Hi, this is the 1st site I've ever signed up for. I have been prescribed 1mg xanax for 5 years now. The anxiety came out of no where after a long term break-up. I fought it for about a year without seeking help because I didn't understand what was happening. When I finally did seek help these things were a miracle to me. The problem I've had since being prescribed these is the constant judging and ridicule I get from people in my life who obviously dont understand. I've been called a drug addict so many times. I take them as prescribed. Never more then one @ a time. They help. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how do you cope with it? It seems that anxiety depression is not taken seriously. I'm a 45 year old woman. I do not get "High" off of xanax. I feel like I'm being punished because so many kids r obtaining them without a script and abusing them. So now the only thing that helps me r considered a terrible drug and am always told to get help. I thought I did.
Christiana
It was bad when I first began taking Opiates for pain and AD medications for stress caused by my disability. I was retired off when thirty eight and have not worked since then, I am sixty seven now and I do not mention my medications to peope I feel would be ignorant to my health conditions.
Victimization shown to the disabled can be against the law now and to be honest I just prefer to walk away. You may be suprised how man of those critics need to take medications like you on a daily basis. If you need your medications to fulfill life obligations to keep you well that is it you need the drug. If you feel you could manage a reduction of dose or a complete cesation of medications your GP will give you help and encouragement to wean yourself off.
Be brave and get on with your life, you are surrounded by uneducated people who are unable to understand your need. I wonder what they would do if they needed a draft and script to keep themselves on the straight and narrow
BOB
Your right Christiana these drugs can be very effective but they should only ever be used in the short term, mike is right, our brains adapt, they recognise that there is to much GABA and so make themselves less sensitive to it. This means when the drug isn't available, the normal production of GABA isn't enough and we feel anxiety. After 5 years its unlikely the drug is doing anything useful but if you try to stop you become more anxious. In the UK anxiety is treated using antidepressants which also have a sedating effect but are easier to withdraw. Its widely considered that these drugs cause more problems than they solve and the USA is finally recognising that fact.
I agree with the suggestion that you should start your withdrawal as soon as possible, your Dr might prescribe an antidepressant to manage the anxiety the withdrawal might cause. If you leave it, you could end up having little time or control over the withdrawal.
It might be that peoples comments are not due to insensitivity or not understanding, they may understand far to well and maybe have your best interests at heart.
Well said.
I have Christiana and have experienced similar reactions from people who are uneducated with regard to anxiety and panic disorders. It use to upset me when people thot my fear was "all in my mind." Well, yes it is but I need help and if medication, along with possibly group therapy, helps then so be it. You and I are NOT addicts. I take 3 /12 mgs a day and I have for over 30 years. Without xanax I would not have been able to function because of the panic attacks I have along with post traumatic disorder.
At first I was shy about taking the med but finally got tried of trying to hide it so if asked or talked about being addicted, I told people to do some research into anxiety disorders to enlighten themselves. Don't listen to their ignorance and don't let it bother you. You know your body and you know in your heart that you are not some addict hiding in an alley snorting cocaine or shooting meth.
I'm right with you gal.
Be brave babycakes and pat yourself on the back for getting help. I hope you feel more confident now that you know you are not alone.
Hi everyone am a guy age 21 of aga am having this same feeling sometimes on my face sometimes chest sometimes sometimes thigh at first it started as a flash sensation but now it just feel it's dere but a little distraction sometimes help reduce effects.. Am not too good at typing in English but I will try and explain in details my situation and see if anyone feels same way. It all started when I had gonorrhea started went first for an hiv test at first because I was scared but was tested negative I treated my gonorrhea and chlamydia after a week or two I notice some swollen on my jaw was painful it later move down to my throat position was scared maybe my prostate infection was still there so I went back for a test I did VDRL, URINALYSIS, URETHRA SWAB and URINE all test was negative expect the URETHRA SWAB test which proves moderate growth of S AUREUS was given CIPROFLOXIN as medication for 7days morning and evening hours bt was just 10 in a pack Was not enough for 7days so I bought another 10 I bought some pain relief drugs for the swollen jaw after sometime I had dry mouth I was uncomfortable but it lasted for few days was still on my infection drug when I notice some light green-yellowish sperm mind u I didn't have unprotected sex after my gonorrhea infection I finished my medication and few days later I stop seeing the green stuff my sperm is okay but feel some little pain sometimes in my testicle and later I can feel some flash beat under my shoulder blade like a fast plus lasted for just a sec comes nd goes feel I specifically when am alone and now this hot flash sensation and I see some two to three red dot just on my arms only it clears after some days and another a raise from different spot am really really scared anyone here experience these because seriously it's just freaking me out and I need some medical advice sorry for the long story just wanted to make everything clear THANKS
Christiana, this isn't about whether your a good or bad person or whether your and addict, the way in which you sought help was perfectly appropriate. The problem now is that views about the long term use of benzodiazepines are changing and people saying they wont effect you (or them) and not watching the news. There is a growing body of research showing that long term use of Benzo's are harmful and I don't know of anywhere in the world, USA included that considers them a good first line option for treating anxiety. The current guidelines of the Dept of Vetran Affairs strongly recommends against the routine use of benzodiazepines in Veterans with PTSD and has some fairly damning things to say about them. I suspect it wont be to long before there will be a massive increase in litigation and that could have very rapid consequences. Look what happened to talc after one court case based on rubbish evidence.
Over the last few years the FDA has been increasing the requirements for warning labels on some drugs and already some insurance providers refuse to fund Benzo's for people in elderly care settings.
You may also be aware of the new prescribing rules intended to reduce opiate abuse, well these have also introduced new rules for benzodiazepines which require drug screening and more frequent reviews.
I don't think anyone is underestimating the distress of anxiety, I think much of the advice is an attempt to prevent the added problems changes might bring. It is unfair that to some extent these drugs have been caught up in the opiate chrisis, but then the opiate chrisis is also unfair to people in genuine need. It seems these drugs have followed almost the same path as barbiturates before them which were also initially seen as harmless. Its a problem with all drug treatments really, there are no harmless, quick fixes, its not nice, but its still true.
I am the same as you, was precribed them about 11-12 years ago. 0.25mg a day or when required.
I have tried every other med literally on the market and none have overly worked for me. Have tried every other alternative, you name it.
Xanax is the only thing that helped me.
And recently my Phyciatrist decided after so long so increase to 0.50mg a day or when required.
I dont abuse it and only take when anxiety is severe.
For me it is a god send