Anti anxiety meds question

There are other options beside Xanax. Can you check with your PCP? I don’t remember Xanax being that costly when I was on it. I was first prescribed Xanax by my previous PCP. My new PCP didn’t like the fact I was on Xanax. She said it can be addictive, cause sedation and you can have a severe withdrawal. She switched me to a different anxiety medication

I pay something like $3 per month for generic. I have taken it at bedtime for over 15 years for sleep. No addiction problem for me and doctor not concerned. I think some people Lorazapem as an alternative to Alprazolam (Xanax)

I had lorazapam about $3 a month with my good health insurance. I don't have any prescription meds anymore but my son is on a generic paxil still $3 a month under my new insurance.

I should of said it can be addictive on a high dose like I was. Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm anyone or put out misinformation. To me all anti-anxiety medication can create a dependence. Luckily for me my PCP is really careful with prescribing anxiety medication and has worked with me to find the right balance.

Now you've got us all wondering, what the heck is this drug?

Melissa, point very well taken.

This is why I said it CAN be addictive. A person like me with anxiety medication can become a crutch. I've has anxiety and depression all my life to the point I was afraid to leave the house and having panic attacks. I don't want to take medication forever. I want to be able to deal with anxiety and depression without medication. This is why my PCP is working with me to find balance and also utilizing therapy. Sorry, if I made this bigger than it should be. I just get concerned when I see or hear of doctors immediately prescribing Xanax and not taking into consideration the other options out there. Again apologies.

If you get prescribed an anti anxiety during the time of diagnosis, surgery, radiation, starting anti hormonals, take them gladly and relax. You can wean back down when you don't need them anymore. All the talk about addiction should be balanced with the fact that you are taking these because you have cancer and because you are stressed out. Our bodies do not heal well when we are under stress, and we need to heal after surgery and radiation. I think cancer outweighs addiction over a short period of time.

at my diagnosis my MO prescribed me a giant bottle of Valium and boy was I so grateful to have them at hand as needed. I take one before tests and scans and for flying (I get anxious flying) and otherwise I only take them as they are prescribed “as needed." I did not become addicted to them and I am grateful to have them as having a cancer diagnosis can really rock some people's worlds. It def did for me, as I was dx'ed stage 4 de novo on my 40th bday last year. Not the news I was expecting to hear at all and I spiraled into anxiety land.

During the early days of diagnosis I would take a Valium maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Now I maybe take one a month.

I too was worried about addiction when I was prescribed the Valium (along with a prescription for Ambien). I have a history of drug abuse from when I was a teenager into my early 20s and went to rehab and NA and AA for many years. Introducing meds for me with addictive possibilities is always in the forefront of my mind and concerns.

My therapist helped me by telling me that if I get hooked on the Valium, then we would just help me get off of it when the time was right. That gave me comfort. I knew I had support if I needed it and allowed me to take the medication and not worry. And turns out I am fine

Again, just sooo glad I have this medication if I need it!!