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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 1980Monroe on March 13, 2004, at 20:30:32
and i could be just totally wrong. But from just various people i know, friends, xanax is discussed alot, basically used recreationally sometimes.
I know Xanax has positve benefits, for really anxiety plaqued people, and basicaly they do need it, and does them good. But my friends really misuse it, ive never touched it, but im just wandering why it attracts people so much.
Is euphoria envolved? like the barbituates and GHB? Or does it just cause fast relief of tension? please i want some info from some experienced people. Thanks , feedback is apprieciated
Posted by Viridis on March 13, 2004, at 22:46:23
In reply to Alot of people want Xanax., posted by 1980Monroe on March 13, 2004, at 20:30:32
Some people experience euphoria; apparently it can also take the edge off some recreational drugs or increase their effects, so is sometimes used as part of a combo to get high.
For people with real anxiety disorders it's generally very effective, and most in this category don't abuse it. I find it's great for fast anxiety relief, but if I take more than I need for that it just makes me sleepy. So, I have no incentive to take it unless I'm experiencing serious anxiety, and only use it occasionally, by prescription.
It's gotten a bad rap but can be an excellent med. It definitely should be used with some caution until you know how you'll react, and if you find yourself "enjoying" it, craving it, etc. then it's probably not the med for you. Again, this seems rare for those with genuine anxiety disorders.
Posted by jay on March 13, 2004, at 23:07:17
In reply to Alot of people want Xanax., posted by 1980Monroe on March 13, 2004, at 20:30:32
The one and few things I have noticed about years (on and off..no “addiction” problem!) with Xanax and even most benzos, is that when used in a therapeutic manner in conjunction with the simple watchful eye of a doctor, they are one of the safest and most effective meds out there. They work so well, so fast for chronic anxiety mixed with depression. (And I have even read that in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, they can ease and smooth out an “episode”.) When used with smaller doses of antidepressants, I think they also even out the “jitters” a.d’s cause, nicely. It really bothered me when in the 1990's, doctors started using SRI’s as “first line” treatment for both anxiety and depression, *without* a benzo. To me, that is like swimming in shark infested waters. I think the horrid agitation SRI’s can first cause is much more dangerous than any benzo effect.
Anyhow...just IMHO..
Jay
Posted by Viridis on March 14, 2004, at 3:46:22
In reply to Re: Alot of people want Xanax. » 1980Monroe, posted by jay on March 13, 2004, at 23:07:17
I agree -- I hate SSRIs and find that they just increase anxiety and have numerous side effects, even after long-term use. That's just me (others have had great success with the newer ADs), but I find benzos immensely more effective, and feel much safer using them for anxiety. I prefer Klonopin over Xanax, though, because for me it's so reliable and doesn't seem to induce tolerance.
Posted by NotAddicted on March 14, 2004, at 7:36:35
In reply to Alot of people want Xanax., posted by 1980Monroe on March 13, 2004, at 20:30:32
Folks who don't use benzo's with responsibitilty and to treat a mental disorder, shouldn't use them. Those folks just make it more difficult for those of us who are responsible with our benzo use to make a case for their use as treatment.
It's a big problem that adds to the stigma.
I always pray that those drugs won't get "taken away" (unlikely, but this abuse has made getting them, LEGALLY, MUCH more difficult) due to this.
Posted by francesco on March 14, 2004, at 19:50:56
In reply to Re: Alot of people want Xanax., posted by NotAddicted on March 14, 2004, at 7:36:35
In this period I'm taking low doses of xanax, just 12,5 mg once or twice a day. On me it has antidepressant properties (I'm not taking anything else), and, yes, I've experienced some mild euphoria on higher doses (25 mg). It makes me also dishinibited (like saying everything that comes to my mind, which sometimes is not the best thing to do). I'm not that anxious so I wonder if this med is *just* an anxiolitic. I'm using it as an antidepressant because I'm quite depressed and I have not already found a new p-doc. But I'm experiencing also some memory and language problems, and I think xanax can be the culprit.
Posted by rvanson on March 14, 2004, at 22:43:11
In reply to Alot of people want Xanax., posted by 1980Monroe on March 13, 2004, at 20:30:32
I use Xanax for sleep and at times to damp down the side-efects of activating anti-depressants.
It works quickly and goes away in about 8 hours.No, I dont use it for recreation, and I never have. It has been a life saver for me, but one that is out of vouge with the new generation of doctors putting thier shingles out these days.
Needless to say I have dumped lots of docs, who have no idea what not sleeping for days on end really means, when you have a job to go to everyday.
BTW, have tried Ambien and Sonata with ill effects. They are useless for my condition.
Xanax works.
My .02cts
> and i could be just totally wrong. But from just various people i know, friends, xanax is discussed alot, basically used recreationally sometimes.
>
> I know Xanax has positve benefits, for really anxiety plaqued people, and basicaly they do need it, and does them good. But my friends really misuse it, ive never touched it, but im just wandering why it attracts people so much.
>
> Is euphoria envolved? like the barbituates and GHB? Or does it just cause fast relief of tension? please i want some info from some experienced people. Thanks , feedback is apprieciated
Posted by rvanson on March 14, 2004, at 22:59:25
In reply to Re: Alot of people want Xanax., posted by NotAddicted on March 14, 2004, at 7:36:35
I couldnt agree more, but some people will always use legal and illegal substances to get "high".
They are not worried about those of is who NEED these medications to function through our illnesses and lead productive lives.
Some kids sniff gasoline and paint thinner to get high.
I guess we should ban that stuff too ?
Then again, look what a huge personality like Rush Limbuagh did to all the pain sufferers who needed Oxycontin to help quell the pain.
My .02cts
> Folks who don't use benzo's with responsibitilty and to treat a mental disorder, shouldn't use them. Those folks just make it more difficult for those of us who are responsible with our benzo use to make a case for their use as treatment.
> It's a big problem that adds to the stigma.
> I always pray that those drugs won't get "taken away" (unlikely, but this abuse has made getting them, LEGALLY, MUCH more difficult) due to this.
Posted by rod on March 15, 2004, at 3:55:42
In reply to Alot of people want Xanax., posted by 1980Monroe on March 13, 2004, at 20:30:32
I *hate* Xanax. It's making me depressed and angry! But I love Klonopin and Neurontin! Strange world
Roland
Posted by joebob on March 15, 2004, at 11:11:08
In reply to Re: Alot of people want Xanax. » 1980Monroe, posted by jay on March 13, 2004, at 23:07:17
and it is standard protocol in parts of europe
> Th
e one and few things I have noticed about years (on and off..no “addiction” problem!) with Xanax and even most benzos, is that when used in a therapeutic manner in conjunction with the simple watchful eye of a doctor, they are one of the safest and most effective meds out there. They work so well, so fast for chronic anxiety mixed with depression. (And I have even read that in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, they can ease and smooth out an “episode”.) When used with smaller doses of antidepressants, I think they also even out the “jitters” a.d’s cause, nicely. It really bothered me when in the 1990's, doctors started using SRI’s as “first line” treatment for both anxiety and depression, *without* a benzo. To me, that is like swimming in shark infested waters. I think the horrid agitation SRI’s can first cause is much more dangerous than any benzo effect.
>
> Anyhow...just IMHO..
>
> Ja
Posted by Joy on March 16, 2004, at 9:18:19
In reply to Re: Alot of people want Xanax., posted by rvanson on March 14, 2004, at 22:43:11
Rvanson,
I totally agree with you. .5 Xanax helps me sleep at night with no problems. I rarely use it in the day, but I take it for anxiety once in a while in addition to my Prozac. I think it's a great drug [and I use generic]. Too much would make me sleepy, I never got euphoric on it. I think it's a safe, inexpensive, totally workable medication, and that's why the drug companies don't want it used. They don't make any money on it..........just my humble opinion.
Joy
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