Okay so I've been taking 2mg alprazolam for about half a year now, and recently went to a psychiatrist but he prescribed me to 0.5 mg to be taken 3 times a day. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how I can convince my psychiatrist to up my dosage to at least 1 mg. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Why don't you just do whatever you want, instead of listening to some know-it-all with a piece of paper on his wall. Tell him its your body, and you think you know what's best for it.
Im thinking thats a BAD idea. What you could do though, is go back in a while and tell him the the lower doeses aren't working for you and that you would like to know if he could give you something stronger. Usually they will do just that without getting suspicious.
Yeah sorry Walter that just doesn't seem like a good idea, I don't want him to think i'm dependent on the xanax and then he puts me on something like paxil. Mr. Oblivious do you think it would smart for me to mention I've double dosed, taken two of the 0.5 mg tablets at a time to feel relief from my anxiety (I'm prescribed to take two tablets daily as needed, and he's told me to take three if I have a hard day)? Anyone else have an opinion or a story of how they got their doctor to give them a stronger dosage without sounding like an addict? Thanks for any help!
My best advice would be to play it slow. What I have done with stimulants (controlled substance) is to take the RX and next time you go in say that you feel something but it still does not do it all the way. They will then say hmm i believe it we are going to have to find the right dose and they will titrate you up don't ask for anything and pretend to be a little worried ask about the side effects and pretend to be nervous. Never say that you want more they will decide what to do. I also would not tell them you have been taking more, they get worried easily. Also when you get the dose you want tell them it wears off fast and they might up the doses per day. Worked for me I am on the max dosage, actually when I went to school the doc here was all scared and said it was an "extremely" large amount of meds but I convinced her and now I get 2 month supplies at a time... not bad. I have even started playing her telling her that sometimes I need to take more at night because I have alot of activities, I dont suggest that until you know your doc and they know that you "know" how to dose yourself.
Yeah, don't directly ask for a dosage increase - dumb idea. Instead, just ask worried and say that your current prescribed dose isn't doing the trick. I am wondering why he would bump you down to a 1/4 of your initial dose anyways?
To clarify for Twizz, I was taking the 2mg Xanax on my own. I obviously got a tolerance to the drug, and now the prescribed 0.5 mg is doing nothing for me. I guess I'll just have to take Baitots suggestion and play it slow and tell my psychiatrist that I've been noticing that the drug tends to only work for an hour and my anxiety kicks in. He seems to be a pretty chill psychiatrist I just don't want him to think I'm only seeing him to get to take this drug legally (and for my parents sake). I see him this monday, so my game plan is as follows: Tell him the drug has been working perfectly, but lately I have noticed that it wears off quickly, within the hour. I'll also tell him I've thought about double dosing but I'm scared of any side effects or fear of dependence. Anyone else have any info to help me out? Thanks for all your help.
Psychiatrists are an interesting animal. They all seem a little crazy, and that's not just me projecting. If your shrink doesn't sort you out, have you considered finding a general practitioner (that may be American lingo, don't know where you're at, but a normal all around family doctor)?
Well today was the day of the visit, and almost without saying a word he upped my dosage to 1mg to be taken as needed 60 pills a month with refills. Not the 2mg I'm used to be definately a step up. Thanks for everyones help.
Just some advice. I researched the drug a little for you and I found this: When you take Xanax for a couple of weeks it usually works great for panic disorder but then it does not seem to work as well as time goes on. This is to be expected. Use this to your advantage. Just take it slow and you will continue to be bumped up. I suggest just say "it seems to wear off fast" or "it definitely is helping but it seems to be not working as well". Just subtly hint at the fact you need to be bumped. Good luck
