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#1
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Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
Hey all,
SWIM just got diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and his doctor started him on .5mg up to 3 times a day of Alprazolam. SWIM scheduled an appointment to check up on it late next week. SWIM's doctor said that he is considering giving Paxil (paroxetine) in the future on top of the Alprazolam. SWIM would like to move up to a higher dose. He was given 30 x .5mg tablets for use over 10 days. Should SWIM tell his doctor that SWIM doesn't receive full relief until he takes 1.5mg per situation? Taking 1 really doesn't help SWIM at all and 2 is cutting it close. SWIM thinks his doctor is making sure SWIM has some pills left the next time he sees him. What should SWIM do to ramp up the Alprazolam dose and eliminate the possibility of getting an SSRI? |
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#2
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Why "eliminate the possibility"? Might not an SSRI help? Why not try all the options to treat SWIY's anxiety? No one can force SWIY to take on SSRI, of course, but refusal to at least try it makes it sound like SWIY is more interested in getting his script for Xanax than he is for treating his alleged anxiety... Last edited by staples; 17-04-2008 at 05:39. Reason: small typos |
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#3
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Anxiety has a long history in SWIM's family and up until recently SWIM just thought his personality was just uptight and shy. He has since learned that depression and anxiety often come in pairs. SWIM would like to be able to take 1mg on a normal day and 2-2.5mg on days that include speeches, presentations, and such (At this point in college these days are frequent). As far as general anxiety goes SWIM has panic attacks on extremely mundane everyday problems. An example may include having a nervous breakdown is SWIM's girlfriend doesn't answer her phone late at night because the only thing he can think of is the possibility that she is in serious danger. dark12 added 9 Minutes and 12 Seconds later... Grrr I hate not having an edit button. ![]() What SWIM meant about his doctor wanting to see how many pills he had left in 10 days is that maybe his doctor wants to make sure SWIM isn't popping them too often. Last edited by dark12; 17-04-2008 at 08:14. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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#4
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Edit: had a few more thoughts when re-reading this. Last edited by staples; 17-04-2008 at 16:21. Reason: afterthoughts |
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#5
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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SWIM meant that Wellbutrin really helped his problems while causing very few side effects. We'll see how today goes. |
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#6
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Indeed SSRIs are known for being somewhat overhyped and having potentially terrible side effects (serotonin syndrome...) but that's not a reason to not at least try different ones so that they can be ruled out if they don't work. And who knows, perhaps one will work very well for SWIY, wouldn't it be worth it to find out? I'm just trying to play devil's advocate because it seems like SWIY is certain of what treatment he needs, while that is his doctor's job to determine. Other than that, though, it does sound like SWIY may need a little more xanax than originally prescribed. However, just as well, I'm not really in a position to make such a judgment. Good luck and let us know how things go. |
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#7
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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SWIM really enjoys the fact that benzos help me him immediately so if something comes up and he has to be the focus in a social situation he can be ready. Today SWIM will start the day with 1mg and report back tonight on how it went. dark12 added 376 Minutes and 24 Seconds later... Well SWIM is back from work and his classes. 1mg of Alprazolam made him a bit sleepy all day. He did feel a tiny bit more free to talk to his classmates and co-workers, but he isn't sure that Alprazolam is doing what he was expecting. SWIM is sure 1mg will NOT be enough to deter a panic attack. Yesterday SWIM tried .5mg twice about 2 hours apart and it gave him nearly the same effect. SWIM knows there is 0% chance of getting prescribed an opiate for anxiety, but back when SWIM used to use Hydrocodone he would receive the EXACT effect he was looking for from about 20mg. Numbing of ludicrously strong social inhibitions, but without a very intoxicating effect. Is there any fast acting benzo or related drug that SWIM could mention to his doctor that would give an affect such as this? Last edited by dark12; 17-04-2008 at 23:24. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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#8
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
Doesn't being sleepy all day interfere with concentration? Yeah benzo's are great for when nothing else is working, but treating anxiety is more than just attacking the symptoms...
I'm not sure about using opiates for anxiety, but cognitive-behavioral therapy sounds like it could help quite a bit with SWIY's anxiety. |
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#9
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
SWIM has been wondering this too. SWIM has been on xanax and only really just falls asleep. SWIM never feels really that good or warm. Always just really tired. SWIM is trying to switch to Klonopin. SWIM feels exactly what SWIY is saying. Xanax does not help with SWIMS panic disorder just makes SWIM sleepy all day. SWIM is also looking for a benzo with the same effect as that. SWIM is in the same boat
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#10
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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To the previous poster, I have been doing exercises to try to help with the anxiety, but we are in a drug forum so clearly this is the hopeful solution I am down to. |
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#11
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Biological forms of therapy, especially in the case of treating anxiety, are normally combined with psychological therapy, and studies show that each form of therapy is about equally effective separately, but combined they are even more effective, so I think it is quite relevant to the discussion. For what it's worth, after being on Ativan daily for a couple years, I've never felt better than when I dramatically decreased my dose. |
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#12
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
I see where you are coming from with the exercises thing.
As far as opiates go, SWIM is not expecting to get any for his issue. SWIM is simply saying that while SWIM used hydrocodone it gave him the exact relief he was looking for. SWIM would take 15mg on a normal day and he would feel very social and open to others. When SWIM was alone the euphoria helped him remain calm and collected even if SWIM would normally be panicking or stressing. On the weekends instead of smoking a bowl SWIM might just raise his hydrocodone up 25-30mg and enjoy some company. I am sure after reading the end you think SWIM is just some kid looking to score some meds to have fun. That is not the case, SWIM would just like to explain the exact kind of drug he is looking for. SWIM knows this is a pipedream, but he is open for suggestions from those who know where he is coming from. |
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#13
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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#14
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Also, studies have shown that depression is related strongly to serotonin neurotransmitters in the prefrontal cortex as well as near the brainstem (dorsal raphe, I think), and sometimes to norepinephrine transmitters (locus coeruleus), not to any deficiencies with endorphins (as far as I'm aware). Instead, endorphins are responsible for the liking effect -- the brain releases endorphins upon achievements of a "reward" (something which promotes health/reproduction) -- so it's no surprise that artificially activating this circuitry makes SWIY feel better. However, if SWIY is depressed, using opiates can cause dependence, tolerance, addiction, withdrawal, as well as chronic pain (I think), yet they never really address the problem of being depressed in the first place. |
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#15
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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If SWIM were prescribed an opiate for anxiety SWIM thinks it would be much more effective than the Alprazolam he is taking now. When SWIM uses Alprazolam it seems to make him sleepy and lose concern with anxiety instead of helping him open up. At sub-recreational doses of hydrocodone, SWIM found that his social inhibitions were much lower and he was much more confident in his future and present. SWIM knows that these feelings are obvious precursors to psychological addiction unfortunately. SWIM has a check-up with his doctor on Friday and would absolutely love to be able to suggest a small dosage of hydrocodone for his anxiety, but he knows he would probably never be taken seriously again and be labeled a druggie. So SWIM will probably just accept another scrip for Alprazolam and maybe combine it with caffeine or something to negate the sedation. SWIM just wishes there was an anti-anxiety drug that focused on reducing inhibitions. |
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#16
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
Would it be absolutely ridiculous of SWIM to suggest that his doctor prescribe an opiate for his anxiety since Alprazolam just makes him sleepy?
SWIM imagines posing this question then seeing his doctor look at him like a heroin addict. Are there accounts of opiates being prescribed for anxiety? |
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#17
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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WashHeights187 added 40 Minutes and 21 Seconds later... Quote:
WashHeights187 added 10 Minutes and 49 Seconds later... Quote:
Last edited by WashHeights187; 25-04-2008 at 21:26. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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#18
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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SWIM has been combining his Alprazolam with caffeine and it seems to help a bit. As far as treating anxiety, SWIM prefers Kratom much more. |
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#19
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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Where is swiy located, in Uk or US, elsewhere? What about xanax then slamming a red bull or two? swim has tried that but dislikes the crash of energy drinks...much more noticeable than caffeine crashing. |
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#20
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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SWIM will probably start chugging energy drinks with his xanax. SWIM just doesn't even know if it's really helping or if the placebo effect is overpowering. |
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#21
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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#22
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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SWIM is from Illinois. SWIM uses kratom at many different times. Sometimes when he wants to relax and sometimes when he wants to have fun. SWIM finds that kratom calms his nerves and lessens his inhibitions greatly. To the extent of up to 25-30mg of hydrocodone. SWIM has used the extract and the dried leaf. In either cases he just pops it in his mouth and chugs water. He finds the effects of the leaf to be much better. In SWIM's opinion, kratom is a miracle drug. It gives a sense of euphoria and helps SWIM open up and be who he really is. Alprazolam makes SWIM a bit tired and less motivated. When taking more than SWIM is supposed to, SWIM passes out. No euphoria. It really disappoints SWIM when he looks at the comparison of the two. Alprazolam is so cheap compared to kratom. The only reason SWIM brought his anxiety to the attention of his doc is because of the fact that kratom is now on the DEA watch list and SWIM might need to find a replacement for kratom soon. |
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#23
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
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#24
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
Well this is for dark12. First off, if you are starting on Xanax (Alprazolam), it will take a little while before the sleepiness goes away. This is a known cause with Xanax (Alprazolam), simply because it does treat insomnia, but once it is in your bloodstream for a few days to a week, it won't make you as tired during the day. Now everyone is different, but this could definitely be the case for you. You should either talk to your doctor about this, perhaps he could try this? Just a tip. =)
Hope this helps, Regards. |
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#25
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Re: Prescribed too low dosage of Alprazolam (Xanax)
UPDATE:
SWIM has been out of Alprazolam for a while since he has been so busy with finals week and is sick of having to beg his doctor for 30 pill increments. SWIM is back home now and went to his family doctor. After a 20 second conversation about girls he was given a scrip for 180 .5mg alprazolams. PSWIM's not sure what to do with these. |
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