Posted by MissouriGal on July 29, 2003, at 13:21:38
First, some history since I'm a newbie. :)
Diagnosed with PD in 1989. Been on many different meds over the years. Latest prescribed is Zoloft 100mg qd, and Xanax XR, BID. I don't know the miligram dosage on the Xanax XR. And yes, even though it's an XR, he wants me to take it twice a day, not once.
I was taking Xanax .5mg before now. Prescription was 1 tablet TID as needed for anxiety. Well, this was prescribed to me LAST June (over a year ago) 100 pills with 3 refills. I never got a refill on those 100 pills, and I still have 7 of them left. Needless to say, I was not taking them 3 times a day, I just took them when my anxiety levels were maxing out on me. Current psychiatrist was not the prescribing physician of the regular Xanax.
When I saw him Friday, he asked me why I don't take the Xanax 3 times a day, why I just take it when I feel I need it. I'm terrified of getting addicted to it. That's why. From what I've read, you shouldn't really take it long-term anyways... I think the recommended time limit was 8 weeks or less. So, he suggested the Xanax XR, twice a day instead of the regular Xanax 3 times a day. (Come to think of it, I do think he mentioned it still being the .5 mg even with the XR. Can't be for certain though.)
Well, my insurance won't pay for the XR, and I don't have $300 to plunk down for OOP expense for it. He said that if my insurance wouldn't cover it, that he'd just prescribe the regular Xanax.
On just .5 mg TID, how much of a risk do I run of addiction on this stuff? Yes, I know I need to take the meds as prescribed, but I also know that it's one of the most abused drugs out there and the addiction rates are high. That's what I'm scared of. I also know that I'm on the next to lowest dosage possible, and to be honest it does work for me quite well, WHEN I NEED IT. If 100 pills have lasted me over a year that would pretty much clue someone in that I don't take it that often. Even sometimes when I'm in the middle of a full blown attack I don't take it. I deal with the attacks the best I can unless I absolutely feel that I need it.
OK, maybe I'm paranoid. I dunno. I'm just very hesitant about taking Xanax for any extended length of time because of the risk for addiction. If anyone has any information based on their experience with long term usage of Xanax, I'd appreciate the feedback. Sorry to have rambled on here.....
poster:MissouriGal
thread:246484
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/246484.html