[cindy]

I am 38 year old woman. 18 months ago I got a great new job. A male coworker there began harassing me. As a result of that stress I have not had a menstrual period. Last month my mother left town and is missing. Since then I have had severe bouts of anger and anxiety (for the first time in my life). I tried Paxil but the side effects were awful. Today I am on Xanax and I cannot believe how happy I am. I am going to see a psychiatrist to deal with the underlying problems to change my behaviors, but until then, I hope this drug continues to work. With the economy the way it is, I don't want to end up losing my job over my anxiety attacks! Any comments would be appreciated.

[CamW]

Cindy - Hopefully the jerk was fired and arrested. Counseling and maybe another SSRI, like Zoloft, would be better long term options than Xanax. You do realize that most of the side effects of the SSRIs will disappear within the first 3 weeks. I would think that your company would spring for at least the counseling, since they hired the jerk, in the first place. - Cam

[kitty]

Cindy: I am really glad you are feeling some relief, but I agree w/Cam, you really should first get counseling and consider another option. I have been going through a lot and have been taking xanax for about 4 months now mostly so that I can sleep at night. I take 1 mg. I now find myself wanting to take more during the day and have also find out that if you go off of it you can have withdrawal symptons. I am not sure if that will be the case with me, but I am feeling very nervous about what to do and highly recommend you consider another drug so you don't end up in this situation. Also, counseling is really important, because you need to learn how to deal with what is happening to you and not just take medication to make the feelings go away. I wish you luck.

[LALOBA]

Kitty, if you are finding your self taking more of the Xanax during the day, you need to discuss this with your doctor. There are safer alternatives that may help you sleep. If you have a good working relationship with your doctor, you might mention this to him. He should be able to help you to go off the Xanax and possibly still be able to help you with your sleeping. Do not be afraid to discuss this with him or afraid to go off of them under your doctors supervision.

[curlyq]

I, too, take something for anxiety but I think it's a weaker drug. Yet, lorazepam, too can probably be addicting if taken every day for a long period of time. What I do to try to avoid the addiction is not to take it every day. I've had a lot of anxiety lately and sleep problems, too, so I've been taking a whole one almost every day. I'm going to cut down to a half of one and then not take it every day.

Exercise has also helped me in the past to relieve anxiety. Sometimes a good brisk walk will help. Talking to someone and explaining my difficulties helps, too.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother and I hope you will see her soon. I, too, have been harrassed. Maybe if you tell someone at work then something will be done about him. I told a supervisor about a man who screamed at me and came at me once and he talked to him immediately. Unfortunately, I was afraid to work there any more and I quit. Good luck to you in all regards. I'm glad you are getting some relief from the Xanax now.


<font color=orange>Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.</font color=orange>