Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I have been on xanax on and off for years due to my panic and anxiety attacks. I would like to find a better way of coping. Does anyone have any ideas? Fionna Make your vote count. Vote for Kerry and Edwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Dear Fionna, PLease learn about this drug and how to get off safely before you try and go off it. Benzos cause panic attacks and anxiety when the amount of the chemical gets low in the blood. Taking them becomes a vicious circle. I would suggest that you taper off of this drug instead of trying to stop " cold turkey " It is a short acting benzo and for some people it is easier to taper down about 10% at a time in steps and stabalizing at each step. That 10% is calculated on each subsequent dose such as an example 10 minus 10% is one so dosage is 9 minus, 9 minus 10% is 8.1, etc. Not ten equal size steps. It being so short acting some people have switched to a longer acting benzo such as valium when they get to the smaller dosages. I do not recommend that you use some other " pharmacuetical medicine " to help with the side effects of withdrawal. It usually just means that the person then becomes dependent on that medicine. Are you familiar with the benzo group here at ? There is a link to it and other resources on our links page. Please educate yourself by reading all of the links and by joining the benzo group. You must be knowledgeable about this as most doctors do not have a clue and if you know about it, it then makes it 100 times easier than putting yourself in the hands of some idiot. There is also a manual put together by some members of the benzo group on how to taper off. It is by a woman scientist who studied benzos for 20 years and how to get them off. Ashton I believe is her name. There are some nutritional supplements that can help. There are about 1000 messages/articles in our archives about benzos. The alternative mental health site has information too. Our message boards ( link at bottom of each message) also has some info. The links on our links page has not only the link for the benzo group but some others too, like the website of Ray Nimmo who has a good site. I think that the address is www.benzo.org.uk (check on our links page) You will be OK in the end. Many people have done it. It just has to be done by tapering slowly over time. Ther are some nutritional support, herbal support and homeopathic things that can help also. Good luck, Frank , " fionnabj " <irishfae@j...> wrote: > > > I have been on xanax on and off for years due to my panic and anxiety > attacks. I would like to find a better way of coping. Does anyone > have any ideas? > > Fionna > > Make your vote count. Vote for Kerry and Edwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I am not addicted to xanax, so I don't have to worry about getting off it. I have taken it for 20 years on and off. I take half of 0.25 when ever I need it, which usually turns out to be once a week or once a month. I know the dangers of using it too much. My body is sensitve to any kind of drug, so I can take less than most people and because of that I am careful to what I use. No matter what drug I take, I always read up on them before I take them. Fionna , " califpacific " <califpacific> wrote: > > Dear Fionna, > > PLease learn about this drug and how to get off safely before you try > and go off it. Benzos cause panic attacks and anxiety when the amount > of the chemical gets low in the blood. Taking them becomes a vicious > circle. > > I would suggest that you taper off of this drug instead of trying to > stop " cold turkey " It is a short acting benzo and for some people it > is easier to taper down about 10% at a time in steps and stabalizing > at each step. That 10% is calculated on each subsequent dose such as > an example 10 minus 10% is one so dosage is 9 minus, 9 minus 10% is > 8.1, etc. Not ten equal size steps. > > It being so short acting some people have switched to a longer acting > benzo such as valium when they get to the smaller dosages. > > I do not recommend that you use some other " pharmacuetical medicine " > to help with the side effects of withdrawal. It usually just means > that the person then becomes dependent on that medicine. > > Are you familiar with the benzo group here at ? There is a link > to it and other resources on our links page. Please educate yourself > by reading all of the links and by joining the benzo group. You must > be knowledgeable about this as most doctors do not have a clue and if > you know about it, it then makes it 100 times easier than putting yourself > in the hands of some idiot. > > There is also a manual put together by some members of the benzo group > on how to taper off. It is by a woman scientist who studied benzos for > 20 years and how to get them off. Ashton I believe is her name. > > There are some nutritional supplements that can help. There are about > 1000 messages/articles in our archives about benzos. The alternative > mental health site has information too. Our message boards ( link at > bottom of each message) also has some info. The links on our links > page has not only the link for the benzo group but some others too, > like the website of Ray Nimmo who has a good site. I think that the > address is www.benzo.org.uk (check on our links page) > > You will be OK in the end. Many people have done it. It just has to be > done by tapering slowly over time. > > Ther are some nutritional support, herbal support and homeopathic > things that can help also. > > Good luck, > > Frank > > > > > , " fionnabj " > <irishfae@j...> wrote: > > > > > > I have been on xanax on and off for years due to my panic and anxiety > > attacks. I would like to find a better way of coping. Does anyone > > have any ideas? > > > > Fionna > > > > Make your vote count. Vote for Kerry and Edwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Well, I am glad for you because the majority of people who use benzos or antidepressants have no idea that they may be addicted to them until they try to stop and then after a few days all of a sudden they are in big trouble.. You say that you are careful with all the drugs that you take, so what other drugs do you take? Frank , " fionnabj " <irishfae@j...> wrote: > > > > I am not addicted to xanax, so I don't have to worry about getting > off it. I have taken it for 20 years on and off. I take half of 0.25 > when ever I need it, which usually turns out to be once a week or > once a month. I know the dangers of using it too much. My body is > sensitve to any kind of drug, so I can take less than most people and > because of that I am careful to what I use. No matter what drug I > take, I always read up on them before I take them. > > Fionna > > > > , " califpacific " > <califpacific> wrote: > > > > Dear Fionna, > > > > PLease learn about this drug and how to get off safely before you > try > > and go off it. Benzos cause panic attacks and anxiety when the > amount > > of the chemical gets low in the blood. Taking them becomes a vicious > > circle. > > > > I would suggest that you taper off of this drug instead of trying to > > stop " cold turkey " It is a short acting benzo and for some people it > > is easier to taper down about 10% at a time in steps and stabalizing > > at each step. That 10% is calculated on each subsequent dose such as > > an example 10 minus 10% is one so dosage is 9 minus, 9 minus 10% is > > 8.1, etc. Not ten equal size steps. > > > > It being so short acting some people have switched to a longer > acting > > benzo such as valium when they get to the smaller dosages. > > > > I do not recommend that you use some other " pharmacuetical medicine " > > to help with the side effects of withdrawal. It usually just means > > that the person then becomes dependent on that medicine. > > > > Are you familiar with the benzo group here at ? There is a link > > to it and other resources on our links page. Please educate yourself > > by reading all of the links and by joining the benzo group. You must > > be knowledgeable about this as most doctors do not have a clue and > if > > you know about it, it then makes it 100 times easier than putting > yourself > > in the hands of some idiot. > > > > There is also a manual put together by some members of the benzo > group > > on how to taper off. It is by a woman scientist who studied benzos > for > > 20 years and how to get them off. Ashton I believe is her name. > > > > There are some nutritional supplements that can help. There are > about > > 1000 messages/articles in our archives about benzos. The alternative > > mental health site has information too. Our message boards ( link at > > bottom of each message) also has some info. The links on our links > > page has not only the link for the benzo group but some others too, > > like the website of Ray Nimmo who has a good site. I think that the > > address is www.benzo.org.uk (check on our links page) > > > > You will be OK in the end. Many people have done it. It just has to > be > > done by tapering slowly over time. > > > > Ther are some nutritional support, herbal support and homeopathic > > things that can help also. > > > > Good luck, > > > > Frank > > > > > > > > > > , " fionnabj " > > <irishfae@j...> wrote: > > > > > > > > > I have been on xanax on and off for years due to my panic and > anxiety > > > attacks. I would like to find a better way of coping. Does anyone > > > have any ideas? > > > > > > Fionna > > > > > > Make your vote count. Vote for Kerry and Edwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I take armour thyroid for my low thryroid and that is the only drug I use. I come from a family who abused prescription meds and over the counter, so that is why I like to know what I put into my system and what the dangers are. When I developed panic attacks, over 20 years ago, the only good drug that worked was xanax and the Doctor told me what the dangers were in taking it. He was also using it because of some problems he had as a Viet Nam Vet. So far it is the only thing that has worked. I go through a bottle of 30 tablets in about 6 months, so you can see I am one of the lucky ones. I guess I have to owe it to my parents who showed me what can go wrong when you misuse drugs. Fionna Message: 23 Mon, 01 Nov 2004 09:11:19 -0000 " califpacific " <califpacific Re: Alternative to Xanax ? Well, I am glad for you because the majority of people who use benzos or antidepressants have no idea that they may be addicted to them until they try to stop and then after a few days all of a sudden they are in big trouble.. You say that you are careful with all the drugs that you take, so what other drugs do you take? Frank ______________ Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. Now includes pop-up blocker! Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Dear Fionna, Of course I do not know anything about you or your family so on that I cannot comment, but on the average use of benzos I can. For about 30 years Big Pharma and almost all of the medicos told everyone that these drugs weren't addictive and kept telling them that. They kept saying it in the face of evidence that said otherwise. Then once that they were proven to be highly addictive the chemo drug pushers changed their story to one of " they are not addictive if you don't abuse them " . That same thing would probably be said of cocaine or heroin if it were under patent today. These drugs are every bit as addictive or more so than heroin or cocaine. In 99% of the cases where there has been a problem with benzos, the only " abuse " that went on was on the patients at the hands of the pharmacuetical companies and big medicine. They were not even popular as street drugs until everyone finally figured out that you could abuse them. I would image that it would be hard though as I think that just a little too much and it would mainly put you to sleep. The abuse BS is typical of the drug industry where they aren't going to accept ANY of the blame, so they blame the patient. If you go over to the Benzo group right now, I would guess that 99+% of those people suffering never abused anything although they were certainly lied to and abused by the " health care system " . The same held true for antidepressants. They were saying that they aren't addictive until the U.K. proved otherwise. It is the 100 year story of the drug companies. Hell, where do you think that the heroin cocaine, and almost all the other junk drug use started in this country? Frank , irishfae@j... wrote: > > I take armour thyroid for my low thryroid and that is the only drug I > use. > > I come from a family who abused prescription meds and over the counter, > so that is why I like to know what I put into my system and what the > dangers are. > > When I developed panic attacks, over 20 years ago, the only good drug > that worked was xanax and the Doctor told me what the dangers were in > taking it. He was also using it because of some problems he had as a Viet > Nam Vet. So far it is the only thing that has worked. I go through a > bottle of 30 tablets in about 6 months, so you can see I am one of the > lucky ones. I guess I have to owe it to my parents who showed me what can > go wrong when you misuse drugs. > > Fionna > > > > Message: 23 > Mon, 01 Nov 2004 09:11:19 -0000 > " califpacific " <califpacific> > Re: Alternative to Xanax ? > > > Well, I am glad for you because the majority of people who use benzos > or antidepressants have no idea that they may be addicted to them > until they try to stop and then after a few days all of a sudden they > are in big trouble.. > > You say that you are careful with all the drugs that you take, so what > other drugs do you take? > > Frank > > ______________ > Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. > Now includes pop-up blocker! > Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 If the original post was someone looking for a natural alternative to Xanax- I started taking a homeopathic remedy - " ignacia amara " - it was recommended to me for better sleep. I find that if I feel suddenly very nervous or tense or stressed, taking 2 tabs helps. Now I have been told by professional homeopaths that one should *not* treat oneself with homeopathic remedies - should see a professional, which I am not. This is just my experience. I'm sure jogging or yoga is better. ellen In , " califpacific " <califpacific> wrote: > > Dear Fionna, > > Of course I do not know anything about you or your family so on that I > cannot comment, but on the average use of benzos I can. For about 30 > years Big Pharma and almost all of the medicos told everyone that > these drugs weren't addictive and kept telling them that. > > They kept saying it in the face of evidence that said otherwise. Then > once that they were proven to be highly addictive the chemo drug > pushers changed their story to one of " they are not addictive if you > don't abuse them " . That same thing would probably be said of cocaine > or heroin if it were under patent today. These drugs are every bit as > addictive or more so than heroin or cocaine. In 99% of the cases where > there has been a problem with benzos, the only " abuse " that went on > was on the patients at the hands of the pharmacuetical companies and > big medicine. They were not even popular as street drugs until > everyone finally figured out that you could abuse them. I would image > that it would be hard though as I think that just a little too much > and it would mainly put you to sleep. > > The abuse BS is typical of the drug industry where they aren't going > to accept ANY of the blame, so they blame the patient. If you go over > to the Benzo group right now, I would guess that 99+% of those people > suffering never abused anything although they were certainly lied to > and abused by the " health care system " . > > The same held true for antidepressants. They were saying that they > aren't addictive until the U.K. proved otherwise. It is the 100 year > story of the drug companies. Hell, where do you think that the heroin > cocaine, and almost all the other junk drug use started in this country? > > Frank > > > > > > , irishfae@j... wrote: > > > > I take armour thyroid for my low thryroid and that is the only drug I > > use. > > > > I come from a family who abused prescription meds and over the counter, > > so that is why I like to know what I put into my system and what the > > dangers are. > > > > When I developed panic attacks, over 20 years ago, the only good drug > > that worked was xanax and the Doctor told me what the dangers were in > > taking it. He was also using it because of some problems he had as a > Viet > > Nam Vet. So far it is the only thing that has worked. I go through a > > bottle of 30 tablets in about 6 months, so you can see I am one of the > > lucky ones. I guess I have to owe it to my parents who showed me > what can > > go wrong when you misuse drugs. > > > > Fionna > > > > > > > > Message: 23 > > Mon, 01 Nov 2004 09:11:19 -0000 > > " califpacific " <califpacific> > > Re: Alternative to Xanax ? > > > > > > Well, I am glad for you because the majority of people who use benzos > > or antidepressants have no idea that they may be addicted to them > > until they try to stop and then after a few days all of a sudden they > > are in big trouble.. > > > > You say that you are careful with all the drugs that you take, so what > > other drugs do you take? > > > > Frank > > > > ______________ > > Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. > > Now includes pop-up blocker! > > Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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