Xanax for Depression?

ChangingMyMind · Oct 28, 2014, 09:22 PM

Has anybody experienced a lift in depression with Xanax?

My previous pdoc prescribed me Xanax for Anxiety and I haven't really used it because I feel more depressed than anxious. However, I did take .125mg today because my anxiety has been acting up since using l-tryptophan (which I stopped on Sunday). The Xanax definitely calmed me down but it also made me feel normal i.e. It took away my depression! Not one crying session today. Aches and pains gone! Fatigue gone!

Although now it's wearing off and my anxiety is back to its normal tricks. Mostly feel like I can't breath. Sucks. Depression is back too. But I did get some relief today.

Altered Moment · Oct 28, 2014, 09:32 PM

Hey if it works it works. Xanax has a short half life and meant for as needed anxiety attacks. Klonopin would be better as it has a long half life and you would take it daily. I am sure you have read in here and should be aware of the long term use of benzos. I decided it was worth the risk. Hard to say if klonopin has helped my depression. Knocked the crap out my horrible anxiety. In my case I figured out my depression causes the anxiety. If your anxiety caused the depression then it makes sense that a benzo would help the depression by eliminating the anxiety.

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ChangingMyMind · Oct 29, 2014, 03:26 PM

Yes, I do think my anxiety causes depression. Anxiety always comes first then that makes me depressed.

Xanax is not my first choice because of what you mentioned. I know Klonopin would be better because of the longer half life and if I were to take benzodiazepines daily I would ask for Klonopin but Xanax and Valium is all I had prescribed to me. Never took the Valium but figured the Xanax was worth it to get over my anxiety for the day.

I see pdoc today... I'll see what she recommends based on this knowledge.

Altered Moment · Oct 29, 2014, 04:37 PM

Valium also has a very long half life. I believe it has many more active metabolites so could be more problematic. Don't quote me on that though.

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Oct 29, 2014, 06:37 PM

I'm curious about what your psychiatrist will say.

Ativan, which is closely related to Xanax, acts as an anti-depressant for me. I know it doesn't 'stay in your system' all night, but every time I've taken it at bedtime (i.e., because i ran out of sleeping pills), i woke up in a good mood the next morning.

I have chronic insomnia so just stared clonazepam--i hate it. it gives me bad side effects plus i don't get to sleep as easily as with ambien. But it does help me stay asleep for at least 6 hours now.

I've really been wanting to take Ativan for my mood, but of course, can't ask for that prescription. But it's worked better than any antidepressant I've taken in years. I wonder why?

Anyway, hope you post an update.

ChangingMyMind · Oct 30, 2014, 12:45 PM

Well the pdoc had no theories. I don't think she's the right pdoc for me now. She just said if it works stick with it but I don't want to be on benzos but if I have to I will... Better than being depressed!

However last night after Xanax started to wear off I started to shake. I noticed it the first time I took it but didn't think it was xanax but it happens every time I take it. And another development... The worst headache I've ever had in my life! I do not get migraines but I would imagine this is what one feels like. It was like somebody was stabbing a knife deep into my head over and over. I feel like I have a "come down" on xanax is that possible, anybody have that?

Are these known side effects of Xanax? I thought since Xanax is PRN it wasn't as bad for side effects.

For some reason she doesn't want to give me klonopin. We discussed that as an alternative since its longer acting.

I'm going to ask another pdoc for a second opinion... Rather a first since mine didn't really have one lol

Oct 30, 2014, 06:13 PM

I've never had that side effect from Xanax, but I've never taken it regularly either. Just from time to time. It seems odd that you would have withdrawals from that small dose you said you took - .125.

I get chronic migraines. Migraines don't necessarily have to be really painful to 'qualify' as a migraine. That sounds awful, sorry. I don't know what that headache is from. I've had ice pick/cluster headaches from a non-psychtropic drug. They were characterized by the most excrutiating pain I've ever had in my life, but they weren't migraines. I get headaches from Klonopin, but they aren't migraines either...

Klonopin was originally an anti-convulsant, I think. It works much different than Xanax as far as I know. Maybe that's why she said to stay on your regiment? Sometimes it's difficult to find something that works, and if you take it away, it might not work again.

Good that you are getting a 2nd opinion. Good luck.

SharonSharonSharon · Oct 31, 2014, 01:16 AM

It is interesting how everyone reacts differently to medications. Xanax knocks me out like an Ambien! Therefore, I can take it only at bedtime. But by the time I wake up, the effect is gone, so I don't know if it helps with depression or not. It was prescribed to me in the past for anxiety.

Sinking Feeling · Oct 31, 2014, 02:36 AM

Xanax and klonopin at doses up to 1mg acts like a mild stimulant for me and does lift my spirits. So does vicodin and most opiates. Ironically, actual stimulants like amphetamines gets me manic in a bad way, depressed, anxious, paranoid, irritable. Even lower doses. About the only stim I can handle is Wellbutrin. So yea, benzo's and opiates not only relieves me of depression, but also reduces my anxiety. Now, good luck getting a pdoc to believe this lol.

Danny Leary · Oct 31, 2014, 06:13 AM

I have both anxiety and major depression. Xanax and Klonopin were like sugar pills to me, absolutely nothing. Then again, Valium gave me a mild high. It's interesting how that works. I never got shakes from Xanax, but it could be withdrawal, tremors are one of the listed symptoms.

ChangingMyMind · Oct 31, 2014, 09:40 PM

I was thinking maybe withdrawal but I highly doubt it as I only took it 1 time and only at .125mg. I wouldn't think my body would be dependant on it that quickly and at such a low dose.

Kathleen83 · Nov 08, 2014, 11:36 AM

I have depression and anxiety attacks. Xanax worked wonders for me.....for the anxiety attacks. Did NOTHING for the depression. My doc just put me on Celexa (Citalopram HBR). Hubby and I are both shocked at how quick the positive changes in me have been. Great energy, great attitude, no dwelling on the dark stuff, I'm loving it. Had been needing the xanax (.5 mg) on a daily basis, and sometimes had to take two. Haven't needed any since starting the Celexa. I will happily take one every single day for the rest of my life if it keeps working as well as it is right now.

ChangingMyMind · Nov 08, 2014, 01:16 PM

Glad to hear it Kathleen83! Celexa was a miracle drug for me when I started taking it too! I took Celexa alone for my depression and anxiety for 11 years until I had too many side effects to tolerate it anymore. I hope it lasts you a lifetime!

sakera · Nov 10, 2014, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

Yes, I do think my anxiety causes depression. Anxiety always comes first then that makes me depressed.

Xanax is not my first choice because of what you mentioned. I know Klonopin would be better because of the longer half life and if I were to take benzodiazepines daily I would ask for Klonopin but Xanax and Valium is all I had prescribed to me. Never took the Valium but figured the Xanax was worth it to get over my anxiety for the day.

I see pdoc today... I'll see what she recommends based on this knowledge.

I have the same sort of issue where my anxiety leads to depression. My doctor keeps telling me depression and anxiety is the same thing but I disagree. I'm not really chronically melancolic, pretty happy guy most of the times just have anxiety and some depression crashes once in a while

I take xanax regularly, about 0.5-1 twice a day and have for 2 years. It helps with keeping anxiety down a bit and mood gets a little bit more stable. I think tho that it really is best for when you're having major breakdowns like panic attacks or aggravation, extreme sadness rather than something you're on all the time, but SSRIs don't work for me so I'm stuck with the benzo

ChangingMyMind · Nov 10, 2014, 02:55 PM

I agree that depression and anxiety are different but can manifest in similar symptoms. Xanax is not an option any more anyway... Side effects are intolerable... Story of my life.

SDarbo · Nov 13, 2014, 01:11 PM

If you can find a very thick purple book titled "Physician's Drug Manual 1986" it had a listing of atypical antidepressants including 'alprazolam' aka xanax.

I don't think alprazolam was given up as an antidepressant because of efficacy issues, I believe the issues were dependence and the fact benzo withdrawals can be deadly.

Another issue might have been that benzo therapy tends to require upping the dose periodically, which can become a horrible ever increasing escalation. I think many psychiatrists are biased towards drugs that don't have any life threatening effects when discontinued.

Benzo discontinuation tends towards life threatening when compared to almost all other drugs. Benzos, barbiturates, alcohol- withdrawal from any of these is exponentially more risky than withdrawal from heroin. Heroin withdrawal makes you wish you'd die. without extreme complications heroin withdrawal will not kill you.

Benzo, barbiturate, and alcohol withdrawal all can kill.

healingme4me · Nov 13, 2014, 08:32 PM

Celexa was my first p. Med. Because it would treat Both my depression And anxiety.

I wouldn't say xanax treats any depressive symptoms, but sometimes anxiety can make depressed symptoms amplified.

ChangingMyMind · Nov 13, 2014, 08:42 PM

I don't plan to use benzodiazepines long term at all because of the dependency issues. I am only using Xanax at a very low dose until I can get on something more long term. Which were working on... Just taking my pdoc some time to come up with a game plan.

SoggySketti · Nov 13, 2014, 08:42 PM

Well this was an interesting read especially since Xanax is never given to relieve depression.
Maybe you just suffer from anxiety attacks and not depression? I don't really know your Case History but I do wish you the best of luck in finding your modality to help you.

ChangingMyMind · Nov 13, 2014, 11:22 PM

I'm starting to think I do only suffer from Anxiety at the moment. I think my Anxiety is constant though meaning it's not an attack it's just always there like I'm on edge all the time and my body tells me all about it. So when I take the Xanax it explains why I feel better. I do believe I have depression but it's brought on by anxiety and currently its not present. I believe TMS resolved my depression but left me with my crippling anxiety.

Altered Moment · Nov 14, 2014, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

I'm starting to think I do only suffer from Anxiety at the moment. I think my Anxiety is constant though meaning it's not an attack it's just always there like I'm on edge all the time and my body tells me all about it. So when I take the Xanax it explains why I feel better. I do believe I have depression but it's brought on by anxiety and currently its not present. I believe TMS resolved my depression but left me with my crippling anxiety.

And constant anxiety would increase stress hormones always being present in you blood which can cause depression and all kinds of problems.

ChangingMyMind · Nov 14, 2014, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

And constant anxiety would increase stress hormones always being present in you blood which can cause depression and all kinds of problems.

Don't I know it! LOL it's horrible! I hope I can find a solution soon.

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Altered Moment · Nov 14, 2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

Don't I know it! LOL it's horrible! I hope I can find a solution soon.

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Are you allergic to chamomile tea too?

ChangingMyMind · Nov 14, 2014, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

Are you allergic to chamomile tea too?

LOL! You know I thought I would be but I'm not. I am able to drink that but it has weird side effects like Kava tea... I get really relaxed but it also makes my foot, leg, and hand feel numb like they've fallen asleep. Very annoying. Also that kicks off my anxiety again worried about the numbness.

I am going to try Lemon Balm tea and see if that helps.

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AncientMelody · Nov 17, 2014, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakera

I have the same sort of issue where my anxiety leads to depression. My doctor keeps telling me depression and anxiety is the same thing but I disagree. I'm not really chronically melancolic, pretty happy guy most of the times just have anxiety and some depression crashes once in a while

Yes, I agree with you there. There are many similarities in causes and overlap is common but my experiences with each has been different. I didn't develop my first depressive episode until the anxiety was severe for three months and essentially wore my reserves down. I've had two seperate depressive episodes since then with anxiety co-occuring but not causing the depression. My depressions seem VERY responsive to medication yet the anxiety took a lot longer to respond. Even my therapeutic management requires different tactics. I have a terrible time being mindful during a bout of anxiety, DOING something such as CBT techniques helps distract me and reevaluate the situation. on the flip side ACT techniques and mindfulness feel more "gentle" and nurturing during a depressive spell.

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