Comments on: Xanax: Side Effects, Withdrawal

By: cindy

cindy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:24:27 +0000

I have taken Xanax, Klonopin and the antidepressant Effexor off and on for years. I have never felt a dependency for any of them, nor have I had bad side effects going on or coming off of them. I think a very small percent of people have problems, and those that do make a lot of noise. Taking these medications has allowed me to have a normal life, a good job, and a successful marriage. Please stop with all the scary stories. All they do is make people who need medical help afraid to take their medications. It really upsets me, because I have a friend in dire need of medication who reads all this stuff and then will not take the medications. He is suffering unnecessarily…. because he is afraid after reading all this stuff.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:36:24 +0000

I was put on Lexapro & Xanax about 5 years ago because of being upset over something two of my children had done to me which put me in a panic state and I was rushed to the hospital. Once the ER Dr. found out want had happen and my reaction to it, he described it as a ‘panic attack’ and gave me a little ‘white’ pill. Had no clue what it was at that time but it sure made me feel better. When I took the sheet to my regular Dr. he in turn put me on Lexapro & Xanax without doing a thorough exam I might add, not even blood work. I took these pills for about 6 mos to a year. The only thing he told me then was that it may cause a little weight gain and for me to just eat a handful of nuts to counteract it. O-Kkkkkkk???!!! Well needless to say I blew up like a tree and one of my friends noticed me and commented on my weight gain. I myself didn’t really realize it until that comment was made and I was not only embarrassed but humiliated to say the least. You’ve got to understand something about me, I’m an X-Model, worked for the Airlines, won beauty pageants in college, was the County Queen, need I say more?! I kick those pills “COLD TURKEY” and recently didn’t remember that the Dr. stated to not stop them abruptly. I have been experiencing headaches for years and I began taking over the counter pills with aspirin in it and showing the pill to that same Dr. back then, stated they were fine to take, what he didn’t realize I was popping these things in the middle of night when I woke up to these horrific headaches, obviously on a empty stomach, when in turn made me develop a stomach ulcer. Thank God after proper treatment and two scopes it’s healed but I was pissed that a Dr. could ok me taking even that without explaining the seriousness of them, after firing the Dr. who had me on those drugs, I didn’t remember to tell my new Dr. that I had ever been taking Lexapro & Xanax and he immediately gave me Fiorcets for what he describe as migranes. I became immuned to those darn pills and they don’t even work anymore. I decided to do my own research online last night and came across several websites explaining the dangers of these drugs not to mention the side affects of stopping ‘Cold Turkey’ headaches being one of them. But since I’ve been off of them for years now and the headaches are still very prominent I found that taking 1500mg of Omega3 & Flax Seed will eliminate this and put your body back on track. I happened to have both and took them last night and had the best SLEEP ever in years. Sorry to go on so long, but any Dr. who would put their patients on these drugs without thorough testing first, blood work, etc. should be put out of business. I agree with a few of the post I’ve read, do your own research and ask a lot of questions before taking anything over a vitamin.
God’s blessings to you and to the families who have been affected severly by these drugs, my heart goes out to you. That is so sad.

By: Jules

Jules — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:14:27 +0000

My brother died 4 years ago. He didn’t wake up. Two things were found in his toxicology report…Xanax and alcohol…NEITHER over the limit!! Be careful!! It stopped his breathing while he was sleeping!!

By: kathy

kathy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:59:54 +0000

miss gina, i am so very sorry that you have lost your daughter, my deepest sympathy!! I lost my Mom 3years ago and still & always will miss her ! I hope you did throw away the xanax! You will find out, even tho it may be difficult, that you will sleep much better without them. After taking them for sometime, they seem to work in reverse. Dr’s had prescribed ambien, ambien cr,lunesta to name a few, believe me, i was lucky to maybe manage to sleep approx 2-3 hrs. I know how awful it as not being able to sleep, no one understands how dangerous this can be. Good Luck to you my friend & God Bless, you made the right decision, now just don’t ever give in to xanax again!!

By: miss gina

miss gina — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:46:54 +0000

i lost my daughter unexpectedly on april 2 of 2011 . The grief has been very difficult. Last week after three nights of pacing the floor unable to sleep i caved and went to the dr. he prescribed xanax and i slept through the night. the last two nights i have taken it, but already sleeping less. So glad i read these posts. i am laying here starving for more food even tho i ate a healthy and filling dinner. So, maybe its these pills. i am going to throw them away. Thank you for your honesty. I have been sober for many years and have an addictive personality. I was so sad, and anxious i was at the point where i would have done anything to sleep. But, right now its almost two am and i am awake. Calm, but awake and hungry. that is not good. so again, thank you

By: mary misch

mary misch — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:12:16 +0000

Commenting on the post from Kathy. She has been my best friend for 53 yeras. I feel that i know her better than anyone, other than her wonderful deceased parents. We have been through so much together. In the past few years, she , as she stated , went through an extremely difficult time. What she neglected to write was what lead her to her most horrific problems, …..her family. She confided in them about the drug , xanax. Instead of comforting her &giving her moral support they tried to destroy her life, using xanax as a means to belittle her. I witnessed , so much that i was shocked at their selfless acts. I as well of many of her other true friends came to her side. Together we re assured her that we would be there for her at any given time. Kathy had given so much of herself to all, only to be betrayed by the very one’s that she helped. Xanax is a powerful drug with serious side affects. Be it known that we all have had hills & valley’s in our life, there are many mountains to climb and many tears to be shed. But through faith & understanding of one’s self we can accomplish anything we put our minds to. A pill/xanax or alcohol is not a remedy for curing life’s problems. Confrontation, head on , is what Kathy accomplished. She had the courage to climb the ladder of resistance & not addiction. A beautiful person inside as well as out, she also is one strong lady that i truly respect & admire. Today, Kathy is surrounderd by loving & positive people. She has accomplished all, inspite of all who did not believe in her. Medications all have side effects, xanax may help others for a short duration of time, however, there is a percentage who have had the need to have their milligrams increased. Please be aware, that increasing any medication can be gravely dangerous. I agree with Tailer’s post, seek out professional help, do not rely on family to help you. They can be critical and may worsen the problem, as in Kathy’s case. Do as she did, be brave & strong. Let no one dictate to you on the subject of xanax or any other drug. Being honest with your health care provider about symptoms that may save your life. Kathy’s family tried to control her, but had forgotten that a few of them also used xanax. So very many people are on this horrible drug & as i write this on the news tonight, Heather Locklear has been admitted to the hospital for taking xanax along with alcohol. This drug will affect the rich ,the poor, the young as well as the old. Only you can prevent this from happening with the help of God and some faithful friends , nothing is impossible!!! I would like to give my best and dearest friend a standing ovation. I’m sure that i will not be the only one to do this !!! Kathy has been a blessing in my life as well as my children, for this i am truly grateful. I think that many of you, and you know who you are ,should apologize to her for trying to destroy her life. She told the truth…… Why Don’t YOU !!!!

By: Tailer

Tailer — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:36:07 +0000

i would like to comment about the last post . I have known some wonderful females who have encountered the addiction to xanax. many whom i have spoken to described this medication as a suppresent to life’s normal feelings. They have said in the beginning it would give them a calming state of mind, but after months & years this medications became less effective, resulting in the desire to take more milligrams. The symptoms that they had , had prompted new symptoms that were devastating. inability to sleep, confusion, forgetfullness, aches & pains, inability to feel emotions. Their libido was greatly affected, to love another just didn’t seem important. Rising to face a new day,became unberable. The nights were full of nightmares!!! Living with these symptoms are a curse in itself. Life is difficult enough, and when bad things happen you will need more than just a pill/xanax to solve your saddest moment or problems. Finding a good friend, therapist, clergy whom you can trust is half the battle. Sometimes be careful with family if you choose to confide in them, you must remember that as much as you think they love you & value their trust, they will always judge you. It is wiser to see a professional whom will protect your thoughts & emotions. People/family mean well, but the deeper the problem the more critical they become. This is not intentional, rather it’s very sad when someone reaches out for help and suddenly no one has the time to really get involved. Xanax is a very dangerous drug. It has ruined many lives, friendships & family. Please don’t let xanax ruin the lives of others. Encourage someone who needs help, be there for them, comfort them, hold their hand & help them see that with the help of God they can win this battle and stop using Xanax. Today you may just save someone’s life. I just did!!!

By: patti

patti — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:57:57 +0000

May God Bless you and guide you Kathy!!!! As a friend of hers , my advice to all you who have read this, don’t wait, do it now ………..! KATHY DID IT & SO CAN YOU ! GOOD LUCK TO ALL !!!!!

By: patti

patti — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:52:07 +0000

in regards to post written by kathy, i have known her for 25 yrs. This women is an inspiration to life & her friends,!!! She has been thru so much turmoil in her life especially with her peers & family! the sad part being is that she has helped all thru other addictions & problems, only to be be friended & hurt when her time of trouble surfaced. Her losses were a result f no compassion and understanding, people in general took advantade of her good nature. when things happened such as loosing a loves one, accidents,job , it was her physcain who prescribed this medicine along with other medication, at the request of her family, who interferred with her health & personal life as well . Following doctors orders and the advice of family she followed there instructions, causing the symptons to worsen !!! Thank God for her wonderful friends & professional peers that encouraged to stop this horrible & dibilitating drug. Kathy is the stronget , kindest person i know. She had the courage to take matters into her own hands and battle xanax !!! She one strong lady, & despite all, & all that she has endured she is enjoying and living her life to the fullest !!!! So i would like to close with this…….. congratulation Kathy, i/we are all so proud of you & love you. May you be an inspiration to all who needs to get back to a wonderful & normal life!!!!! Kathy was also able to get her finances back in order & bankruptcy was canceled ! Its was hard work, but she never gave up. She has accomplished this and so much more in such a short period of time. With all the respect & admiration i applaude you. May G

By: kathleen michalina

kathleen michalina — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:36:07 +0000

I have been taking xanax for 30 yrs, .5 mg 4 times daily. my life became a disaster, i lost my job , my fiance’ , numerous auto accidents , along with bankruptcy. my health was failing rapidly. Insomia, weight gain, depression worsened, severs muscle and joint pain, nightmares, confusion and more !!! Dec.0,2011 i ran out of xanax, my physicain refused to refill my prescription. My withdrawl wa so severe that 1 was vomiting every 1/2 hours for 16 hours, My stomach was & still is very sore. I even have brusing from dry heaving so much ! Tomorrow will be 30 days since my last dose!! I just hung in there , i knew i had to get off this awful medication, it wasn’t easy, it honestly was a nightmare. Thank God for helping thru this, i never would have made it alone. My life & health have changed for the better. No more confusion, depression has lifted, nor more joint or muscle pain, insomnia is gone & i feel alive again. Life is beautiful, its wonderful to be back on earth again !!! If you want your life back, make an appointment with your health care provider immediately, don’t wait, tomorrow might be to late. I did it, and so can YOU! It,s the best present you can give yourself and those that you love. You won’t be sorry, you will just wish you had done it sooner! GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS !!!!!