Long Term High Dose Xanax Effects (Page 8)

I began taking Xanax in 1982. I have been abusing it more and more over the years. I can now take 14 mg and not even tell it. I can stop taking it with no withdrawals. It's like I am immune to it. For the past two years I have been experiencing a lack of cognition, forgetfullness, and general fatigue. It does not matter if I stop the Xanax for a couple of months, I feel like the deficit is permanent. Can Xanax lead to permanent brain damage?

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So funny how your regular doctor will prescribe these, most doctors here no longer want to prescribe xanax since it has been classified as a controlled substance, My doctor that I have now will not prescribe it at all. He told me stories of what he has had to go through with people coming in and wanting prescriptions for it. He just refuses and tells them to go to emergency where he says if they make a big enough fuss they will probably give them some but they may also be placed in the psychiatric ward too. He also said he seldom sees people who have been long-term xanax users such as us ever get off them, so he is thrilled that I did it and makes me feel very special every time I see him. I started taking them along time ago because I had a couple of panic attics. They were prescribed alot back then and it didn't even make sense because if you have ever had a panic attack you don't have warning and the pills take up to an hour to work, so I just took them before I would go anywhere to prevent a panic attack. That's what my doctor says too,not even the right stuff and look what happened. I thought my anxiety was so bad that I started taking them all the time, Then I would remember all the things I was able to do in the past without any anxiety or just normal anxiety like anyone else and I would get so depressed. It was never explained to me that once you build up resistance you start to go through a short-term withdrawel from it between doses which causes intense anxiety, This is a long explanation but if I can help anyone understand that they can get by without them, and in fact feel great. Also, I have not even had a panic attack since I quit last year, which I was told that I may get them again and just to talk yourself through it by realizing it will only last maybe 30 minutes and will be gone not worth taking meds for. Anyway, the whole ordeal is now over and I can't believe how great it feels to actually enjoy so many of the little things that used to be such a fog to me. If your medicated your actually not fully experiencing anything, your senses are dulled,A lot of people have told me that I should sue the doctor who was prescribing these so liberally but I do not go looking for trouble any more and I know he wasn't doing anything illegal just very irresponsible. I really want to help anyone now if I can, Just to let them know they can feel so much freedom when you aren;t counting pills anymore and it is hard at first but I went through hell during withdrawel but it was so worth it. Good luck!

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Oh ya Eddie, the reason I would recommend the Ashton Manual is not only because it's an easier way to get off but also you can at least still function, so for most people it would be the only way. In order to do it the way I did you have to be able to take at least 3 months off from life basically.I would not have been able to do it this way and work or do anything else, I literally could not function during this time. Stayed home the whole time, But if you are able to take 3 months off and can have some kind of supervision and are really determined, it sure is faster.

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Sorry Eddie, did not see your other post. No it was not a physchiatric facility, it was the physchiatric floor of the regular hospital. We don't have a detox or a rehab here so I just checked myself into the hospital and that is also where they put people who have overdosed or who are causing problems in the hospital trying to get meds. They legally can not make someone who is not mentally ill stay more than 72hrs. so I had to sign forms saying it was voluntary. Like I said not the most ideal setting but not as bad as you might think either,I mean, you are not receiving counciling,just a psychiatrist for 20 minutes a day, but at least your somewhere with medical supervision if you should need it,Ideally, I would have rather been in a privately owned rehab facility but they are way too expensive.

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Just a little bit of info Eddy. I don't know how it works in the States, but here I could not just check myself in to go through a withdrawel program so I was depressed at the time and wanted to get off the pills so I had to say I was suicidal, they have to admit you. Once there, they follow the standard withdrawel process and the doctor just determines if you are OK as far as a danger to yourself or someone else, but noone but you and the doctor know that you are not so the doctor will let you stay for six weeks maximum. Not sure what the law is there but if you want to get off them quicker than Ashton Manual you might want to try this as it's free but if you are taking near 8 mg it won't be over' prepare for the worst at home.Like I said, give yourself another 6weeks at home with someone being able to watch you just in case.

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Very informative! We don't have these types of resources generally in our health care system. They push the mentally Ill on the streets for the most part. My Hospital in this small town is the size of a Wendy's, and they are the only one in 200 miles. While I have been getting 6 mg daily of medicine for the last couple of years, I only take about 2. Somehow I have so much Xanax, so I don't suffer with finding a Doctor or having enough medicine which can make you go crazy alone! I just try to maintain things, I don't suffer from classic Panic attacks so perhaps there is some hope for me. Maybe I'll move to Canada? Thanks for all your great advice!

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There is really so much more awareness of mental health issues but we've still a long way to go. It doesn't even sound like you have an addiction problem but whatever you are dealing with I wish you the best.

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Thanks Elizabeth, no 2 Mg is not a ton, I was on 3, smashed my head and just cut down 33%. I am addicted to the substance as Xanax is sinister in every sense of the word. However I do think Ashton might work very well for me. The problem is this stuff clouds your thinking, and changes your brain chemistry too. I deal with anxiety, and rebound anxiety from the medication as it produces its own kind of anxiety. I really feel for those who abuse this medicine, not knowing the hidden side effects when withdrawing!

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I have been seeing the same doctor for 8 years. I have been on various antidepressants and also xanax. He has steadily increased the xanax dosage over the years because the antidepressants do not help with my Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or PTSD. After a suicide attempt last year I was put on clonazepam instead of the xanax but over time it lost it's effectiveness and He now has me on 18mg of xanax per day. I'm finding the side effects are different now than when I used to take it a year ago. I feel angry, aggressive, hostile, more depressed, and the anxiety is only helped if I sleep to escape it or take enough xanax to make me completely out of it. I have a huge tolerance. In my suicide attempt, I took 330 pills - a mixture of xanax, zopiclone and zoloft. By the time I got to the hospital it was too late to pump my stomach because the drugs had been in my blood stream for 5 hours. My short term memory is completely shot. I've been trying to get counselling for 2 years with no results. I also have been looking for a family doctor for over 2 years but there are no doctors where I live taking new patients. I am now on disability and can no longer work because of my problems. I don't believe that I have much longer to live - can you give me any advice that might save my life?

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Donna, while im not quite at the same dose aa you I am prescribed 8mg a day but for years my Dr hasn't raised it to compensate for my toleranceso I've ended up getting extra from friend or even have paid others to get it off of the street. I was at around 15-20 mg a day then did start having the problems you mention. Over the last couple years I have cut down to 10-12mg a day trying very hard to get back to what im prescribed and even though it isn't easy those symptoms you did cheapest for the most part. I have started smoking marijuana and actually find it helps a great deal with the symptoms you mention too. It has helped me forget sometimes about all of the horrible things input ib my body over the years and it also helps me sleep greatly.

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I'm wishing for a long sleep too. I can't take the pain or memories or bulls*** anymore. I've been drinking (a bottle of wine) and wanna take Xanax but I only have a few left. I don't want to get sick...I want to sleep peacefully... forever.

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Donna, I definitely am not a professional but your present doctor is not doing you any good as you are maybe realizing. I assume you are in Canada because you mention the not being able to get another doctor. Have you heard of an organization that I think is called doctor find,sorry I cannot recall their name but if you call your local hospital they will know. I used it and they were very fast about giving me a list of doctors taking new patients..Also if you get yourself on the waiting list for therapy through the canadian mental health association. I know people who have PTSD and the therapy definitely helps. Also if you get into therapy you can inquire about new doctors or others that are also taking new patients. I was on xanax also for 15+ years and thought I had such terrible anxiety and depression that I didn,t think I could survive without this medication yet was so dependent on it that my life revolved around pill counting since I had built up a tolerance and would take more than prescribed and then run low before the next refill so would use alcohal to stretch them out. It was a miserable way to live and I was also suicidal. I checked myself into the hospital and underwent a six week weaning schedule there. It was hell, I will tell you the truth and I wouldn't recommend such a schedule for someone on as much as you. But if you were to do this, just to cut back , it will be easier in the hospital than at home because they will monitor you and do the tapering for you. If you just say you are suicidal, which isn't really a lie if you are so depressed and they will have to take you. This way you will also have access to nurses and psychiatrists and doctors and support groups. I also learned that most of my anxiety and depression was a result of the medication itself , I went through a lot but it was all worth it because I am so happy now and feel so free,no longer counting pills and going through panic attacks and constant short-term withdrawels, the medication also fogs your brain so would explain memory loss etc.Just some suggestions from someone who has been there. Just know that you can get your life back no matter what you are feeling now, the xanax make you depressed, really. I wish you all the best and hope you get some help.

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I would not encourage anyone to take xanax..

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Are you a Dr?

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I have been taking 5 mg of Aprazalam for over 30 years for treatment of severe panic attacks and agoraphobia. Over the 30 years I have occasionally have a social glass of wine. I have not suffered any problems as described in warnings. I have just turned 65 and my former psychiatrist has retired. My new psychiatrist and I have discussed reducing the dosage to 4.5 mg over 2-4 weeks and then to 4 mg after I am comfortable with 4.5 mg. As described in the book "The Anxiety Disease" by Dr. Sheehan, the dose for stopping panic attacks is 4-6 mg of Aprazalam aka Xanax.

Has anyone else out there been responsible on the medication for many years? If so, what has been your experience?

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I have been very responsible although I can't say the same for my provider? Just go with the program and take four for now from the new doc. As we age Alprazolam can have a stronger effect. I passed out last year, twice in two weeks and decided to make an easy transition from 3 mg to 2 mg a day. While Xanax wasn't the reason why, my head hurt pretty bad, kind of putting my anxiety on the back burner. Besides I have many spares if needed. Most people don't, and Xanax plays with your mind.

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I've been taking Xanax for about for five years now though only a half a milligram a day, now I'm stopping it and I actually think I'm going through withdrawal. Does anyone think this is possible given the limited amount of Xanax I have taken? Thanks in advance

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Yes it can. You still should wean off slowly and under Dr. Supervision. .5 is a low dose but anything can happen?

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has anyone experienced during the waining off period the feeling your brain is shaking and slight tremors in your hands?

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Dude, Xanax as you know, is a widely abused medication! I know cause I did use to take it when I really did not need it at that particular moment, maybe just wanted to feel a buzz, sorta speak! Now here is the moral of the story, i have been on this medication for about ten years now, an since I've been taking the medication as prescribed(now realizing that when used properly, does exactly what it is meant for), along with my other medication, with being under supervision of just "one" physician, things have been changing in my life for the better! So my recommendation, would be to stay with one Doctor, who knows you, and be as honest about everything that is going on in your life surrounding your medicine, as long as your not abusing meds, and taking as prescribed, I think you will find that you do not need a "handful" of medications in order for the medication to do what it was meant for originally! Although if your just out to get "high", or abuse the medication, life will pretty much stay the same trying to get that next Buzz! So start taking your meds as prescribed, an I personally think you'll find life will be much more on an even keel in the brain! You'll notice a change in the way of thinking. Cause taking this medication recreationally can be very dangerous! I mean to take 14mg of xanax one day and whatever you can find every other day will end up giving you medical problems(seizures), that you want no part of! So bottom line for anyone reading this, my advice(coming from a long time user), would be take medications as directed, an you'll find you will be a lot more productive in what ever it is that you do! Other than "pill shopping", which is not a life I would wish on anyone! Take meds as directed an you will not be having a lot of the problems I see most People are having! I mean I have People come ask me crazy questions like would I sell them my medicine (which I know goes on), an I am totally wondering why someone would want to take my medication, then it dawned on me that People are abusing medication like it is going out of style! Although do not ask for mine cause I am on the straight and narrow with my physicians! Good luck to those who really need their medication, without abusing it!

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Really, I don't know why anyone who does not have mental health issues should be taking xanax on an every day basis. If you need it temporarily to get through a crisis I can see that. This medication is addictive if you are taking it for anxiety. It actually will start making you have short term withdrawels between doses, which will cause anxiety making you think you need the medication. I know from experience, that I started it for a crisis and the doctor continued to supply it forever. Yes it does calm you and make you able to concentrate better and perhaps do a lot of things you think you could not do without out but after going through severe withdrawels in a hospital by choice I am not nearly as anxious a person as I had began to beleive. It is a great feeling to be free of this medication and no longer counting pills. I highly recommend doing whatever you have to to get off this medication. It is also a depressant, For however long at first you really do feel great and relaxed and confident etc, but eventually when you know your confidence is coming from a pill, depression will set in. I was on this medication for 20 years and thought it was a life saver too.

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