Posted by super on January 29, 2001, at 15:40:49
In reply to Re: Xanax tolerance » JaneST, posted by Daveman on January 29, 2001, at 14:31:13
Hi Dave,
I take back what I said on my previous posting. If you are feeling that bad that you are disabled by your anxiety, I'd go ahead and take as much Xanax as you feel you need to function right now. You're on a small dose right now; even if you go to a higher dose, you can probably taper pretty easily once you get more stable.> > D.~
> >
> > Of course everyone is different...but my experience was that Xanax, though helpful for panic/anxiety/etc., was extremely addictive. It seems the therapeutic effect only lasted up to a few months or so and then the dose would have to be upped.
> >
> > After a few years, I found myself telling doctors how much I was prescribed and they would look at me in disbelief...no one should be walking around at those levels. And let me tell you...weaning off the stuff was not a pretty picture...even though it was done over a long period of time...I never want to go through that again!
> >
> > Now I'm taking Lorazepam (Ativan) and have successfully remained on the same dosage for 2 years...so my advice is to tread lightly here...and I'm rooting for the Paxil.
> >
> > Best of Luck...
> > Jane
>
> Hi Jane:
>
> Your post has confirmed my worst fears about Xanax. But Ativan is a benzo also and there are other posts just as frightening about it. How high a dose of Xanax were you on before you began your taper? Have the docs explained why you had tolerance to one benzo but not another? I sure don't want to get trapped in an escalating cycle of dependency and addiction, but my current level of anxiety is completlely disabling. To say I am terrified of what seem like no good choices (unless the Paxil works, of which there is no sign yet)would be an understatement in the extreme.
>
> D
poster:super
thread:52590
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52892.html