Very Early Stages Of Tolerance, Looking For Help
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I was prescribed Xanax 0.5 mg for panic disorder about 6 months ago. Ignored the bottle for the first month and a half, then when horrible panic attacks and nightmares were disturbing my sleep, I broke down and took half the 0.5, or just 0.25 dose. This was sporadic, maybe one or two 0.25 doses a month for a few months. A busy panic week, maybe a total of 1.5 mg for the whole week. Recently been undergoing some major life stressors that had me up the usage for the past couple months. Per week I have maybe been taking 3-4 mg for the past 3 weeks only. Not every night. For the past week or two, I am experiencing either a newly emerging tolerance that has me in a constant state of low level panic 24-7, with occasional full blown panic attacks....or its "dependence" even with such a small dose. (And maybe I am just very sensitive to meds) A dose of 0.25 now is lasting about 2 hours before my heart starts pounding and I start shaking. Rebound? Withdrawl? Both? Is there a difference really? Is that a small enough dose to taper down quickly and suffer for a month with liw risk of dangerous effects? Are dangerous withdrawl effects at high doses for prolonged periods or does that even matter? I hate this drug and I want it out of mh system permanently. My original panic disorder was peanuts compared to this. Wish doctors would warn you in more detail about how fast tolerance builds. I was told nothing. Would consider switching to Klonopin and attempting to just go on an SSRI. Then slowly taper down the klonopin or something. Just need some sleep.

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Thanks for the replies. I saw my doctor today, she is sending me to a psychiatrist to change meds, taper off, whatever I want to do. She said the dose is very low and to not change it yet, or stress too much yet...status quo until I see the psych in 10 days.

I am one of those people though that can take two sips of wine and feel drunk. I have low tolerance for anything.... caffeine...sugar. Very sensitive.

I won't up it. I just won't lower it yet without a taper off dose from the psych.

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Wow you ask some tough questions, but I started on the .25 dose, and take 12 times that daily. Actually that is what I am prescribed although I'm only on a mg, somedays two. if you have the strength get off of it. Are you feeling a dependence on the drug, well yes but if anyone can be helped its you. Xanax is classified a Poison in Australia! Just learned that here today

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I don't think you're experience tolerance that fast, especially she you've not been taking that much.

If you're under more stress and suffering more attacks, you're bound to have more issues and to need the medication more often or in higher doses.

You do need to check with your doctor, of course, I can't say with certainty, but if that is what's going on,, then yes, you may do better with something, such as an SSRI, which you take regularly to help keep it under control.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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To be clear, its not 3-4 mg per day, but per week.

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