Xanax - Anxiety Message Board

Chuck65 · 10-04-2005, 07:59 AM

Hi,

I have real bad anxiety and I'm depressed too.

My doctor prescribes 2 mg Xanax for me to help me sleep. 9 out of 10 nights it works well. That's the only thing I'm on. I've been taking this dosage for about 3 1/2 months. I know, I know. It's a heavy dose but I've been on this before, weaned myself off of it and been happy.

Xanax works very well for me. I can take .5 during the day too and sometimes I do if I get too stressed. Again, works very well.

Issue--mornings are horrendous for me. I don't know if it's a side effect from Xanax but when I wake up I feel horrendous. I hold on and get through it but it's rough. Like now I'm ok--I would hardly say I feel good but I'm ok.

Do you think it's a side effect of the Xanax or a symptom of my depression?

My wife wants me to start on a AD and see a therapist regularly. I'm a smart, rational person who does have an excellent support system at home. I'm very fortunate in so many ways except that I am prone to anxiety, panic and depression. So in that regard I ain't so fortunate. :-)

sarah5432 · 10-04-2005, 08:38 AM

Hi,
I found your post very interesting as I go through the same exact thing. I take Xanax daily as well. I take .25 mg in the morning and .25mg in the evening before bed. Occassionally I'll take a third pill if needed (prescription is for 3 pills daily). Mornings are HORRIBLE for me. I try and hold off taking the Xanax until around 11am. I usually wake between 8-9am and I stay home with my one year old so she keeps me busy first thing in the morning but its so hard to get through those first couple of hours. I've tried taking the Xanax earlier but then I need to take that third pill and I hate doing that.

I'm going to see a psychiatrist and talk to him about trying another AD. Had a bad experience before but I need something else. Xanax does work great any other time for me. I start to feel better around 11:30am until around 8pm then my anxiety creeps back and I take my nighttime pill around 10. When I first wake up its the worst. I know what you're going through and I look forward to seeing what others have to say!

crabbyroad · 10-04-2005, 08:38 AM

Well first describe your morning horrendous. Are you very much anxiety ridden upon waking? Or are you more fog headed can't think feeling? Stomach doing flips? Fast heart rate, etc.? Lastly, on the days you do NOT work, do you wake up feeling the same? Or is it mostly the days just before starting out on Mondays,etc till you get through the week?

I think we can help weigh if its a side effect of anxiety or the Xanax if you elaborate just a tad more.

Chuck65 · 10-04-2005, 11:57 AM

The 2 mg of Xanax at night really takes the edge off without making me drunk or incoherent. I feel like myself. I fall asleep easily (around 10:30-11:00). If I'm under additional stress I'll tend to awake earlier (before 5 am).

I awake to pure dread. And I'm foggy sometimes too. Especially on work mornings. I've gone through a lot of stress recently and I know that mental exhaustion can lead to depression.

On the weekends I ususally sleep in. Drives my wife crazy because that is so not like me. I'm an early riser.

I've had a tough day so far and took a .5 and that has smoothed me out.

I wonder if I should take less at night and take a .5 during the day on a semi consistent basis to get through the day.

BTW, this really is awful. Worst experience of my life.