Xanax - good or bad with Unsafe Act rules

GOPerfect · Mar 2, 2020

GTN said:
My wife an a friend are trying to encourage me to go to the dr for Xanax to quite my mind. Lots of stress in my life.
So is Xanax on the list of the bad drugs that will jeopardize my pistol permit

Not trying to minimize, can you reduce the stress?

Least of your worries is a pistol permit. Much more important to fix what ails you.

I have never been a fan of mind altering drugs. I always think there are better options.

Not really answering your questions, sorry

GOPerfect · Mar 2, 2020

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine used as an anti-anxiety medication prescribed to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Xanax is available in generic form. Common side effects of Xanax include:

Drowsiness
Tiredness
Dizziness
Sleep problems (insomnia)
Memory problems
Poor balance or coordination
Slurred speech
Trouble concentrating
Irritability
Diarrhea
Constipation
Increased sweating
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Upset stomach
Blurred vision
Appetite or weight changes
Swelling in your hands or feet
Muscle weakness
Dry mouth
Stuffy nose
Loss of interest in sex

togmaster · Mar 2, 2020

Bad conversation to have on line.

C3D · Mar 2, 2020

It can be problematic, who is your licensing authority?

Also FWIW Xanax is one of the most addictive of all drugs, some folks say harder to kick than heroin. Use cautiously.

GOPerfect · Mar 2, 2020

GTN said:
Well after reading side effects and additive f#%k that stuff.
unfortunately this stress is here to stay for a long time. For the past two years I’ve dealt with it with beer/wine but I’ve had enough of that routine. Weed is out - I’m already to paranoid on my own.
thanks for your help with this

I can only offer you good words.

Can you destress a bit? Kind of like decluttering a messy room?

Get out of the house, spend time in nature. Look at what is good and amazing in the world?

More exercise. Again, all I have are words.

Benzos lead to heavier drugs more often than not.

Got some good people here, if possible, use us like a two dollar whore. ( Without the sex!)

Darth · Mar 2, 2020

GTN said:
Well after reading side effects and additive f#%k that stuff.
unfortunately this stress is here to stay for a long time. For the past two years I’ve dealt with it with beer/wine but I’ve had enough of that routine. Weed is out - I’m already to paranoid on my own.
thanks for your help with this

Be VERY cautious when people post lists of side effects.

With the litigation-happy "Big pharma is bad" climate in the US, drug companies HAVE to list reported "side effects" that occur when medication is taken, even if the effect has nothing to do with the medication itself.

It's borderline shameful to try and scare people away from taking needed medications because "a brisk walk on a sunny day is all you need to cure what ails you!

" Horseshit.

Bigfoot · Mar 2, 2020

TL ; DR --- Exercise helps me to de-stress.

I'm just going to throw this out here... Take it for what it is.

My life became very stressful do to some things. What I found that helped was (you ready for this?)
riding a bicycle. I found that out by pure accident. But we won't get into that right now.

I found that riding on the back roads late at night when there is hardly any traffic was tranquil.
And it was a time that I was able to clear my mind and chill out. This year will be my 5th year of peddling.
Exercise really helps. It gets the endorphins going or whatever but it works. When I am cruising down a dark rural road I am just enjoying myself and do not have a care in the world. When I get back home I am de-stressed.
It's like my batteries are recharged.

Even at 56 years old, and both knees being shot, plus a cigarette smoker.
Once I get my peddle legs going which takes a few weeks at the beginning of the season.
I can do 15 -20 miles without any ill effects. The reason I bring that up is that because the more miles the longer the ride and the longer (time-wise) the ride the better.

I have 2 dirt bikes but it's not the same... It's the exercise and the tranquility of being alone and peddeling down a dark country road that does it... Works for me anyway YMMV.

Who knew? ... Leisurely riding a bicycle really helps. I am looking forward to this riding season.
And plus, I found another hobby which never hurts to keep my mind off the things that stress me out.

Bigfoot · Mar 2, 2020

GTN said:
My biggest problem is my brain won’t slow down. Way to much shit is flying in circles.

Same thing with me. Your not alone dude.

I get stressing hard sometimes... It's no fun... I know.

BDinPutnam · Mar 2, 2020

Darth said:
Be VERY cautious when people post lists of side effects.

With the litigation-happy "Big pharma is bad" climate in the US, drug companies HAVE to list reported "side effects" that occur when medication is taken, even if the effect has nothing to do with the medication itself.

It's borderline shameful to try and scare people away from taking needed medications because "a brisk walk on a sunny day is all you need to cure what ails you! " Horseshit.

"Take this pill and your stress will disappear" is also, generally, horseshit.

It may help. And in some cases it is certainly true that mental = chemical.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from looking at both.

With that said I have seen some fairly fucked up suit and tie type people who were psychologically dependent on xanax. Chemically addicted? I dont know. But I have seen folks who could not function in high stress without it.

Darth · Mar 2, 2020

BDinPutnam said:
"Take this pill and your stress will disappear" is also, generally, horseshit.

It may help. And in some cases it is certainly true that mental = chemical.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from looking at both.

With that said I have seen some fairly fucked up suit and tie type people who were psychologically dependent on xanax. Chemically addicted? I dont know. But I have seen folks who could not function in high stress without it.

What does their job have to do with anything?

Addicts come in all varieties.

That has nothing to do with the fact that downplaying psychological issues with "just get out and do something fun" can in fact be deadly.

GOYABEAN · Mar 2, 2020

Take a run at any local political office they seem to have no worries or stresses in their minds :idk:

Good luck

tirwin1 · Mar 2, 2020

I know family members on antidepressants. I would always recommend non drug solutions first. Exercise, yoga, meditation are a few options. You can always go to the doctor and get a prescription for something. I've never seen anyone yet get off medication once they are on it. YMMV.

GOPerfect · Mar 2, 2020

Shit man, who needs fucking Doctors and Meds when you have us???

BDinPutnam · Mar 2, 2020

Darth said:
What does their job have to do with anything?

Addicts come in all varieties.

That has nothing to do with the fact that downplaying psychological issues with "just get out and do something fun" can in fact be deadly.

Excuse the fuck out of me for passing along firsthand knowledge.

Darth · Mar 2, 2020

BDinPutnam said:
Excuse the fuck out of me for passing along firsthand knowledge.

You're excused.

What does one's job have to do with anything?

BDinPutnam · Mar 2, 2020

Darth said:
You're excused.

What does one's job have to do with anything?

Have a valium. I'm not going to muck up this thread in a pissing contest with you. I think there's space for meds as an assist, as needed. I also think they're over-prescribed and can be misused/harmful.

I also think there's space for something not stated previously- as much as most of us don't want to use the word- therapy.

Drinkthekoolaid · Mar 2, 2020

Maybe talk to a counselor and try to learn techniques to better compartmentalize and control your stress.

Simple steps (I know this is over generalizing) but;
-Focus on one thing at a time. Don't get too far ahead of yourself.
-Realize you can't control everything. There are things you can control and things you can't, focus on what you can control.
- take deep controlled breaths, focus on your breathing when you are really stressed
- listen to music that puts you in a Better mood.

If you are religious, trust in God that things are under control, have faith when things are going shitty.

GOPerfect · Mar 2, 2020

Need an open place to shoot? I got land in Allegheny County if you ever need some quit time to shoot.

Hell, you can shoot trees, the ground, little animals, water or paper targets. Let me know if you need open space to shoot.

Jsmegs77 · Mar 2, 2020

I am firmly in the no-chemical-assistants camp (mind you this is my body, what fits me may not fit you, and and all that schlock). I have been advised repeatedly that I should take Xanax, Cymbalta, and friends, for anxiety mostly. I have family and friends who have had a hell of a time coming back off SSRI's and the like, and refuse to put myself through it. I find Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" alarming, and feel that were I to enroll the assistance of chemicals in managing my mental state, that song would refer to me. So far, I'm right.

Things I use to de-stress and get my head back in a healthy direction, in no particular order.
1. Read. I like to read, classic English lit, authors like Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, Alexander Dumas. It refocuses my mind and has a calming effect usually.
2. Shoot. I admit, I am a terrible shot, mostly from lack of practice. I love to shoot, I could go out by myself on a private range for hours and hours sending lead downrange. I figure at some point I'll get better. The surge I got from successfully sighting in a cheapo red dot on my PAR and then hitting a steel gong with every shot (and then my 11 year old son doing the same) beats any chemical therapy on the planet, for me.
3. Go for a ride. As Vapor mentioned, bicycling is good, though I prefer trails and dirt roads to paved roadways (don't trust car drivers much).
4. Do something new, or something you haven't done in a long time. I'm buying a motorcycle this week. It'll be my first one in almost ten years. I have missed it very badly, and the anticipation is killing me. It's gonna be so nice to get back on the horse.

The common thread in all this is the same tactic as harried parents use with a toddler, except you're filling the role of both parent and toddler.... REDIRECT. I'm not gonna say it's flawless or works every time, because it doesn't. But it's a tool, and like every tool it has its place.

Darth · Mar 2, 2020

Jsmegs77 said:
I am firmly in the no-chemical-assistants camp (mind you this is my body, what fits me may not fit you, and and all that schlock). I have been advised repeatedly that I should take Xanax, Cymbalta, and friends, for anxiety mostly. I have family and friends who have had a hell of a time coming back off SSRI's and the like, and refuse to put myself through it. I find Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" alarming, and feel that were I to enroll the assistance of chemicals in managing my mental state, that song would refer to me. So far, I'm right.

Things I use to de-stress and get my head back in a healthy direction, in no particular order.
1. Read. I like to read, classic English lit, authors like Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, Alexander Dumas. It refocuses my mind and has a calming effect usually.
2. Shoot. I admit, I am a terrible shot, mostly from lack of practice. I love to shoot, I could go out by myself on a private range for hours and hours sending lead downrange. I figure at some point I'll get better. The surge I got from successfully sighting in a cheapo red dot on my PAR and then hitting a steel gong with every shot (and then my 11 year old son doing the same) beats any chemical therapy on the planet, for me.
3. Go for a ride. As Vapor mentioned, bicycling is good, though I prefer trails and dirt roads to paved roadways (don't trust car drivers much).
4. Do something new, or something you haven't done in a long time. I'm buying a motorcycle this week. It'll be my first one in almost ten years. I have missed it very badly, and the anticipation is killing me. It's gonna be so nice to get back on the horse.

The common thread in all this is the same tactic as harried parents use with a toddler, except you're filling the role of both parent and toddler.... REDIRECT. I'm not gonna say it's flawless or works every time, because it doesn't. But it's a tool, and like every tool it has its place.

What chemicals and in what doses should one avoid?

holdover · Mar 2, 2020

Only a sucker would believe everything he is told . especially if its a guy in lab coat .LOL.

libertysnake · Mar 2, 2020

Darth said:
It's borderline shameful to try and scare people away from taking needed medications because "a brisk walk on a sunny day is all you need to cure what ails you! " Horseshit.

Well, some people may need medication. I'm not disagreeing with you. If you honestly need it, then there is no way around that.

However, given the current political climate, and also the fact that a drug isn't always a sustainable way to deal with life's problems vs a good mental outlook and creed, it may be better to avoid medication where possible.

If this was pre-safe act, when mental health professionals weren't strong armed into over reporting, I'd be less reluctant to recommend it to people. However, the Dr / Patient relationship has been soiled by politics these days. It's really quite sad.

holdover · Mar 2, 2020

Laughter and poker . rent a Bill Burr video have some wine , He'll have you tears, Learn poker, Theres no better way to forget the world for a while.
join a dart team , even if you suck , Your focus on the game s will get your mind off your troubles, Or take a handful of pills and drool on the couch and don't even give a fuck if your bills are paid or your wife is cheating on you. then again , taking meds may bite you ass down the road .

Darth · Mar 2, 2020

libertysnake said:
Well, some people may need medication. I'm not disagreeing with you. If you honestly need it, then there is no way around that.

However, given the current political climate, and also the fact that a drug isn't always a sustainable way to deal with life's problems vs a good mental outlook and creed, it may be better to avoid medication where possible.

If this was pre-safe act, when mental health professionals weren't strong armed into over reporting, I'd be less reluctant to recommend it to people. However, the Dr / Patient relationship has been soiled by politics these days. It's really quite sad.

Is it "better to avoid medication when possible" though?

Because with the opioid crap, doctors are so scared of writing prescriptions for pain management medications that there has been a direct link with increased suicides.

"Suck it up buttercup" didn't seem to work there.

libertysnake · Mar 2, 2020

Darth said:
Is it "better to avoid medication when possible" though?

Yes.

If you can exercise your mental faculties to deal with life's daily problems, put things in perspective, and foster a mental attitude that will make you resilient and rational, then you should absolutely do so.

There's no shame in being self-reliant, but know your limits for what is practical in your daily life.

Darth · Mar 2, 2020

libertysnake said:
Yes.

If you can exercise your mental faculties to deal with life's daily problems, put things in perspective, and foster a mental attitude that will make you resilient and rational, then you should absolutely do so.

There's no shame in being self-reliant, but know your limits for what is practical in your daily life.

Doesn't exactly answer the question.

Xanax - good or bad with Unsafe Act rules

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