I've tried a low dose of valium which did absolutely nothing, and now my doctor wants to put me on Xanax. Does anyone have experience with this drug for relieving anxiety? Is there anything I should know beforehand? Thanks in advance
Answer:
Benzodiazepines such as valium and xanax tend to loose their benefitial effects after a few weeks or months of regular use. I strongly recommend that you read this resource http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/... so that you can learn the long term adverse effects of benzodiazepines. Also read this http://www.benzo.org.uk/ashbzoc.htm...
I have used both valium and xanax and they ruined a big part of my life. I did not abuse them, just followed doctors orders and got hooked.
Look into the cause of your anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by job stress, stressful relationship, past traumas.
Anxiety can also have physical causes, thyroid problems, day time withdrawal symptoms from night use of sleep aids, withdrawal anxiety from excessive alcohol. Adverse reactions or withdrawal reactions to or from various medications.
Work with a counsellor or try CBT. CBT by the way is ineffective whilst a person is on benzodiazepines as benzodiazepines impair the cognitive processes and people cannot learn new coping strategies.
Improve your diet, cut out fast foods, limit sugary foods, cut out completely caffeine, alcohol and aspartame containing foods and drinks.
I know this probably isn't the answer that you want to hear. We all want a quick fix solution.
All the Benzodiazapine family have problems and are linked to addictions.
Xanax is a shorter acting benzo and as such they are worse in terms of addiction.
You should ask your doctor for the evidence that benzo's work for anxiety.
Just taking anxiolytics without addressing the underlying problems with psychotherapy or counselling is like winking in the dark!
If you know anyone who can get you a copy of the big MIMS have a look at it - it lists all the side effects of any medication that you take. The same standards that are applied to 'alternative' medicines should also be applied to pharmaceuticals. Ask for the evidence before taking anything.
With medications for anxiety it's almost always trial and error. If your doctor started you out on the lowest dose of Valium, it would've probably been a better idea to try to up that dosage before switching you all around, but of course I'm no doctor. I've been a pharmacy technician for 3 years, nationally certified, and I've generally seen dosages being changed before changing to a different drug. They may also try possibly using an SSRI (zoloft, prozac, lexapro, etc) in combination with a benzodiazepine (valium, xanax ativan, klonopin, etc).
The thing to keep in mind is that different drugs come with their own laundry list of side effects that you may or may not experience, but always try to take your first few doses while you're staying home just so you know how it effects you. Good luck!
first of all consult a psyciatrist,the treatment includes 1.benzodiazepines like diazepam initially strted with smal doses 2.beta blockers like propronolol 3.psychotherapy
Let him. Xanax does wonders for my anxiety.
As far as what you should know, I recommend reading the Wikipedia article on any drug before taking it. Here's a link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/xanax...
See the intro, read page 2, and see the anxiety section of http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris... on page 6.
You had your crying and now it is stress and Valium. The next step is depression from the chemical releases. Might as well get ready to learn all about the disorders. Then look to your social expectations and get rid of the errors There is the root of the pain. The brain hates to relearn! Go ahead PM one of the survivors on here.
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