Re: Re: Changing from Xanax to Lexapro

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have a question. My friend takes paxil and now is switching to lexapro.

The doctor told her to just skip a dose of paxil and then take lexapro...do

you all think that's a good idea or will she experience withdrawal from the

paxil.

Thanks in advance for any info!

Re: Changing from Xanax to Lexapro

> Hi again:

> IMHO it is much easier to 1st switch to valium since it does not have

> the peaks and valleys of Xanax. There is actually something called

> the ashton protocol which is a regimen for this switch (I found it

> too conservative and proceeded faster) I just went from .25 x4 per

> day of xanax to .5mg valium 2 x per day with no problem. Again that

> was me! I urge you to ask your doc since the xanax is a known danger

> when getting off. My Pdoc 1st wanted me to switch to klonipin but had

> no problem when I wanted to go the valium route.

>

> The fact that you had a problem dropping your dose (WAY to large a

> cut btw) would indicate that there is a problem brewing in your body

> relative to the xanax. Read up on the half life issue and you will

> see that because of the longer half life of the valium, it is much

> easier to get off. I took the Lex along side of the valium (and

> before that the Xanax) and there was no problem for me.

>

> Again...the doctors know best...keep us posted plz!

> jeff

>

>

> > > > I joined your list today. I have taken Xanax since the '80's

> > > > and just started having side effects in the last few months.

> > > > Mainly, a tremor and nervousness that is driving me crazy.

> > > >

> > > > I have wondered which med might be for me. Lexapro being one

> > > > possible choice.

> > > >

> > > > I have read some of your messages and am encouraged by some

> > > > of them. Then I went to a website about this drug and its

> > > > effects on various people. The stories there have scared me

> > > > enough to have second thoughts. However, the site seems to be

> > > > an anti-meds site. The address:

> > > >

> > > > http://www.prozactruth.com/lexapro.htm

> > > >

> > > > Anyone have any thoughts on this? Is Lexapro this bad for some?

> > > >

> > > > If I should decide to change, I will need to withdraw

> > > > from Xanax. Is it safe to take both while I do this? I can't be

> > > > without help while I physically adjust to Lexapro.

> > > >

> > > > These may be foolish questions. I don't know....I do know I am

> > > > ready to get off of Xanax and I am sure I will need a

> replacement.

> > > > Thanks for any help.

> > > > cher

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't think there will be a problem. I switched from Zoloft to Lexapro

and my Dr. had me do the switch by just stopping Zoloft and starting Lexapro

the next day. I never noticed any withdrawal. You state Paxil and I was on

that one also and didn't have withdraw problems and that one I just stopped

taking myself because it made me too sleepy.

Diann

----- Original Message -----

From: " bakeaholic " <bakeaholic@...>

<Lexapro >

> Hi,

>

> I have a question. My friend takes paxil and now is switching to lexapro.

> The doctor told her to just skip a dose of paxil and then take

lexapro...do

> you all think that's a good idea or will she experience withdrawal from

the

> paxil.

>

> Thanks in advance for any info!

>

[Guest guest]

That's what my doc told me to do, when I switched from Pax to Zoloft. His

reasoning was: When the Paxil fog wears off, in a day or so, take your first

dose of the new med. In my case, it was Zoloft.

I went from Zoloft to Lex and there was no day off between the two, but

there was between the Z and P.

Thea

Re: Changing from Xanax to Lexapro

>

>

> > Hi again:

> > IMHO it is much easier to 1st switch to valium since it does not have

> > the peaks and valleys of Xanax. There is actually something called

> > the ashton protocol which is a regimen for this switch (I found it

> > too conservative and proceeded faster) I just went from .25 x4 per

> > day of xanax to .5mg valium 2 x per day with no problem. Again that

> > was me! I urge you to ask your doc since the xanax is a known danger

> > when getting off. My Pdoc 1st wanted me to switch to klonipin but had

> > no problem when I wanted to go the valium route.

> >

> > The fact that you had a problem dropping your dose (WAY to large a

> > cut btw) would indicate that there is a problem brewing in your body

> > relative to the xanax. Read up on the half life issue and you will

> > see that because of the longer half life of the valium, it is much

> > easier to get off. I took the Lex along side of the valium (and

> > before that the Xanax) and there was no problem for me.

> >

> > Again...the doctors know best...keep us posted plz!

> > jeff

> >

> >

> > > > > I joined your list today. I have taken Xanax since the '80's

> > > > > and just started having side effects in the last few months.

> > > > > Mainly, a tremor and nervousness that is driving me crazy.

> > > > >

> > > > > I have wondered which med might be for me. Lexapro being one

> > > > > possible choice.

> > > > >

> > > > > I have read some of your messages and am encouraged by some

> > > > > of them. Then I went to a website about this drug and its

> > > > > effects on various people. The stories there have scared me

> > > > > enough to have second thoughts. However, the site seems to be

> > > > > an anti-meds site. The address:

> > > > >

> > > > > http://www.prozactruth.com/lexapro.htm

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyone have any thoughts on this? Is Lexapro this bad for some?

> > > > >

> > > > > If I should decide to change, I will need to withdraw

> > > > > from Xanax. Is it safe to take both while I do this? I can't be

> > > > > without help while I physically adjust to Lexapro.

> > > > >

> > > > > These may be foolish questions. I don't know....I do know I am

> > > > > ready to get off of Xanax and I am sure I will need a

> > replacement.

> > > > > Thanks for any help.

> > > > > cher

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Interesting how the doctors are all so different and people respond so

differently! Thanks for sharing!!!

Re: Changing from Xanax to Lexapro

> >

> >

> > > Hi again:

> > > IMHO it is much easier to 1st switch to valium since it does not have

> > > the peaks and valleys of Xanax. There is actually something called

> > > the ashton protocol which is a regimen for this switch (I found it

> > > too conservative and proceeded faster) I just went from .25 x4 per

> > > day of xanax to .5mg valium 2 x per day with no problem. Again that

> > > was me! I urge you to ask your doc since the xanax is a known danger

> > > when getting off. My Pdoc 1st wanted me to switch to klonipin but had

> > > no problem when I wanted to go the valium route.

> > >

> > > The fact that you had a problem dropping your dose (WAY to large a

> > > cut btw) would indicate that there is a problem brewing in your body

> > > relative to the xanax. Read up on the half life issue and you will

> > > see that because of the longer half life of the valium, it is much

> > > easier to get off. I took the Lex along side of the valium (and

> > > before that the Xanax) and there was no problem for me.

> > >

> > > Again...the doctors know best...keep us posted plz!

> > > jeff

> > >

> > >

> > > > > > I joined your list today. I have taken Xanax since the '80's

> > > > > > and just started having side effects in the last few months.

> > > > > > Mainly, a tremor and nervousness that is driving me crazy.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I have wondered which med might be for me. Lexapro being one

> > > > > > possible choice.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I have read some of your messages and am encouraged by some

> > > > > > of them. Then I went to a website about this drug and its

> > > > > > effects on various people. The stories there have scared me

> > > > > > enough to have second thoughts. However, the site seems to be

> > > > > > an anti-meds site. The address:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > http://www.prozactruth.com/lexapro.htm

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyone have any thoughts on this? Is Lexapro this bad for some?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > If I should decide to change, I will need to withdraw

> > > > > > from Xanax. Is it safe to take both while I do this? I can't be

> > > > > > without help while I physically adjust to Lexapro.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > These may be foolish questions. I don't know....I do know I am

> > > > > > ready to get off of Xanax and I am sure I will need a

> > > replacement.

> > > > > > Thanks for any help.

> > > > > > cher

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/16/2004 11:13:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

gizzer777@... writes:

> Benzos are NOT the drugs of choice these days due to their habit

> forming qualities! However, I did not want to stay on Lex due to the

> effects it had on me (less then the others though!)I think the

> correct way to get off Xanax is a VERY VERY VERY slow taper or

> substitution with the valium protocol. One problem for me was the

> reaching of tolerance where the small dose I was on just stopped

> working and the Body wanted more...that's when I knew it was time to

> get off!!!! There is also rebound anxiety that has to be dealt with

> by lots of us that were/are on Xanax. Perhaps you are somewhat

> immune to the withdrawal syndrome, but do excercise care

> and do it

> under the Doc's watchful eye! It is nothing to fool with!

> Regards

> jeff

Hi Jeff:

I have been wanting to ask you this for weeks

how come you did not opt for klonopin(aka clonazepam) or ativan(aka

lorazapam)since these are so much more widely used than valium. I believe that

they are also less addictive.

Ativan is often called the baby " valium " and klonopin is often more effective

because it has a much longer half life then ativan(16 hours versus 4?????) I

have been on all(except xanax) for my seizures but they ONCE worked the dual

purpose of helping with seizures and anxiety.Unfortunately after 14 years on

benzo's none of them sedate me in the least and I ONLY TAKE klonopin for my

seizures(it works quite well).I have built a tolerance to the benzo's and all

have A VERY WAKE ME UP EFFECT.Isn't that strange. I am an MEDICAL

ENIGMA....lol...they believe that I just became too acclimated and now all I

feel is the beneficial seizure effects. When I am tired and " seizurey " 2 mgs of

klonopin and a cup of coffee wakes me up! 14 years ago this would have had me in

a coma, but I became acclimated and NOW NO DOSE increase sedates or calms me.It

kind of stinks when I need something for anxiety though as NO benzos work for

anxiety fro me.I WOULD HAVE TO OPT FOR A MAJOR TRANQUILIZER LIKE SEROQUEL AND I

HATE THAT DRUG and all like them!

Anyway, you might wanna switch to klonopin at some point as I believe it is far

less addictive than valium although I know you are not having any addictive

probs with the valium. SO JUST A THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE...IN case

best now to stick with what is working and it sounds like it is. Just wondering

why you did not opt for klonopin or ativan?

My best!