Question about Xanax

I know some of you take it for anxiety. I've never been on any meds for mine, as they tried to kill two birds with one stone and threw me on antidepressants. The thing is, I'm not depressed, just uber stressed and nervous all of the time. I'm still waiting for word on a psych to help me out with my issues, but I'm considering talking to my PCM about a prescription.

Does Xanax make you tired or loopy like pain meds? I need something to help me, but I can't try to chase down my midgets while being looped up. And yes, it's bad enough that I'm asking. I caught myself, regrettably afterwards, stress eating. I didn't even think about what I was doing, I just did it. Ugh. Tomorrow is a new day, right?

Your psych can help you out. Xanax is more of a rescue med and you aren't supposed to take it more than a few times per week. My bottle (my "woobie" basically) lasts me for 4-12 months - it's 1 mg tablets and I take 1/2. It basically stops a panic attack within 10 minutes or so. You can become dependent on Xanax.

Talk to your doctor. My Zoloft is an antidepressant, but also helps with anxiety, they are all related.

If your doseage is correct, you will not be looped out. If you feel looped out, talk to your doctor about another medication or doseage adjustment. It can take a few tries to get the right one. They put me on Lexapro the first time (which made me lose my sex drive - poof, gone, it was WEIRD). Then Zoloft 50mg, which wasn't quite enough, but we didn't want to jump to 100, so we do 75mg. Everyone is different and it's a bit of trial and error.

xoxo

Thanks hon I appreciate the info! I was put on Zoloft, but it didn't do anything for me. Lexapro had the SAME effect. Hubby was NOT pleased. lol I was also on Welbutrin, but after a while, it didn't seem to do much. My doctor seems to like changing the meds instead of changing the dosage. I'm going to talk to the PCM about giving me something until the psych issue is handled. The panic attack I had today was ridiculous. (We have Masters week going on here, and I almost didn't walk out my door to bring my cat to get fixed.)

I have issues with driving in large amounts of traffic, or not knowing where exactly I'm going. I have to look up directions and go over them several times before getting on the road. I also have PTSD, and issues with my daughter's ADHD and Asperger's. I feel like I go 100 mph all day!

Yup, write down ALL of that. I always forget stuff to tell the doctor so I make lists :) xoxo

Right! Doctors worry about prescribing Xanax, because you can develop a dependence on it fairly readily. Having said that, it works well for the kind of anxiety you describe. I use it occasionally, and it can be a lifesaver.

Angie

Thank you! I had no clue that it was like an emergency fix. I like the idea of that more than having it become a habit. I'm leery of anything I can become addicted to. My girls don't need to see me popping pills all the time. lol

I didn't know Xanax wasn't for every day but I only take it when I need it which lately is a few times a week.
It makes me tired a couple of hours after I take it but it works very well for anxiety.
I would think there would have to be something that would help you that wasn't habit forming though.
I hope you find a good doc that can help you. I'm in a fairly large city but have to drive almost an hour to get to mine because there were no good ones in my area.

That's what it's starting to look like for me, as well. The one my insurance has me down for is about an hour and a half away. I'm trying to find another one closer, but we will have to see. If it's worth it, I'll go, but it really puts a strain with having the kids and hubby being at the Army's beck and call. lol

It's ridiculous that in cities this large that there are so few good docs. Lots of 'em but hard to find a good one.

Competence is key. With us living on a military installation...well...it's hard to come by. hahaha Sadly, that's the truth.