I'm looking for feedback in regards to over-medicating. I've been dealing with anxiety/depression for most of my life. However only in the last 5 years I've been taking medication. Currently my doctor has me on Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Xanax. You would think I'd feel 110% better but I don't. Am I being over medicated? Don't all those meds do the same thing?

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not a doctor or a psychiatrist, I don't play one on TV, and I don't pretend to know a whole lot about this stuff.

That said, it seems a bit redundant for you to be taking Wellbutrin, which I understand is also an antidepressant, and Zoloft. First of all, I've never heard of Wellbutrin being prescribed for anxiety. From what I understand, in fact, it is not good for anxiety at all. Taking the two together is not necessarily harmful or even redundant, depending on the dosages, but I would definitely find out why your doctor has you taking both.

As for taking Zoloft and Xanax, that seems to be a pretty normal combination. That's what I take, and I know many others who have been prescribed the same thing for panic disorder. The main purpose of the Xanax, I think, is to reduce side effects as you go on to the Zoloft (since it can initally cause you to feel more anxiety, and to give you some immediate relief, since it takes time for the Zoloft to begin working. Once it does kick in, you can usually wean off the Xanax without major problems.

Hope that helped. And definitely talk to your doctor.

Lori

Hi!

I've taken Xanax on and off for 10 years. Since being on the program I just quit completely for the first time in several years.

Yes, I've heard the word "addicted" when doctors refer to Xanax; whatever one means by that. Is someone addicted to insulin if they take it every day and it levels out their glucose level?

I think Xanax can be thought of in the same way. There are some chemicals in my brain, either too much or not enough, that Xanax helps with. (And so does walking and eating right and sleeping right, etc.[easier said than done ])

I think that Xanax has been approved for panic attacks for about 5 years now. Before then, doctors used the "addictive" excuse; which is still thrown around by doctors not knowledgable in the field.

I know that one can safely be on an antidepressant and an antianxiety (Xanax) drug at the same time.

The way I did it over the years was that when I was having "major" symptoms; maybe because of a move or lack of sleep with babies, I would take the least amount of Xanax that would completely STOP the panic attacks; for me that was .25mg-4xday. Then I would stay on that amount for a couple of months until I felt comfortable reducing it by breaking the pills in half one dose at a time. FYI: Xanax has to be reduced slowly or one can have seizures.

Anyway, you didn't mention your dosage. Xanax starts @ .25mg tablets up to 4mg tablets. My shrink told me any of those doses can be prescribed up to four times a day. So that is a range of between .25mg (which I broke in half to equal .125mg) all the way up to 16mg.

GOOD LUCK!
Betsy

PS: Is Zoloft for OCD and Wellbutrim for Depression. I never could take antidepressants; they made me more panicky and my blood pressure would drop to a dangerous level.

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)

[This message has been edited by EastCobbGABetsyH (edited 04-02-2001).]

I'm so thankful for all the responses. I understand that no one here is a doctor and trust me, I don't plan to "play" with the meds. I just wanted "real" experiences. Another thought, I also was diagnoised with hypertension (high blood pressure). After researching, I found that anxiety/depression may contribute to hypertension and vise versa (which came first, the chicken or the egg). This too leads to more medication. I'm just trying to "take control" of my situation and not take meds just because my doctor prescribes them.

Linda - I'm confused. I didn't see those remarks you mentioned.
Anyway, I appreciate any and all feedback!

Hi Hope, I decided to delete what i had written. There is quite a bit of information on Xanax (addiction and withdrawal) on the internet, if you're interested. (i use the Google searchengine) and just type in what you're looking for. People who suffer no withdrawal from this type of medication are SO fortunate. That is not what happened with me, so i thought you should be aware of possibilities. Because of my own experience with this type of drug, and in working with others, it would be irresponsible for me to NOT mention this. So, take a look and see what you think. God bless, and have a wonderful day! love....Lindi

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Linda