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?

[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?