Xanax XR or regular Xanax?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Xanax XR or regular Xanax?
14
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 5:03pm
Has anyone here taken Xanax XR or plain Xanax? I was wondering if they worked, how safe they are, etc. My dr wants me to switch from Ativan to Xanax XR & take plain xanax if I need to. I took plain xanax years ago & when the internet was "invented", I looked it up, found some people bashing it , saying they'd never take it again, etc. so I got off of it immediately. Luckily, my anxiety went into remission back then. Anyway, I'm having A LOT of trouble doing this. It scares me to death. I know you can have seizures from not being weaned off benzos also but my dr said it's not the same as switching from one to another. I know I sound like a complete nutcase, but I have had horrendous anxiety ALL DAY today that only burned itself out about an hour ago. I know it's from thinking about switching meds & my husband is thinking about getting back into truck driving, in which case I'd be alone all week except for my son & I'm scared to be alone already. I really think I need to check myself into a hospital. I don't drive anymore, so I can't take the meds in my dr office like Jan mentioned. I have very few friends, & they work, so that doesn't help. I've even considered hiding in the trunk of my husband's car while he's working. Now I really sound nuts--even to myself. I don't really have any other options. Suggestions or information on the xanax would be greatly appreciated. (please don't tell me of any horrible reactions--I obsess enough the way it is).

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 7:13pm

I have never taken xanax xr. It is time released to last longer in your system. I have taken xanax in the past. I did have problems but you don't want to hear about that;)


Benzodiazepines are clearly addictive. That is in all the literature. They are indicated for short term use in anxiety disorders. That is also in the literature. From my experience, meds are only a tool. Learning ways to cope better is the ONLY long term answer to dealing with anxiety/panic. HTH GL (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2007
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 9:00pm

I was afraid to take Xanax regularly because of all the bad things I had read. I've taken it as needed along with other anti-anxiety drugs for several years. I had unpleasant side effects with the anti-anxiety drugs (I tried a lot of them) and also still had anxiety and nocturnal panic attacks. Xanax is the only thing that will stop my nocturnal panics.

About 2 months ago my psychiatrist took me off the other anti-anxiety drug and put me on a low dose plain Xanax twice a day. Then about 7 weeks ago I switched to Xanax XR. I can still take the plain Xanax in addition to the XR if needed but the XR has worked great for me. My anxiety has been very low and I haven't had a nocturnal panic since I started taking Xanax regularly.

I'm also trying a different type of therapy so who knows if it's the therapy or Xanax or a combination but I'm very happy with the results.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 9:36pm

I know how you feel, meds anxiety is something I suffer from dreadfully (still have yet to break open the cholesterol meds I am supposed to be taking, but I really do plan to take them after this weekend).

I have taken both Ativan and Xanax, and so relieving were they to my anxiety, if I had any trouble with them, I did not notice it. I only took them until my Zoloft kicked in, which wasn't very long.

That said, there is absolutely nothing shameful in going into the hospital. You have an illness, and it is as simple as that. I have thought about doing outrageous things too--your anxiety is making think these thoughts, and hiding in the H's trunk is not the worst thing you can think about doing, IMHO.

I think you are very brave to keep trying to get well. Don't give up. peace,lyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 9:37pm
What kind of therapy are you trying? My counselor practices DNMS. I don't know of anyone else who has been through this therapy, but she says it works. I'm hoping it does but she said she has to get me out of "crisis mode" first. Also, did you take antihistamines at all with it? I was reading on Webmd (which I probably shouldn't be) that it increases the side effects if you take them together.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 9:47pm
Hi Lyn,
Did the Zoloft make you gain weight? May I ask how much you take & how long it took to work? If you don't want to post this info, you can email me at lynnmm36@yahoo.com Thanks for your input!
Lynn
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 12:31am

I don't mind posting my experiences with anti-ds. I have been on them off and on since 1985 (I was hospitalized 5 weeks for depression; years ago they used to keep people in the hospital longer, and I think it was a good thing). I have to say that Zoloft wasn't a problem as regards weight, but Paxil did cause me to gain a few pounds. Lexapro did not do this. I have also been on the older, tricyclics (imimpramine, amytriptyline--sp??) and I recall losing weight with them, tho did crave sweets, etc. I have always exercised very vigrously, so weight hasn't been too bad.

It only seemed to take about a week before I felt better, but it didn't stay even and consistent until I had been on the meds for maybe 3-4 weeks. Until then, I still had moments of anxiety and depression, but it was less severe.

I hope this helps a little...peace,lyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2007
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 9:45am
I'm doing EMDR. I rarely take antihistamines. Sometimes I think my daily anxiety is caused by my work environment - fluorescent lights and no windows.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 10:30am

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Hi! Thanks so much for joining in & sharing your thoughts. If I haven't before, I'd like to welcome you to the board. Your name sounds vaguely familiar, but early Oldtimer's is setting in on this end;) It's always appreciated to hear the experiences of others & find reassurance that we're not alone. Keep in touch! GL & GBU! (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2007
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 2:04pm
I'd like to know how the EMDR is working. Is it for PTSD? I've had anxiety for over 20 yrs, took .5 mg Xanax as needed, not very often. When my daughter had depression 2 yrs ago I went up to 4 mg/da. Now I'm "detoxing" with the help of my Dr. Withdrawals are Hell but I will tough it out and get past this. My Dr. has suggested EMDR as I had many traumas and abandons in my childhood and later, hence he suggested EMDR. Those people are all gone now and I never think about my past. I have a wonderful life and just want to relax and enjoy it. I don't want to go over my past plus it's very expensive where I am and insurance doesn't cover it. How this working for you?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 2:40pm
What is EMDR & also, what kinds of withdrawls are you experiencing? Just knowing that I will probably have withdrawl makes me not want to start the xanax.

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