I am curious if anyone uses or has tried Xanax for their mania (or mixed-mood states) when you're really irritated and your skin, clothes, hair, noise, traffic, dogs barking, etc is driving you into a completely irrational state of rage. I suffer from this every month before my period, then I have anxiety for a day, severe depression for a day or two, and then swing back to normal. After my period is done, I have a hypo manic state that is very pleasant, which lasts a day or two. The middle of the month is pretty normal for me (Thank you GOD!).
The only really difficult thing for me to deal with during all this is the mixed state in the beginning. I loathe my attitude, everything I say and everything I do, and I feel like evil incarnate, especially to my husband and children. I inquired about maybe taking Xanax to just calm down, but my doc advised against it, saying it was addictive. Nothing that I have tried has worked very well, some have been slightly better than others, but most of the drugs I have tried have caused a longer and more dramatic depressive state. If my depressive state is brief and my manic state is brief, than it's not a very good trade off -that for tearful sadness all month long. I have tried Effexor ER 75 mg, Prozac 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg - the higher the more depressed I became, Paxil, Lamictal, and Abilify. The latter three with very weird and severe side effects right from the get-go. The last thing my doc has advised is Cymbalta. I don't really want to take anything else. I would just like something that helps to ease the "evilness" that occurs before my period. Nothing more, nothing less. Birth control pills seem to make matters worse, not better. I'm thinking Xanax would be a good trial-period thing to try.
i take ativan , which is similar, ive been taking one form or another (xanex, klonopin, ativan) for 5 years and am not any where near addicted. it literally doesnt even get to the point that when i need one if i dont have it handy i can still function. my dr prescribes them "as needed" 1mg tabs. i do not even take one everyday, maybe one to two times per week, or if im really upset ill take 2 at once, and it really helps. A LOT, it just puts you in a better mindframe to deal with the real issue, vs what i would do alternatively would be to drink until i black out. so of course the one is better than the other. but to the point, ive been on some type of this class of meds and absolutely vouch for their effectiveness. and i might add i have an EXTREMELY addictive personality, but have honestly NEVER had a problem with this type of medication. maybe you could suggest he give you a small supply with a small dosage and see how it goes, if you can make 10 pills last a month or longer (it seemed like you only have a few horrible days when you would need them for?) the dr may see that you wont get out of hand with them and may give you a 30-day supply after the trail with it. even still, getting just 10 to start is a good idea incase for some reason they DONT help (i HIGHLY doubt that, but it could happen...) then you havent wasted money on a whole months worth.