Med help

Hi all...o.k. I'm on 300 mg of budeprion (generic wellbutrin), 50 mg Pristiq, and 5 mg. Abilify. Plus, 25 mg ofd Seroquel as needed for anxiety (?!??). I need to be abck on my normal stuff...300 mg wellbutrin and 25 zoloft,plus xanax(alprazolam) as needed. My psych. is reluctant (new one) and my doc doesn't l;ike xanax.What are my other chocies instead of xanax? I can't do lorazapram...makes me too tired.Help please!!

[Hensley258]

I don't blame you regarding the Seroquel. That stuff just makes me sleepy and does little for my anxiety.

I honestly can't blame your doctor for his or her reluctance to Xanax. Don't get me wrong Xanax works great for anxiety, but the half life is so short that this fact causes it to be much more addictive than other Benzo drugs.

A good alternative would be Klonopin (clonazipam)
Klonopin is a Benzo like Xanax, but much less evil. It has a much longer half life than Xanax and controls anxiety just as well.

Also, I understand you want to get off that Pristiq (I used to take it also)
One thing I have to warn you about is that the withdrawl (withdrawal) from Pristiq is the worst.

Many years ago I used to take a wopping 350Mgs a day of Effexor and I swear the withdrawl (withdrawal) from just 50Mgs of Pristiq was MUCH worse.

I just want to prepare you that it's going to be a rough ride getting off that Pristiq.
Have plenty of Klonopin during the Pristiq withdrawl (withdrawal) phase because that will help a little.

Took a wopping 7 weeks for the head swurlies to go away after Pristiq. It made stopping Effexor look like a walk in the park.

Regarding the Xanax, I am addicted to Xanax. (I know, I said it would never happen to me either because I didn't have an addictive personality) problem is that Xanax has a way of catching up with you. After a while you go to 1mg a day, and then 2, then 3mgs a day and then your hooked. It is far more addictive than other Benzos.

Once you get to 3mgs a day on Xanax.....OMG! the withdrawls are horrible if you run out of them! Your skin will crawl, your body will itch and you will feel mad with anxiety.
I would sooner shave my head with a cheese grater while chewing on tin foil before doing Xanax withdrawl (withdrawal) again. It is absolute murder if your used to taking it at high dosage.

I won't act like I don't like it. The buzz I get from 3Mgs of Xanax is like pure cozy bliss. Honestly the best buzz in the world, but it Evil and will bite you in the *** if your not careful.

Go for the Klonopin. Much safer and your doc will be more willing to prescribe it for you.
It really help with the anxiety, you just don't get that fine Xanax buzz.