[DogTrainingLove]

I thought I'd warn that this is possibly very triggering...

So I've been taking Xanax as prescribed by my Psychiatrist, I take it every time I go somewhere (I forget the dose, but I take it about twice or three times every week, and I've been taking it for about a year or so)

I just now read the article on the front page of this site called "Is Xanax or Klonopin Killing You?" And it triggered a major panic attack because I also have huge issues with thinking about dying. I never wanted to take medication because of the risks but was convinced by the psychiatrist it was completely safe.

I stopped reading after it talked about twice the chance of death. I'm now extremely worried it really could be killing me, and am never going to take it again.

Is it really that dangerous? If I wasn't taking it every day is it still dangerous? If I stop taking it now do I still have twice the chance of death?

[volatile]

I used to take 60 Klonopins every two weeks, roughly 120 pills a month, and I did that for about 2 years. I took Klonopins for over 5 yrs. I'm still alive.What the heck did you read? I've never heard of benzos killing people in ways other than overdosing. I HIGHLY doubt you are going to die.

edit*
Okay I just read the entire article that you were talking about on the front page. It says nothing about actually dying from taking Xanax. It was talking about some vague study that to me sounds completely stupid. The article itself was mostly about the negative impacts of Benzos and why you shouldn't use them to cope with anxiety because they can worsen anxiety and warning about the dangers of dependency and the dangers of withdrawal.

Taking maybe three pills a week you are completely in the clear of having any kind of dependency or withdrawal issues. I also highly doubt it's going to make your anxiety worse since it's such a SMALL DOSE.
If you have any questions or concerns speak to your doctor.

[Rose76]

I just read the article. I thought he said that it is hard to conclude the effect of benzos on life expectancy from the studies they've done.

If you've had access to Xanax for over a year and you're still only using it 2 or 3 times a week, then you have been pretty responsible. I don't think you have anything to get in a panic about. Here's one downside, though. Taking it every single time you go somewhere is going to condition you to think you absolutely need it whenever you go somewhere. Then you will get in a worse state, if you go somewhere and don't have it. Try to make up your mind to go places without taking it and think positively about your own coping skills. Pick outings that are not the most stressful. Tell yourself that you will wait, say, 2 hours before taking it. You'll probably find that you don't always need it.

[LaborIntensive]

The only thing I take from it is what has been discussed for years and that is body chemistry and the effect of particulates in your body and the way they are filtered out. Kidney and live issues can occur but there is no way to know when or at dosages an effect could occur.

I find comfort in looking at how long the drug has been around, the testing and then asking people what they know and their own experiences.