Hi everyone, I'm fairly new here, so sorry if this question has been asked before. I've been taking 1.5-2 mg alprazolam each night before bed to help me sleep. I have anxiety attacks almost everyday so they are the only thing that settles me down at the end of a day. But the thing is, I will wake up with a bad headache, and feel slightly nauseaous, almost like a hangover. Now I know this could just be some symptoms of my anxiety, because sometimes I will have anxiety as soon as my eyes open in the morning, but I was wondering if this is happening to anyone else on this medication- the headaches and nausea in the morning when they wake up.
Also I am finally getting help for my depression and anxiety. I tried seeing a psychiatrist and all that jazz in the past for depression, and I tried soooo many different medications that didn't seem to work for me, that I finally just gave up. I never had anxiety attacks then. Now anxiety attacks are taking over my life which sucks. I just started Effexor yestereday, but my new doctor wants me to take 1mg alprazolam 4 times a day!! I told him that it makes me really drowsy, and I don't think I could take it before work., but he just said "call me if it makes you drowsy," which I already know that it will.
Has anyone had success with Effexor for depression and anxiety? Thanks for your replies.~Tina
Re: Question about Alprazolam morning side effects
Hi Tina:
Xanax and/or Ativan are pretty good meds with hardly any side affects in my opinion at least. I have tried all meds and none really do much so I take Ativan or Xanax on as needed basis, specially to sleep better. I also take Magensium (1000mg) during the day which calms me down and helps with the heart palpitation. I have tried, effexor, paxil, prozac, buspar, norontine, welbutrine and remeron and they were all nasty with many side affects, some including weight gain. The truth is that none of these drugs treat the problem but just comfort us for something that only exists in our heads. But try to expain that to people who have never had anxiety attacks. From chest pin to nausea and fatigue to pain all over my body, I have experienced it all and I get scared to death every time I hope you feel better. Think positive and have no doubt that this will all pass soon.
Re: Question about Alprazolam morning side effects
Hi; I take Xanax for the anxiety- calms me down and I am on .5 mg 3X day-
it helps me rest at night- but I do not wake up groggey -I do not think I have any side effects from that- and I am on Zoloft as far as side affects I didn't worry because I just wanted to feel better- along with my therapy I don't know what I would do.
Everyone reacts different as with the illness we have, so you may need to see what doc says and don't give up....
Re: Question about Alprazolam morning side effects
Maybe your nighttime dose is too high or could you have an allergy? I find that .25 mg. to .5 mg. is helpful to get me to sleep if needed, but if you've been taking it for a long time, you might need more. Also, if you are too sleepy taking 1 mg. 4x per day (that seems excessive to me), try to just take half 4x and see if that works. Everyone is different and the doses needed for everyone is different, but if you are too sleepy, you are taking too much unless it is specifically taken for sleeping. Be sure to ask your doctor if lowering your dose is okay...I wouldn't suggest to do anything without doctor's approval.
Re: Question about Alprazolam morning side effects
Tina,
I took Xanax for over a decade and I may have had some of the headache problems in the morning that you are having. I had to start keeping a glass of water by my bed because I started getting very thirsty at night (I don't know if it is from the Xanax or not).
Count yourself lucky because you have a doctor that is willing to give you Xanax- alot of people can't get it. DROWSINESS: I had this too, but it will probably go away somewhat after your sleep pattern gets more regular. You may have been getting bad sleep for years due to the anxiety, and now your body is catching up. My advice is to start drinking coffee in the morning and throughout your workday.
Also, I started a website about my experiences with Xanax and panic disorder and anyone is welcome to visit:
[url]REMOVED[/url]
Last edited by ms_mod; 07-08-2006 at 06:20 PM.
Reason: Please read and follow the posting rules, no personal/commerical website addresses. Ms_Mod
Re: Question about Alprazolam morning side effects
Xanax can often give me a hangover feeling in the morning. Maybe 1.5-2mg is too much for you at night. Serioulsy 1mg does me fine to sleep and I still sometiems if I dont get enough sleep ( like 7-8 hours) will wake up hangover like.
How much sleep are you getting after taking it? If it isnt enough that could very well be your problem.
And Oh my gosh on the taking 1mg 4 times a day I would be sleepy too. Try . 5mg 3-4 times a day and see how you do. 1mg puts me to sleep and if I took it 4 times I day I would never be able to drive or go to work.
And laugh at the call me if you get drowsey what will he do then!!!
Cant help you will the effexor question I have never taken it. Sorry. I hope things get better for you soon.
I hope you feel better. Think positive and have no doubt that this will all pass soon.
Re: Question about Alprazolam morning side effects 
