Xanax...

westiesmom

I tried Ativan for three nights. I could not sleep. Recently Dr. Put me on 0.5mg Xanax. I have taken it now for four nights, (I am afraid to take it during the day). I feel a bit better. I have not been crying on a dime. Thoughts, anyone?

crystalphm

I think it is a good idea. To get through my tests, diagnosis and mastectomy, I took xanax as well as lexapro for a year, and I still take the xanax for doctor visits and tests. Like you, I was crying all the time.

I am still not sleeping well, but now I also have learned meditation at my cancer wellness center, I have relaxation tapes and I try to walk every day, all which help very much. Prevention magazine has an article this month about how good walking is for women with breast cancer.

If I can't sleep, I get up and do something like reading, catch up online, I always have things to do when i can't sleep.

it helps, because tossing and turning is the worst.

Denise

westiesmom

Hello Denise. Thank you for your response. May I ask, do you take Brand Xanax or Generic? 

bluepearl

I took ativan and it helped and even helps with my mastectomy pain. I continue to take one a day for that reason and I have stopped now and again without withdrawl symptoms. Not everyone gets addicted. Never tried Xanax but I heard that it has an anti-depressant effect too. Walking is my salvation! Every day I walk.....many times before, crying all the way and back....during diagnosis, walked 10 miles or more trying to cope. I also take an extra ativan before doctor visits. I think many of us go through an existential crisis; it's a bitch.....and you always wonder if your can get your "old" life back....I still do and I'm almost 9 months out of this whole crappy deal. I am also on a low dose of nortriptyline for arm pain which still dogs me. One learns ways to divert attention away from this whole ordeal...gosh I wish I had an easy answer for you but I haven't found one for myself (see, I'm crying now!) except I try to keep busy and if I can't sleep, I take a gravol and read...that usually does it....but keeping busy is important and going somewhere, even for a cup of coffee makes a difference....and friends....and family.....