I just want to be calm...

[xstalkrx]

very mild cocaine use has left me with an awareness of my heartbeat in my abdomen that is causing me anxiety.  I JUST want to be able to lay down and not feel my heartbeat in my abdomen.  I can feel it beating without touching it.  I can take my pulse simply by laying down and feeling it beat.  Cardiologist did an echocardiogram and it was normal.

I have obviously quit recreational cocaine use.

A GP put me on lexapro but I have yet to start taking it...for fear it will just make me worse.  I just want to be CALM and COOL...cant I be prescribed something for that?

[Jade59]

Other forums much worse?  Gosh, we were just playing for a minute.  Are people on other forums mean or something?  I love it here and think I'll stay right where I'm at.  I had a Merck Manual back in the early 80s, but don't know what happened to it.  It would be worth the $65.

Slappy, you didn't step on any toes here.  Everyones opinion is just as valuable as the next.  Can you imagine if everyone said the same thing?  What would be the use of that!

[Slappy3243]

No need to apologize. I know you guys were just having a bit of fun with me. I haven't responded for a bit because I am actually reading the Merck Manual, haha. A lot of good information to be had is in there for sure. I am mostly reading about my episode of "lone fibrillation".

Anyway, I certainly did not mean to step on any toes. Ryan is the forum guru and I am fine with that. As I said earlier, he is a wealth of information and certainly has helped a lot of people. I just disagree with him on one particular subject. Not really a big deal in my eyes.

I understand that you trust Ryan and that is fine. I trust him too for that matter. Perhaps if I switched to a long lasting benzo like Valium I would do well. But my doctors and the studies I have read lead me to believe that Xanax is ok for the long-term. I guess asking Ryan to "prove" it is a bit silly. For that I apologize. I just know what I and many others have experienced with Xanax so perhaps I should just accept that Ryan and I are going to disagree. Not a big deal. I can post telling people that Xanax works in the long-term and he can say it doesn't. It is really up to the patient/doctor in the end.

The definition of "owned" is as follows: "To be made a fool of; To make a fool of; To confound or prove wrong; embarrassing someone: Being embarrassed." It is used quite frequently on some of the other much less serious message boards that I frequent. Although I doubt Ryan would have the intention of owning me anyway. He would rather just inform me without a doubt. He comes across in a very professional manner and I am sure he will do well as a psychiatrist.

As for the Xanax XR itself, I too want to come off of it. I don't like being on any drug. In fact, I hate being on medication. I want to put more time into CBT and talk therapy to help "heal" myself. I will probably start to taper off the Xanax XR when I see my doctor in April and see how I do. Perhaps I will just need to take the Xanax on an as needed basis. Right now I am withdrawing from Lexapro so the Xanax has to wait for now.

Again, don't worry about hurting my feelings. I am a member of other forums that are much worse and it doesn't bother me. It is the internet after all and I know your intentions were playful. But yes, in the end, the choice is ours and that is a good thing. Regardless of what Ryan posts, I feel obligated to share my experience with the long-term use of Xanax XR with others as it may prove helpful. That is my sole intention as it is any other member of this board (for the most part). It seems that I have made a good first impression on this forum; a rebel of sorts. ;)

-Adam

[RubyWitch]

I, too, shall jump on the bandwagon of apologies. Sometimes we get a bit carried away with silliness and I really hope that we didn't hurt your feelings.
Ryan has gained ENORMOUS respect on this forum, which is his due for all the help he has given to so many, so selflessly, for so long considering the goal he has set for himself. None of us has ever felt the need for him to "qualify" his responses and it's not becuase we are afraid of him or being "owned" as you said. (which I fear I don't understand) I am not going to get into the Xanax debate except to say that what I have learned from Ryan, (even tho he may not, as yet, OWN that sheepskin) has motivated me to once again get off Xanax. There are, no doubt, exceptions to every med out there. Just as there are exceptions to every rule. And if we look hard and long enough, we will always be able to find someone who agrees with us. The choice is ours. I chose to believe Ryan.
Please, again accept my apologies for having some fun at your expense. Your opinions are as valuable as anyones. I'm glad you've found us and hope you stay with us.
Peace
Greenlydia  

[Jade59]

I haven't considered that.  Thanks for the info.  I don't really need anything throughout the day, just at night.  I have generalized anxiety and, at my age, have learned to live with it during the day.  And, now that I don't smoke, I feel SO MUCH BETTER.  Sleep better too.  Plus, I really hate how the Xanax makes me feel and I'm happy it's worn off by morning.  

I'm so glad it works for you though!!  

[Slappy3243]

The Merck Manual is only $65. I should buy it. I am looking at it right now. It actually states that anxiety disorders can be a direct result of a physical disorder such as an irregular heartbeat which is what triggered my downward spiral when I was 17. Ever since I had my arrhythmia, I have never been the same. It was like a switch went off in my head and I started to suffer from severe anxiety, depersonalization, and self-monitoring. Even though my heart is fine and I was told by about 100 cardiologists that I have nothing to worry about, my mind still takes over. I am truly amazed at what the brain is capable of. Well, at least I am now certain was initially caused my anxiety (well 98% certain).

-Adam

[Slappy3243]

Quick question for you. Have you tried the Xanax XR by any chance? It avoids the ups an downs of regular Xanax. While it is advertised to last 24 hours, it doesn't for me. I take it once every 12 hours and I avoid the ups and down of regular Xanax. Just something you may want to consider. It is available in generic form as well so you don't have to pay the the enormous price as you would if you got it straight from Pfizer. Just a suggestion that you may want to look at before you switch over to Valium. :)

-Adam

[Jade59]

I am one of those people who has taken a short term benzo since 1980!!  First Ativan, now Xanax since 1995.  I just take it at night for sleep and maybe a little bit for something like a dental appt.  I thought it had stopped working, but last July, I stopped smoking cigs and weed and once the withdrawals were all over, which took me about 2 solid months, the Xanax seemed to work okay for me.  I must say, however, I do start to feel a little shaky by nightfall and I attribute this to the Xanax.  I am going to post to Ryan at some point to find out how to transfer to Valium safely now that I've weaned myself down from 2mgs at night to 1mg.  We'll see.  

Btw.....I do know that Ryan gets his info from the Merck Manual and Merck Index so I feel pretty good about his advice.  

I hope he responds to you too, I am curious to see what he says

Take care hun.....

[Slappy3243]

Ryan certainly seems to know a lot about pharmacology. My google comment was just a joke by the way. It was just meant to show he a lot of information, but so far, no long-term studies to back it up with. I admire him for training to be a psychiatrist, but as of right now, he isn't one, so I tend to listen to my doctors and other doctors whom I have contacted in regards to the issue.

On a side note, I find it funny that SSRIs are meant to be used long-term, but there are really no long-term studies to show their efficacy past a few months or so.

Oh and yes, we are still friends. :)

-Adam

[Slappy3243]

I actually hopes he can post the information I asked for and actually prove that Xanax cannot be used long-term. This way, I won't be misinformed and I can tell me doctors that they are wrong. ;)

Also, I am not scared of getting "owned" on a message board. I am just trying to help. I just don't want people to rule out Xanax for long-term treatment when it could really help them. It has helped me for sure. It has helped another poster for over 18 years.

He seems like a very knowledgeable guy and I respect that. However, I personally respect the conclusions of random studies and opinions of doctors in regards to health issues. I will never tell somebody they NEED to take Xanax XR for the long-term. I just want them to know that it is an option and I among others and living proof.

Ryan, I am certainly not trying to call you out so please don't take it that way. I do respect you and all of the information that you bring to the board. I just happen to disagree with you on one issue. Sorry.

-Adam

[Jade59]

No, we don't want to fight either and I'm sorry to laugh, honest.  

Ryan is studying to be a psychiatrist and knows tons about pharmacology, but he really doesn't need me to stick up for him.  He does a good job for himself.  

Friends?

[RubyWitch]

................girls just wanna have fun.............

OK. I'm done, too.
But Slappy will be "well done!"

OMG, someone stop me!

[Slappy3243]

LOL guys. I am not challenging him to a duel or anything. I am just living proof that Xanax can be used long-term term without increasing the dose. There are also other members here who have used Xanax for a quite a bit longer than me without increasing the dose.

Sorry, but I disagree with him and I am not scared to show my opinion since all he brings to the table is his opinion as well. I even posted links to studies by doctors showing that it can be used long-term. He then states that it can't be used long-term because of this and that but he isn't a doctor nor has he ever provided a link to a study that specifically shows that Xanax cannot be used long-term. It seems like he is merely making inferences based on the information he has gathered from the drug. I can sit on google all day if I want and get all the information he gets about the drug as well. I think I asked some valid questions that he should hopefully be able to answer. If he can provide me with valid studies that prove I am wrong, then so be it, I will be wrong, it doesn't bother me. But after speaking with several doctors on the matter, they disagree with him as well in regards to using Xanax long-term.

It seems like you guys are either scared of him or think what he says his 100% correct all of the time and what he says applies to everybody. I thought we are all here to help each other? I am certainly not here to fight with anybody.

-Adam

[Jade59]

Oh alright, if we must.........still laughing though.  

OK, I'm done.

[RubyWitch]

We better stop or JSGeare will send us to the principle!

(I'll bring the popcorn!)

[Jade59]

OMG, you make me laugh OUT LOUD!!  Yes, lets watch!  

[RubyWitch]

Hey g/f........there's room for two under my bed. Shall we watch the fireworks from there?
Poor, poor Slappy

[Jade59]

Oh Slappy, with all due respect, I don't think you know who you're dealing with here.  

Good luck!

[RubyWitch]

I am going to hide under my bed for this one!

[Slappy3243]

Ryan,

Do you have any links to studies that back up what you are saying? I am only asking because I at least provided some factual information based off of studies pertaining to taking Xanax in the long-term. If you are are correct, why have I been on the same dose for well over a year without increasing my dosage? What about the person who posted that has been on it for 18 years without increasing dosages? What about my psychiatrist who prescribes it long-term and doesn't need to increase the dose in over 90% of his patients? My doctor certainly disagrees with you. I mean, sure you seem to have done a lot of research but I would like to see some studies posted that show that Xanax cannot be used long-term without building tolerance. All of the doctors I have spoken with do not share your opinion. Of course I have much more faith in my doctors than a guy on a forum (no offense to you, you are trying to help) but many people are desperate and may feel that what you are saying is completely correct. I am just wondering if you can back it up.

Also, you mention that Pfizer does not mention Xanax for long-term use. Can you show me a benzo manufacturer that does recommend their drug for long-term use?

-Adam

[Slappy3243]

I started my dose of Lexapro at 10 mg. It was a direct transition from Paxil which is why I did not start at 5 mg. I eventually got up to 20 mg of Lexapro but it was too much. It made me feel really dead in the head and just out of it. I went back down to 10 mg for a while and I do feel that it helped somewhat with the anxiety/depression but I still just felt really blunted so I decided with my doctor to come off of it which I am in the process of doing now. Since I switched directly from Paxil, I am not totally sure how long it takes for Lexapro to take effect. But if it is like the other SSRIs I have tried, I would give it a few weeks before you should expect any results. Honestly, I am not sure if it lessened my need for the Xanax XR. That is the problem with taking two drugs at the same time. That is why I am coming off of the Lexapro as well; to see if the Xanax XR can handle my issues or if I do need an SSRI to complement the Xanax. I will see after my SSRI withdrawals are done withing the next two weeks.

-Adam

[Slappy3243]

Xanax can be used long-term without any tolerance just like any of the other benzos. There have been studies done showing no dosage increase after about 3 years of continuous use. If you do decide to take xanax long-term, I would suggest that you take Xanax XR. It avoids the ups and down of regular Xanax. I have been on it daily for well over a year WITHOUT the need to increase my dose. There was another thread made recently in which the thread starter has been using Xanax daily for 18 years without the need to increase dose. The only real downside to Xanax is that since it does not stay in your body for that long, the withdrawals will be worse when you do want to come off. Klonopin made me depressed when I took it before Xanax and my doctor says that happens to many of his patients. That is another thing to consider as well.

Here is a brief summary of the results of the studies on long-term Xanax use:

"However, in 1992 Romach and colleagues reported that dose escalation was not a characteristic of long-term alprazolam users, and the majority of patients indicated that alprazolam continued to be effective.[13] A 2003 study did not support the hypothesis that long-term use of benzodiazepines frequently results in notable dose escalation.[14]In a 1-year follow-up study of patients with panic disorder continuing treatment with clonazepam, 90% maintained a positive response without developing significant tolerance. In a 2.5-year follow-up study of alprazolam therapy, little evidence of tolerance emerged.[15]"

Xanax has gotten a bad reputation since when it is abused and used recreationally, tolerance does occur. Xanax is also fairly easy to obtain so it is popular among teenagers that get drugs off of the black market.

-Adam

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

xanax is not a long term med and your body will want more and more of it , klonopin is a good choice and is long term. i know been there .ask your dr about a long term med like klonopin or valuim they are both good meds for anxiety. i to can feel my heart beat , and its not a good feeling but if i let it pass it goes away. try and think or do something elsa. like when lieing in bed just pray it always helps me , to pray for my family i feel better knowing am praying for there safty. God Bless you .

[david85]

Slappy, when you started off Lexapro...did you start a low dose, and how long did it take for it to stop your anxiety?I tried it once, and when i took 5 mg i nearly threw up..In addition did the lexapro work well enough to lessen your need for xanax?

[david85]

Slappy, when you started off Lexapro...did you start a low dose, and how long did it take for it to stop your anxiety?I tried it once, and when i took 5 mg i nearly threw up..In addition did the lexapro work well enough to lessen your need for xanax?