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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Xanax Effective In Managing Anxiety?

HI I am a 53 year old woman dealing with terrible anxiety right now. My 35 year old son took his life on June 26, 2016. I cried a lot in the beginning and the last 2 weeks they have put me on Xanax which I did terrible on. Couldn t eat wouldn t get rid of the anxiety ended up in ER last Saturday. Monday they switched me to Ativan 1 mg every 8 hours or as needed. When I took it every 8 hours from Monday to Wednesday morning I did good. Had a follow up with my dr Wednesday morning and she said just use as needed. I took one Wednesday night at 10 pm. Pit in stomach growing, body tremors, muscles tighten and spasm. Was fine until 5:30 pm Thursday day. Symptoms coming on so I took a 1 mg Ativan. Was fine. Symptoms went away in half hour to 45 minutes. When I woke this morning ( Friday) I was already in a full blown anxiety attack when I opened my eyes. Shaking, pit in stomache, muscle spasms and tightening. I took the Ativan and it took almost 4 hours to feel better. Can I do a half a dose? Is there something better to take? I am seeing a grief therapist for 2 weeks now
Tue, 25 Oct 2016
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Xanax (alprazolam) and Ativan (lorazpeam) are benzodiazepines that are effective in treating anxiety states. As you are responding well to Ativan, please continue using it as prescribed only.
At this moment as you are responding well to Ativan, there is no need to changing over to other drugs.
Once the sessions with grief therapist begins, I would suppose the requirement of even Ativan will decline. You might be fine within few weeks without medications also. I hope this helps. Thanks.
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Is Xanax Effective In Managing Anxiety?

Xanax (alprazolam) and Ativan (lorazpeam) are benzodiazepines that are effective in treating anxiety states. As you are responding well to Ativan, please continue using it as prescribed only. At this moment as you are responding well to Ativan, there is no need to changing over to other drugs. Once the sessions with grief therapist begins, I would suppose the requirement of even Ativan will decline. You might be fine within few weeks without medications also. I hope this helps. Thanks.