As promised I found some links with the health professional information on xanax.
I wanted to mention to you that part of the reason why it is sometimes prescribed three times a day is to keep a uniform level of the drug in your system to help ward of anxiety attacks. So you may ask your docotr if this is an option for you. You mentioned something about bipolar disorder. Xanax is NOT recommended for bipolar disorder, however you have had many periods of stability in your life correct?
I am glad you looked it up on your own very good, make sure you ask plenty of questions. I want you to keep in mind that those symptoms affect bipolar people all the time and manifest themselves greater in periods of high stress. Bipolar disorder is a complicated mental condition so it will definantely need a psychiatrist's treatment for the rest of a person's life, but IMHO it would have already surfaced by now earlier in your life. Also sleep deprivation can have similar effects. Here is a good article to read about that. http://bipolar.about.com/cs/sleep/a/0002_mood_sleep.htm
Have you looked into alternate forms of anxiety or stress relief yet? That is very important you do that. Even in the information from professional health care providers on the use of Xanax it is advised they advise their patients of finding alternative methods. I noticed you mentioned going to the gym again. Very good, even try some new stuff, salsa dancing, belly dancing. Any physical movement will help you. Do you do any meditation? I know that many people find meditation tremendously helpful. Yoga would be a very good one for you too.
"Advise patient with anxiety to take as needed and to seek alternative methods for controlling or preventing anxiety (eg, stress reduction, counseling)." http://www.drugs.com/ppa/alprazolam.html
Alprazolan is the offical/generic name for Xanax.
I understand your doctor said it was ok to take a second tablet if the first had not taken effect after an hour, however acoording to this fact sheet for professionals maximum absorption of xanax does not occir until 2 hours after you take the pill. http://www.drugs.com/pro/alprazolam.html A second pill within an halfhour to an hour it too fast.
2940 is it possible to make a journal of when you take your meds and when you have bad anxiety attacks? There may be correlation. For example you may take two dosages within an hour, how soon after that do you experience your next set back? It may be that the set back is comes when the medication level suddenly drops in your system. This information would give your doctor and pharmacist more insight into how the medication is affecting you. It will also let you see if there is a pattern emerging. Make sure to include what you ate or drank along with your meds.
Please 2940 talk to you pharmacist as well. They have a different understanding of EXACTLY how medications react chemically. I have a pharmacist who actually called my docotor once and questioned my prescription because it went against what she knew about a dosage.
Sending you hugs 2940.
* This is not medical advise, it is just to provide awareness so questions can be formulated and asked to a professional health care provider.
