Been Prescribed Xanax

[kitkat31625]

I started having problems with Panic attacks and depression approximately 7 years ago. I have always been a nervous/worrier type person though. My mom is that way. I suffered with it for approximately two years. I was waking up with Panic attacks almost every night and was tired of struggling with it. I was treated with zoloft for the problem. Which helped alot. It started to make me feel very physically tired all the time though. So they switched me to Lexapro which worked great.  I took it for a year and stopped taking it.  I didn't think I needed it anymore.  Six months later I became pregnant with my son. I started to feel that anxious feeling again. After the pregnancy. I started getting depressed and feeling very anxious. It was not going away. So I talked to my doctor who prescribed me Lexapro again. I took one dose and ended up in the ER with the worst panic attack I have ever had. I didn't even recongize it as being a panic attack. They gave me Xanax which took it away an hour later. My doctor had me stop the lexapro and try it again after a few days. I took it again and two days later I had another panic attack at work. I was not previously having a issue with the panic attacks before starting the meds. My doctor switched me to Effexor XR .75mg a day and sent me to see a Psychiatrist. I noticed a big difference right away after taking the Effexor. I have gotten better. I have IBS and after the First panic attack that sent me to the ER. It has been acting up bad. It is not getting better even with the medicine I normal take for it. I am also still having trouble with a Panic attacks now and then. I have been on Effexor XR for 4 Months now. My doctor decided to start me on Xanax .25mg/3X a day along with the Effexor XR. I am a busy mother of 3 kids. I work full time. I will be starting to learn a new job soon. If I start taking the Xanax how is it going to make me feel. I can't afford to be tired all the time,fuzzy headed or forgetfull. If I am not working. I am home alone with the kids. So giving it a trial run when it wouldn't matter is not an option for me.  Could the Effexor XR be causing my stomach problems and the panic attacks to be worse?
Thank you,
kitkat31625

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I am a bit confused re effect of Effexor..you said it helped you improve, and now you are adding xanax.   I would ask your doctor about supplementing effexor with just xanax once a day, preferably at night to also help you sleep.  You won't have any working hours problem with that regimen.....

[kitkat31625]

The Effexor XR has helped with my depression symptoms. I didn't have that edgy feeling all the time either.  However I am still having panick attacks and my Irritable Bowel symdrome is worse than it ever has been. My psychiatrist told me that if the anxiety problem was from the medicine. Since these drugs can causes more anxiety in the beginning.  It would of subsided after a few weeks. I have been on it for 4 months now and still have an axiety symptoms. Which also trigger's IBS to act up. His thought is I am still having axiety problems. He said that he thinks the Effexor XR is working for the Depression end and he didn't feel he should up the dosage. So he added the Xanax which would help with the anxiety. That is why he added on the Xanax.

[Aruba417]

I've been on both the Effexor XR - 150mg, and Xanax - .5 mg since April. And that seems to help pretty well. I take the Xanax at night to help me sleep, and it doesn't bother me during the day. Although the instructions on my RX bottle says to take 1 tablet, 3x daily, my Dr has me take it only as needed. So there are some days I don't take it at all. But when I feel a panic attack coming on, even when I'm at work, or driving, I'll take one. You might want to ask your doctor if this would be a good option for you. The other thing I do, that I find works for me, is that if I start to feel just a little anxious, I'll just take half a pill to start. And if it doesn't help, I'll take the other half. While Xanax helps me sleep, I usually have no problem taking it when I'm awake and active. Talk more to your doctor...sometimes you have to experiment with different dosages, or how you take it. Hope this helps!

[kitkat31625]

Aruba,
Thank you for your comment!! It is nice hearing from someone on the same medications. It really helps! I do not understand why my doctor wants me to take the .25mg of Xanax 3x a day. Not just as needed. Since it is an addictive drug, I think I am going to just take it as needed like you are doing. He told me I could cut them in half. I will do that first and see how I do on it.

Thanks again!

[KittyMeghanLeah2]

I'm confused I thought someone in this post mentioned that effexor is now off the market? hmmn wonder if that was accurate info or not...

[Aruba417]

Effexor isn't off the market...at least not Effexor XR. I'm currently on it. So I don't know where their information was found. Maybe there was a different form of Effexor...?