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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by partlycloudy on August 3, 2004, at 7:19:01
In reply to Xanax for social anxiety- taken daily?, posted by daemon on August 3, 2004, at 0:46:17
Redirected from Social
> Hi folks,
> well I couldn't wait any longer for the psych I saw to send a gp a letter with a recommendation for Xanax (I think that's what he said but aprazolam/alazopram and lorazepam all sound so similar) because of this big family dinner thing happening soon.
>
> So I saw the gp today and he gave me a prescription. The problem is I asked the psych. for something for short term use such as a job interview but the gp said take it daily.
>
> I've been given tablets which are 250mcg and he said to take one a day and if that isn't enough he will increase it.
>
> Am I wrong in thinking that taking it daily as opposed to say no more than 3 days as needed a week will lead to tolerance and then addiction?
>
> Is 250mcg a standard dose anyway?
>
> Doctor Dayhoff in Diagonally Parked in a Parallel
> Universe says:
>
> dosage may begin 0.5mg 3 X a day and may be
> gradually increased to 4-6 times a day.
>
>
> Isn't 250mcg only .25mg?
>
> I've been thinking that I could take it as needed
> because that's what the psych. said (short term for a job interview etc) and what will be in the letter to the gp.
>
>
> So what's a good dose if taken as needed? Is anyone out there taking it as needed and what amount do you take?
>
> Also how much alcohol is safe to drink with it? (I can usually drink up to 3-4 scotch and cokes without feeling any effects of the alcohol- would that be too much when taking the xanax?).
>
> Damian.
>
> P.S. I actually plan on going on to Nardil for
> my SAD but am tapering off my Elavil/Endepp first.
>
Posted by Donia on August 3, 2004, at 8:01:17
In reply to Re: Xanax for social anxiety- taken daily?daemon » daemon, posted by partlycloudy on August 3, 2004, at 7:19:01
I took .25mg for a few months and had to take 4 or 5 to get them to work. I only took them when I had panic attacks and when I couldnt sleep during the first two months of taking zoloft. I would not recommend drinking with them. I did this a few times when I was an older teen and I would black out. That is the only time I have ever blacked out during drinking. I would be wide awake doing crazy stuff and not even know it until someone told me the next day.
daddysred
Posted by woolav on August 3, 2004, at 8:26:09
In reply to Re: Xanax for social anxiety- taken daily?daemon, posted by Donia on August 3, 2004, at 8:01:17
Hello, long time xanax user here. I have panic disorder and depression. So i use xanax in conjunction with prozac. But i get a prescription for 2mg xanax daily. (the blue ones). I take a half in the morning and half in the afternoon and a full one at bedtime. I try not to take them on weekends or when my stress level is low. But I do think I am dependent on them for sleep. If you dont need them everyday, i wouldnt use them like that. Take as needed. Only if your anxiety gets to a level where you need them everyday, i wouldnt risk the addiction. I have taken them for 2+ yrs now and am scared to stop now...
good luck and do what u think is best. xanax is not a drug that has to be in your system at all times like ssri's etc...
S
Posted by chemist on August 3, 2004, at 8:41:57
In reply to Re: Xanax for social anxiety- taken daily?daemon » daemon, posted by partlycloudy on August 3, 2004, at 7:19:01
hello there, chemist here....as Donia notes, you should avoid alcohol when taking xanax (alprazolam) or any drug related to it (such as valium or ativan). your 250 microgram tabs are indeed 0.25 mg, and assuming you have not taken this drug before, i would suggest that you follow your doctor's advice in addition to taking the smallest effective dose needed. again, your doctor's advice is very sound, and you should avoid alcohol when using this medication....all the best, chemist
Posted by chemist on August 3, 2004, at 9:21:29
In reply to Re: Xanax for social anxiety- taken daily?daemon » partlycloudy, posted by chemist on August 3, 2004, at 8:41:57
hello there, i forgot to address the issue of tolerence/abuse...xanax is frequently abused and some people manage on as needed basis, while others take it chronically. the addictive potential is enhanced by using alcohol and indeed some other depressants and/or sedatives/hypnotics. if you need 0.25 mg xanax 3 times per week - and if you do not add hazardous other chemicals to the mix - then you should be able to stay in the low dose regime, and your potential for addiction will be very low in my opinion and experience. all the best, chemist
Posted by Daemon on August 5, 2004, at 7:58:59
In reply to more daemon, posted by chemist on August 3, 2004, at 9:21:29
Hi Donia, Woolav and Chemist
thanks for your responses (oh and thanks to
partlycloudy for redirecting the thread- I was wondering why so many of the other messages didn't have anything to do with meds and it because I was on the wrong board! :O).Well I took .5mg yesterday before I went to the bank (by myself) and the supermarket (with my mum). It did make a difference. I felt kind of bodily and mentally relaxed but the SAD was still there just sort of fuzzed out and as I didn't feel very sedated I think maybe some more would have helped.
Instead of drinking any alcohol at all
I may just take a little more Xanax if necessary.
I think it's true Xanax is mood elevating (I used to smoke and it seemed very similar to that) and am going to treat it with caution.Thanks again folks,
Damian.
This is the end of the thread.
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