Alprazolam and Panic Attacks: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Wha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 30, 2019

For Anxiety "Ok, I have a heart defect called sinus tachycardia. My heart rate is so high it causes panic attacks. So if I take anything other than Xanax or the generic form, it does me way wrong. This medicine has saved my life. Does anyone think that the green 1 mg is worse than the blue 1 mg, or is it just me? Does anyone else have a heart defect or afib that is treated with this medication? Also, I have been taking this medication for 12 plus years. My doctor will not raise the dosage, and when my heart rate is over 248 bpm, it takes 2 mg to make it go down to 140 to 150. Can anyone help or at least let me know if you are in my situation? Thank God for whoever created this drug."

• han...
• June 21, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking alprazolam for about 10 years. I started with 0.5 mg daily as needed. But my anxiety, panic attacks, and depression got worse. My doctor increased it to 0.5 mg twice a day. It worked for a short period of time. Now I feel so terrible that I take 1 mg 3 times a day, sometimes 4 mg a day. Anxiety is still present with panic attacks. The doctor added Lexapro 10 mg daily; I could divide 5 mg am and 5 mg pm. I have moments of tranquility, but they are short. I tried meditation; soft music makes me more depressed. I have no family members and basically no friends. No energy or desire to do things I used to like. I stay at home most of the time, afraid to drive. I don't have money to see a counselor, only every 3 months to the psychiatrist."

• Fox...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 24, 2016

For Anxiety "I have social and generalized anxiety, along with panic attacks. I am at a max dose of 2 mg 3 times per day. This medication is a lifesaver in terms of allowing me to not be afraid around myself, allowing me to go out and socialize with friends. The only downside is I will most likely be on this medication the rest of my life as it has proven to be extremely addictive both physically and psychologically. Your brain naturally creates GABA, which takes up to a year or longer to start creating on its own. This medicine also wipes out your short-term memory, and tolerance is a huge problem, along with creating more extreme panic attacks if a dose is missed. However, this medication is a lifesaver for me. 15 years and counting."

• CHa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 3, 2021

Xanax (alprazolam) for Panic Disorder "First time I took a dose of Xanax, I was like 'OMG, this is how normal people feel!' because I'd had panic attacks and night terrors for two decades before that. I've taken 0.5 mg 2x a day for 30 years. No increase needed. No calling the doctor for early refills, no 'losing' my prescription, no other behavior of addiction. My body is dependent on it, but when I've tried to taper or quit, I've ended up in the ER with severe panic attacks and withdrawals. I've tried numerous times because doctors tell me it's for short-term only and that I'll become addicted and that I should wean off. My shrink is reducing his time working (or actually ditching me, personally, tbh), and I'm so scared. No one else wants to prescribe it. I guess I will go back to how I was before and never again feel how normal people feel. They treat me like I'm a criminal when I tell them how long I've taken it, and look at me as if they don't believe I've taken a low dose for so long. I feel undeserving of care."

• Hur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 14, 2021

For Anxiety "I've been on Xanax for twenty years. I suffer from severe anxiety. It has always worked great for me, it gave me a life where I was able to function. My doctor retired, and some of my new doctors cut me off from it abruptly. Now I have seizures, convulsions, I can't eat because everything tastes horrible-a metallic taste, I have insomnia and panic attacks so bad I feel like I'm going into shock. If this doesn't stop, I'm going to wind up dead. How could any doctor do this to someone and get away with it?"

• Voc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 4, 2022

For Anxiety "Be very careful of off-brand generics. Greenstone (actually a subsidiary of Pfizer, the originators of Xanax) is consistently the best - the best quality-controlled and consistently effective brand. Very important if you are in a tapering program and need to maintain exact control of daily intake. BEWARE OF AUROBINDO! My pharmacy has substituted this brand twice, and the results have been nearly unbearable both times - I suffered multiple panic attacks during the first two days of each Aurobindo prescription and had to have the pharmacy replace it with Greenstone, and no more panic attacks! This rating below is for Greenstone alprazolam."

• BDC...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 11, 2022

For Anxiety "Since being prescribed Xanax 6 years ago, it has literally turned my life around; in a positive direction! I had to fight to function in social situations, breaking out in sweats, couldn’t breathe, and horrible insomnia. I started on .25 mg 3 times a day, and now take 1 mg 3 times daily. What a difference this medicine has made in my life. The social paranoia is gone, the fits of anger to get people to stay away, the shakes; horrible panic attacks are now gone. I too am now able to be free from sometimes crippling anxiety and live what to me is a normal life. I sleep well every night, I eat regularly, and feel in control. I hear all these terrible things about Xanax but, if I need to be on it the rest of my life, so be it. I'm in better physical and mental condition now, hoping to stay this way. In my younger days, I was on meds for what was always diagnosed as depression and always felt like I was trying to swim through wet cement when taking them. Life is better now!"

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2011

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "Xanax is an excellent medicine for myself. It has prevented panic attacks and helped me through times of rough anxiety. Ativan never worked for me, and Klonopin makes me drunk-like and put me in the hospital 3 times. The hospital finally said I have an allergy to Klonopin and could no longer take it. After going on Xanax, I felt so much better and relieved. I try not to take Xanax every day, as it is not meant to be a long-term solution to anxiety and can be very addicting, so be very careful. I am on Paxil CR and Risperdal on top of Xanax for my anxiety, PTSD, panic disorder, and OCD."

• Nem...
• December 11, 2015

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "Xanax forums are full of how Xanax can be so strong for some people. To me, it was like a sledgehammer over my head. I woke 6 hours later with no recollection of what went on other than I slept. This was a low dose. It is either panic or being knocked out. Where are all these pleasant experiences I hear about?"

• jwo...
• October 20, 2016

For Anxiety "A horrible experience in life a few months ago, and I had a gun in my mouth and had to beg for my life while they beat the crap out of me and kicked and spit on me. Long story short, they robbed everything I had and just left me to die under the hotel room bed. I've always suffered from anxiety, but after that day, I haven't been the same. I have severe PTSD, severe panic disorder. I can't leave the house by myself, or I get scared, and it's hard for me to even stay home without having a panic attack, getting bad anxiety. But I have tried everything: seeing therapists and doctors, and it's just a big waiting game to them. It's all about money. I've been waiting since April to even see a psychiatrist for help, so I've been suffering. Glad you all got help so easily."

• Ste...
• November 25, 2009

For Anxiety "This is the medication I never knew I've always needed. I've had sleep disorders and mood disorders all my life. I went to my family doctor and asked to try Xanax to help me sleep. I have a huge problem with anxiety when I'm going to sleep. I wasn't aware it was anxiety until I took it. I've had some cases since I've taken it when I was almost having a random panic attack. Whenever I take Alprazolam, almost instantly I feel balanced again and normal. It's amazing."

• Anonymous
• September 13, 2009

For Anxiety "I always suffered from major test anxiety during high school and college. When I returned to school to get my master's, I knew that the level of anxiety I would get before an exam couldn't be healthy. I was getting panic attacks. Finally, I felt comfortable enough to ask the doctor for help. I only have major anxiety before an exam, and this medication really helps me. I do not use it every day, only when my anxiety is peaking. Great for moderate use."