I have taken 2.5 mg of xanax to no avail. Should I switch to Valium?!
Question: I am getting bloodwork soon, and I have extreme needle phobia. I have already taken 2.5 mg of xanax but it doesn't have any effect on me whatsoever. Should I bump it up tp 3 mg? I have VERY VERY high tolerance to medication in general. Alcohol, and sleeping pills included. I would only be taking these pills for the needlework I get done. I would like to know does Xanax for everyone, so should I switch to something else lie Valium? But I thought xanax was the srongest. Also, what about those lidoderm patches that numb your skin. Do they work? Once , again, I am an adult and I know what I am doing. I am not a recreation drug user. NO lectures. Keep your opinions to yourself unless it is to offer true experience. ALso, what about taking a shot or two of alcohol to intensify the experience. I heard this pushes along the process as well. Any advice will be appreciated.
Answers: I am getting bloodwork soon, and I have extreme needle phobia. I have already taken 2.5 mg of xanax but it doesn't have any effect on me whatsoever. Should I bump it up tp 3 mg? I have VERY VERY high tolerance to medication in general. Alcohol, and sleeping pills included. I would only be taking these pills for the needlework I get done. I would like to know does Xanax for everyone, so should I switch to something else lie Valium? But I thought xanax was the srongest. Also, what about those lidoderm patches that numb your skin. Do they work? Once , again, I am an adult and I know what I am doing. I am not a recreation drug user. NO lectures. Keep your opinions to yourself unless it is to offer true experience. ALso, what about taking a shot or two of alcohol to intensify the experience. I heard this pushes along the process as well. Any advice will be appreciated.
Xanax is not the strongest and gets out of the system faster than some of the others. Ativan is good, lasts longer. Valium is ok but tends to make some people feel suicidal. Lidoderm patch will numb your skin but not to the point where you don't feel anything. I use them everyday and night for Eagle's Syndrome and the pain is still so bad even with the patch on I have to take sleeping pills to put me to sleep, the patch keeps the pain from waking me up but first thing the next morning it starts hurting again. I take Xanax and Ativan for Essential tremors, that's how I know about both of them. No alcohol, it dilutes the blood and you may have trouble stopping the bleeding and the lab techs would wonder why. The nerve pills can show up in your blood if they check for drugs. Nothing is going to help the pain of getting stuck but it really does not hurt that bad. If you relax your arm that is the whole key to easing the pain. Tell the tech you have a fear of needles so they will be aware of it but just relaxing your arm will do wonders especially if you don't watch while being stuck. In your mind, go somewhere else that makes you feel relaxed and stay there until the lab tech is done. I have had needles sticks in the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I used to have to go get shots in my feet every 3 months. Nothing hurts more than a needle in your foot. Please try it without the drugs. Besides, you would have to take the nerve pills about 1/2 hour before you get stuck for it to calm you.
Xanax, Valium and Ativan are all int he same class of medication and are very similar except for how long they are supposed to last in the body. Speak to your doctor about the Xanax not working and ask him if you should up the dose or switch.
The lidoderm patches aren't meant to numb your skin, they are meant to ease local muscle pain. They do make lidoderm gel, cream, and something called EMLA cream which has lidocaine in it which they use for dialysis patients to numb them, so ask about a topical preparation you can have prescribed so the needle doesn't hurt if your phobia is really that bad.
I saw your question from before and we're about the same size and .5 mg of Xanax knocks me right out, so if you're already up to 2.5 mg without regularly taking the meds, I'd try something else. DOn't take alcohol with it as it can have some dangerous side effects, and it's not good to have alcohol in your system before having blood work done because it affects your blood vessels. Good luck.
I would personally take 10mg valium-you wont feel the needle a bt--dont drive! Wont et you wasted but will definately calm you way down.
Bump up to 3mg of xanax. Do you take it everyday? If not, don't take it till you have to get needle.
Don't switch.I don't know about lidoderm patch, but you'd have to get that from your MD...& if it's put on the spot where you get the injection, it might cause an infection.
Don't use alcohol with xanax, especially if you have to drive. The 2 together are synergistic (make them stronger) & can cause confusion, impaired judgment & slowed reaction time without your realizing it.
Do some deep breathing: Inhale thru nose; exhale thru mouth; rest. Each for a count of 3. Do for 5 minutes at a time.
Good luck.
Talk to your doctor about Klonopin. It's not as addicting as xanax and valium, and works better too. For sleeping, there are three new meds that are not habit-forming and really work. Talk to your doctor about Lunesta, Rozerem, and Ambien CR. The Ambien CR not only helps you fall asleep, but also helps KEEP you asleep.
You sound like a smart lady. Please try and cool it on the alcohol. It's really hard on the liver, and doesn't mix well with xanax OR Klonopin.
When you get blood drawn, just look away. It's over so fast! I hope you can overcome that fear with your common sense. It's perfectly safe, there's hardly any pain, so what is there to be afraid of? Plus it's over so fast!!
Bless you and Good luck! :)