June 1, 2009 - 9:33am
My wife has been getting anxiety attacks.
She thinks they may be related to work stress, though they also seem to be linked to our life changes involving having a 1-year-old.
She gets extremely anxious at times, where she says she feels as if she is about to fall apart emotionally and has shortness of breath.
It seems as if Xanax would be the ticket at those times.
I am not a doctor, but I know a lot about how meds are prescribed.
We both are under the impression that anti-depressants would be a bad idea.
It would be better for her to have a "quick fix" from the likes of Xanax, since the attacks are periodic and most times she is fine.
I could get Xanax all day on the street with no problem, but we are cautious about staying on the right side of the law and our jobs.
Her symptoms are exactly for what Xanax is prescribed.
Should she try to get a Xanax prescription?
I understand that she could not go to a psychiatrist and request Xanax, but if they prescribe anti-depressants she'll just get a 2nd opinion.
Of course, we would consider whatever a professional recommends, but with a grain of salt.
June 1, 2009 - 11:15am
#2
Thanks for the reply!
Yeah, we don't really have a family doctor.
We rarely even go to doctors, and every time we have had to in the past 8 years we've been together, we go to "urgent care" clinics.
We are talking about setting her up an appointment with a psychiatrist, so we can avoid going to the doc-in-the-box and paying a co-pay only to be refered to a psychiatrist.
June 1, 2009 - 2:24pm
#3
Xanax
Hey Swyfty, my wife and I have used Xanax, as occasion warrants, for at least 15 years. It is truly a wonderful drug for anxiety and as an occasional sleep aid. JJ's advice is right on, if you are lucky enough to find a Dr. or Psychiatrist (PT) that is not drug adverse. A regular Dr. would be my first choice in your situation, what with a one year old and stuff. It's always a good idea to have a primary care physician (PCP) even though finding one that; A) you like B) likes you C) is not drug adverse D) is affordable E) is not just a "Pill Doc" F) you get the idea, can be frustrating, to say the least. However, you folks, having an infant, need a physician. You might as well start looking now, since your wife's symptoms obviously call for an immediate release (IR) Rx for anxiety and not an anti-depressant, though that might be necessary further down the road if signs of "Post-Partum Depression" show up. Good Luck Folks,
Q
PS: How you doin jj? Good advice my friend.
June 1, 2009 - 2:32pm
#4
Antidepressants are also used for anxiety
Antidepressants are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. They work better than quick fixes like xanax for people that have anxiety almost daily. For people that have occasional attacks, a benzodiazepine like xanax would be a superior choice. Antidepressants take around 8-10 weeks to work for all anxiety disorders. So, any doctor that wants to prescribe them is not out of line, but following the preferred treatment for anxiety disorders.
June 1, 2009 - 4:57pm
#5
NJRx242, the OP stated that
he didn't want an anti-depressant, that he "was under the impression that anti-depressants would be a bad idea." (italics mine). It is my opinion (and it is an opinion only) that someone who is obviously already prejudiced against anti-depressants should not be advised to consider them by anyone other than a psychiatrist (first choice) or, failing that, his PMC. As we both stated in our replys, Xanax is a superior choice for occasional anxiety attacks. The OP stated that his wife gets extremely anxious at times, which seemed to me to mean occasionally.
My wife and I are both Rx'ed Cymbalta, an SSRI anti-depressant that has helped us immensely. We are dealing with my cancer (inoperable/uncurable) as well as her disabilities and the connected financial Hades that have ensued. That's an awful lot of anxiety for plain 'ol Xanax to deal with, so the Cymbalta, even with the side effects and physical dependence, was the ticket for us. I would rather see someone who is prejudiced against psychotropic drugs "dip their toes in the water" with a less problematic benzo than go "whole hog" with an SSRI. Granted, both have their problems, but my opinion is that Xanax is the less problematic of the two.
Q
June 2, 2009 - 3:35pm
#6
Good feedback!
Something someone brought up on another site is that Xanax takes close to an hour to kick in, so it would be pointless to use it for treating periodic anxiety attacks.
Someone also mentioned that Xanax has a quick peak and a drastic comedown, and that Ativan or Klonopin might work better.
Though her anxiety "attacks" only last minutes, they stem from work-stress, so she is generally anxious for hours afterward, too.
Thoughts?
June 2, 2009 - 3:53pm
#7
Actually xanax can work with
Actually xanax can work with in like 10 minutes if you let it disolve under your tongue. Some of the longer acting ones probaly would be better at preventing them from coming on. Just my own opinion, I am not a doctor or anything.
June 2, 2009 - 3:55pm
#8
Swyfty Swyf
the use of xanax is a good choice but she should consult with a dr, the urgent care may be helpful, i beleive i make a phone call to check to see, because some ER situations refer you to behavior specalists
the dr may want to have her try different medications, as for the street, a 90 day supply of Xanax is no more than $10 in a pharmacy, the street may be a online fake
does she have a lot of stress headaches like in the front of her forehead, this may be from flourensent lighting at her job, believe me My wife an I have 2 grandchildren an our son is going thru a divorce, seems like there s always something going on here
as they stated above any anxiety medication has to be took for at least 30 days , for every anxiety issue is to be brought under control
the getting up early with a young child plays alot to do with a persons mind, the body needs at least 6 hours sleep, undisturbed sleep, if grandma or papa offers to keep the child let them , just to give her a break
June 2, 2009 - 4:30pm
#9
Swyfty
Based on what you described above I believe xanax would be a perfect fit for your wife . . . I am perscribed the 2mg bars and they start to work for me in about 15 to 20 minutes...They dissolve very fast, and if your wife were to place xanax under her tounge until it dissolves it would help her attack subside fairly quickly (oh ya, she'll have to get used to the taste because I garantee she'll think its disgusting at first)...but you can definately get it to work in under an hour
As far as the "drastic comedown" , in my opinion xanax works for many hours afterwards and sometimes the effects can be felt until the following day (we even coined the term "after bar" in reference to the effects I still feel the following day - though these side effects will diminish after continued use of the drug)... Although Klonopin may have a longer half-life I think xanax lasts long enough... Klonopin will work well for anxiety but its more of a maintanece benzo. . .
So if your wife believes Xanax is right for her then make sure you tell your doctor the same. . . Just be honest, explain your situation, and mention the fact that you have done a lot of research to come to this conclusion.
Also xanax, in my opinion, is the best sleeping aid out there and I know sleep is a thing of the past especially with a 1-year old in the house, so you can look forward to restfull nights while on this medication. . .
I hope I was of some help and good luck with your situation
June 2, 2009 - 4:34pm
#10
JJ Miller..
Hey man I didn't mean to plagerize your post about the xanax under the tounge. . . I swear i was typing it as you were... Apparently xanax minds think alike
Does the tast of Xanax bother anyone? My girlfriend nearly vomits if it dissolves a little in her mouth before she swallows it...
June 2, 2009 - 6:17pm
#11
The taste of Xanax
Yeah Med Head, My wife and I totally agree with your girlfriend. Kinda just for fun I posted a topic about the taste of Xanax under the CP and CP Management banner (or was it the Rx and OTC one, you know how alprazolam messes w/memory) 6 weeks ago that was titled, "Don't you hate it when.....". It got some very funny replies and as I recall it was a split decision on how many liked the taste and how many found it useful as an emetic like us and your girl. I think it's worth looking for 'cause there were some real kneeslappers in there! Please post on here what you thought about it if you do look it up.
That goes for you too Swyfty (love that tag!), it might help to take some of the worry away from using Xanax. I haven't seen the post you mentioned about Xanax (Alprazolam is the generic term, we've found that all the generics work alike, and, Lord knows, we've tried them all in 15 years.). Unless you swallow it on a very full stomach it should never take longer than 15-20 minutes tops to start giving noticeable relief. Compared with the 4-6 weeks it can take for an anti-depressant to start working I'd say Xanax is the ticket. the Klonapin (Clonazepam) has a 6-12 hour duration compared to X's 24 hr. Also K is more often Rx'ed for use as an anti-convulsant than for anti-anxiety. I've seen K described as the "Atom Bomb" of benzos.
I've never been to a "Doc in a box", doesn't sound like much fun but I can see the usefullness of them. Just had a thought, did your wife see a regular ob-gyn for pre-natal care? What about the delivery and all that stuff? Surely she's been to the same doc a couple of times in the pregnant past. I've got a couple of nephews (they're almost like my sons) that have a 1 1/2 year old boy and a 3 month old boy respectively and they're wives are going through the same thing. Their ob-gyns take care of things like anxiety for them. Why don't you have your wife call that Doc, I'll bet you could get a scrip over the phone for #20-30 0.5 Alprazolam real easy as long as you are honest and explain all the research you've done. Hey, it's worth a shot. Good Luck, friend . . . . .
Q 
June 2, 2009 - 7:30pm
#12
Med Head and JJMillertime are
Med Head and JJMillertime are both correct. Xanax is one of the best medications for sudden panic attacks because it kicks in faster than any of the other medications. If you are only taking it when you have panic attacks, it is probably the best choice. As both JJMillertime and Med Head pointed out it can work vey quickly. If I dissolve a pill under my tongue it kicks in almost immediately. At most it takes about 5 minutes. Altough, like Med Head's girlfriend I almost vomit when I let it dissolve under my tongue. I only do this when there's an emergency and I have to have fast relief. If I swallow the Xanax it takes at most 20 minutes to work for me. I've been on Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin, but they don't work nearly as well. I do take regular maintainance doses of Xanax, but also have some available for if a panic attack does happen. I don't know what I'd do if I had to wait an hour or so for relief when I do have a panic attack.
June 2, 2009 - 7:30pm
#13
I somewhat disagree with
I somewhat disagree with xanax being less problematic than antidepressants or ssri's , It is very common for people who start out experiencing anxiety occasionaly to experiencing it frequently, not all the time and in every case, but in a lot , and while people may start out with good intentions with xanax or other benzo's , keeping them for the periods that they feel very stressed, it is again very common for those periods to become more prolonged and it is common for people to take them to avert a posibble anxiety attack , the anxiety of anxiety if you will.
So there are antidepressants that also are effective at treating anxiety, particularly the selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors , and some others. and though as you say there are some side effects , I think the antidepressant/ anti-anxiety type medications may be a sensible choice before considering something as potent as xanax. I am very much of the view that people should not have to suffer in any way under any circumstance if it can at all be prevented, my fear is that when people become dependent on xanax ( both physically and psychologically ) and there comes a time that for whatever reason they can not get their hands on their medication, and the withdrawal is so severe, so debilitating , that it is hellish, psychosis , spasticity, no sleep for days and days , paranoia , agrophobia, oh the list goes on .
I myself would be more inclined to consider something like Librium , as it has the calming effects , is longer acting , and is much easier to come off . But that's just me, if xanax is needed and you can be sure that it is there at all times , then that's hunky dory.
But I think that is one of the major reasons why doctors are hesitant to start someone on xanax, it's different if they already have a tolerance for it , then they need it, but for anxiety I think it is safer to start with the mild but long acting benzodiazepines and / or antidepressants and change them if needed. But that's just my opinion, Thanks
June 2, 2009 - 7:43pm
#14
milo- I definitely see what
milo- I definitely see what you are saying with your post, but I think sometimes the opposite is true as well. I know for me that knowing I do have the Xanax on hand actually prevents me from having anxiety and panic attacks. It's like I know I have relief available if I need it so that prevents a lot of my anxiety. I think at least for me, a big part of my anxiety and panic attacks are fearing them. Like I never know what will set them off or when they will happen. I start to get worked up wondering if it will be while I'm driving, if it will be in public, etc. I then get nervous thinking about the consequences and side effects. What if I can't calm myself down? Will I drive off the road? Will I end up having a circle of people standing around me and watching me go through a panic attack? By always having my xanax on hand I feel much safer knowing that relief is always only a few minutes away. I'm not worried about not having access to it for whatever reason because I know I have a lot of doctors who would prescribe it for me if one wouldn't. It's also very cheap, so if I lost my insurance it also wouldn't be a problem. I suppose for some this may not be the case, but I know it is in mine. I can defiintely see your point though.
As for things like Librium, Paxil, etc., there are some people who can't take those like myself. I have really, really bad reactions to it. For starters, I'm a diabetic and it makes me gain a lot of weight, which is really bad for me. When I was on Paxil I gained 30 pounds! As soon as I went off I came back down to a normal body weight and my BMI came back down to about 19.5. The worst side effect for me with SSRI's is that I have horrible suicidal ideation. I actually would have obsessive thoughts about suicide, although I never attempted it or had any plans to. These thoughts were very invasive and intrusive in my life and scary. If it weren't for Xanax I don't know what I'd do. My quality of life is certainly better with it.
I think you're right that people should always consider something long acting if they have frequent panic attacks or GAD. If those don't work though, it's nice to know that there are medicaions like Xanax that can provide relief.
June 3, 2009 - 12:17am
#15
I have to agre with Kelly,
Milo, if you read my first reply where I stated that my wife and I have taken Xanax on occasion for 15 years I can see how that could send up a big red flag on the 2 of us. Wow, 15 straight years, must be something going on. I wouldn't blame anyone for that thought. We have had our current psychiatrist for at least 9 years now and we see him every 3-6 months for evaluation. He has also Rx'ed us both for depression and we take Cymbalta, an SSRI. It has helped with our anxiety, which is 90% reality based if you've read my previous posts. However, it still is not sufficient for the sudden onset attacks, we view it as BT anxiety and that is what the Xanax is for. As Kelly stated, it calms us just knowing that it's there. Before I was diagnosed with cancer and our whole world collapsed, I wasn't taking Cymbalta and I would take 0.5 mgs. of Xanax maybe twice a week, usually as a sleep aid. I agree that some people have problems with Benzos just like some people have problems with Librium. I guess my wife and I are in the "Hunky-Dory" class you mentioned. Have a wonderful tomorrow, Milo................Q
June 3, 2009 - 7:22pm
#16
if your wife is into
herbal treatment, St. Johns Wart is said to work wonders for both depression an anxiety
June 3, 2009 - 7:35pm
#17
Xanax
Xanax was a life saver for me... literally. I was on almost every med you can think of (SSRIs, SNRIs, Trycilics), until they nailed it with the Ativan 1mg 2x.... then I was switched to Wellbutrin SR with Seroquel XR...After the Wellbutrin giving me mult. seizures... my Psychiatrist put me on 1mg Xanax 4x a day... sice then life has been soo much better... I know theres a huge stigma behind Xanax, but there's also a reason its been one of the most written drugs for like 20 years..
June 3, 2009 - 10:57pm
#18
Ain't it the truth.
Hey humdizz1zz, where'd ya get that tag? It bee givin me a buzz.
I hear you loud and clear on the life saver description. For an extremely heightened anxiety level, I found that being told I had an inoperable, uncurable, and ultimately fatal form of prostate cancer darn near killed me right then and there. Thank God and Geneva that I had Xanax to see me through the worst of it. For those of us that can take it only when we need it, the stuff is a wonder drug.
June 3, 2009 - 11:04pm
#19
I have been on benzos
for over 20 years. i have been on the same xanax dose for maybe 8 years now...i have a months stash put back...some days i need a couple more...i never run out/ no problems.
June 3, 2009 - 11:11pm
#20
I got a question... Ive been
I got a question...
Ive been dealing with anxiety a lot lately..
and I dont want to take somthing for depression/ anxiety around the clock, but just when Im having anxiety, due to withdrawls, bodily dependency, etc..
If I told my doctor/phsyiatrist that I have bene having Major anxiety attacks, and I have been givin xanax by friend/family member and they work wonders at calming me down and bringing my breathing/heart back to a normal rythym, do you think that is a bad way to try and get a prescription for anxiety medicine?
I have been taking xanax and ativan, I take about 2mg of ativan if I have a really bad panic attack, but usually just 1mg and it will calm me down and feeling less anxious.. but the xanax seems to work much faster at doing this, but doesnt really put me to sleep like the ativan does..
Oh, and Im pretty sure this started getting worse since I started taking oxycontin, usually much later in the day, I rarely ever get anxiety/panic attacks in the morning. But at night, in social situations, or when I have confrontations with my girlfriend, or my family, or freaking out about school/work situation etc..
Oh sorry and, growing up since 5th grade, Ive been on paxil, welbutrin, aderoll, abilify and a couple other medications, but those are the ones I was on for years. the others made me sort of suicidal... I quit taking All of these back when I turned 18, (quit cold turkey and experienced HORRIBLE withdrawals...) these attacks also stopped for quite some time, but as I said, seems like recently Ive been experienced the anxiety again.. Maybe it has to do with decisions having to do with the mediactions I need to be taking for my ulcerative colitis/inflammatory bowel disease.. its quite #%^*! stressful, I finally had to decide to start taking medication for chemotherepy(6mp) and really really SCARES me, Ive had quite a few panic attacks over the decision.. and just really feeling like &*&? sinc eIve started on it. =[
Thanks.
June 3, 2009 - 11:15pm
#21
when i started benzos
i was honest with the dr and told him what worked for me...i told him i had tried ativan on the street and he wrote for that..i quess he knew i needed them and believed me...
June 3, 2009 - 11:23pm
#22
NO way man
NO WAY TO GETTING THEM OFF THE STREET. THEY COULD BE FOLLOWED OR ITS A SET UP. RREMEMBER UNITED THEY STAND, DIVIDED THEY FALL.
June 3, 2009 - 11:49pm
#23
I D be truthfull
if Mom or Dad gave me 1 an it helped, you got to remember there s a confedenial patient/Dr. relationship, the Dr. may give you a stern talking for taking medication not prescribed for you, an give you the script, or He/She may just agree whatever he writes i go with the flow, as He truly knows best, an give it 30 days to sit in
even most Dr. s have children , no matter the age an know a parent will not intentionally hurt their loved ones
not saying it s totally right mind you either
June 4, 2009 - 12:05am
#24
Xanax is a wonder drug. It
Xanax is a wonder drug. It really works well!
Makes you feel really good and does the job very well!
June 4, 2009 - 11:02pm
#25
The first time I ever had
The first time I ever had xanax was from my father. We were going to his company picnic. He is the vice president of his company so I knew I would have to meet alot of people I didnt want to and have conversations. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot I could see the big moon walk and people playing horse shoes and the BBQ going. Everyone got out of the car except me. I refused to come out, I was having a panic attack. All the coaxing in the world wouldnt get me out of that car. He gave me a little blue pill and after 15 minutes I came out of the car and had a good time at the picnic. I was in my late teens, I dont want anyone getting the wrong idea.
I actaully read somewhere that a flight attendent was arrested for giving a screaming child on a plane xanax. I know I cant stand a screaming child but theres no way you can give a toddler or baby something like that.
June 4, 2009 - 11:53pm
#26
I was scared of going on a
I was scared of going on a plan when I was in my teens.
My dad gave me a ativan. and I slept like ababy the whole flight. =]
After that I realized, well I shouldnt take that much, but 1mg really helps with anxiety.
June 5, 2009 - 8:38pm
#27
your dad gave you the correct doseage
Herbalgerbals you did nt have a worry in the world afterward, always remember the safest place in a plane is in the rear passenger area as far back as possible
one of my freinds was flying to Denver 1 year an I told him that an he asked what difference does it make, I told him you don t never heard of no planes backing into the side of a mountain
in regards to the nurse giving something to a infant, I ve seen mothers give a few drops of dimetap, or even 1 drop of rum or burbon, but I don t see no mother letting no baby have xanax under no circumstances
Well if you have a regular family doctor they can sometimes prescribe xanax. If you go to a psychiatrist just let your wife tell them her symptoms and they should prescribe her xanax or something similar like ativan, klonopin or valium. I had a doctor wanting to put me on celexa, but I told him why do I need to be on an anti-depressant when I am not sad. I am sure if your wife truely needs them and you tell them your real story then you will have no problems.