xanax

Since I stopped xanax and switched to kolonopin everything is so much better. I also awitched from zoloft to lexapro. I found that by the time I woke in the morning after taking xanax every 4 hours while awake I was already having acute withdrawal symptoms. Stomach ache, panic, ect. With the kolonopin none of this and I am taking 2 mgs of kolonopin a day next to 8mg a day of xanax. I wish I made the switch sooner. I am not a doc and everyone is different but if yo are on xanax for long term management of anxiety I would try kolonipin. If it dosen't work you can always go back to xanax. My doc also prescribed welbutin 300mg xr. Any comments on this? I am a bit wary of taking two anti depressants but he said thry are different types of anti-depress any thoughts? I have major, debilitating depression and anxiety, however it is controlled by meds. I just wish docs didn't look at you like a drug addict when you tell them you need xanax or kolonopin to function

[jakegorzen]

I would pass on the Welbutrin, if your already taking Lexapro.
Welbutrin has "Stimulant" like effects and can make your anxiety worse.
Your already taking a A.D for depression, and you say you feel so much better, so My oppinion is why ad another drug, if the ones now work.

Good choice on the switch with Xanax and Klonopin, less ups and downs, and allot safer

[greenlydia]

I agree with jake in taking a pass on the Wellbutrin. Since the lexapro is apparently helping you adequatey, I don't understand his reasoning in putting you on yet another medication. I'd certainly ask for his reasoning behind that decision and know that it is your right to refuse ANY medication. If YOU feel the lexapro is doing a good job for you, tell him you do not want to add anything else.
That was one hell of a dose of Xanax you were on and I'm glad to hear you've made the switch to Klonopin. It IS a much "smoother" ride but please be aware that while not as difficult to withdraw from as Xanax, it still needs to be carefully and slowly tapered when the time comes. You can not "cold turkey" from Klonopin either!
Best of luck..........let us know how you're doing? There are many folks here comtemplating this same move from Xanax to Klonopin.
Peace
Greenlydia

[lisa20020]

Your post was very relieving for me.  I am having a major problem after moving to another state 2 months ago.  I have been on Xanax for years and the doctors or emergency or pharmacy treat me as though I am wanting Xanax  to get high.  

Once I find a doctor I am going to switch to Klonopin because I cant take the dependency I have on Xanax.  I have been on it for years.  I am trying to find a therapist here to deal with some of the underlying reasons for my anxiety, which is very hard with no insurance.  

I can totally relate to your comment about being treated like a drug addict.  You would think the doctors would realize the extent a mental illness can have on a life.

[Paxiled]

If the xanax works, you might want to just stay on it.  Klonopin is just as addictive and maybe even harder to quit.  Whatever works.  Anyone who needs meds is an addict of sorts, but we're also addicted to eating every day.  Doctors are fools.  Only switch if you think another med will work better for you.  

As to wellbutrin, sometimes it's added if there are sexual side effects, but it can cause increased anxiety.  I agree with the other posters, if you don't need it, don't add it.  Enough is enough.  Remember, at bottom most psychiatrists are drug pushers; otherwise we'd all be seeing therapists who charge a whole lot less.

[Hensley258]

didn't you get very severe withdrawl (withdrawal) when you made the switch from Xanax to Klonopin?
I am also addicted to a high dosage of Xanax for my anxiety and every time I try to taper off I get nasty withdrawls and my anxiety shoots thru the roof.

[jakegorzen]

Everyones different when it comes to benzos, some people can take them every day for months....and just quit and be fine.
Then theres people like myself who are reluctant on even taking it, take the smallest dose possible "Worked great because I dont take pills anyways, so My bodys really clean" then ween off....and go through h3ll

[YouAlll]

I went to the doctor to get some Xanax because I have started having anxiety again after suffering it badly after seritonin syndrome in 1998. The doctor told me that his office does not prescribe Xanax as an office policy because of how hightly addictive it is and prescribed me Klonopin instead. Because I take 15 mg of Adderall (adderrall) in the morning the .50mg did nothing for me so I doubled it and still nothing. I then went to my other doctor and told her that Klonopin was making me to tired and Xanax never did that to me so she prescribed me Xanax .50 twice a day. Because of the Adderall (adderrall) that didn't work either so I uped it to 1.5 mg once at night. After trying both for about a month seperately at 1.5 mg at night I think although the Klonopin makes me sleepier that it is actually better. The Xanax makes me mean  and agressive the next day and very depressed. I am on 40 mg of prozac and high blood pressure meds to. I am going to call the doctor tomorrow and see if I can switch over to Klonopin again because the last thing I need is to get addicted to Xanax and deal with depression. I really think the Klonopin works better and the doc said it is from the same family but does not have the addiction potential that Xanax does. Here is Utah Xanax is the number one addiction problem and more people are in rehad for that than anything else.  I don't want to deal or end up with that. I already had a scare with Oxycotine when I had a breast reduction and how easily I got hooked on that an realized it quick and got off of them. I took 1.5 xanax tonight but after reading all these posts tomorrow back to Klonopin. Thanks everyone.  
I take 1.5mg at night when my anxiety starts. The Klonopin was making me extremely tired

[rlt27]

I gave up xanax 1mg taking 7 a day about 3 days ago and I was switched to klonopin 1mg 3 times daily and I feel 75% better!!! xaxax is the worst drug ive ever been on in my life..If u dont take it every 3 hours in my case u start having crazy withdrawals..so thats what worked for me..now i can finally live my life normal atleast almost normal..thanks everyone

[DrNyquil313]

I have experimented with Xanax before. I do not like it at all. When I tried it I felt good. But once it wore off I was very tense, high anxiety, angry, easily irritable. I'd stop doing it if I were you.

[Aegis52]

We are all different, I have been taking Xanax 2mg at doses that were as high as 20mg per day for 15 years + and it's not a surprise at all to find that I am totally addicted and still get panic attacks daily. I recently started a weaning program and am down to 1mg 3 times a day, but taking Buspar 10mg 2 times a day as a fill in. This seems to be working, I still get panic attacks and occasionally need an extra Xanax to get through the day. I would seriously like to get off Xanax altogether and maybe try Klonopin or something else.

[michelle1129]

All these meds are bad!! Believe me I know from my sisters and husband and now my son. Find a U Turn for Christ and Go there Your Life will change forever for the better!!! God Bless All

[untwist]

My sister and I have been on 0.5-3 mg/day of Xanex before bed to sleep...for 5-15 years...IT IS NOT INCREASINGLY ADDICTIVE FOR EVERY PERSON...We are Christians and seeking Him for complete deliverance but until then: "The alleviation of human suffering by legitimate medical means administered in the name of Jesus is truly an act of  mercy."
Dr. Neil T. Anderson Foreword to Emotionally Free by Grant Mullen MD

It is not fun to be hospitlized for sleep deprived enduced psychosis...if you need it to sleep...take it and inform your doctor that it is not increasingly addictive for everyone.

brainstatetech.com is another option I'm looking into

[Marmadukemark]

I'm a male in my mid-50s and I have been taking Xanax 1mg x4/day for years. I am a addict and have a very addictive personality. However, I never abused, nor wanted to, this highly addictive benzo. I am physically dependent on it that's for sure; but that's different than being addicted (in many people's mind).

I recently kicked an opiate addiction with the aid of Suboxone. The Sub. Doc didn't like the idea of Xanax. His office was a "no Xanax" office too. I had a couple of refills and he let me honor those refills.

It's amazing that a Sub Doc would let a patient take benzos at all. When he suggested that we switch the Xanax out for Klonopin I barely balked. Maybe it is time for a change.

[dngrdave]

None of the people on here are doctors. Pill poppers giving advice to pill poppers is a horrible idea. I have had chronic panic and anxiety attacks for four years now and have been bounced from one med to another. klonopin at .5 mg knocked me out cold all by its self. If your doctor recommends and prescribes you something just take it like it was prescribed. All med affect ppl in different ways. Xanax has been a miracle for me and i never take more than i am supposed to(my dose is rather high) i suffer no side effects or bad feelings. Ask your doctor for help and advice not ppl on a forum who adjust doses to suit themselves. Just so you know I am on 1mg xanax xr 2x daily morning and night and up to 2 1mg xanax rescue pills. I take 50mg lopressor a day for high b.p. and 10mg prozac a day. Many days go by when i only need 1 or no rescue xanax. This seems like a lot of meds but my life feels normal again for the first time in years. ASK YOUR DOCTOR. HE WENT TO YEARS AND YEARS OF SCHOOL TO BE ONE.

[keithbna]

It is important to have a doctor in control of all your meds and it is also very important to have a doctor that you are comfortable with that doesn't judge you.  Just like every occupation, there are good and bad.  Don't give up until you find the right doctor, they are out there and they are the best hope to get you on the right meds.  Don't stay with any doctor that treats you like a addict.  There is hope for all of us.  It's very important to never change or quit meds without a doctor helping you.  Also, the doctors don't always tell you, but there are many natural remedies out there that have proven to help, 5-HTP.  A good doctor will admit that it does help.  I wish the best to everyone.  Most importantly find a doctor you are comfortable with and that cares about you and not just money.  There are many out there, but there are also many who don't understand.  Don't ever give up.