Extra Xanax XR and sedation

[ihaveanangel]

I have been taking .5 XR Xanax twice daily and 150mg Effexor once daily to control Panic Disorder for 12 years.  Everything stayed under control.   The most extra I ever took was one or two .25 Xanax.  During the month of February a pain management doc added on different doses and kinds of narcotics to ease severe stenosis pain along with 3 steroid epidurals.  At the end of the month I had a bad reaction to the narcotics and stopped taking them.  Three days later out of no where full blown panic attacks started.  I called my psych doc but he was on vacation and his associate had a death in the family.   My doc called me from Hawaii (God bless him) and told me to double up the xanax xr  - two .5 in morning and 2 at night.  Worked like a charm but now the sedation  is starting to  kick in after three days of double dosing.  Does anyone know how long this sedation-like symptoms will stick around?  My doc won't be back until next Monday.  I don't know if I should start cutting back or stay on the double dose until I can get to talk to him Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks
Rita

[RubyWitch]

Doctors need to be very cautious when dosing patients in different age groups. What may be considered the standard dose for people in their late teens up through the 60 y/o range, but that same dose should never be given to people under 18 years of age or folks in their 70's and beyond.

The sedative affect is different for everyone, so I can't give you a definite answer as to when your body will adjust to the new dose. But while you are feeling this sedative effect, it would be best if you didn't drive or do anything that could put you at risk. Try to think of it as a chance to lay around and read some books, catch up on some movies......NAPS!

Since it won't be that long before you'll be able to see your doctor, I think it's best that you don't second guess him and change the dose. If he decides to drop you back to your original dose, you will not have been on the higher dose long enough to cause any problems.
Peace
Greenlydia