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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by captain on August 5, 2004, at 8:54:34
I have been using this board for a few months and SO many posts have to do with xanax and how helpful it is. I have a script for xanax but my doctor is SOOOOO incredibly tight with it. I certainly do not abuse it as a fun drug as anyone who is anxiety prone knows that it is a lifesaver and it would be horrible to be without when you really need them. (not to mention sleepy factor)
I was having horrible anxiety when starting the lexapro and was suffering from mild vertigo so i was taking my xanax 2-3 times a day (I cut my .5's in half as I am worried about running out). I went thru my script much more quickly than normal and I called to get a refill and they gave me a really hard time!
Basically, my question is this - I want my doctor to prescribe this freely to me as it makes me MORE anxious that I have to take them sparringly and I worry about not being able to have them when I need them. I have suffered thru many small attacks and not taken them because I am just worried she won't refill.
Do you guys have any thoughts or suggestions for me? Maybe I need to be more upfront about my anxiety with her?
Thanks! :)Captain
28 Year old female, GAD
Posted by woolav on August 5, 2004, at 10:20:15
In reply to How do you guys get ENOUGH xanax?!?!, posted by captain on August 5, 2004, at 8:54:34
Hey Captain. It wasnt until I had a full blown panic attack that my doc started giving me plenty of xanax. They may not give it to you for GAD. Have you had an actual panic attack?
S
Posted by Joy on August 5, 2004, at 10:29:16
In reply to How do you guys get ENOUGH xanax?!?!, posted by captain on August 5, 2004, at 8:54:34
Hi,
I just made sure I got a doctor who was understanding about Xanax. I went to a psych just for that reason though now my new family doc will prescribe. I have anxiety attacks and use it for sleeping. I never overuse and rarely take it more than once a day [alazopram .5 mgs]. I don[t take the XR [estended release] as it's more money and I like taking med when I need it only. The cheaper meds that actually work for people are the ones the docs don't like to prescribe. Try to be firm because it helps you or switch docs. Good luck.
Posted by captain on August 5, 2004, at 12:28:52
In reply to Re: How do you guys get ENOUGH xanax?!?!, posted by Joy on August 5, 2004, at 10:29:16
Hey guys,
Thanks for the feedback. Yes I do suffer from anxiety/panic attacks - although much less often now that I started Lexapro (that is the only reason I am taking lex). I have an insanely high family history of anxiety attacks and started having them about 5-6 years ago just after college.
For a while many of my attacks were hypchondria induced - working myself into a frenzy because i belived i had a horrible disease or brain tumor. that is how i got my frist script - i freaked out on a doc at one of those late night doctors offices. :)
As i have grown, they became more intense. They would occur out of the blue and my breathing would be very shallow, a feeling of disorientation, thinking i might die, general fear of i don't know what, tingling extremeties and I would just want to run and hide somewhere.
I don't see a pdoc but have thought about going. Maybe I need to be more open with my family doc as well. I only take the generic xanax .5 (like you Joy) and take them maybe 2-3 times a WEEK. I could feel more comfort during the day if I could take them as needed and didn't feel as if I couldn't get anymore.
I have also cut back on caffiene to help alleviate the attacks.
Captain
Posted by leos on August 5, 2004, at 15:59:15
In reply to Re: How do you guys get ENOUGH xanax?!?!, posted by captain on August 5, 2004, at 12:28:52
im sorry youre having so much trouble getting the treatment you need. xanax was a life saver for me during panic attacks and anxiety. i think if you have panic/anxiety youre not very likely to abuse drugs because it freaks you out just to take them. my pd prescribed up to 90 xanax/mth if needed during my worst times. at the time i thought she was crazy for prescribing so much but i learned its good to know that if you need them, theyre there. while i never ever needed that much, it is a lifesaver to have a pd that works with you rather than make things even harder - its more than enough to have psych problems as it is without having to put up an uncooperative doctor!!! my advice is to keep shopping around (not much fun) until you find the right fit. best of luck to you.
Posted by TexasChic on August 5, 2004, at 16:12:54
In reply to Re: How do you guys get ENOUGH xanax?!?!, posted by leos on August 5, 2004, at 15:59:15
I had a doc who would only prescribe 2 or 3 tablets at a time!!! She eventually accused me of being a drug seeker, so I got rid of her and went to a pdoc. It was amazing what the difference was! I have more Xanax than I can use! I always have about 3 bottles laying around. Xanax is addictive and people do abuse it. But its a shame that this keeps people who legitimately need it from getting it. Its one of my top gripes in the medical world. My T told me that people who really have anxiety don't get 'high' off it like someone using it for fun. If anything I avoid taking it because of the sleepiness factor. If you aren't already going to a specialist, I would recomend it. If you are, you may want to find a new one. This is a no-win situation. Believe me.
Posted by captain on August 5, 2004, at 21:55:28
In reply to Re: How do you guys get ENOUGH xanax?!?!, posted by TexasChic on August 5, 2004, at 16:12:54
Thanks so much for the posts! It is interesting because I don't go to a phsychiatrist, I just go to my family doctor. I have been to counselors, but they don't perscribe obviously.
My sister just went to a pdoc and they gave her a TON of xanax as well and said they don't want her to feel like she doesn't have it if she needs it. Maybe that is the course I need to take.
You are right in that people who actually need it, do not abuse it. I would not waste it recreationally and don't even see the fun in that as I would be so tired! I just don't want to be suffering thru attacks out of fear that I won't have any when a worse one comes along.
Thanks for your feedback everyone - this is very helpful!
Captain
Posted by Viridis on August 6, 2004, at 0:37:33
In reply to How do you guys get ENOUGH xanax?!?!, posted by captain on August 5, 2004, at 8:54:34
My pdoc prescribes a relatively small amount of Xanax, and has warned me that many doctors consider any request for Xanax equivalent to "drug-seeking behavior" (he doesn't seem to buy this blanket generalization, but is just telling it like it is). He's cautious with it partly because it's closely monitored, and partly because it does have a reputation for inducing tolerance as well as dependency quite quickly. Plus, it's become a fairly popular street drug.
I think it's a great med, but if I take it often at all, I quickly need more to achieve the same effect, so I can see the reason for concern. I certainly don't use it recreationally, but some people (a few, mostly those who don't even need it) do, so it's closely watched.
I do, however, take Klonopin (clonazepam) daily, and for me it's extremely effective for anxiety and panic attacks. It has a long duration of action and is much less likely than Xanax to cause problems. My pdoc tells me that he gets much less scrutiny for prescribing this, and that many doctors are much more comfortable with it. Plus, for some reason, patients are unlikely to need dosage increases once they find the appropriate amount.
Have you tried Klonopin? I find that using it regularly (at a low dose) is very effective, and keep Xanax around for those times when I'm really anxious. This strategy seems to work well for me, although we all react differently.
This is the end of the thread.
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