Bueler Posted December 13, 2020 Good evening, I always thought Xanax was a great medication for anxiety. SSRI's cause unacceptable side effects. Xanax never really had side effects and made my anxiety better. Now maybe I'm developing a tolerance... I've been on Benzos for at least 10 years or longer. But if I even take one, I get tired. Then I realize I'm still anxious, but I know if I take another one, I'm just going to get more and more tired. Has anyone else started to experience more sedation than relief from anxiety with Xanax over time? Is there any solution to this? Like drink coffee with my Xanax or take a tolerance break for a month or something? I don't even know how long a tolerance break I would need. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iceberg Posted December 13, 2020 17 minutes ago, Bueler said: Good evening, I always thought Xanax was a great medication for anxiety. SSRI's cause unacceptable side effects. Xanax never really had side effects and made my anxiety better. Now maybe I'm developing a tolerance... I've been on Benzos for at least 10 years or longer. But if I even take one, I get tired. Then I realize I'm still anxious, but I know if I take another one, I'm just going to get more and more tired. Has anyone else started to experience more sedation than relief from anxiety with Xanax over time? Is there any solution to this? Like drink coffee with my Xanax or take a tolerance break for a month or something? I don't even know how long a tolerance break I would need. Do you have a pdoc following this for you? Maybe you could add a background med that would allow you to only need a smaller dose and be less sleepy. How often are u taking the Xanax? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bueler Posted December 14, 2020 I take it once when starting my work shift because I'm so anxious before work my insides churn and I'm nauseous and everything else. I also take it in the evening because all the thoughts I'm ruminating about keep me up and from destressing. What do you suggest for a "background drug" given I can't take SSRIs, APs make me more tired than benzos, and I am unaware of much else that is actually effective... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iceberg Posted December 15, 2020 Obviously I don’t know your med history so I didn’t have a specific best choice... but.... some people take gabapentin, lyrica, other types of antidepressants like remeron, Effexor/cymbalta (SNRIs- similar but not the same, maybe could play nicer with your brain) and could also include switching to a longer acting benzo, which may cover u while producing less sedation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bueler Posted December 18, 2020 Thank you for your suggestions Iceberg. Unfortunately I have tried all those medications. SNRI's actually make me more anxious. I guess side effects are just unavoidable sometimes. I think having so much more anxiety lately is contributing to needing more xanax, which of course leads to more sedation. I will try to find other ways to manage my anxiety and use less xanax. Have a good day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notloki Posted December 20, 2020 Klonopin features no or little sleepiness for many people. I don't feel anything when Klonopin kicks in except my anxiety going away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
