How to get Xanax (for legitimate reasons?)

[Anonymous]

Despite the constant recommendations to people on this forum to “take a Xanax” it seems like it’s easier said than done. Throughout most of my life I’ve suffered from occasional bouts of anxiety which are generally manageable but exacerbated during periods of high stress- which I have lately been experiencing. I have tried long term medication (Zoloft and lexapro) but with both experienced negative side effects and a general sense of apathy that deterred me from continuing with the medications and the vast majority of the of the time I am fine without meds

During a previous particularly high stress period a few years ago a primary care physician (not in this area) gave me a short term prescription for Xanax and it made a huge difference in helping me to get through the rough patch (I didn’t abuse it - just took one pill as needed every once in a while for a few weeks), without the negative side effects of a long term medication. Recently I have been experiencing a particularly high level of anxiety due to some situational issues but when I requested a short term Xanax prescription from my current pcp mentioning that it had helped during a similar situation a few years ago, she was adamantly opposed and recommended an ssri and/or therapy instead.

For those currently taking or who have previously used Xanax- did you experience similar issues in getting it prescribed and did you need to go to a psychiatrist rather than a PCP?

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear that. I got a prescription for airline travel from my primary care physician, it was very easy. If I were in your shoes I guess I would do a visit with a psychiatrist to get the scrip.

[Anonymous]

Benzos are a popular drug of abuse and I think asking for a specific one by name will set off screaming alarm bells for a doctor and flag you as a potential drug seeker, rightly or wrongly. They hear every excuse and lie in the book and can get in trouble with the licensing board for prescribing controlled dangerous substances without very good reason. So they are cautious. I would not ask for Xanax specifically next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear that. I got a prescription for airline travel from my primary care physician, it was very easy. If I were in your shoes I guess I would do a visit with a psychiatrist to get the scrip.

Agree. Your GP may do it for a short period of time or just a few. You never know- at least they might be able to give you a doc referral. A lot of psychiatrists won’t even prescribe benzos now. My shrink says it’s considered the new Oxy crisis. I don’t know about that but she’s weaning me off of it. It’s awful.

[Anonymous]

Get an SSRI if you’re having a hard time.

[Anonymous]

Ha! Good luck! They much prefer to run you through the ridiculous, seemingly endless gauntlet of SSRI combos / BCP (yes, you read that right.)

Re 22:20 yes but they also give every excuse and lie in the book as to why they don't want to just help you as they prepare to prescribe yet another tiresome combination of something and Wellbutrin. 🙄 I gave up on the whole system myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Benzos are a popular drug of abuse and I think asking for a specific one by name will set off screaming alarm bells for a doctor and flag you as a potential drug seeker, rightly or wrongly. They hear every excuse and lie in the book and can get in trouble with the licensing board for prescribing controlled dangerous substances without very good reason. So they are cautious. I would not ask for Xanax specifically next time.

Thanks- yeah I understand the concerns with abuse and their being cautious. It’s just frustrating because I know based on experience that it actually worked for me whereas SSRIs didn’t so I don’t know how to convey that without coming across as “drug seeking.”

[Anonymous]

1) get an appointment with an NP
2) claim you have used it in the past and it was helpful like 10years ago when going through xxx
3) say you see it as a temporary solution and would also like to be evaluated for an anti depressant but in the interim to control anxiety you would like a low does of Xanax etc.

[Anonymous]

My primary care physician suggested it as a stop gap measure while we waited for the SSRI to work effectively.

She's refilled it a few times since then. It knocks me out so I don't take it very often. The day after grogginess is a pain.

[jsmith123]

I need a prescription for Xanax for a very specific phobia that is triggered periodically.

I went to a psychologist to be diagnosed with this phobia and she gave me the script.

My psychiatrist told me to start asking my OB during my yearly wellness visit instead of paying her $$$ to see her for the script going forward.

So I asked during my last visit, and my OB denied me! Said she didn't feel comfortable prescribing that without having any knowledge of my mental health.

I don't think that's such a bad thing though. A close friend of mine is an addict and Xanax is something he abuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to hear that. I got a prescription for airline travel from my primary care physician, it was very easy. If I were in your shoes I guess I would do a visit with a psychiatrist to get the scrip.

Agree. Your GP may do it for a short period of time or just a few. You never know- at least they might be able to give you a doc referral. A lot of psychiatrists won’t even prescribe benzos now. My shrink says it’s considered the new Oxy crisis. I don’t know about that but she’s weaning me off of it. It’s awful.

Go in to the psychiatrist but don’t ask for it specifically. Say you’re having trouble with situation x. Explain everything in your initial post (except the fact that your PCP won’t prescribe a benzo). Ask for recommendations. Say you’re open to medication.

[Anonymous]

Addiction nurse here. Gosh. Did it ever occur to you to follow medical guidance? Your psychiatrist and your PCP don't want to write you for this medication. I can certainly believe it worked well for you in the past, but they are right to be cautious. It should really only be a "MRI, plane ride" type occasional med. Not "getting me through a stressful period of days...weeks...etc." While you weren't willing to tolerate side effects of the SSRI meds, you are ok tolerating the high potential for addiction with this one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My primary care physician suggested it as a stop gap measure while we waited for the SSRI to work effectively.

She's refilled it a few times since then. .

I was prescribed Xanax as needed for "travel" about 10 yrs ago- when my anxiety and panic was acutely triggered by plane travel and then later, pretty much any travel.

Prescribed a low dose and just a few pills. Xanax gave me my life back and obliterated the intense anticipatory anxiety that I had experienced every since I was 5.

Now I carry around the prescription bottle with one Xanax pretty much everywhere I go. It's my security blanket. Just knowing that relief is there soothes me and gets me through the event.

Advice for getting this prescribed:

- I bring in my bottle of pills (usually full) to show my prescriber.

- My parent was an alcoholic; I am a teetotaler. My NP knows this.

- I take this exactly as prescribed: AS NEEDED and I try not to take it more than 2 days in a row.

[Anonymous]

I got some really easily from my psychiatrist but we already had an established relationship. I didn't go in asking for it, I just asked for it when I said I was having new issues with anxiety.

But, weirdly, they didn't work for me so I declined a refill. I found a book that works much better than Xanax.

[Anonymous]

I get it from my psychiatrist (who i have a check in with every 3 months) and do regular therapy with an LCSW. It really helps me - well, I take Ativan which might be a little different, but it definitely helps with acute anxiety.