Anone take xanax or similiar drug?

[Barbmag]

My cardiologist knew that I was under severe stress with a sister who was dying of breast cancer and also coping with elderly parents...so he gave me an RX for xanax (.5 mg but I broke them in half) to have on hand IF needed. My sister died in Dec and my Dad died, prob of a broken heart in March. I had not taken any of the anti anxiety meds until the day of my sister's funeral and it was like 'magic'...I have never taken anything like that and it was amazing. I got through the day without one PVC which in itself if a miracle!! Well, as the days went on, I started getting runs of PVC's at night when I would go to bed. So,right after my dad died in March, I started taking .25 mg of the xanax at  bedtime when I just could not stand the palps any longer. Within 30 min of taking that small amount, the palps would disappear and I would fall right to sleep. Without the drug, I would lie there for sometimes 2 hours, toss and turn and just worry about the arrythmias, etc the whole time being in bigeminy. Eventually the PVC's would stop and I would fall asleep. But on the nights when I would resort to the medication, it was so helpful. Now, I am so weird when it comes to meds..I hate even taking aspirin so you can imagine how I feel when I take a xanax and I also worry that I will become addicted. I have 2 refills and told my doctor when he gave the RX to me that I would prob never take them anyway.
I am wondering if any of you have any experience, good or bad with this drug? (I also take toprol XL, 50 mg for the PVC's but it has not seemed to help much at all since I rarely have palp free days or nights.) I am just so worried about taking anything like xanax and hate the thoughts of side effects, but I was also worried about my lack of sleep. I can not for the life of me figure out why all of a sudden, I started getting PVC's when I would go to bed. I am 63 and have Mitral Valve Prolapse and have had a lifetime of arrythmias so these are nothing new, just seem to be getting more numerous as I get older. Other than that, I have no health issues and try to live a healthy lifestyle.
Thanks for any replies!!!!!
Barbara

[achillea]

For those who need longer-lasting help for extreme emotional reactions to benign PVCs and other ectopic beats, I can say that antidepressants--carefully selected by a good psychiatrist, not a GP--can be a tremendous help.  The reason I specified a psychiatrist here is that shrinks go to medical school and learn a ton of general medicine before they study for their specialty.  Therefore, a good one can evaluate a psych drug in light of the condition of the heart and cardiovascular system.

In my own case, my shrink tried me on four (or maybe it was five) different SSRIs before we found the one that had the fewest side effects and was the most effective at controlling my panic attacks and related PVCs.

This kind of treatment, particularly when coupled with something called cognitive-behavior therapy, can be very, very effective over the long haul, without the fear of addiction and the need of increasingly larger doses which can happen with the Benzos.  But on the other hand, when you need relief FAST, xanax is terrific.

[seaweib]

I think benzos (like xanax and others) can be very helpful for some people like myself who have anxiety associated with heart problems.  I was prescribed klonopin, which is a longer acting benzo, and it is great to stop the worrying of pacs or pvcs.  When I take klonpin, I really don't even care if I do have pacs/pvcs and find that they basically go away or at least seem to with this medication.

That said, I do agree with the above poster that benzos can be very bad in some cases.  They are very addicting and you develop a tolerance to them extremely fast meaning you need to take more and more often.  Prolonged usage of benzos can definitely cause depression as well as memory problems and such.  Also, rebound anxiety and be bad if you take them for awhile and then try to quit.

But if you take them only occasionally, I would definitely reccomend trying xanax or klonopin for a break from heart anxiety once in a while.

[recondevildogs]

It`s a very bad drug. It made my hart palpitations worse. It all so made my blood pressure real low. It was giving me real bad hart problems. I ended up having oblation hart surgery. It all so make you dizzy, fainting, swelling of the feet, sex drive, headache, memory problems, trouble concentrating,chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, In general it made every thing worse. Very nasty drug.

[Madge270]

I was given a very small nightly dose of clonazepam (brand name: Klonipin) for anxiety during a very stressful time in my life, and am still taking it. (It was when I was teaching full time, going to school on weekends, and taking care of two very sick parents whenever I could.)

Clonazepam helps me sleep and calms my heart, which is important because I get a lot of PVCs.  When my parents were both very ill, I had tried Xanax at times, but it didn't last long enough. After about three hours the anxiety would be back and I couldn't take another Xanax for several more hours. Clonazepam worked much better.  But the doctor didn't tell me that it could be addictive even at a .25 MG dose. After several weeks of taking clonazepam, I felt great. My doctor (a neurologist) said I should then switch to Effexor and get off the clonazepam.  But I had taken Zoloft briefly before Xanax, and the Zoloft gave me tremors and made me feel shaky inside.  I quit taking it. The neurologist said that Effexor would probably give me tremors too, so he said to just keep taking the clonazepam.

I've weaned myself down to 3/4 of a 12.5 tablet of clonazepam (a tiny amount), and only at bedtime.  I sleep well. I've tried to taper off further , but each time my PVCs get worse, my palps increase, and I get very jittery.  My regular family doctor and the neurologist say to just keep taking it, since I still have some anxiety at times and need to take something for that.  So, I do. I've never had  real side effects from the clonazepam. I hate feeling that I can't stop taking it if I need to, but I have several friends who are also in this situation with either Xanax or clonazepam, or another of those medications.  For me, clonazepam improves my sleep, so I'm stuck.  I think meds like this, taken daily, should be a last resort. Now doctors know that they can be taken safely for 2 or 3 days at a time without causing addition. But when I began taking it, they didn't know this.  Wish I hadn't taken it every day, but I do feel better.  A catch-22.

If you do need Xanax or a similar med, just use it occasionally so you don't need to worry about addiction.

[bbxx]

I know an elderly lady that only keeps them with her and very rarely takes them. Shes done this for years for anxiety. I never read about the good and bad of them, but I know they can be addictive for some people. I actually am allergic to all of them--so I cant even excape the fear of my heart lol (probably a good thing I am allergic huh? ) lol

[Randall1955]

I have a history of panic disorder, but have been free from it for 20 years (I am now age 55). However, I suffer from re-occuring symptoms of a lesser degree - burning eyes, heart palpitations, restlessness, trouble falling asleep, waking at night, tired, mild headaches. Still, I am a swimmer and exercise when I can. My comment is this: I take half a .25mg Xanax - and my symptoms, especially the worrisome heart palpitations, cease. I hate taking the drug, but WTF, life is too short to be ruminating about how poor you feel. If this small, what my Dr calls "non-therapeutic dose" helps me, I will do it.

[Barbmag]

I have really enjoyed reading these posts and you all have reassured me that it's ok to take a small 'dose' when and IF I need it!! I know exactly what you mean when you say that it helps in calming the palps, etc..it really does that for me! I know that I will not abuse this med but also knowing that I can take this w/o worry is comforting.
I really appreciate all of you posting!! You are so nice!!

[Gonash]

Hi I started taking Xanax late February after being diagnosed with Anxeity after the death of my dad in December.  I take half in the morning and half at night. Xnanx just calms my body for a while.

[Bon-Bon]

P.S.  In my case, my doctor feels that the Alprazolam (in the way I am using it), is far less risky and less harmful to me than the heart rythem medication the cardiologist wanted me to take daily for benign PVCs - Flecainide (which I declined).

As a matter of fact, he told me it would take far more xanax, more often than what I am, in order for it to become a problem.  However, I still will not increase it.

Blessings and Pleasant thoughts to you.

[Bon-Bon]

Only rarely, when experiencing unrelenting and sometimes painful days with PVC's will I take my prescribed Alprazolam - generic for Xanax.

They only put 20 in a bottle and it takes me well over 1-1/2 yrs. to finish all 20; because like you, I don't want to rely or get hook on medication and am afraid of medications anyway.  In my case, my doctors are not concerned about my abusing this drug.  He knows me all too well.  

If I absolutely must, I will break the 0.25mg. in half and take just half - that's all I need.  In 15-20 minutes the PVC's accompanied with all the irritability and anxiety that PVC's bring on me, significantly reduce to "unnoticeable".

Thanks for posting this topic.  It's a great topic.

[Barbmag]

Thank you for your reply and yes, I am still reading these and so appreciative of everyone. I do not think that I would ever abuse any meds b/c I am so weird when it comes to taking drugs, either OTC or RX's...I hate even taking an aspirin and I have always been like that. I think tho that when I have one of those  episodes where I have PVC's or PAC's that go on for hours at a time, I can safely take  a small dose of Xanax and feel much better....the adrenalin really kicks in as the palps go on and on, and the few times I have taken say .25 or even half of that, the anxiety decreases w/in 30 min and then the palps stop too.   So instead of letting an episode completely ruin a day, etc, I can be reassured that I have something if needed that helps in a huge way.
I am so sorry about your mom and I hope that her surg on the 29th is a huge success. I know what you are going through b/c my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in '05. My heart goes out to you, your mom and your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[Ihatepalps2]

I dont know if you are still reading responses...but I just wanted to reassure you. Im a 48 yr old female. Ive had BOTH anxiety AND palpitations for oh gosh..probably 15 years. Im on the Atenolol for the palps..that helps most of the time. I am on Xanax, at least 15 years. When I say Im "on" it...I dont mean I take it daily. My dr was very cautious at first..I had a small quantity at a time, and he regulated it. Until he realized that I wont abuse it. Over the years, I have gotten very familiar with that drug. My dose is the smallest..0.25 mg. I now manage my own dosing however. I am NOT addicted to it. I have gone weeks, or even months without it. It is a very short-term pill--it will give you appx 4-6 hours of relief, and then its out of your system. It takes about 30 minutes to get IN to your system. I use it during stressful situations--such as when I am having a bad day with palpitations, because the palps make my anxiety jump!
I know how much I can take without becoming a zombie...and I know how much will help me.
My dr told me "you are on the smallest possible dose. You would have to take quite a few to have anything serious happen". Well, I will never do that.
Just to put things into perspective for you, tho, and to let you know just how small the dose is that you are taking...

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in Oct 08 and had mastectomy.
Its been a very, very VERY stressful time since then-she now has lung cancer, and actually is having very serious major surgery on Apr 29th to have a lung tumor removed.
Of course this is the most stressful time Ive ever had.
My dr increased my Xanax during this time.  The dose he gave me?
Two .025 mg in the morning... 1 .025 mg noon...... 2 .025mg at night.

So...thats what I could be taking. Ive never actually taken that much--but I could.
When Im not having a stressful day/week/month......... I simply dont take it.
I dont crave it..or "have to have it". I just dont take it.
I know lots of people can get addicted...I just am not one of them. I think ive had it for so long, that I know how to manage it, yet it helps me on those "bad days".
Hope this helps.

[Barbmag]

Thanks for your reply. I talked to my cardio today when I went to my appt and he said that IF I wanted to take one every now and then, it would be fine and no chance of getting addicted!!

[matt_s]

here's another idea.  I take Lexapro daily for generalized anxiety disorder and keep the Xanax for "emergencies".  this broke me out of the anxiety-palpitations->more anxiety ->more palpitations cycle.  I have not taken a Xanax since Christmas, no need to.  If you are taking any of these drugs on a regular basis and want to quit, a gradual decrease is best.  I tried to cold turkey Lexapro about a year ago and it was rough.  

[Barbmag]

Thanks Paulla...I am v,v, careful with this drug....b/c I hate to take anything, I do not think it will be a prob but I am so weird when it comes to meds!!
I sure do appreciate all of the reply's!

[Paulla]

By the way I meant Ativan, I missspelled it.
Both Ativan and Xanax are given to patients who actually have heart problems at emergency rooms in order to lower  the damage to the heart!
Yes all benzodiazepines are addicted but you can control yourself. I do not take antidepressants for anxiety and heart palpitations because actually they cause more, like Paxil and all.
so for me benzodiazepines such as Xanax, ativan, valium are the best, who cares if they are addictive. You can control yourself. Just try to take them when you need it and make ure the next few days take half of the doze you took a day before. That is the way to protect yourself from being addictive. I did not have good experience with Klonopin though! It made me moody!

[Paulla]

I take Taivan 0.5 mg  to maintain my anxiety but not everyday, whenever i feel anxious and have palpitations.  and if I get a real panic attack than I take Xanax.
Xanax is highly addictove so ask your doctor if you are takimng it everyday. My doctor tried to put me on Klonopin, I do not like it. First of all it kicks in so late that after feeling all the anxiety symptoms for hours, than it makes me like I am out of here. Next day I feel very dizzy and sad, depressed. So my favorite ones are Ativan for maintenence and Xanax for emergency during a severe panic attack. I heard good things about Valium but did not try it yet, Try to avoid coffe and drink a lot of water.
Take care,

[Barbmag]

Thanks for your reply. It's so helpful to know what others have have done when it comes to things like this. One night after lying in bed with bigeminty for 2 hrs, I tried to break off a fourth of a tablet...it was just a piece of the tablet but I did take it and w/in 30 min, I was falling asleep and the PVC;s had stopped. Now, first I wonder if that small amount was even effective and second, I wondered if the palps were caused by anxiety which I did not feel but since the palps stopped then would that not indicate that they were anxiety induced?? These nighttime palps are so new (bigeminy, trigeminy, etc) so I am not sure what's going on but they are so bothersome.

[GreatBird]

My doctor prescribed it in .25 tablets, and very infrequently I take 1/2 of one of them. I've even taken 1/4 of a tablet and it has worked to quiet anxiety.

[Barbmag]

Thanks for your replies!!! I am going to talk to my cardio about whether to cont taking it from time to time or not. I just get v,v worried when I read the online info about the Benzo drugs and also read others experiences when they take it or try to get off of it. I realize that I only take a small dose and not every night. Even so I may be ok but I just hate taking anything. But the alternative lately is to lie in bed, toss and turn while I am having bigeminy or trigeminy, etc and sleep does not come easily or for couple of hours or more.

[Pamala47]

I took 1/2  of a 0.5  Xanax every night for 2 years. I never took more than that because I too was afraid of getting hooked.  My sleep gradually became worse and I didn't connect it with the Xanax. Then after the 2 years I started having trouble with eveything sounding too loud.  I would get dizzy every evening and not be able to watch anything like a ticker on the bottom of the screen.  I went to several Drs. and ask could this be the Xanax and they would say no not at that small amount.  But I noticed every time I took the Xanax before bed it all went away. I went to the internet and put in my symptoms and found Benzo.org. The wonderful people there confirmed my suspicions, it was the Xanax even though I never increased the dose.  They told me how to gradually get off og it without with drawel symptoms.  It took 4 months. That was 7 years ago.  I hope this will be of some help to you.

[paanda2]

i sometimes take it too. my primary doctor gave me a prescription when they were writing off my palpitations and tachycardia as anxiety. (which it wasn't, although it was causing me some general anxiety). I split the 0.5mg in half too and take it sometimes. before i became medicated for palpitations and tachycardia, i took it and it definitely helped. this doesn't mean that my heart issues where caused by anxiety (although sometimes i think my anxiety perpetuated the episode that i was having); xanax is a depressant that calms the body (reducing the activity of the nervous system). i would say it's okay to take it, as long as your doctor has ruled your PVC simply that and not a sign of something else (which could require different medication, etc).

i don't think you need to worry about becoming addicted. it is a common misconception among many who are offered these prescriptions by their doctors that it's a gateway towards addiction (and maybe from watching House too much...;)). but in reality, the people who become addicted to prescription medications usually do so because they already have addiction tendencies. Usually they have other substance abuse issues, past and present. I cant account for your personal history, but this is what i understand about this. i never feel like i neeeed the xanax; i have a non refillable prescription so i'm rationing. ;)

hope you feel better.