Help! How do I do Xanax?

[NancyMc]

Well, they lied.  They said they had an open machine for my MRI tomorrow morning, but they don't!  I happen to have some expired (by 3 months) Xanax that McKenna's office wrote for me when I thought I was going in the tube in July post-op but learned I could go in the bun o' fun instead.
So, I think I'm supposed to take one a half hour before my appointment, and if it doesn't "work", take the other.  How do you know if it's working?  Does it really relieve the horrific claustrophobia I'm-gonna-die feeling?
Thanks.
Heading out at 6 am tomorrow, so any thoughts ASAP much appreciated.
Nancy

[Brendalu]

Nancy,

If it is working you will feel very relaxed and not nervous about the "tube".  My doctor gives me Valium..............I am not a Xanax fan, but I do know it works great for others.  Good luck.....I usually take mine an hour before my appointment.
Brenda

[rupert]

Nancy,  what is the dose?    I take one pill a day 10mg  to help with tinnitus.    I feel nothing different when I take it.  When I go for the MRI though I take two.  Making it 20mg.   This is probably not very strong but I find that that dose does a good job for me in the tube.    If you go that route you want to have a DD.    Bryan

[moe]

Yes, Nancy what is the dosage that you have?
Rupert, do you mean 1.0 mg and 2.0 mg ?  10 and 20 mg is too high.
I take 0.5 mg xanax (extended release) 2x/day to decrease my screaming, I mean tinnitus.
So I'm thinking take 1.0 mg, then take another 1.0 mg for the MRI. Everyone responds different though.
Positive, calming  thoughts coming your way
Maureen

[NancyMc]

Oh, thanks, guys. *runs off to check label on bottle packed with CDs of past MRIs*  It's 1 mg alprazolam or something like that.  Gee, seems I'll need two anyway?  I'll take one at 6 and see how I feel on the ride down then.  My appointment is at 7, and they want me there by 6:45.  Eeeeek!  Well, I could always just try to control my phobia.  Deep breath.

[moe]

Calming thoughts while you're in the TOG..........Hope the xanax helped
Maureen

[cindyj]

Nancy, HEY!  How'd it go?

Cindy

[NancyMc]

Ugh, that was awful.  I'm not sure what was worse, the Xanax or the tube.  I think I would have been just fine without the drug.  I got home and passed out.  Dave woke me up two hours later, clueless as to where I was, when, why or who.  Never again.  And that was just one expired pill!  I've got the CD but don't ever look at them.  Next week will tell.  Not worried.  Thanks for checking in.  Glad it's behind me.  Big list for my neurotologist next week though.
Funny . . . we were driving down the interstate to the hospital when the drug kicked in.  Dave asked, "Is it like being drunk?"  I said, "No, it's more cosmic than that.  Like being in the 60s."  Ha!

[rupert]

 Well it's over anyway,  I'm sure your glad of that.    Just to clarify   it's 1.0mg.     It is interesting as to how meds affect people so differently.   One pill for me and

I don't even notice.  Two pills makes me comfortable, but still function very well.

[moe]

So glad it is over Nancy! And cross xanax off your list of drugs to help relax you!
Maureen

[Jim Scott]

Nancy ~

I'm glad to learn that you made it through the MRI ordeal and that your sense of humor seems to have remained intact.  I enjoyed your description of how you felt when the Xanax 'kicked in; 'cosmic'. 

Jim