[Mrhomercat]

My persistent anxiety has manifested into physical pain and discomfort. I live each day with the constant sensation of carrying a fist sized rock in my chest. It shifts around my chest and makes it almost impossible for me at times to physically function. When I began feeling this sensation, about 15 years ago, I consulted with a Cardio doc who performed a stress test and other tests. The good news was he found nothing of concern, no blockages. He suggested my pain was stress related and refereed me to a P'doc. Turned out his assumptions were correct. I was prescribed Xanex along with Prozac. I had a negative reaction to the Prozac, but kept taking the Xanax. I was on Xanax for years and had acquired a dependency on the drug. I was slowly weaned from the benzo by my P'doc and things are fine now. The downside is that the Xanax took away the pain, it "crushed the rock". Nothing I have taken since has worked as effectively as the Xanex. I have stressed the fact to my current P'doc my history of this and he has me on Antivan. It's not working. I am torn between becoming addicted again, or going back on Xanax to crush the rock again. Thank you for reading this and good health to all.

[ECHOES]

I use Xanax very very rarely and usually less than half of the .5mg dose. With my history it was questionable if I could do this, but it turned out that I could. I knew that if I took it all the time I would build up a tolerance, so I didn't. I was fortunate. Sometimes just knowing I had it available was enough to get me through.

Did you see this thread on breathing exercises? They are so helpful to get rid of that rock in the chest feeling, and they are free and can be done whenever they are needed. It takes just a few times practicing, and then the skills are all yours
Here is a link to that thread:
http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=148389

Talk therapy is so helpful too.

[Mrhomercat]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

I use Xanax very very rarely and usually less than half of the .5mg dose. With my history it was questionable if I could do this, but it turned out that I could. I knew that if I took it all the time I would build up a tolerance, so I didn't. I was fortunate. Sometimes just knowing I had it available was enough to get me through.

Did you see this thread on breathing exercises? They are so helpful to get rid of that rock in the chest feeling, and they are free and can be done whenever they are needed. It takes just a few times practicing, and then the skills are all yours
Here is a link to that thread:
http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=148389

Talk therapy is so helpful too.

Thank you Echos. I am very familiar with deep breathing techniques and utilize this exercise when I feel a panic attack building. Most of the time, it is very effective in warding off the attack, but unfortunantly, does not crush the rock.

[ECHOES]

I'm sorry to hear that.
What about regular use of something else, like guided imagery or autogenic relaxation?

I have a CD from www.wholeperson.com (scroll down to the categories when the page comes up and go to "relaxation audio & video") called 'Warm' and 'Heavy'. One track is 'Warm' and the other is 'Heavy', both are autogenic relaxation exercises and I love them. I also have "Relax...Let go...Relax" and "Natrual Tranquilizers" and I enjoy those too. I especially like the "Soothing Colors" on the Natural Tranquilizers CD.

I hope you get responses that are more helpful !

[maureenjs]

boy i can relate to the rock in the chest feeling. my name for it is dread. they wont give me xanax because i am a recovering addict (25 years) so they gave me klonopin instead. it works like a charm at 2 mg.
i have a sister-in-law who is hooked on her xanax for "anxiety" and seems to take it at innappropriate times. she even nods off she's taking so much. she 'll be moving very close to me next month and i m not looking forward to the mental gymnastics i ll have to do to deal with her and her addiction. she really has a warped view of meds. she gives her sons benerdyl to "calm them down" and believes they (3) all have ADHD.
kinda sad. anywho i m glad for my klonopin as i get very anxious in social situations even when things are going well. when the crap hits the fan-dont even get me started lol

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello mrhomercat,

Why don't you tell your doc that you prefer xanax and stick to taking half to one 0.5mg when needed only, not every day. I find that works for me.

I have had to take a full one and in extreme cases 1mg but that is really rare and is only when I have to go out of the house to the dr or if something really stressfull happens.

I really hope you can get it sorted and find a solution because that rock in the chest is an awful feeling....

Rhiannon

[Yoda]

What happened when you were addicted to the xanax? Did you exceed the dosage you were supposed to be taking so you ran out of the drug before time for a refill?

Ten years ago I was taking xanax 2 mg tablets four or five times a day as prescribed. Now I am prescribed 0.5 mg twice daily and 2.5 mg to help sleep. But I usually only take 1 mg at bedtime and none in day. If you need the xanax you need it. If you can take it as prescribed and there is not another drug that works as well why not take it?