It has also lost it's effectiveness & only partially relieves my symptoms for about 3 hrs. My doctor is slowly increasing the anti-depressant medication that has worked in the past for me. Until then what would I go through if I switched from xanax to xanax xr until she can slowly take me off the xanax? Since xanax xr doesn't work right away would I experience severe depression,anxiety and withdrawl for about 7 days?
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Q: i take 1mg xanax 4x day for 10 mo now. I now have severe depression,anxiety, withdrawl between doses
Answers (2)
7/23/08 2:04pm
Hi Sparky,
I am not a physician, but I can offer you a question to ask your Psychiatrist. My questions for your doctor would be:
1. Are you going to initially prescribe the same daily dose of Xanax XR as the dose of Xanax that I am currently taking (4 mg)?
2. Since the Xanax XR is "extended release," will it relieve my symptoms to the same exent as regular Xanax but for a longer period?
Hopefully these questions will help clarify what you can expect from the switch.
I'm wondering if you have had therapy with a good Cognitive-Behavioral therapist (CBT). CBT therapy can be a highly effective adjunct to medication. You can find a therapist who specializes in the anxiety disorders by going to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) website.
Best Wishes,
Jennifer L. Fee, Psy.D., Psychologist
*Jennifer Fee, Psy.D. is a Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists prescribe medications, Psychologists study them, but the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe meds. or give you specific advice about them. Dr. Fee's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.
12/12/08 2:36am
ask doctor feel good to up your dose to ( 2mg. three times daily) You are getting use to the dosage your on.(tolerance) or 1mg. every 4 hours. thats the only thing you can do. Upping your antidepressant wont help the axiety or withdraw. There are no other meds. stonger than xanax either. You dont want to tell your doc that your going through withdraw because he will cut you off of them. xanax is the only benzodiazapine that works for me. all you can do is go up on dosage, but you can only go so high.:)
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By sparky— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 07/20/08
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