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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gregm2 on April 23, 2002, at 4:11:53
Any long term Xanax users?
What is your experience?
My father (75 years old) has started taking
3 x 0.25 mg of xanax per day to reduce anxiety, which is probably a long term one.
Any alternatives for long term use?
Thanks in advance
Posted by tex1 on April 23, 2002, at 11:00:44
In reply to for how long is it safe to take Xanax?, posted by gregm2 on April 23, 2002, at 4:11:53
> Any long term Xanax users?
> What is your experience?
> My father (75 years old) has started taking
> 3 x 0.25 mg of xanax per day to reduce anxiety, which is probably a long term one.
> Any alternatives for long term use?
> Thanks in advanceOhh Gee...noo....Xanax is great because it's not sedative, but God...he'll develope a tolerance after few weeks (even sooner). It's not about safety, it's about tolerance....! I'd suggest a long life benzo, such as Klonopin, in small dosages or prazepam. Believe me, benzos are good if taken just as a cashè when you have a headache, but not taken continously. In this case why not trying buspirone (a new class of non addictive anxiolitics) ?
Best luck
Tex
Posted by alan on April 24, 2002, at 0:51:51
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax?, posted by tex1 on April 23, 2002, at 11:00:44
> > Any long term Xanax users?
> > What is your experience?
> > My father (75 years old) has started taking
> > 3 x 0.25 mg of xanax per day to reduce anxiety, which is probably a long term one.
> > Any alternatives for long term use?
> > Thanks in advance
>
> Ohh Gee...noo....Xanax is great because it's not sedative, but God...he'll develope a tolerance after few weeks (even sooner). It's not about safety, it's about tolerance....! I'd suggest a long life benzo, such as Klonopin, in small dosages or prazepam. Believe me, benzos are good if taken just as a cashè when you have a headache, but not taken continously. In this case why not trying buspirone (a new class of non addictive anxiolitics) ?
>
> Best luck
>
> Tex
**********************************************
Simply and utterly not true. Please read:http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
BZD'S are not prone to different degrees of "addictiveness" (medical dependence) because of the differences in their half-life. Myth.
The starting dose is just that - a starting dose. One may have to go upwards to acheive a theraputic dose. Initial start up dose will be more sedating during the first two weeks so don't confuse the sedation eventually wearing off with the theraputic, anxiolytic effect wearing off.
Do watch for unsteadyness in an older person though - a constant concern with ANY central nervous system depressant for that age group.
Chronic anxiety = constant long term anxiolytic therapy, especially if it is proving to be working. The World Health Organisation has reviewed ALL of the 40+ years of studies and has concluded that they are eminently safe for both short AND long term monotherapy.
Alan
Posted by tex1 on April 24, 2002, at 2:21:36
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax?, posted by alan on April 24, 2002, at 0:51:51
> > > Any long term Xanax users?
> > > What is your experience?
> > > My father (75 years old) has started taking
> > > 3 x 0.25 mg of xanax per day to reduce anxiety, which is probably a long term one.
> > > Any alternatives for long term use?
> > > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Ohh Gee...noo....Xanax is great because it's not sedative, but God...he'll develope a tolerance after few weeks (even sooner). It's not about safety, it's about tolerance....! I'd suggest a long life benzo, such as Klonopin, in small dosages or prazepam. Believe me, benzos are good if taken just as a cashè when you have a headache, but not taken continously. In this case why not trying buspirone (a new class of non addictive anxiolitics) ?
> >
> > Best luck
> >
> > Tex
> **********************************************
> Simply and utterly not true. Please read:
>
> http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
>
> BZD'S are not prone to different degrees of "addictiveness" (medical dependence) because of the differences in their half-life. Myth.
>
> The starting dose is just that - a starting dose. One may have to go upwards to acheive a theraputic dose. Initial start up dose will be more sedating during the first two weeks so don't confuse the sedation eventually wearing off with the theraputic, anxiolytic effect wearing off.
>
> Do watch for unsteadyness in an older person though - a constant concern with ANY central nervous system depressant for that age group.
>
> Chronic anxiety = constant long term anxiolytic therapy, especially if it is proving to be working. The World Health Organisation has reviewed ALL of the 40+ years of studies and has concluded that they are eminently safe for both short AND long term monotherapy.
>
> Alan
I personally don't trust too much studies conducted in a fake underneath sponsorized manner. I could find out many other studies saying just the opposite. The real thing is that as time goes by benzos loose their effect and create tolerance. It's also true that 0.25 x 3 die is not a high dose and is pretty simple to withdraw. I don't discuss about *safety*. *Safety* is a misleading term used by many pharmaceuticals pretty too much for saying that basically the med won't arm you. But this is obvious. I'd rather prefer they tell us that benzos don't create tolerance. Bit I suppose that's more complicated uh ?Tex
Posted by Alan on April 25, 2002, at 0:07:33
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax?, posted by tex1 on April 24, 2002, at 2:21:36
> > > > Any long term Xanax users?
> > > > What is your experience?
> > > > My father (75 years old) has started taking
> > > > 3 x 0.25 mg of xanax per day to reduce anxiety, which is probably a long term one.
> > > > Any alternatives for long term use?
> > > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Ohh Gee...noo....Xanax is great because it's not sedative, but God...he'll develope a tolerance after few weeks (even sooner). It's not about safety, it's about tolerance....! I'd suggest a long life benzo, such as Klonopin, in small dosages or prazepam. Believe me, benzos are good if taken just as a cashè when you have a headache, but not taken continously. In this case why not trying buspirone (a new class of non addictive anxiolitics) ?
> > >
> > > Best luck
> > >
> > > Tex
> > **********************************************
> > Simply and utterly not true. Please read:
> >
> > http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
> >
> > BZD'S are not prone to different degrees of "addictiveness" (medical dependence) because of the differences in their half-life. Myth.
> >
> > The starting dose is just that - a starting dose. One may have to go upwards to acheive a theraputic dose. Initial start up dose will be more sedating during the first two weeks so don't confuse the sedation eventually wearing off with the theraputic, anxiolytic effect wearing off.
> >
> > Do watch for unsteadyness in an older person though - a constant concern with ANY central nervous system depressant for that age group.
> >
> > Chronic anxiety = constant long term anxiolytic therapy, especially if it is proving to be working. The World Health Organisation has reviewed ALL of the 40+ years of studies and has concluded that they are eminently safe for both short AND long term monotherapy.
> >
> > Alan
>
>
> I personally don't trust too much studies conducted in a fake underneath sponsorized manner. I could find out many other studies saying just the opposite. The real thing is that as time goes by benzos loose their effect and create tolerance. It's also true that 0.25 x 3 die is not a high dose and is pretty simple to withdraw. I don't discuss about *safety*. *Safety* is a misleading term used by many pharmaceuticals pretty too much for saying that basically the med won't arm you. But this is obvious. I'd rather prefer they tell us that benzos don't create tolerance. Bit I suppose that's more complicated uh ?
>
> Tex
****************************************
It is not a fake study but is done by a pdoc that treats anxiety disorders and is an MD well known in his field. I don't know where you get your information. There are no credible studies saying that benzodiazapines just lose their effectiveness over time and continue to spiral upwards out of control as you imply for one simple reason. *It does not happen* (except in those that have drug abuse issues or do not have legitimately diagnosed anxiety disorders).This myth is a very old one and as myths go, this one in particular is dying hard.
If that doesn't convince you, look up the results of the studies reviewed by the World Health Organisation that deemed BZD's short OR long term to be safe and with miniscule risk of escallating doses - usually in the cases of poly drug abusers, and those with a predisposition to abuse.
In fact after a theraputic dose is found, it generally comes DOWN over time.If all that isn't enough:
http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html
Scroll down and read about the benzodiazapines and ssri's.
This benzophobia's got to stop. Anxiety sufferers need to try both bzd's and ssri's on equal footing and decide for themselves what works best.
The market R & D recoup is shoving the ssri's infront of the MD's face at the moment but with only at best a 50% successrate - falling far short of the older, less side effect proned BZD.Besides, if the patient isn't given freedom of choice to try either one of these drugs on an equal footing then the patient is being cheated by their self-seving doc.
Alan
Posted by Mason on April 25, 2002, at 14:11:37
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax? » tex1, posted by Alan on April 25, 2002, at 0:07:33
Alan,
Great points, and thanks for the link! I looked it over briefly, but plan on reading it in-depth later. I agree completely with the idea that benzos can and should be used. They do have quite a bit of stigma attached to them; I'm sure some of it may be valid, but it seems so many are wanting to throw the baby out with the bath water. I've been on Xananx for the last 10 months, at 3 to 4 .25mg tablets a day, and that has done wonders for me. I've tried a whole slew of SSRI's with little benefit, and plan on trying others, but I have not had any problems with the benzo. The study offers some good insight into what is really key: treating the patients and alleviating their symptoms. I liked the point that this study suggests that PD and GAD patients are usually less likely to abuse prescriptions; it makes sense to me. So many of us have been on so many drugs, and often times had bad reactions to them, that it's no surprise that the findings of this study suggest as much.
Thanks again!
Posted by tex1 on April 25, 2002, at 15:07:48
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax?, posted by Mason on April 25, 2002, at 14:11:37
> Alan,
>
> Great points, and thanks for the link! I looked it over briefly, but plan on reading it in-depth later. I agree completely with the idea that benzos can and should be used. They do have quite a bit of stigma attached to them; I'm sure some of it may be valid, but it seems so many are wanting to throw the baby out with the bath water. I've been on Xananx for the last 10 months, at 3 to 4 .25mg tablets a day, and that has done wonders for me. I've tried a whole slew of SSRI's with little benefit, and plan on trying others, but I have not had any problems with the benzo. The study offers some good insight into what is really key: treating the patients and alleviating their symptoms. I liked the point that this study suggests that PD and GAD patients are usually less likely to abuse prescriptions; it makes sense to me. So many of us have been on so many drugs, and often times had bad reactions to them, that it's no surprise that the findings of this study suggest as much.
>
> Thanks again!I've never said that benzos are *inefective* nor *unsafe*. There are many more interests under the affermation that benzos don't create tolerance, belive me guys ! Much much money stay under this affermation. It's not about *abuse*. The simple fact is that your brain get used to it as it get used to work out on biceps or leg muscles at the gym !! So what I suggest is only to take them with care, a lot of care. Many other studies that I have read which have *never been published* say that benzos can also produce permanent brain's GABA receptors modifications.
Tex
Posted by Alan on April 25, 2002, at 18:53:32
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax?, posted by tex1 on April 25, 2002, at 15:07:48
> > Alan,
> >
> > Great points, and thanks for the link! I looked it over briefly, but plan on reading it in-depth later. I agree completely with the idea that benzos can and should be used. They do have quite a bit of stigma attached to them; I'm sure some of it may be valid, but it seems so many are wanting to throw the baby out with the bath water. I've been on Xananx for the last 10 months, at 3 to 4 .25mg tablets a day, and that has done wonders for me. I've tried a whole slew of SSRI's with little benefit, and plan on trying others, but I have not had any problems with the benzo. The study offers some good insight into what is really key: treating the patients and alleviating their symptoms. I liked the point that this study suggests that PD and GAD patients are usually less likely to abuse prescriptions; it makes sense to me. So many of us have been on so many drugs, and often times had bad reactions to them, that it's no surprise that the findings of this study suggest as much.
> >
> > Thanks again!
>
> I've never said that benzos are *inefective* nor *unsafe*. There are many more interests under the affermation that benzos don't create tolerance, belive me guys ! Much much money stay under this affermation. It's not about *abuse*. The simple fact is that your brain get used to it as it get used to work out on biceps or leg muscles at the gym !! So what I suggest is only to take them with care, a lot of care. Many other studies that I have read which have *never been published* say that benzos can also produce permanent brain's GABA receptors modifications.
>
> Tex******************************************
And that's exactly why they haven't been published. Known in the medical profession as anecdotal evidence.Alan
Posted by tex1 on April 26, 2002, at 2:25:02
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax? » tex1, posted by Alan on April 25, 2002, at 18:53:32
Man, take a look at the post of Keilia....
Tex
Posted by Alan on April 26, 2002, at 10:19:09
In reply to Re : For how long it is safe to take Xanax, posted by tex1 on April 26, 2002, at 2:25:02
> Man, take a look at the post of Keilia....
>
> Tex
********************************************
Yes, and ny response was, "Looking ahead, I guess the question becomes, with what are you going to treat your anxiety with after stopping the xanax?Do you and your doc have a strategy? Klonopin to ease the tapering is always the first suggestion but when your underlying anxiety returns what alternative have you and your doc sketched out?"
Sounded to me like she was just tired of having to take meds and couldn't afford them - not that they didn't work. She still has an anxiety disorder. Having an anxiety disorder AND tapering meds that can heighten the anxiety in some people need extra care. I proposed alternatives to purely tapering off the xanax (klonopin) or even valium or neurontin or a calcium channel blocker to ease the symptoms of the tapering process are commonly used.
The point being, if she had a more helpful or knowledgeable doc, she would have been offered these alternatives. Also she didn't mention any stratagies to address the anxiety disorder so I asked her if she had planned any alternatives with her doc or someone else.
Alan
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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