Purposes:Insomnia and Anxious mood(Started Jul 15, 2008)
Date
Dosage
Insomnia
Perceived effectiveness
Anxious mood
Perceived effectiveness
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
Dec 21, 2012
1.5 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
Slight
None
Always
Not at all
Feb 14, 2009
1.5 mg
Daily
Slight
Slight
Mild
Always
A little
Jan 22, 2009
1.5 mg
Daily
Slight
Moderate
None
Always
A little
Side effects:
Sleepiness
Date
Dec 21, 2012
Advice & Tips
I have no bad side effects from the drug itself, however since I have been on it for so long, I can not go without it. By not getting my refill in time on a Friday, I had to go without it all weekend and went through living hell until Sunday night when I finally got hold of my doctor. At this time, I do not know if I could stop taking this medication without help from possibly some other drug. If I do not take the afternoon tablet, I experience a tightness in my chest, feel anxious and get upset easily, which in turn just makes the first 2 symptoms worse...
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Jan 22, 2009
Advice & Tips
If taken for anxiety, I have found it to take away the tightness I experience in my chest and the drowning feeling when I have a bad anxiety attack.
I only take this as needed. 0.25 mg up to 4 times a day. It takes the edge off. When I feel very anxious I will take two. I know some who take 1 mg up to 6 times a day. I would sleep with anything over .50 mg. (lol) This is one of the drugs that are not covered in my low prescription cost program though it is much needed!
Talk to the pharmacist before you fill your prescription if you've never taken said medication before (obviously). Do not drink alcohol with this medication as it can cause blackouts and in rare cases, death. Do not drive or "operate heavy machinery until you know how you will react on this medicine.
I started taking xanex when my anxiety was severe, but it eased up and I gradually lowered my dose until I quit on the advice of my doctor. It also helped me sleep when I was having trouble sleeping, but now I sleep quite well. My doctor told me that it can cause depression, and I also quit because i prefer to take as few medications as I can.
Unfortunately, I was uneducated on the addictive components of this medication. After taking xanax for 3 years, I discontinue taking the drug. I experienced major withdrawls. My advice for anyone taking this class of medication is to read your rx paperwork with your medicines.
Don't take it if you have to drive a car or anything; it makes me really dizzy. I'm also on another medication that makes me dizzy, so I don't know how much is each medication's fault, but I noticed a strong increase in the dizziness on the day I took these pills vs my normal everyday pills of the other medication.
Cost
< $25 monthly
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