Xanax question

[josh1986]

i'm taking about 2mg of xanax every 2nd or 3rd day for anxiety,panic attacks..is this a safe amount to not get withdrawal effects and get hooked?

Am on effexor also,was trying to get off effexor went down a dose after few weeks started getting panic attacks,breathing problems etc.
the last few days the anxiety/thougghts of death etc have decreased but my breathing has gotten worse and now ive got a cough aswell..

[josh1986]

nah i havnt been and didnt take them once a day,started at 1 a day then every 2nd or 3rd day been taking one,probably been about a month.
I seen two different doctors 1stone gave me valium 5mg didnt really do much but i only took 5mg,seen another doctor and he prescribed xanax.

[nursegirl6572]

This is something you have to speak with your doctor about.  If you've been on the once a day dose for a few months or more, it could be withdrawals.  The valium is longer acting, so it would not be a direct replacement for the Xanax.  If anything, you should resume taking that once a day until you can speak with your doctor.  How did he instruct you to take the Valium?  That's pretty odd that he would Rx both.

[josh1986]

i was prescribed 2mg 3 times a day but thought that was a lil to much so was just taking one at night, ive probably been taking it every 2nd to 3rd night.2mg for about a month,i havnt had one in 2 days and am not sure if im getting withdrawals or just the effects i was taking xanax for in the 1st place, -breathing awareness,shortness of breath,tight feeling in chest,panic attacks,anxiety,insomnia..

i have 5mg valium aswell,if i took 10mg of it would that be a safer option?

[nursegirl6572]

Xanax is definitely a medication that will become habit forming at any dose, if taken for long enough periods of time.  If you need the Xanax, and are being guided by your doctor, I recommend not worrying too much about it right now.

It is important to never stop taking this medication abruptly on your own.  When the time comes, your doctor will taper you slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Typically Xanax is indicated as a short term anxiolytic therapy (3 months or less), but again, this is something you and your doc need to discuss.