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Xanax Prescription

To the OP:

[snip - nah dude, don't encourage that kind of behaviour around here. leftwing]

In your case, having some benzos on hand to stop a panic attack is probably much more beneficial than some of the dangers posed by benzos.

Some things to remember though:
1) benzos are very addictive. for someone in your circumstances where you feel anxiety most of the time, then you will probably feel like taking them everyday. this is fraught with danger as withdrawing from benzos is no joke.

2) It is worth perserving with the psychologist. Benzos will only treat the short term symptoms of anxiety, you need to get to the underlying cause of it, and change your thought processes so you do not always thinking in terms of danger, hypervigiliance and alarm. A psychologist is the best way to do this. it will take time, and may not work, but it will get to the heart of the problem better than benzos will. Get on a mental health care plan so you can get the medicare rebate if you haven't already.

3) I have depression and anxiety. I've started taking SSRIs (antidepressants) and I am alot less anxious and depressed. It is possible that SSRIs could help you too, talk to your doctor about it. SSRIs can be used to treat anxiety disorders. however, like benzos they do have side effects, so make an informed decision if you decide to get on them.

Best of luck
 
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OK to the OP...Here's how it goes:

Psychologist's can not and aren't allowed to diagnose you with certain mental health issues. Psychologist's are merely there to help you overcome your panic attacks/generalized anxiety disorder with relaxation techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy/Breathing Exercises and the list goes on. In no way can a doctor of psychology prescribe you any drug/recommend that you go on any medications. In fact, dude, I would switch psychologist's as this one seems awfully shady and is unprofessional in his/her work ethics, for even suggesting that you go on a benzodiazepine treatment plan.

Psychiatrists' on the other hand, are trained medical practitioners, who can diagnose you with GAD/PD w/ or w/o Agoraphobia. They can also prescribe you medications. The most commonly prescribed medications by psychiatrist's today is SSRI's in conjunction with psychotherapy. It'll be tough for you to ask up front for a prescription for Xanax, as this will limit your potential for gaining any Xanax in the future, from the psychiatrist.

Next thing on your list of things that you must not do are go to hospital, and get sedated, where there are people there who actually are suffering from physical health problems (i.e. stroke, heart attack, cardiovascular disease, heart failure and the list goes on). Don't block up the public health system with your anxiety attacks bro. Just go and visit your local GP and ask him for some help, be upfront with him about your drug use (prior and present) and what you are feeling like at the moment in your life. It is unlikely that you will be given a prescription for Xanax up-front from a respectable GP, based on what a psychologist has said. Maybe 50 x 2 or 5 mg Valium tablets, but sure as shit no stronger benzodiazepines. He'll probably start you of on anti-depressants, such as Effexor/Aropax/Cymbalta or the most commonly prescribed medication for GAD and PD nowadays, Lexapro.

Most of people are on the right track here, except for the odd bragger or two about what benzodiazepines they can receive. If you wish to consult with a psychiatrist through the public hospital system, then get your GP to write out a referral, explaining your symptoms of what is perceived to be GAD.

Trust me on this one dude. Finding the right psychiatrist for you is like finding a needle in a haystack. I mean, it may take months and months of hard-work by yourself in order to find the psychiatrist that you feel comfortable with. He/she probably won't prescribe you with any benzodiazepines, but it all depends on who you see, and their previous history of prescribing patterns.

Benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal - Google that, and then maybe you'll think twice before floating down the river of desperation that so many of us have been capsized in.

Cheers.
 
I'll admit, like - i control my anxiety issues pretty well, and only have panic attacks when shit hits the fan these days.

I use the diagnosis to docshop drugs i want for recreational purposes. I've got my family doc, who'll happily script me up with a bottle of valium 5mg here and there when i go in there once every few months. I also have my local doctor - when i first saw him, i explained that i was feeling depressed and the panic symptoms i know so well. He was reluctant to prescribe me xanax then. He gave me mirtazapine, and said come back in a week if panic symptoms still occur.

Welllll cruise back in a week later... walk out with a xanax script. You just need to be careful with how you approach docs.

Anyway OP - i suggest you go for a long-acting benzo like clonaz or diaz to control your anxiety short term.
 
so does anyone ever really get repeat scripts for benzos? i have epilepsy and my neurologist has said it's fine if i take diazepam for my reoccurring problems with insomnia (which leads to seizures) and tremors from the anticonvulsant i'm on but he didn't want to write me a script because he said it's best if the prescription comes from the same doctor, i assume to avoid doctor shopping (my g.p. initially prescribed it). am i going to have to keep going back to the g.p. every time i run out? i'm seeing my doctor this afternoon so i guess i'll find out, but i'm already sick of getting bounced back and forth and having to go back every month when the problems inevitably return.
 
phase_dancer said:
Depends entirely on underlying conditions. Suffer from a bad heart, stage III hypertension, susceptibility to stroke or a combination thereof, and obviously a panic attack can exacerbate these conditions. Beta blockers are prescribed to millions of people to prevent that which arises from extreme onset of anxiety and the corresponding stress that places on the cardiovascular system.
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While I have no doubt you know exactly what you're talking about, p_d. Someone with panic disorder reading that, next time they're having an attack after reading that it's only going to increase their panic/anxiety levels. During a panic attack/episode, where you feel like you're dieing anyway, that would only compound things.

99.9% of the time people do not die from a panic attack. I pulled that % out of my ass, but I'm pretty sure it'd be right. You literally have to meditate your way out of it because a strong panic attack is going to feel like you are dieing.

I have GAD and social anxiety, but I can recall having one panic attack a few years ago, hadn't happened before and hasn't happened since but I'm sure it was a panic attack. I was driving to work after 2 weeks off, and half way there my anxiety began to spike then I knew something was really wrong so I pulled over, put my seat all the way back and tried breathing techniques. I literally couldn't feel my legs, became very dizzy, heart pounding out my ears and just couldn't move. Stayed in my car for a couple hours until someone picked me up.
 
MrIbis said:
^ I get repeats on xanax...
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I get repeats for xanax 1mg , i can also get as much as i like whenever i ask for them from my local gp, but atm i am considering other options, it has been a year now and i am still on the same dose 1mg dose everyday, sometimes i would skip a few days to get the full effects back but at this point in my life i am considering other options, i goto say xanax is not recreational over time it gets boring and when you abuse them then your just asking for it which i never ever abused not a single time during the whole year. I wish i knew about conjunctive therapy earlier, it will really take a lot of skill to understand my issues but i hope i can find anyone who can treat my condition without drugs. SSRI's SNRI'S Beta blockers, Benzos tried them all some work well but they are a cheap way out.
 
I got 50x2mg and 2 repeats the first time i tried. New doctor.

Mind you i had access to prescription criteria (symptoms a patient needs to show in order to be prescribed which i recited back to him during my visit) and i also wear a suit daily which i was in during the consultation, looking presentable would have definitely helped.

This was a while back, i won't touch the shit anymore. Creates more problems than it solves.
 
While I have no doubt you know exactly what you're talking about, p_d. Someone with panic disorder reading that, next time they're having an attack after reading that it's only going to increase their panic/anxiety levels. During a panic attack/episode, where you feel like you're dieing anyway, that would only compound things.

99.9% of the time people do not die from a panic attack. I pulled that % out of my ass, but I'm pretty sure it'd be right. You literally have to meditate your way out of it because a strong panic attack is going to feel like you are dieing.
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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100705190538.htm


Heart Patients With Anxiety Disorder Experience More Cardiovascular Events, Deaths

ScienceDaily (July 6, 2010) — Among patients with heart disease, anxiety disorders appear to be associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and death, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

As many as 24 percent to 31 percent of patients with heart disease also have symptoms of anxiety, according to background information in the article. "Compared with the extensive literature on depression in patients with coronary heart disease, relatively few studies have examined the role of anxiety," the authors write. "Several studies have found that anxiety symptoms are predictive of disability, increased physical symptoms and worse functional status and quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease. However, studies examining anxiety as a risk factor for future coronary heart disease have yielded conflicting results."

Elisabeth J. Martens, Ph.D., of Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands, and colleagues assessed 1,015 outpatients with stable coronary heart disease. The baseline examination consisted of interviews, blood and urine sample testing, exercise testing and electrocardiography. The presence of generalized anxiety disorder and of depressive disorder was determined using the computerized version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule.

After an average follow-up time of 5.6 years, a total of 371 cardiovascular events occurred. After adjusting for age, the yearly rate of cardiovascular events was 9.6 percent in the 106 participants with general anxiety disorder and 6.6 percent in the 909 participants without. After further adjustments for potentially confounding variables -- including sex, co-occurring conditions, heart disease severity and medication use -- generalized anxiety disorder was associated with a 74 percent increased risk of cardiovascular events.

"This leaves the question of why generalized anxiety disorder is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease," the authors write. Anxiety may be associated with surges in catecholamines, "fight or flight" hormones that may be related to heart risks, they suggest. Alternatively, patients with anxiety may be more likely to seek care when they have symptoms and therefore be more likely to receive a diagnosis of stroke or heart attack, although this would not explain the increased risk of death. It is also possible that a common underlying factor predisposes individuals to both anxiety and heart events.

"These findings have implications for clinical practice and research," they conclude. "Generalized anxiety disorder may be considered a prognostic factor in patients with coronary heart disease and could be used in risk stratification. Evaluation and treatment of anxiety may also be considered as part of the comprehensive management of patients with coronary heart disease. Research programs designed to advance our understanding of the impact of generalized anxiety disorders on medical prognosis and biobehavioral mechanisms that link anxiety to mortality in the context of coronary heart disease are needed to develop evidence-based approaches to improving patient care."
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There are also studies that have associated other ailments and predispositions with anxiety disorder and death from heart attack or stroke. I'm out of time atm, but this stuff shouldn't be too hard to find.
 
I think it is a interesting point phase dancer has pointed out which reminds me that i need to get my heart checked again, my previous heart check was about 5 yrs ago and was given the green light by heart specialist, but at least i know now because heart attack and panic attacks can get you mixed up, quite tricky for me.

TripAR from my own experience xanax only comes in 50`s with 5 bars x 10 pills. If your using it for recreational purposes my advice is to start off with half a pill and see how you go and avoid caffeine, i find that any fruit juice will enhance the effects mildly. I am quite sure your chemist will tell you to avoid grape juice which suppose to boost the effects or either last longer, or maybe not.
 
lynnie said:
I think it is a interesting point phase dancer has pointed out which reminds me that i need to get my heart checked again, my previous heart check was about 5 yrs ago and was given the green light by heart specialist, but at least i know now because heart attack and panic attacks can get you mixed up, quite tricky for me.

TripAR from my own experience xanax only comes in 50`s with 5 bars x 10 pills. If your using it for recreational purposes my advice is to start off with half a pill and see how you go and avoid caffeine, i find that any fruit juice will enhance the effects mildly. I am quite sure your chemist will tell you to avoid grape juice which suppose to boost the effects or either last longer, or maybe not.
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thats grapefruit juice... every other kind of juice will do nothing.
 
MrIbis said:
agree with luude. just can't help but enjoy it though
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Don't get me wrong, everytime i have it i have an absolute ball and float around under the false pretense that im acting fine, when in actual fact im destroying not only myself, but everyone around me.

Used long term, it actually manifests the problems it was designed to erase.
 
Getting in to see a psychiatrist can take quite a while even if you go private (I did this and there's a (no prices) gap per visit between what my doctor charges and what Medicare refunds), so it's not at all unusual for GPs to start treatment and only refer you to a psychiatrist if that treatment doesn't work. In my area you're not going to get to see a psychiatrist in the public system unless it's a true psychiatric emergency like command hallucinations or a psychotic break so the majority of mental health care is handled by GPs, leading to a lot of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Medication isn't regarded as a long-term treatment for anxiety/panic disorders - it's meant to control them in the short-term while you learn other ways of managing the disorder. Your psychologist is the person who should be teaching you those. I'd recommend a clinical psychologist as they are qualified to diagnose and are really useful for running interference with your doctor if your medication isn't working (Medicare will pay for private sessions if you have a referral).

While it's fine to go to the hospital, don't expect them to do anything other than get the attack under control and tell you to go see your doctor for follow up. If your doctor gave you a sample pack of medication then that's what they're planning to prescribe when you return.

Your doctor may or may not give you repeats - it's really up to them. Sometimes they'll want you back every couple of weeks initially but give you repeats if they're satisfied that you're compliant with your treatment plan.

Xanax was my salvation back when I had panic disorder. Because it stopped panic attacks dead in their tracks, the fear of having one diminished and after a couple of months the panic attacks ceased altogether. In twenty years, they haven't returned but you do have to put time and effort into learning techniques to manage stress and anxiety.
 
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It's actually a fallacy about how quick xanax comes on. Diazepam comes on faster, but everyone thinks that's it's main selling point. how quick it comes on. An anaesthetist was talking about it on a medical podcast. Surprised me.

Btw, i've been on 2mg xanax for 5 years, i'm physically addicted, don't really enjoy them much at all these days, actually HAVE to take them everyday or I get that rebound anxiety/feeling like you're going nuts/sick. I've heard it can take 6months for the gaba system in the brain to go back to normal after long term use.

I'd like to try the benzo used for epilepsy, think it's easier to get off than xanax, if needed
 
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