Quote:
Originally Posted by jacee
I took prescribed xanax for two years. I never took over 1 mg a day. I decided to wean myself off of the medication in May of this year. I felt that my health was suffering because of the xanax. I had gained weight (15 lbs) and had developed a nasty case of depression and had no desire to do anything at all while taking it.
I am now taking nothing and I feel really bad almost every day. Could this still be withdrawals? I have anxiety often and that is to be expected. What I am concerned about it is the constant feeling of being ill. I have frequent body aches and pains, trouble breathing and a weird feeling in my throat most of the time. I have no trouble eating and I have not lost any of the weight yet.
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Hi, I just wanted to let you know I feel for you-I still take 0.25mg almost twice daily. I feel your symptoms are from an anxiety disorder, not from withdrawal from the xanax. Along side of the anxiety is more than likely a depression issue as well.
Xanax does not combat depression. It can make you feel sluggish, if you aren't in an already state of anxiety. I would suggest just taking it when you feel like you can't breathe well, or if your throat gets the tight feeling. ( I assume this may be what you meant about the weird feeling in your throat ) and only when these symptoms occur.
There are other medicines for depression and anxiety but those have side effects as well. Xanax acts very quickly ( in ten minutes ) but the others take 3 - 4 weeks to notice any improvement. Also with the other medicines, like Lexapro, Paxil and others ( SSRI's ) they can cause weight gain, decrease in sexual libido, etc. They are hard to get off of, but if it improves your life and allows you to not feel so depressed, it may be worth it. It depends on what is the most important to you at this time in your life.
Xanax won't boost your spirits. I have accepted the fact that I probably won't be able to come off of Xanax ever, because I am dependant on it due to panic attacks, and generalized anxiety. I also take a low dose Lexapro to assist with managing the panic disorder, and it has helped as well. I do miss having my independance without the aid of medicines, but my life is better not being anxious all the time. I too have gained weight, but hope to work out to help that. It is hard to get motivated to do exercize because I don't like when my heart rate gets too fast, it feels like I could then go into a panic attack. I know now that it is ok to get my heart rate up and it will be ok. I wish there were a simple fix for those of us on medicines like Xanax, but it isn't bad to use them if it is as it is prescribed, and you aren't abusing them. It is probably one of the better medicines out there so far as having little side effects if used as it is intended, which sounds like you are.
Also are you on any other medicines? Sometimes beta-blockers and others will cause depression. Sorry for the long post, and it is rather late since it was originally posted in July. But hope you are doing well and wanted to let you know you aren't alone.
Xanax withdrawals.... How long does it last?
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