xanax withdrawls?

I have been prescribed xanax and an antidepressant for my terrible anxiety and depression.  I didn't realize that xanax was addictive and had withdrawals.  I have been taking 5-6 .25 mg pills for the last few days.  I don't want to develop an addiction or have to go through withdrawals.  Anyone know how much and how long you have to take them to experience withdrawals?  I do NOT want to go through that.  Thanks!

[kalie1979]

First why are you taking 5 to 6 a day? Is that what your doctor prescribed?

Kalie

[slatch]

He said to take them as needed.  My panic pretty much never leaves, so I kinda figured they were needed.  I have started taking celexa, but he said it would take a few weeks to kick in.  I have been looking into the xanax and am getting pretty freaked out.  I am going to ONLY take them when it gets so bad I can't take it anymore from now on. Do you think a few days of 5-6 is going to give me some kind of withdrawal?  This is certainly not helping my anxiety now that I've read up on them...

[jakegorzen]

ask your Doc for Klonopin, or Valium ASAP!
I forsee you going through ALLOT OF H3LL with the xanax, I too had it 24/7 so I know what you mean.

Klonopin, and Valium are in the same class of meds, "Benzodiazapine" but the chance for tollerance issues....even addiction levels are much lower then the Xanax.
Xanax is considered the worst, they might be good for someone with a occasional attack...once a month or so...but people who need something everyday...they are not the way.
You will adventually have to taper off it, it its allot smoother then what it would be with the Xanax,

You take hald doses twice a day, in 2 weeks it builds a steady state in your system, and it basically stays with you all the time.

Go see your Doc right away, and tell him/her about it

[greenlydia]

I agree wholeheartedly with the folks giving you warnings about Xanax.........and I endorse those warnings 100%. As someone who was prescribed Xanax 10 YEARS ago, I can persoanlly attest to the evils of this drug. Taken prn (as needed) on an extremely ocassional basis, this drug can be a lifesaver. Taken daily it is anything BUT!
You have not been on Xanax long enough to have built up any kind of tolerance yet, so please don't worry about that. And while I want to shout at you to go and immediately flush the **** down the toilet, I do not ever advise anyone to just stop or change a med without consulting their doctor first. But I WILL shout my advice to get back to your doctor and tell him/her that Xanax is NOT AN OPTION for you and you want something else! It is your right to refuse any and all medications! If your doctor insists it's Xanax or nothing, then you've got a moron for a doctor and I advise you to run away as fast as you can. Proof positive they know nothing about benzos!
If your anxiety/panic is with you MOST of the time, you need to be on a long acting benzo, which Xanax is not. Klonopin is a good, long acting benzo, but you must take it EVERY day in divided doses. It is NOT a med to be used "as needed." Diazepam (Valium) is a good med that can be taken as needed. I am not endorsing Klonopin or diazepam or ANY medication..........they ALL come with their own set of "problems," but there ARE options out there and you and your doctor need to discuss them as soon as possible.
Peace
Greenlydia    

[slatch]

Thanks guys- I will tell my doc when I see him in 3 weeks-  I'm scared to take the **** things now but they have been an absolute lifesaver the last few days.  Do you also take an antidepressant?  I just started celexa.