Posted by lostsailor on August 24, 2005, at 5:32:18
In reply to Re: does Xanax stimulate the reward center? » ed_uk, posted by Phillipa on August 21, 2005, at 19:26:53
I have never heard of the low does theory. I take a rather high dose of Xanax 6-8 mg/ day (doc is ok with 10 if used very judicially and only in cases of bad, bad panic...)
My biggest problem with it is it's short half-life. About 6 hours for me and it's XANAX time...--liken it to an Amex card---don't leave home without it.
When panic symptoms are not as severe, I move to valium and love it, because of the super long half-life and a much more relaxed feeling of not having to always worry about having my pills with me at ALL times. Valium is neat...I am written for 20 mg tid, but doc is cool with me taking it in two divided doses of 30 each or just 20...all my call and he gives me "head room" with this two as one extra is ok with him on a bad day... ( really…some days I’ll take 20 mg in the morning and nothing more till late that night or sometimes the next morning.
Klonopin...I can't understand why docs seem to love it so...it does help Panic patients tremendously, but does not do much for the other anxiety related disorders and in some studies, seems to cause depression.
The other alternative, almost a blend of valium and xanax is ativan.... not as long of a life as valium but a bit longer than xanax.... I have a slight bias, though, as although doc will give it to me, but mum takes it and I get that a neat euphoric feeling from it b/c it is so rare that I use it, but doc is not into me mixing benzos, unless we are out and I have forgotten mine or something...
Hope this helps a bit.
~tony
poster:lostsailor
thread:544712
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050821/msgs/545970.html