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Posted by Mary Holmes Dague
In Reply to: If you have no other recourse and the side effects are not worse than what they cure posted by Larry
Xanax is hardly recreational, for starters. It doesn't give you a high or
buzz--just takes the edge off severe tinnitus. Since I haven't needed to go
off it, I haven't experienced withdrawal; I can only tell you you have to
remind yourself to take it--it really doesn't send you any huge vibes.
There are many legitimate drugs that have to be built up slowly and reduced
gradually when withdrawn. E.g., my father was a heart patient for many
years, and had to go through many periods of slow build up and withdrawals
before trying a new drug.
There are side effects to Xanax-- lessened neuroplasticity of the brain is a
compelling one, but one I accept. It's a matter of choice. I chose to keep
my kids safe rather than fall asleep driving.
I started getting tinnitus and hearing impairment together when I was very
young. In time, I was under the care of the best otologist in New York City
and fitted with hearing aids. There was no TRT, no Xanax all "treatments"
for tinnitus were 110% experimental. My otologist was mainly concerned that
I live a normal, fulfilled life, in the hearing world, which I've managed to
do. I don't listen to tinnitus--I do believe the it's easier to adapt to
when you acquire it slowly, as I did. It's there, but i'm mainly unaware of
it--except at night, when I can hear nothing but tinnitus because I'm deaf.
Hence the acceptance of Xanax as a choice of last resort after 4 decades of
tinnitus. An internist, tinnitus specialist, audiologist and otologist were
part of the decision to go ahead with Xanax. It's not for everyone and I
certainly don't recommend it unless circumstances are extreme. In my case,
deafness is a rather large variable.
