Xanax: Yay or Nay?
 

I used to take Xanax for anxiety. I have been dealing with extreme anxiety ever since I hit my head 2 months ago, so I finally decided it was time to start taking it again. I have been taking it for about a week or so.

I am prescribed Xanax on an "as needed" basis and take it once every other day, but I feel like I need it daily. I'm just scared it will cause long-term damage to my brain.

When I take the Xanax, I feel wonderful. My headache disappears, and I function on a level that is pretty close to where I used to be. On the days I don't take Xanax, I have a headache, nausea, dizziness, slight facial tightness, and a few other symptoms.

I am usually big on holistic treatments, so it scares me that the Xanax is working so well. Unfortunately, nothing else has helped me feel better so far except my anxiety meds.

Do any of you guys take Xanax, and have you found that it helps your concussion symptoms? Do you feel like it affects your brain in a negative way? I just don't want to turn into a zombie. I am probably over-analyzing all of this.

I am unsure of xanax but I understand your concern. Up until I was injured I rarely went to a dr. Did not need medications besides the rare antibiotic. Now I am on several and don't know if I will ever come off them. Ask yourself does it help your quality of life? If yes then talk to your dr and decide for yourself.

MWS,

Have you tried taking L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine to help with serotonin and GABA?

You can also try taking a smaller dose of the Xanax. When I was prescribed Klonopin ( a benzo like Xanax), I took half the prescribed dose with good results.

Are you taking B12 and other vitamins and supplements ?

Mark, I'm taking B12 and Omega 3s. Eating a very clean diet. I don't know much about the first two things you mentioned, so I am going to Google them to learn more (the tryptophan and theanine). Thanks.

Xanax
 

Just a word of caution, my husband is a DDO, of the many seminars they go to about drugs and their addictive behaviours that follow, Xanax is up there with heroin. I had horrid withdrawal symptoms when I decided to quit Xanax, very unpleasant. Use it with great care.

Pamela, how quickly did you begin to experience withdrawal symptoms? I can immediately tell when the med wears off, and I've only been back on it for about a week. Makes me a bit nervous. I feel like I am already having withdrawal symptoms, but that seems impossible for something that I've been taking for such a short period of time. I'm only taking 0.25 mg every other day.

I would strongly advise against Xanax.
My personal experience with it was horrible, I stopped taking it after about three weeks on it and went through hellish withdrawals for about two days.

Initially I was feeling much better when started taking it, for the first week or so, after that I noticed that I had to up the dose and had to take more doses during the day to the point where I had to take it every few hours (this is in a span of just three weeks). I figured out that I am getting addicted to it and stopped taking it right away, see the above comment about the withdrawal.

My doctor said that it wasn't a withdrawal since I was using it for only three weeks, maybe a flu or something. Well, let me tell you that must've been the flu from hell since I had all the indications of a withdrawal. Not sure if my concussed brain reacted differently to it, than a "healthy" brain would.

Anyway, here's my 2 cents on it. Try to stay with natural remedies, even though the anxiety seems to be overwhelming, trust me, coming off Xanax is way worse since any anxiety you treated with Xanax will be multiplied when coming off of it.

L-Tryptophan is needed by the brain to make serotonin. It is well understood by the body as it converts it to 5-HTP then serotonin and melatonin.

L-Theanine helps the body regulate GABA.

Both have very little risk if any at all. I take each twice a day. My Ivy League doctor knows the biochemistry of both and it in full support of me taking them.

You need a broader dose of B vitamins. A B-50 complex should be added plus D3. Your B-12 should be in the methylcobalamin form.

Amazon sells the L's at the best price.

I hope you give them a try.

As others have said, Xanax should be avoided if at all possible. Benzos are rough and should be limited to 30 days of regular use maximum. My doc took me off them as soon as possible. The Klonopin was just while we waited for another med to start to work.

supplements
 

Hi there

I also take L-thenine every day and L-troys (can't spell it) but the one Mark mentioned. I've been taking one L-theanine supplement for over 4 years to help with the anxiety in a female brain at middle age. I also use Gabba from time to time, but I think it makes me foggy now at times. I don't seem to need it so i don't take it

You can get these both at Amazon for not too much.

Here's wishing you some calm.

Sincerely,

poetrymom

You could try an antidepressant for your headaches. You could try breathing and relaxation techniques for your anxiety. I use Jean Marie Hays Deep Relaxation. You could try drinking a beer or wine at night to calm your nerves (if you do not have addictive or adverse side effects, I believe this is okay based on previous posts). Do not drink caffeine. You could identify your anxiety triggers and avoid them or take a nap if that helps you forget them.

I know how anxiety feels after PSC ... it's horrible. I used Xanax twice but no more than that because I was fearful of addiction and damage to the brain. I am bringing them on a plane trip coming up just in case, so I believe they are a good once in a while tool but no more than that. My anxiety went away slowly at about the 4-5 month mark. I still have episodes occasionally and I just sit them through or occupy myself with something else until they pass.