dancesintherain Posted June 28, 2019 I take xanax regularly, but I don't really pay attention to the response time because it just does the trick without me worrying about it. However...I have a major trigger (doctor appointment) on Monday at 9am, so I'd like to take it around the right time to have it kick in for that and be at its strongest. I know it's a short release thing, but how quickly are we talking? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
looking for answers Posted June 28, 2019 24 minutes ago, dancesintherain said: I take xanax regularly, but I don't really pay attention to the response time because it just does the trick without me worrying about it. However...I have a major trigger (doctor appointment) on Monday at 9am, so I'd like to take it around the right time to have it kick in for that and be at its strongest. I know it's a short release thing, but how quickly are we talking? i wanna say u feel effects in 7-8 min i thought i read somewhere, full effects in 45-1 hour........i think ativan is quicker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geek Posted June 28, 2019 I take 1mg Xanax as a PRN on a very occasional basis. I generally find I notice effects within 10-15 minutes. I'm never sure if it's the med though or if it's that stuff like deep breathing is making a difference. My pdoc says the xanax lets me get to the breathing. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstrung Harp Posted June 28, 2019 It's about a half hour for me. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dancesintherain Posted June 28, 2019 Thanks everyone. Looks like no clear consensus but under an hour and maybe around 30 min. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notloki Posted June 28, 2019 Ativan is not faster in kicking in than xanax. Xanax wins. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstrung Harp Posted June 28, 2019 Another thought, though there may not be time to weigh in with your pdoc. When I have upcoming situations that are likely to promote a lot of anticipatory anxiety (for me it’s flying), I discuss a short term dosing strategy for controlling the anxiety before it really gets out of hand. I recall that you’re on a small dose, so maybe take one a couple of hours before to keep a lid on the anticipatory anxiety, then another half hour before the appointment. I know that I find when I’m dreading a specific event it takes a much higher amount of xanax to put a dent in the anxiety if I wait to dose and let it build. 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikl_pls Posted June 28, 2019 Xanax takes anywhere from 15-30 min for me, sometimes longer. I have a prescription for Xanax 0.5 mg to 1 mg 3x/day taken around the clock, but I find I actually don't need it that much anymore, so I just take it PRN, but maybe a regular dosing of Xanax before and after something that will trigger you might be something to talk about with your pdoc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geek Posted June 28, 2019 16 minutes ago, Unstrung Harp said: Another thought, though there may not be time to weigh in with your pdoc. When I have upcoming situations that are likely to promote a lot of anticipatory anxiety (for me it’s flying), I discuss a short term dosing strategy for controlling the anxiety before it really gets out of hand. I recall that you’re on a small dose, so maybe take one a couple of hours before to keep a lid on the anticipatory anxiety, then another half hour before the appointment. I know that I find when I’m dreading a specific event it takes a much higher amount of xanax to put a dent in the anxiety if I wait to dose and let it build. Harp, thanks for this suggestion! I’m not the OP, but I hadn’t thought about taking my PRN in this manner - it could make a big difference for me. I will bring this idea up with my Pdoc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstrung Harp Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Geek said: Harp, thanks for this suggestion! I’m not the OP, but I hadn’t thought about taking my PRN in this manner - it could make a big difference for me. I will bring this idea up with my Pdoc. Oh good. I'm glad it's helpful. I sort of learned this the hard way after a flying day in which I was so amped up that I ended up gobbling .25 of Xanax every twenty minutes, going crazy waiting for it to kick in because I was so anxious. Which wouldn't have been the worst at such a small dose except that my flight was delayed several hours, and I was so high by the time I took off that I accidentally upgraded my seat and barely remember the flight. So after that, I always check in with pdoc and make a plan ahead of time so that I know when to start dosing to control the anxiety, how often, and what my maximum dose should be. Edited June 28, 2019 by Unstrung Harp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dancesintherain Posted June 28, 2019 I can’t reach my doc before the appointment or I’d definitely check. I’m not sure if 0.5mg total would make me sleepy at work after the appointment is done. But I’d be game to try it. since I can’t reach her, I’m going to have to just play with timing. If the appointments at 9, I’m leaning toward 8:15ish. Hopefully I won’t dissociate (separate issue from Xanax). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
looking for answers Posted June 28, 2019 8 hours ago, notloki said: Ativan is not faster in kicking in than xanax. Xanax wins. yep you're right, one chart had that.........they're clearly wrong Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
