Posted by jealibeanz on October 16, 2006, at 9:03:28
The anxiety disorder:
My anxiety is sky-high, depsite the 1 mg Xanax t.i.d. Actually, I experience *minor* panic episodes now, where I can barely breath, with extreme muscle tension, unable to move with ease, and horrible feeling of doom/despair. I never considered myself someone with panic attacks, although I'm thinking I'm falling closer to that category rather than plain old GAD.
I'd like to increase the Xanax, maybe switch to XR since my current dose gives me cover for 9 hours total max. This is not enough for a person who has about 16 hours daily of high level stress induced anxiety. I tolerate Xanax better than any psych med I've tried. It reduces anxiety when at proper levels. It's no longer too sedating, doesn't make me foggy or clumsy, and is a mild antidepressant.
I'm miserable without it(w/regard to anxiety and depression). But I don't want to look like an addict/abuser who's always looking for more, since most docs now think of daily Xanax users as the equivalent to the person on the street shooting up crack to get high. :(
My doc is sympathetic to my needs though. After I left a message about anxiety/panic problems, he called me at night from home when I couldn't be reached during the day. He immediately doubled my dose.
It makes me feel sad and weak that I'm taking this controversial med. Who knows when I'll be able to find a better option.
poster:jealibeanz
thread:695246
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061011/msgs/695246.html