I just wanted to share a link that I found helpful that has some excellent insight into how Xanax works and it's potentially SERIOUS side effects and withdrawl sympotoms.
My primary care physician gave me a script last year for Xanax, without any word of caution or much direction after I told him of a little problem I had with getting panicy before public speaking situations where I was in a leadership role. At that point, I was also having unexplained heart palpitation issues which he just chalked up to "stress". Mother of 4 under 8 yrs...Enough said;)
I went the entire year sailing along just fine rarely ever needing the Xanax. However, in Novemeber, after the onset of my Lyme symptoms and subsequent Lyme diagnosis, I found myself reaching for a Xanax when my throat felt like it was tightening. Who WOULDN'T start to panic when an otherwise normal, healthy 39 yr old starts feeling numbness and tingling in her hands and legs! It's been a humbling experience to say the least.
From what I have been reading, I am bound and determined to find other means of coping besides reaching for that Xanax.
I would love to hear from those who have had success finding other ways of coping with anxiety.
By sharing the link below, I just want to help bring your attention to what some psychiatrists opinions are about Xanax. You can derive your own opinion certainly based on your own experience and research.
Ack...rookie mistake. I am going to move this topic to the Medical board. Sorry...lol
Posted by Earl Lickya (Member # 14279) on :
Similar experience here . .
Healthy 40yr old that starts experiencing numbness & muscle spasms . . several Dr.s, MRI's, tests, etc. few months later I get the LD diagnosis.
That was a nervous time for me & a Dr. prescribed Xanax for me. I didn't really want it but tried it a few times, just made me drowsy.
FWIW, I'm in a leadership role and deal with public speaking. Xanax will not make it any easier, or you less nervous IMO. Continuous practice & experience gets you there.
Having to cut back on cocktails these days, exercise calms my nerves now. Try yoga . . Posted by WillBDone (Member # 14269) on :
Thank you Earl...Before the onset of my symptoms last fall, I had my typical one glass of wine every day or so after the kids went to bed. As soon as I began doxy, I stopped my indulgence. Thanks for your feedback:) I may get my buns to a yoga class if I can work it in around the kids schedules;) Ha!
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I've found xanax to be helpful the last 5 yrs. I had no problem with taking them one day and not needing them the next few days.
About 18 mths ago I did realize, xanax were for short term problems. I needed something daily, in my system all the time. Not just sometimes.
Of course it took a therapists to make me understand that. I started xanax for anxiety and stress from socializing. .25mg and only one before or even one after was helpful.
Socializing was very hard on me 5 yrs ago. It didn't matter if it was family or friends, they stressed me out and caused me to feel drained.
I slowly lessened any xanax by 1/2 pill when I went on cymbalta. I was off xanax easily in 2 weeks. Then I only take one if I have a difficult day with my adult daughter. That was rarely.
But last week 2 days I had panic/anxiety attacks and just again tonight a few hrs ago. One xanax .25 and I am so much calmer. I don't know where these feelings are coming from. I've got alot on my plate besides myself, so?????
Pam
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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There is the feeling of panic from feelings, emotions and then the sensation of panic, like flight or fight of adrenal stress hormones. Sometimes a brick wall does seem to come out of nowhere.
Lyme, as we know, really affects the entire endocrine system - our HPA axis just can't keep up - our various nervous systems are overwhelmed with the lyme, including toxins and all that goes with it.
While there may be some emotional stressors, many cases of panic in lyme are easily explained by physiological actions of lyme /TBI.
So, when we wonder where the feelings came from, sometimes it's just from exertion, whether fun or not, or from stimuli that may just be overwhelming our adrenal, balance and nervous systems.
I find it helpful - and more respectful to ourselves - to distinguish between the feeling of stress related to emotions and the physical reaction or SENSATION of being overwhelmed on a physiological basis, CNS overload, adrenal overload, or whatever other medical-related terms seem accurate.
It helps others understand the neurological nature a bit more that way, too. Even saying that I'm "sensitive" doesn't help as much as if I explain "my eyes spasm from light."
Maybe panic is sort of an internal "spasm" and it needs various remedies just as a muscle spasm would. I know that reports of panic attacks in lyme have lessened for many after the treatment, so there is hope that someday we'll all be out there just like everyone else.
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Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I also had no problems with Xanax. I took it to help me fall asleep. I took it off and on or years. I just decided a few months ago that I was taking to much medicine and that was one I could live without. havent had any since
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Many don't realize that depression can cause HUGE anxiety problems. Like Pam said, going on cymbalta fixed the anxiety to a large extent.
Also...continued Lyme treatment [abx] will often "fix" the anxiety problems. So there is plenty of hope for that!!
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