Does Xanax Really Work?

[inter82]

Hey guys, I'm in the process of getting some Alprazolam and I just wanted to know does it really work? Also should I get some other drugs to take in combination with alprazolam? I have seen all kinds of feedbacks on the internet from people saying it does absolutely nothing for them to people praising it as a miracle drug. I hate my stuttering so much and I'm willing to do virtually anything to improve my speech. After unsuccessfully trying to get a psychatrist to prescribe it to me, I think I have finally found a way to get it without a prescription. I have been through too much disappointment in the past and I don't want to be disappointed again.

[jamesm]

The way I see it, drugs are drugs, legal or illegal... right? That being said, if you are already prepared to "do drugs' I would recommend marijuana. Honestly man, my most fluent memories in life are while under its influence. Xanax works for a little bit, but only for anxiety, it doesn't "cure" stuttering. Herb, however, seems to change the way that you think about yourself and the world around you...just a thought.

I used to smoke religiously, now I smoke occasionally, sometimes I will not smoke for almost a year. I still get the same results, you never have to increase your dosage, its not addicting and you don't become depressed while not using it, I actually feel happier a week or so after a smoking binge.

If you are worried about it making you stupid or something, that is ridiculous. I smoked for approx. 6 years before college, all through college, etc. and still graduated with honors from a university. Just don't let it control you and don't become obsessed with getting high and you will be just fine. I truly feel like it gives you an inner peace that most stutterers really need.

All im saying is that if you are going to use a drug, use the safest, less hardcore drug out there....marijuana.

[Box of Clocks]

I have never heard of the drug so couldn't give you any advice on how effective it might be. It will be interesting to see what progress you make though. Please keep us updated.

[onewish11]

I got a prescription to xanax for the same reason. When I drink a certain amount of alcohol, I can almost always talk better. When I take xanax, it gives me a similar feeling to as if I've been drinking. I don't know what it is about it, but it definitely works for me. Problem is you cannot take xanax everyday if you want your tolerance to remain low, and sometimes it doesn't work as well as other times if at all. You're not supposed to drink when you take xanax (can be very dangerous), but I have been combining the two in moderation on occasion because I've found that I can speak almost completely fluent. Everything seems so easy when I'm fluent.

[Zachary]

I had a Xanax prescription for about a half year. It didn't reduce my stuttering per se; it reduced my nervousness and anxiety, which in turn kinda eased my stuttering. Put simply, I didn't give a frikk on Xanax :p I could stutter my off and not care lolol. I made the decision to quit using though, as my tolerance became pretty high.

[DekHog]

I'm actually at the stage where I would try Xanax it if I could find the XR version (or Alprazolam ER) on the Internet, but just can't find it anywhere; not the extended release version anyway - I'm not addictive by nature, so am sure I would be ok with it, but am really struggling speech-wise at the moment and curiosity is getting the better of me.

Our health system in the UK definitely doesn't do drugs for stammering, and there's probably even less chance of seeing a shrink about it; not that I'd want to anyway - can't do the 'smoking' thing as we get tested regularly for it at work... so if anyone knows where the XR/ER version is available... :D

[Zachary]

I'm actually at the stage where I would try Xanax it if I could find the XR version (or Alprazolam ER) on the Internet, but just can't find it anywhere; not the extended release version anyway - I'm not addictive by nature, so am sure I would be ok with it, but am really struggling speech-wise at the moment and curiosity is getting the better of me.

Our health system in the UK definitely doesn't do drugs for stammering, and there's probably even less chance of seeing a shrink about it; not that I'd want to anyway - can't do the 'smoking' thing as we get tested regularly for it at work... so if anyone knows where the XR/ER version is available... :D

I'm not sure about the situation in the UK. But I did not receive the xanax prescription for stuttering. I received it for anxiety. Its not hard to convince a doctor that stuttering causes very high levels of anxiety and nervousness. My doctor sympathized anyway, and agreed to experiment with me. You should give it a try regardless!

:D

[DekHog]

Xanax/Alprazolam not available in the UK under our NHS system anyway, so it would have to be the Internet... the closest thing is Diazepam and you are only allowed a one-off 28 of them.

[Rich]

Hey guys, I'm in the process of getting some Alprazolam and I just wanted to know does it really work? Also should I get some other drugs to take in combination with alprazolam? I have seen all kinds of feedbacks on the internet from people saying it does absolutely nothing for them to people praising it as a miracle drug. I hate my stuttering so much and I'm willing to do virtually anything to improve my speech. After unsuccessfully trying to get a psychatrist to prescribe it to me, I think I have finally found a way to get it without a prescription. I have been through too much disappointment in the past and I don't want to be disappointed again.

I took Xanax once to help my anxiety with flying. It did not improve my stuttering at all. You want to be careful with these kinds of things. Xanax is addicting and when the effects wear off I found it left me in a really nasty mood. Is becoming addicted to powerful tranquilizers worth improving your stuttering? Better to wait until Pagoclone is on the market.

[howeee]

Many medical doctors, knowing your history as a stutterer, will probably give you xanax. IF one wont,,go to another one,if you can get a diagnosis from a speech therapist,,that will probably help.

[kobe4three]

Hey guys, I'm in the process of getting some Alprazolam and I just wanted to know does it really work? Also should I get some other drugs to take in combination with alprazolam? I have seen all kinds of feedbacks on the internet from people saying it does absolutely nothing for them to people praising it as a miracle drug. I hate my stuttering so much and I'm willing to do virtually anything to improve my speech. After unsuccessfully trying to get a psychatrist to prescribe it to me, I think I have finally found a way to get it without a prescription. I have been through too much disappointment in the past and I don't want to be disappointed again.whats your way of getting xanax?..my doctor wouldnt prescribe it to me

[inter82]

I'm not sure about the situation in the UK. But I did not receive the xanax prescription for stuttering. I received it for anxiety. Its not hard to convince a doctor that stuttering causes very high levels of anxiety and nervousness. My doctor sympathized anyway, and agreed to experiment with me. You should give it a try regardless!

:D

That's exactly what I told my psychatrist, that I am very nervous and anxious because of my stuttering, he didn't give a damn. He said Xanax is very addictive and it's not a long term solution. He gave me something like citalophram or something and didn't do a thing for me. Many people from US seems to be able to get their doctor to prescribe it to them, maybe it's just the system in Canada. Anyway I'm somewhat disappointed to read some of the feedback on this thread that people didn't really benefit from xanax to reduce their stuttering. Guess I'll just have to try it out myself to see!

[Slider]

It depends on your body. There are many different anti-anxiety medications available, and not every one works for everybody. Xanax works great for some people, but not for others. If you're going the medication route, the trick is not to get discouraged if you're first foray doesn't give you the results you want. Keep trying different and refining your approach.

For my part, I've gotten better results from Klonopin (Clonazepam) than I ever did from Xanax. I also take it in combination with Celexa (Citolopram), but that's another story. Again, what works for you will be different.

Problem is you cannot take xanax everyday if you want your tolerance to remain low, and sometimes it doesn't work as well as other times if at all.

And this I cannot emphasize enough. It's amazing how quickly you can build up a tolerance to a drug. I only take medication maybe 4-5 days a week, no more, and that's helped to keep it effective at the original dose. Vary the frequency, vary the dosage, keep your body off-balance. That's the only way it'll work long-term.

[ratboy]

i take xanax, like i've said in many previous posts. it doesn't eliminate my stuttering, but it really reduces it. more than 2mg i think is the dose that you start building up resistance to it, i only take 1mg (might try 2mg sometime in the future), more than that: yes, you will develop tolerance. i take mine along side with lexapro (citalopram) and they do reduce it. a year ago i went solo because i was in another country for months and then i realized how much the xanax and lexapro were helping me... i stuttered like crazy... for months on end, so it wasn't just the stress of living in a foreign land. you should try it for a month or two... then stop for a month, and see if you notice the change. most people do. good luck.

[BenThereDidThaT]

Thank you! Finally, someone else who realizes that marijuana is a victimless "crime" and knows all the stereotypes of being "dumb" are false. Marijuana, like ANYTHING else, can take over your life and that's what makes people "dumb", not the marijuana itself. For instance, if you like to play video games all the time, and that's all you do, you'll get "dumb" because you're never doing anything else. The people who abuse it and let it take over their lives are the dumb ones, not the marijuana itself.

I've actually never smoked weed to not stutter, but I'd like to see how my fluency is while smoking. I'll try that next time and see what happens.

The way I see it, drugs are drugs, legal or illegal... right? That being said, if you are already prepared to "do drugs' I would recommend marijuana. Honestly man, my most fluent memories in life are while under its influence. Xanax works for a little bit, but only for anxiety, it doesn't "cure" stuttering. Herb, however, seems to change the way that you think about yourself and the world around you...just a thought.

I used to smoke religiously, now I smoke occasionally, sometimes I will not smoke for almost a year. I still get the same results, you never have to increase your dosage, its not addicting and you don't become depressed while not using it, I actually feel happier a week or so after a smoking binge.

If you are worried about it making you stupid or something, that is ridiculous. I smoked for approx. 6 years before college, all through college, etc. and still graduated with honors from a university. Just don't let it control you and don't become obsessed with getting high and you will be just fine. I truly feel like it gives you an inner peace that most stutterers really need.

All im saying is that if you are going to use a drug, use the safest, less hardcore drug out there....marijuana.

[0000]

it didn't work for me. i've taken xanax a few times (not prescription) and it did not help me at all.

[nolimitnp]

No Xanax and pretty much all pharmaceuticals in my experiences are useless... unless you want to develop an addiction. Has anyone else noticed that their stuttering nearly disappears while experiencing the initial euphoria from prescription drugs such as the benzos, opiates, or the ADD drugs Adderall and Ritalin?

[Chad]

Xanax can work, it has for me before. It's not a reliable solution, but when going into situations where the stress level will be higher than usual (job interviews, etc..), Xanax can help keep your stress level down which might just make you a bit more fluent. It has worked for me, but again, not every time. My speech it very much dependent on my stress level, so this particular drug can have an impact.

Xanax is one of those drugs you quickly build up a tolerance to as well, so it will take more and more to achieve the same, desired, effects. Not ideal.

It's funny smoking pot was mentioned. For about 6 months now I've been paying close attention to my fluency during, immediately following, and the day after smoking.

I am significantly more fluent during, which was expected (alcohol works for me too). Surprisingly though, I am also more fluent the following day as well. Not the entire day, maybe for the following 16-18 hours. And not a great deal more fluent, but to me it's noticeable. Things are just a little "smoother". It sounds crazy I know, but I've seriously been keeping track of this and the results are measurable.

This doesn't mean it will work for you, but I live in a state where marijuana is legal for medical purposes, and I'll take whatever fluency I can get.

[scamper]

I can't speak for xanax, but when at a rave, I'm 100% fluent. My friends joke that's the only reason I like going to them :P But yeah, it's definitely not something I do very often (twice a year or so), but it is an amazing feeling of being able to speak.

Discler: Don't do drugs!

[jamesm]

Scamper, i understand that man. MDMA makes me 100% fluent as well, for hours. Can't mess around with that anymore though and haven't since I was 18 (its been over 8 years), but man... I see why they call it Ecstasy, complete uncontrolled fluency! But I did notice an increase in stuttering the days following, which is no fun.

But more seriously, I'm not promoting it, what's in our pasts is in the past, DON'T DO DRUGS! JUST SAY NO!

[watermelon]

Finally got Xanax XR. Will only use it when needed for special events like job interviews or going out with co workers etc.

Does anyone know how many hours it takes Xanax XR to start working and how long does the positive effect usually last?

[watermelon]

Tried it out last week and it really worked. My stuttering became really bad and usually I would just wait a few days till it would be over, that means no vitamins or drugs. But this time out of curiosity I wanted to see if Xanax XR works even if you have a really bad phase. I couldn't believe it myself, but after 4 hours it really started to work. Result was a lot less blocks and too much of talking from my side :D

As mentioned by several people before, Xanax doesn't eliminate your stuttering but it reduces it to a level where you can have conversations and feel more or less comfortable. My dosage was only 0.5mg. I wish I could take it everyday and it would have everytime the same effect, but this is a drug and that's why I'll only take it on special occasions.

[watermelon]

Took it again today and only little difference. Seems that it doesn't work everytime or I need to raise the dosage from 0.5 to 1mg.

Has anyone ever mixed Xanax with alcohol? Not on purpose, but for instance if you're out somewhere and want to drink beer with your friends etc.

[jakester]

My dad has been under an immense amount of stress the last 6 months--3 lawsuits, business deals going south, etc. Of course when your family is going through something like that it takes it's toll on you as well.

I'm sure many of you are like me--your stutter gets dramatically worse when you're stressed out. Lately I've been blocking badly while mumbling/repeating the same word (phenomenal... I have no freakin' clue why!) softly under my breath before I can get started. On a side note I would think this is one of many examples that some good neurological research needs to be done on stutters. Something is going on in our brains that can be fixed. I haven't had any of these sorts of secondary tics since I first started speech therapy at 7.

Anyway, dad got a script for Xanax. I know this isn't a good idea, but he could see I was having a tough time so he gave me a couple.

The difference has been night and day. I'm getting words out easier than I have in 6 months and the blocking is almost non-existent. I've had times when I was 100% fluent and other times when I'm just a wreck and I think stress is the largest factor in the differences. I posted here about my horrible experience at a PhD program which is kind of what kicked my current trend into overdrive.

I know this is completely unscientific/antecdotal, but it seems to me that if the severity of your stutter is largely impacted by your stress level, treatment with this class of drugs may help out. There may even be something better. I plan to ask my pdoc about the next time I go because until a few days ago the thought of using meds to help my stutter never occured to me.

I am not a doctor so DO NOT take my advice in lieu of talking with a licensed physician, but I thought very seriously about becoming a psych before I decided to do an economics PhD so I know a lot more about brain chemistry and these drugs than your average Joe.

With benzos in general you need to be very, very careful. They are habit forming and can quickly lead to phsychological and/or physical dependance and I'm told the withdrawals are hell and even fatal sometimes.

And to address watermelon's question, mixing the two can be very dangerous. Sure taking a moderate dose with a couple brews isn't going to hurt you (though you will be quite relaxed) but getting drunk on Xanax is a very bad idea. The problem is you literally forget dosing, so you do it again and again... until you black out and can't remember the next day (best case) or you black out and don't wake up. This stuff is no joke. Best advice: don't mix the two.

[Nemo]

Lately I've been blocking badly while mumbling/repeating the same word (phenomenal... I have no freakin' clue why!) softly under my breath before I can get started. On a side note I would think this is one of many examples that some good neurological research needs to be done on stutters. Something is going on in our brains that can be fixed.

You're using a starter, that's a well-known feature of secondary behaviour. Secondary behaviour is learned behaviour, it's not neurological. Secondary behaviour can indeed be unlearned.

[blocks]

from my experience no drugs work, in fact they tended to make things worse. over the years ive taken a lot of medications for various problems but nothing from anxiolytics to opiates, to cold medication, or recreational drugs helped.

[paul1355]

The way I see it, drugs are drugs, legal or illegal... right? That being said, if you are already prepared to "do drugs' I would recommend marijuana. Honestly man, my most fluent memories in life are while under its influence. Xanax works for a little bit, but only for anxiety, it doesn't "cure" stuttering. Herb, however, seems to change the way that you think about yourself and the world around you...just a thought.

I used to smoke religiously, now I smoke occasionally, sometimes I will not smoke for almost a year. I still get the same results, you never have to increase your dosage, its not addicting and you don't become depressed while not using it, I actually feel happier a week or so after a smoking binge.

If you are worried about it making you stupid or something, that is ridiculous. I smoked for approx. 6 years before college, all through college, etc. and still graduated with honors from a university. Just don't let it control you and don't become obsessed with getting high and you will be just fine. I truly feel like it gives you an inner peace that most stutterers really need.

All im saying is that if you are going to use a drug, use the safest, less hardcore drug out there....marijuana.
Marijuana made my stuttering worse when I was not high. When your high it might be alright but that doesnt last long unless your a pothead.

It made my uttering worse because my short term memory got worse and I would forget ways to help my fluency and when I'd get stuck I'd feel like an idiot.

Long term its not good.

[solo321]

Xanax can work, it has for me before. It's not a reliable solution, but when going into situations where the stress level will be higher than usual (job interviews, etc..), Xanax can help keep your stress level down which might just make you a bit more fluent. It has worked for me, but again, not every time. My speech it very much dependent on my stress level, so this particular drug can have an impact.

Xanax is one of those drugs you quickly build up a tolerance to as well, so it will take more and more to achieve the same, desired, effects. Not ideal.

It's funny smoking pot was mentioned. For about 6 months now I've been paying close attention to my fluency during, immediately following, and the day after smoking.

I am significantly more fluent during, which was expected (alcohol works for me too). Surprisingly though, I am also more fluent the following day as well. Not the entire day, maybe for the following 16-18 hours. And not a great deal more fluent, but to me it's noticeable. Things are just a little "smoother". It sounds crazy I know, but I've seriously been keeping track of this and the results are measurable.

This doesn't mean it will work for you, but I live in a state where marijuana is legal for medical purposes, and I'll take whatever fluency I can get.


Im from California as well. Did or Can we get a prescription for medical Marijuana for stuttering?

[Chicago Guy]

I have been thinking of trying the prescription med route and see if I find a combo that will work, I just dont want to get hooked on it to the point that I need it just to attempt to talk. I can see it now..having to the raise the dose higher and higher as time goes on. What type of dose will I need in 10 years?
I think I will wait it out for Pagoclone(although I have a feeling it wont be available for a few years).
I dont suggest trying the Marjuana route.. I used to smoke for a few years, and gave it up when I decided it was time to grow up. Well, also that it would make my stuttering much worse. I found out that the type of marijuana made the biggest difference. If i recall there are sativas and indicas. One is a downer and one is more of a upper. I forget which is which, but soemtimes it would make my stuttering better, and sometimes it would make it worse. Sure, you can argue that you can only buy the kind that makes it better for you..But we all know how smokers are. They share with their friends, smoke each other out, etc.
Plus my speech would get much worse as I was starting to come off the high, much worse that it would normaly be.

[Zachary]

I found out that the type of marijuana made the biggest difference. If i recall there are sativas and indicas. One is a downer and one is more of a upper. I forget which is which, but soemtimes it would make my stuttering better, and sometimes it would make it worse. Sure, you can argue that you can only buy the kind that makes it better for you.

Sativas tend to make me nervous and jittery. Indicas chill me out a lot though.

[marcsurin]

Have you ever considered trying Propranolol and Buspar combined? "Type in Buspar and Propranolol for stuttering" and a articles will show up on people who have had great success with it. It's sort of the poor mans Pagaclone.

[inter82]

I've been taking Xanax on and off for almost two months now. I started with 0.5 mg but I soon upped the dosage to 1mg. It definitely made me calmer but I'm not sure how much it helped with my stuttering. Also the effects seems to peak around 1 hour and wear off rather quickly (2-3 hours). I always thought that my stuttering is caused by fear and anxiety, this proves that it's not the case. It now seems that anxiety worsens my stuttering but do not cause it. Also I seem to be more depressed lately, I'm not sure if this has anything to do with Xanax.