideas?

[MrGreen]

Your doctor is an idiot if he is suggesting you up the xanax that high. No other words for him. The more you take, the more you will need to take as your tolerance grows to the medication. Then what happens when it stops working for you? Ask your doctor that question. When you take 4mg and it does nothing in a few months time. You will have to come off them some day too. That dose is over the top. In my opinion anyway. Your body will suffer when you need to quit them. 1mg can be enough for some people. 3mg, which I was on, was considered a high dose. Think strongly about this. They will stop working some day and then the withdrawls as you have to come off them. Your doctor is more or less thinking ' quick fix '. Not long term sollution. Ask him all you can about xanax. The addictive nature of it. What coming off them is like. Then see how honest he is with you.

[bastet56]

I took some time to think over what you said before I replied. I do not know how severe your bipolarism and GAD are and you do not know mine. My dr is a flake at times but not an idiot. She knows that without this high a dose that I would be hositalized or dead. I will cross the tolerance bridge when I come to it. I have no choice once that happens. I take only 4mg when absolutely necessary and today was one of those days. Unless you have a medical degree or know me and my case well do not judge. You may someday have to walk in my shoes. I realize that xanax and all benzo's are addictive. It's the choice we made to keep alive at this point.

[birdie0907]

I am not bipolar, but believe from postings by the depression moderator that a bipolar person needs to be on long term meds. I don't mean to be advising on a chat line, but Xanax doesn't seem appropriate.
Also my pharmacist said that Xanax is the only true panic attack reliever, (or something like that) so I think that is what MrG is getting at. Were you diagnosed by a GP or a psychiatrist? A psychiatrist has much more information on the current med choices so that is the best place to go if possible.

[birdie0907]

I usually look on people's home page before posting, and should have done so here. I see you are on more than Zanax, so just delete the first paragraph of mine.

[MrGreen]

I have a history with xanax and a history of when xanax stops working. You keep upping the dose. I have done it. You are addicted to it. Then it was time to come off it. And that was the nightmare from hell. Xanax is not a long term sollution. Quick fix for panic attacks and the likes. I still say 4mg or higher is too much. Because soon 5mg will be needed to do what 4mg was doing. Then 6mg. Then 7mg. It is a form of medication that we nearly all abuse. Take more because we want the same kick in effect. I perfer klonopin, with valium as needed, as a longer term sollution. But it is your body and your choice. You are the one who will have to come off it some day.

[Ariom63]

this is just me....I was diagnosed with GAD about 8 yrs ago.  They tried lots of different meds and finally I was put on xanax myself. I cannot tell you what a lifesaver it was for me.  MrGreen is right, it is a very addictive drug, but after talking to my doctor he said all benzo's are addictive. If you are a responsible person and take the required dosage that your doctor put you on then it's your decision. I have been taking it...never uped my dosage.  It gets a bad name because people love to take nit just to get that mellow feeling. Then there are people like me that won't go over the limit because I don't want to abuse it. I was given 2mgs a day...and till this day, no matter how I feel 2mgs is all I take.  Valium is what they did start me off with, but felt very sluggish.  However when wanting to come off xanax, normally Klonopin is given to handle the withdrawl (withdrawal) and the anxiety at the same time.  We are all different....Mr.Green is right and even though I take xanax myself, it is much more of a quick fix.  However I know my body, my mind and I stay true to what my doctor tells me to do.  I am not going sit here and bash anyone about a medication that helps them, especially when I take it myself.  Yes I have know  people who have started off with 2mg, then jumped to 4mg and some even going as high as 10mg..but that is their problem.  For some it is just to easy to open that bottle hoping for a miracle.  I am different....knowing that if I do take more than prescribed I will be cut off..so I just don't do it.  JMO.

Moira

[bastet56]

I understand the addicting effects of Xanax. I know that I am as a result of taking it for years, addicted. I know that. I also know that even though I have been at 3mg a day for years that I am now experiencing anxiety and panic well over and above what this dose can contain. I have my drs permission to take another 1mg if needed. I was basically asking if others have this problem too. Being also bipolar, I go through cycles which in my case are made worse by stress which right now is at an all time high. I appreciate all your concern. Believe me I know the risks. I have been on heavy duty meds for almost all of my 53yrs. This is not my first rodeo. Thank you all.