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Consumer Review: I'm Thinking Of Staying On Xanax For The Rest Of My Life Just To Avoid The Withdrawal Symptoms.
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I have been taking Xanax for over 7 years now. Before that, I was taking Valium, but my doctor thought I needed to switch to something less addicting. He prescribed .5 mg, 4 times a day for a total of 2 mg/day. This is the dose I have been on, although I often don't take 4 tablets, sometimes only 2 and I do not have a specific time that I take them. I often go the entire morning and then remember to take a "nerve pill" -- kind of like taking a vitamin. I received my bachelor of science degree in nursing after putting in 5 intense years at university, all while "using Xanax." I do not feel any relief from anxiety, in fact I do not feel any effects from this drug after I take it, yet I do not take more than prescribed (as I said, I often take less). It is more out of habit than anything else, plus I figure it may just be "taking the edge off" my anxieties.
My concern is that I know I must be physically addicted to Xanax and have read all kinds of reviews on the horrible withdrawals symptoms when going off Xanax. I am considering weaning myself off, but have read that this is hell too. My question is: Why not just stay on this drug indefinitely? I am a 46 year old female, mother of a beautiful 11 year old daughter and recently married to a wonderful, kind and understanding man. Why do I want to subject my family, let alone MYSELF, to this kind of nightmare? I have been responsible with Xanax all these years, why should that change? So many people take medication for all kinds of things; diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. that requires them to continue their meds for life. Why should this be different? I certainly would not have continued to take Xanax for as long as I have had I known the physical dependency it caused, but since it is far too late for that, I don't understand why I should even go off it. I'm obviously functioning extremely well, and about the only thing that causes me undue stress is when I think about the "nightmare of withdrawal."
One more thing: My doctor feels that I should gradually go off Xanax and begin taking Paxil for a long-term answer to anxiety. I have read that Paxil is just as addicting with withdrawal symptoms as well. Why would I want to trade in one addiction for another? I would appreciate any comments or feedback to my questions and concerns from persons in the medical field and also persons who have been or are currently taking this particular medication and have first-hand knowledge.
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