RN taking prescription benzo's for sleep

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

Lighten up - it was obviously a joke.

I think 2 xanax a day is a concerning habit. Just my :twocents: but I don't think that level of anxiety is a joking matter.

waitingforthedream · Feb 22, 2009

Gee, no sense of humor huh??? Like I don't think I meant that. My heart rate goes up to 130 with an anxiety attack so yes I take xanex as needed. But if you read the post above that I usually take once a day (1 pill) sometimes 2 if needed. Most days I don't need it at all. And as a Nurse, yes I know the chance of addiction. That it why it is closely monitored by me and my DOCTOR! But really that was meant as a Joke HAHA. And unless you suffer from anxiety, don't judge.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 22, 2009

Several years ago when I was going through the worst part of perimenopause, I asked my PCP for Ativan to help me sleep. It worked like a charm---I still had hot flashes and night sweats, but I slept through them mostly.

I still take it as I did when I started.....1 mg. QHS, even though I have a script for up to 3X/day. I've taken it only twice during the day in all this time (once to get through a migraine, and the other for a medical test that caused me a lot of anxiety), and never needed to increase the dose. I do take melatonin as well. The two together help me relax and sleep through the night 90% of the time, and I refuse to be intimidated by a drug test---I just carry a bottle with me and show it to the tester to prove that I have a valid script.

Don't worry too much........there's nothing wrong with taking meds to help you sleep.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

Uh, I did mention early in the thread that I once had a xanax prescription, so yes, I've suffered anxiety. I don't think it's a joking matter, personally. One of my adult children has panic attacks. He was told by a physician that xanax is usually too late, because the attacks are transitory. He was encouraged to get on a daily medication (I think he tried zoloft), but my son found that debilitating.

My doctor had encouraged me to get on Buspar, but I didn't want to be medicated all the time. But, for someone needing xanax every day, I think another med would be more appropriate.

waitingforthedream · Feb 22, 2009

I take it kind of personally from the mention of "Habit". I too at the young age of 45 am menopausal, have been since 39. It is rough not only on sleep, but your heart rate also increases during the hot flashes. But this is not a habit, it is a medical condition. Sorry if I am taking this a little personally, but I don't appreciate someone telling me I have a "habit", i mean that is just wrong.

waitingforthedream · Feb 22, 2009

Uh, I did mention early in the thread that I once had a xanax prescription, so yes, I've suffered anxiety. I don't think it's a joking matter, personally. One of my adult children has panic attacks. He was told by a physician that xanax is usually too late, because the attacks are transitory. He was encouraged to get on a daily medication (I think he tried zoloft), but my son found that debilitating.
My doctor had encouraged me to get on Buspar, but I didn't want to be medicated all the time. But, for someone needing xanax every day, I think another med would be more appropriate.

I am sorry to hear of your adult child, this is a very difficult thing to go through. But trust me, everything else was tried right down to buspar, xanex was the last resort. And as I said most days I need none! But again, it is there when I need it! Thanks for your concerns.:heartbeat

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

One good rule for posting on internet forums, where people give a variety of opinions, is to not assume that comments are personally directed at you. I've never met you, know nothing about you, so therefore my remark obviously isn't personally directed at you.

Obviously I'm the one in the minority here with the unpopular opinion, but I stand by what I said. I would be concerned about myself or a loved one who had such a level of anxiety that they required one or two xanax to get through a day. I would question whether they ought to either get on a daily med that wasn't a PRN or else take some non-medical, holistic approaches to reduce their anxiety.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

I am sorry to hear of your adult child, this is a very difficult thing to go through. But trust me, everything else was tried right down to buspar, xanex was the last resort. And as I said most days I need none! But again, it is there when I need it! Thanks for your concerns.:heartbeat

My sons panic attacks were life changing, and even caused a rift between us which thankfully is now thawing. So, this is a really personal issue for me. He felt that the medication that was prescribed to him basically wrecked his college career by killing his energy and motivation, and he was very angry at the system.

waitingforthedream · Feb 22, 2009

I apologize, but as stated it is not needed everyday. Sometimes not taken for weeks. This was all just kinda a joke, my apologies for my sense of humor. I am over it. Again this was taken way out of content and I think I am movng on. Thanks very much for your concerns, I respect your input. I think I will go take one after this thread! ONLY KIDDING!!! :yeah:

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

I apologize, but as stated it is not needed everyday. Sometimes not taken for weeks. This was all just kinda a joke, my apologies for my sense of humor. I am over it. Again this was taken way out of content and I think I am movng on. Thanks very much for your concerns, I respect your input. I think I will go take one after this thread! ONLY KIDDING!!!

Ha ha. Well, to me, allnurses IS my xanax. It's a habit forming crutch I use to deal with the stress of real life. :lol2:

waitingforthedream · Feb 22, 2009

My sons panic attacks were life changing, and even caused a rift between us which thankfully is now thawing. So, this is a really personal issue for me. He felt that the medication that was prescribed to him basically wrecked his college career by killing his energy and motivation, and he was very angry at the system.

I have a 26 year old daughter in a Phd program who suffers from panic attacks, had one getting on a plane and it was so bad she passed out and hit her head. I think society puts to much pressure on success today. I am again sorry for your sons attacks, they can be life altering, he is lucky he has such a caring mom, huh! I hope he is better. My daughter actually started yoga, feels it is helping her. She sounds just like you: holistic. She would never touch a medication, not even a tylenol.

allnurses Guide · Feb 22, 2009

I always take on too much and as a result, live with a constant high level of stress. I don't think medication would help me with that, though..! I do actually take buspar because I grind my teeth in my sleep, but I don't think it helps with stress/anxiety at all that I've noticed!