why cut out xanax??

[Cherie762]

I have been in psych hospital two times Nov and Dec..have been on Paxil and Xanax(from PCD) in hospital psyc,,thought it best to change depression med from paxil to wellbutrin and add lamictal also she doubled my xanax from 3 .x per day of .5 (peach) to 4x per day of 1.0 (blue)

Now Im seeing a top notch highly reccomended psych he has doubled deserol I take two 100 mg at bed time , increased Lamictal from 100 mg 2x day to 150 mg 2x day..increased wellbutrin from 100 mg to 200 mg..and he wants me to eventually come off xanax as they are "addictive"

I get it they are addictive..yet they help me sooooo very much. I have panic attacks a lot w xanax its less. I am trying to do what dr says and take xanax only prn not 4x per day.

what about other anti anxiety meds? any advice?

[Jaquta]

I've found lorazepam OK for short-term use.  I was asked to take clonazepam for a short period too.  That seems to be quite a commonly prescribed med.
I have taken buspar in the past and had significant issues with that.  Others don't though.  
Talking through your issues with a T may also help and thus reduce the need for medication.
Your doctor is right in that xanax is addictive.  Is best to switch now or decrease dose before you have all the issues that go with that.  

[M4Y0U]

Hello there,

I've been thru this benzodiazepines nightmare ( still in the withdrawal process ) they are extremely hard to quit and the withdrawal process can take up to 6 months for some people.

There are many doctor that are not aware of the right procedure to do when going thru a benzo's withdrawal like Xanax. The best way to withdraw is to do a cross-switch to another benzo with a longer half-life like diazepam ( valium ).

When you are completely withdrawn from Xanax what you can do is actually get the same benefits from a root extract of a plant caller Valerian. It affects the same receptors in the brain which are the GABA and basically have the same effect of other benzodiazepines but it's natural and used as a mild sedative for periods of insomnia or anxiety.

Like Therese pointed out, once you will get the full impact of you antidepressant you will not need the Xanax anymore and if you still feel the need after you went to a complete withdrawal then this is where i suggest you try the Valerian or even Passionflower which, in my humble opinion, are less damaging than pharmaceutical benzodiazepines.

Please consider that I'm not a doctor and the advices/suggestions proposed here should and must be discussed with your physician before applying them.

Best regards,
M4

[therese83]

For me once i found the right anti depressant treatment i didn't need Xanax any more.

I hope it is the same for you , because I believe it is a temporary solution and the effect of Xanax wears off and you may need to take more and more.  

Also it is better to give them up sooner rather than later because if you are on them a long time you can have a rebound of symptoms when you try to cut down/give up, the original symptoms only stronger.

I wish you a full recovery !