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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woolav on July 8, 2004, at 12:56:57
I take paxil and small amounts of zanax during the day for social anxiety. Its sorta helping, but I'm so sleepy that I dont even want to be social. Anyone have advise?
Posted by 1980Monroe on July 8, 2004, at 22:06:26
In reply to Why Am I So Tired??????????, posted by woolav on July 8, 2004, at 12:56:57
Simple, you are taking sedatives. Xanax defintly may make you tired, its a major antianxiety med, that really can make you tired. Paxil isnt a sedative, it just has similar sedative-like properities to help anxiety. Ask your doctor about Wellbutrin, or effexor, which are both stimulating antidepressants.
If not, Focalin is a psychostimulant, ask your doctor about it if you are having mental fog.
Posted by Caper on July 9, 2004, at 0:07:08
In reply to Re: sedative side effect, posted by 1980Monroe on July 8, 2004, at 22:06:26
Yes, it's probably the meds. Some people get stimulated on SSRIs like Paxil and others get sleepy. I'm on Zoloft and it makes me really tired sometimes, but I'm told that side effect will go away with time. Xanax is definitely going to make you sleepy, at least until you get used to it...which leads me to my main point--
I'm sure you know Xanax is addictive so I won't go into that much. I'm a big fan of drugs like Xanax as long as you have a doctor who prescribes responsibly and you're honest with the doc (and you don't have other docs on the side...commonly known as "doctor shopping").
The reason I felt I just had to reply is, with no disrespect intended to Monroe, I would definitely not try a psychostimulant (ritalin, focalin, adderall, dexedrine) unless your doc diagnoses you with ADD or narcolepsy. I say this because ritalin was my first step on the way to a very bad problem with alcohol. Ritalin got me out of my head, but then when I ran out too soon I turned to alcohol. I hate admitting that still-- that I was so desperate for oblivion that I ended up an alcoholic at 30 years old-- but I admit it just to warn others.
Some may read this and think "nope, never gonna happen to me"....but 18 months ago I'd have thought the same.
So please, please be careful with anything addictive, especially if it is you asking the doc for it, not the doc suggesting it. Addiction is truly hell on earth.
Hope this didn't sound preachy, but I truly would tell _anyone_ about my shameful little secret (alcoholism) and how it came about if I thought it might help them not fall into the trap of addiction.
Best wishes and good luck,
Caper
> Simple, you are taking sedatives. Xanax defintly may make you tired, its a major antianxiety med, that really can make you tired. Paxil isnt a sedative, it just has similar sedative-like properities to help anxiety. Ask your doctor about Wellbutrin, or effexor, which are both stimulating antidepressants.
>
> If not, Focalin is a psychostimulant, ask your doctor about it if you are having mental fog.
Posted by woolav on July 9, 2004, at 7:57:29
In reply to agree with the above post but...., posted by Caper on July 9, 2004, at 0:07:08
thanks caper..I have been taking zanax for a few years. But I do not abuse them. I take it when i need them for panic attacks and to sleep. I usually have extra at the end of the month..so thats a good sign. I too seem to drink alcohol more now than before. I am not sure why. It is scary enough being addicted to nicotine, i sure dont need any thing else!
thanks
woolav
Posted by Caper on July 9, 2004, at 18:57:33
In reply to Re: agree with the above post but...., posted by woolav on July 9, 2004, at 7:57:29
You're welcome, I'm glad I maybe helped a bit. I agree that having extra at the end of the month is a good sign. My Mom's been on Klonopin for years and a thirty day supply lasts her at least thirty days, so I have no problem with the benzos for people like yourself and my Mom who are able to use them as prescribed.
But oh please, please, please be careful with the alcohol! Maybe talk to an addiction specialist now before it becomes a true addiction or abuse problem? Also to see how close you are to having it become a problem?
If nothing else, you might want to check out some of the horror stories on the substance use forum here. It truly panics and pains me to hear that someone might be developing a problem.
I'll be thinking of you. Be well and be careful.
Best wishes and good luck,
Caper
> thanks caper..I have been taking zanax for a few years. But I do not abuse them. I take it when i need them for panic attacks and to sleep. I usually have extra at the end of the month..so thats a good sign. I too seem to drink alcohol more now than before. I am not sure why. It is scary enough being addicted to nicotine, i sure dont need any thing else!
> thanks
> woolav
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