Xanax Extended Release 1mg

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I am on the 1mg Xanax XR and I need to move up to a higher milligram. I do not want the doctor to change my medication because this is the only thing I have ever taken in my life that helps me with my panic attacts. But here recently I have had to take an extra one some days and I crush it up so that it will get rid of my attack right then. I don't want to tell the doctor that this is what I have done because it clearly states not to crush the pill, but I know why it says that because it will not be extended throughout the day, it will just hit you like a regular Xanax and calm you down. Anyways, so far I have been lucky to get my medicine each time early, but I am getting to the point that I am getting it like a half a month early. I get it from my local Mental Health Clinic, they write the script and I go pick it up. I have to call it in each month, and I am not sure if they know that I have been getting it earlier or earlier. Well, I just called it in yesterday and it will be ready to pick up Monday hopefully, but I don't know what to do if I can't pick it up, because I do not have but 3 pills left!! I am freaking out if I do not get them Monday. If I do I will thank my lucky stars. But if I don't what can I do? I know a person that can get them, he can only get the 2mgs though, will this show up any different in a drug screen? Or is Xanax a Xanax and it will just show up as that without the milligram? And see.... at the Mental Health Center I have a therapist I see once a month, and I told her that I have been having a little bit of problems lately when I am sitting still in a car or something for so long and taking a long trip or sitting still anywhere waiting gets me all panicy after a while , this is what I told her, and now it is starting to happen like once a week now! I don't like it! She gave me some advice on useing visual thoughts by carrying a favorite picture with me of a vacation I went on so that I can look at it and think about all the things me and my husband did that day and think of all the detailed things, including conversation we had. But... it is happening here at home now, all of a sudden I get these pains right where my heart is, and this is what usually starts my anxiety in the first place for the most part now. I get soo scared that I might have a heart condition, I have had tests ran on me with an EKG and the nurse said I was fine, this was like 3 years ago, I also have gotten many Xrays of my chest for COPD and I figured if I had an enlarged heart they would have saw it in the Xrays recently taken, I worry soooo much and I don't like the feeling I get, but I don't want them to think I am trying to do the wrong thing either by going up on my milligram, they said many people abuse this drug and they do not like to perscribe it and it is less likely for doctors to perscribe this drug. Also I go to the Methadone Clinic and they had to know this because the Methadone clinic had to approve me taking this and send over a form to them to let them know that I go there and this and that. So... they might look at me as a druggy still, even though I was not addicted to Benzos I was addicted to pain pills. The thing is also.... I didn't tell the Mental Health that I was going to the Methadone clinic when I started going there, because I know if I did then I would be mistreated. It has happened to me everywhere else I have been and they would try to diagnose me with depression and put me on all these stupid anti depressant medications, every since I was 12 years old this has happened to me and my gosh, it wasn't that bad back then and by the time I turned 25 I was a wreck! I was misdiagnosed for so long that my attacks became sooo severe! So I don't want them to think I am there for the wrong reason and I really would like any and everybodies advice that I could possably get on how to go about telling my councilor that I need to move up milligrams and then she will set me up with the doctor and I will need to talk to him! Do you think I just need to ask for an increase or ask for regular Xanax and an increase for when I have the attacks I can take them right then and they will go away. Because this is what happens. I went to the hospital before getting recommended to the Mental Health and they did perscribe me the regular Xanax 1mg not the XR and so maybe I should tell the doctor how the XR is not preventing me from having a panic attack like the regular did. That I still am having them and I wish that I had a regular one to take so it will stop it in its track. Any advice I will love to know what you think! Please help me! I know this is a long letter, but I wanted it to be detail and try to let you know what my deal is so that you could evaluate exactly what I might need to say. Thank You sooo much!

20 Replies

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1

Show your counselor this letter. I have anxiety too and the same symptoms with my heart just like you. I also have an addictive personality and have struggled with addictions and therapy - the whole nine. Tell your counselor hunny. They need to help you calm down...it is very obvious you are stressed and being stressed over pills that are supposed to help you NOT be stressed is just not what you need! Its unhealthy physically and mentally and no one deserves that - accepting dependencies and dealing with them helped me minimize my panik attacks -sounds to me like you should be on a different anti-anxiety - they have meds that are less addictive that WILL help you. Get help from your counselor hunny, please - I know EXACTLY what you're going through and its a scary aweful place to be. Read what you wrote to the counselor. All the best...

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2

I suffer from the same panic attacks but instead of Xanax XR which I was taking for a period of time, I found that Clonazepam was much more effective in controlling these attacks. I would take 1/2 tablet after breakfast and one tablet before I retire in the evening. Not only has it cured me of my anxiety, it has helped me sleep better. I call this tablet a miracle tablet. And to top it all the only side effect is felt when I take the one whole tablet at night - it gives me a restful night sleep.

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3

I know exactly what you are going through, only i came to realize that i had more attacks when i was on it them when i got off it. try Clonazepam .5 mg, it does the same thing only you don't have to keep going up on the dosage. you will have to ween yourself off of the xanex very slowly, and keep Bynadril on hand to help you get off of it, and also Dramamine to help you sleep while you get off of it. But you need to fill your doctor in on everything, they can help to come off of it slowly.

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4

Yes, you are definitely having a problem with the Xanax. As soon as your current dosage was no longer handling your issues, you should have talked to your doctor about it, instead of trying to self-medicate.

I have no experience with these types of medications, but you have gotten some insight from others who do, please post back and let us know how you are doing!

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5

Hi Mandi,
I have traveled this same road thinking I was going to die every time I'd have an attack. Yes, pains in the chest, gas, bloating with explosive bowl movements, scared to go anywhere, room flipping terror and several emergency runs only to find I was OK, so they said. But of course, I didn't believe them at the time. That was many years ago and I can say I haven't had any attacks for say, onto 20 years now. I'm going to tell you the following only for you to probably not believe it's true. I found years ago that Caffiene was the main culprit that at least added to or actually sometimes created the problem. I will NOT ingest any caffiene now and haven't for the 20 years except for some chocolate as long as I eat something with it and not very much. NO COFFEE, NO CAFFIENATED DRINKS of any kind. NO MEDICINE that includes it as an ingredient. Therefore, no attacks for the last 20 years. I don't know what for sure may be causing your attacks; but please STOP CAFFIENE COLD NOW...!
Even if it doesn't cure your attacks completely, it will lessen any attacks that may be brought on by this hype drug.
I wish you well and I hope you are helped by this some. Good luck !

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6

Barb has a good point, any type of stimulant can contribute to the shakes and anxiety that you experience.

If anyone else has any experience with this sort of situation, please post!

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7

I am very concerned about you,I was on xanax for years & I tried to stop taking it & I had a seizure from it ! I no longer take xanax but I have found much better help with Clonazepam-I am so surprised that The mental health clinic or even a doctor would give you that med early so many times,they are very strict here because of the DEA laws.I make sure I take all meds as directed. I hate to say this & it is just my opinion but if you didn't disclose to mental health that you are also in a Meth program they may take you off the xanax slowly-please be careful & if you feel something strange going on go straight to your local ER @ the hospital they will help you, at least the withdrawls will be under control as this type of med can be very dangerous when stopped. I also say stay away from coffee- etc, anything that will cause you more anxiety & hopefully Mental health will continue to treat you but they will be a lot more careful & you will probably be watched more carefully & it is truly for your own safety. Anxiety & Panic attacks I know all to well-they have taken over my life at a young age-but the saying that wisdom comes with age is true- & I have learned to handle things different & things I have no control over I have placed them all in Gods hands, since then I take my meds as needed & usually have some left over for my monthly doctor visit-remember we do not have control over everything but we can control somethings-like what we choose to do in our life. I really wish you the very best & may God bless you & keep you safe!

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8

Lorie, I have heard this from plenty of people about the Xanax being very addictive and also causeing seizures if you were to come off of them, so that scares me. I have skipped days taking my medication, I talked to my councilor and did tell her that I was going to the Methadone Clinic and I am now detoxing from there because I am ready to come off of it! You are a truly careing person and I appreciate all the advice that you have given me! I go back to my therapist the 19th of Febuary and she actually called today to tell me that the doctor from the methadone clinic suggested that I see my mental health doctor again to reavaluate the medication that I am taking with the Methadone.
Barb, I thank you for the input on the caffine, but I don't drink any caffine but maybe every once in a while, I always drink koolaide and water. But thanks for the heads up.
Verwon, I thank you for your concern as well, and as soon as I see the doctor, I will know better for myself! I have started taking less of the Xanax and take them as perscribed and even sometimes skip a day. I feel as I am doing very much better.
Worry Wart, I have never thought about the demamine! I have that at the house all the time when I feel nausious I take it and it does always make me sleepy like right after I take it! That is a great idea!
Edward G., I totally relate to you with the regular and not the extended release. When they gave them to me in the hospital, my husband said that he had never saw me as happy as I was in a long time, I wasn't feeling any anxiety, I felt like my old self again like when I was younger, I felt like I could talk to anyone and not shy away and I mean it was amazing. I just felt normal like the old me, with no worries!
Liza, I see my doctor this month and I will definitely see what he has to say, obviously this sounds like a drug that is not working and I would like to get put on something that will be sure to help me. Thanks so much for careing I apprecitiate yours and everybody elses input on my situation. I hope each and every one of you get my post and I will update you on what the doctor says! Thanks a million and I will hopefully find power within myself without having to take any pills. But I have turned to the Lord in soooo many cases even before I had anxiety, and he helped me through the attacks, but they would always come back! So hopefully I will be able to be put on the right medication. Thanks alot!

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9

I feel for u, being off &on Meth and benzo's for the better part of twenty yrs. I'm not really trying to give ad ice, just passing on what happened to me. First, don't worry about the ua. They can't differentiate different forms of Xanax. Also, u were right to conceal the Meth clinic from whoever gave u xanax. No way would u get em. In my experience the Clinics hate nothing more than benzos, so I don't know how ur getting over on that. The one thing I highly advise against is kickin both together. The differerence between Getting to 5mg of meth and no Meth is huge! Have u kicked done before? It could, and usually does take months, sometimes lots of em. I would stock up on as many benzos as I could. Ur gonna need em. The benzo kick can be even worse. Seizures are very common. So if I were u Id take it real easy, and watch what u say to Drs. I don't like it either, but they leave u no choice. Good luck....Larry.
Ps. I feel for u. I really do. I'm on suboxone now,but I've been in ur shoes.

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10

I dont know if you use yahoo messenger, or if you have a seperate email, let me know, i have went through basically the same things, but it will take me way to long to tell you, it would be like a book, so e-mail me back i could call you, and try to tell you what i am doing, hope to hear from you, if you e-mail me, i will then give you my phone number to call me, tell me your age and your name, so i have something to call you. Thanks Jill

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11

Mandi, I am sorry i forgot to give you my e-mail {edited for privacy}, let me hear from you, i will try to help, read my other reply, above this one, thanks Jill

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12

I honestly think klonopin or clonazepam is MUCH better than any other meds or "benzodiazapenes" I have ever taken and been on them a WHILE

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13

hi:) i see your dilemma as myself being a former methadone patient and xanax patient.i was in a clinic in 1997-2003 and signed a contract saying i would take NO other drugs unless clearing it with my methadone clinic dr.then i tested positive for benzo's and was put on probation.i went in a meeting with my methadone dr. to explain why i had done this.i said i had gotten the xanax from an independent dr who i didnt tell i was on methadone therapy and that i had anxiety/panic attacks.the methadone dr then wrote me an rx for clonazepam(klonopin)and i found when taken reguarly it helped my anxiety.i have since left the methadone treatment but i still use clonazepam reguarly for my anxiety

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14

no, your Xanax i just that Xanax, so it comes out in urine the same. I am also put on Xanax XR today, after 25+years on the reg, 1 mg Xanax, and I dont like them either, so when i go back to the dr. I am going to tell her they make me nausaeus, which theydo, as Iwant my regular ones back. its easier for me. and I also go to the methadone clinic, for a bad back surgery, and also get morphine for breakthrough pain, but like I said, too much, i need medicinal pot now to help wih nausea, but not in NH.

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15

I also am on a methadone clinic, have been since I was 21, I know that is awful young..I got off and then back on the methadone 5 years ago and am now 31. The clinic I go to does not care that you take benzodiazapenes, that is as long as you need them. I always tell my dr, or therapist first thing. I honestly have severe panic attacks and an o.c.d with numbers to where I count constantly. because of this it is hard for me to go in public, I shake so bad I cannot hold my head still. I went to my therapist in a full blown panic attack so he could see how i live. He did and he also knew I went to a methadone clinic. The dr. AT the clinic referred me to him. So maybe you should see the dr at your clinic let him know what you go thru and how your anxiety is and maybe he could give you a referral as mine did. Also though their are not too many clinics that says it is ok to take them together, but I could not leave the house without them, I was in walmart one time and had to leave and leave all my stuff in the buggy because I had to get out of there, away from everyone asap! Just be honest and dont beat around the bush because when you beat around the bush they think their is a reason you are doing that and automatically think you are trying to con them.Just be straight up and tell them some need anxiety meds and some dont and you are just one of those that do. I was in a rehab early on in my life and the dr. said beating around the bush is one of the first redlights in the conversation, because it makes it look like you are trying to pull one over on them, and for some reason, I know this is weird but when you go, try this I swear it works, wear a sky blue colored shirt...I know it sounds stupid, but for some reason it is like a science and works...they dont understand they automatically think you are a drug addict and dont really need but want them. Talk to them as you would talk to you friend, explaine. Only do this if you in all actuality NEED them.

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16

I know how you feel Mandy, for many years I have struggled high anxiety/panic attacks. So much that I have constant pain in my neck, shoulders, tension headaches, and back. I have to see a pain management doctor for steroid injections once a month. This pain is a result from being to anxious and stressed. The Xanax I was taking wasn't doing enough and I personally did not like the mg increase. When I brought this up to the doctor that I need better control, I asked to be prescribed to a low dose of Prozac. That encouraged her to prescribe me Xanax XR once a day, on top of my regular Xanax twice a day as needed. I just told her how I felt and everything went great. Maybe that's all you need to do, just tell her or him how it is.

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17

As long as u r not taking street drugs u should be fine. Just be careful.Don't tell anyone you get them from a friend , He will get in trouble..

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18

Smoking tends to trigger attacks with me in on 1mg extended relief they are large and say ip one side and 10on the other but im tring next month to get the2mg er

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19

hi mandy wow i am also on methadone because of a back fusion i was also on xanax2mg 4x a day.after a year i felt they stopped working.so i switched to klonopine 1mg 4x day. they work way better i last 20 hours in your system xan only last about 4hrs you schould try it aso if you only have 3left cut them in half it will atleast prevent you from going threw withdrawels.and thats the worst s*** to deal with so good luck ask to try 2mg klonopin 3xs a day i really think they will work better good luck keep me posted my name is tracey

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20

I read all of your posts and im on suboxone bcuz i was abusing pain meds for about 6years. I am also on xanax n just switched Dr.'s bcuz he was prescribing me the lowest mg of xanax .25 only twice a day.. so my new Dr. on the first visit decides that i should try 1mg ER for my aniety but they dont work right away as i need them too but the new Dr. gave me what i need as of a mgs. but i dont know if i should be on the regular xanax n not the ER's or just stick with it for now bcuz i got a larger dose so quick? Does anyone have any ideas?

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