Xanax for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• Opi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 28, 2015

"I've been on and off Xanax for years! I've always only taken 1/2 of 0.25mg to take the edge off when I felt my anxiety coming on and if I knew I was going to do something out of my comfort zone. It has helped me tremendously. I concentrate better, and it actually helps my stuttering. I'm a firefighter/paramedic, and I'm constantly dealing with stressful situations. I love my job and could never have done it without Xanax. I hate that it gets a bad rap because people abuse it. I have never even come close to abusing it and use it for what it's for. Throughout the years, I've tried all other anti-anxiety medications, and Xanax is the only one that helped me. It's almost like I have a chemical imbalance, and Xanax corrects it!"

• Xan...
• March 4, 2008

"Xanax has helped me tremendously. I was having severe anxiety attacks really bad! My doctor at the time worked next door within the same building/office, and he had witnessed my attacks and finally prescribed me just 1 mg Xanax. He told me to take 1 half in the morning and 1 half in the evening. It took a while but finally I was attack free. I feel like I can live my life now!"

• LDU...
• November 13, 2008

"After taking this medication, I feel very tranquil. I am an easygoing person when I take it. I am calm, and I don't have that high feeling I hate. I am coherent but calm. No one really bothers me. It's a miracle because before, I used it, my husband used to get on my nerves, my kids would get under my skin at the grocery market. I wanted to knock out someone, but now I am a nice calm person that can be approached and even has fun."

• Kin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2017

"Since my dad got sick and eventually passed away, my anxiety, depression, and fears were just overwhelming. I've been having so many intrusive thoughts since then. I had mild depression before he passed, it's been 5 years, and it's finally just destroyed me. I finally went and got help two weeks ago, and Xanax not only completely calms me down, it helps me focus on things I need to focus on and not let my mind wander with anxiety and weird thoughts. Miracle drug. Don't abuse it. Use it when needed, it's amazing."

• Qan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2018

"I had severe postpartum anxiety to the point of no sleep for 3 months, which made me lose touch with all reality. I couldn’t take benzos as I was determined to breastfeed. Once I got through another bout of insomnia when I stopped breastfeeding, I was suicidal from lack of sleep and panic/anxiety. I was put on Xanax, .125 to .25 per day before bed. 4 years later, I still have anxiety around sleep, so I take half the lowest dose 45 mins before bed. I struggle with sleep at times, but I have not increased my dose over the 4 years and don’t freak out or withdraw if I miss a dose. My doctor hired a new nurse who seems bent on getting me off it, makes me plead my case to get refills. I don’t understand this thinking-a low dose of Xanax forever is better than a strung-out suicidal insomniac. I have tried all SSRIs, hypnosis, counseling, meditation, CBTI for insomnia, and hormone therapy. Nothing works as well as half a Xanax 45 mins before bed. It’s just reality for me."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 4, 2024

"I have taken 0.5 mg Xanax for around 20 years and have never increased my dosage. I have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder most of my life to the point it makes me sick with nausea, difficulty breathing, and racing heart. This happens mostly when I travel anywhere away from home, especially when I have to fly. With Xanax, I am able to travel and live a normal life. 99% of the time I only take it for sleep, but I do take it more when I travel. I have a very stressful job, and I would not be able to sleep without it. I would also not be able to get on an airplane without it. I have been to Europe four times, which I would never be able to do without Xanax. As someone else said, it's my security blanket and I take it with me everywhere I go. I pray my doctor never stops prescribing it for me. I have never had withdrawals or any side effects. It's a miracle drug for me! It is not dangerous or addicting when you take it responsibly."

• Eli...
• January 10, 2017

"I suffer from emetophobia-related panic attacks and anxiety, and this drug is just a godsend. I try to reserve it until I really need it, as I know that, based on my personality, I could pretty easily become dependent. If it wasn't for the issues with dependency and withdrawal, it would be a ten out of ten for me. I will note that after I stopped using it semi-regularly, I became better at dealing with anxiety, 'on my own' so to speak, and experienced less anxiety overall as I improved my coping skills. Still, I'm really grateful for this medication and encourage other miserably anxious people out there to discuss it with their doctors. It really improved my life when I thought nothing could."

• Alp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2019

"The first time my doctor gave me Xanax, I thought this is the best! I started with 1 mg per day, then 2, and then 3. It made me feel so calm and more happy. But I realized after how addictive it is. Now I take Xanax up to 6 mg per day because I feel it is the only thing that helps me not have anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes I just enjoy how it makes me feel. It has been very effective, but I also think it is dangerous. Because I don't care about the side effects, but I am very scared of the thought of overdosing. I lie to people about how mg I take in a day. Take care of yourself if you have depression. It is easy to get addicted because it gives you that empty feeling you might find pleasant."

• Pha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2018

"I've taken Xanax regularly for about 5 years. Having to deal with severe family issues, my general anxiety disorder has ramped up considerably these past 5 years. My dosage varies, as I take it as needed. Some days I take 1 mg and many days I take none at all. I probably average 0.25 mg/day, and it has been extremely beneficial to me. Even on my worst days, I realize that taking more won't help, and I will just have to get through that day at a maximum of 1 mg. For me, Xanax has been a very helpful tool in my turbulent life, and as things start to level out, my usage decreases."

• Nor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 12, 2024

"I spent my adult life working in war zones, etc., and for many years, suffered from anxiety, depression, and nightmares. I eventually got to the place where I had a hard time making it through a day. When I was finally diagnosed with CPTSD, I tried at least a dozen different combinations of meds, and none really worked until I was given venlafaxine and Xanax. I no longer feel drugged, numbed, or emotionless. I no longer fight anxiety and depression just to make it through a day. Xanax made normal life possible again for me."

• hye...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2013

"I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks as well as live a somewhat stressful lifestyle. Xanax has been my lifesaver and has been a tremendous aid in allowing me to continue to function in life on a daily basis. Truly a blessing in my life 100%."

• Anx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2015

"I am giving it a 10 because it simply works, and it's the best medication out there for anxiety. The bad thing is it's very addictive. I have been taking it for almost a year now, on and off, 0.5 mg if I feel very anxious before going to bed. Yes, withdrawals can be bad, but don't listen to all the bad things people say when going off, if you need it, you take it. My mother has been on this medication for 10 years as prescribed. If you don't abuse it, you have no reason to be scared. Cheers!"

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2008

"Xanax has helped me tremendously. I do not suffer from any of the side effects that are listed. Since being on this drug for my anxiety, I have been given a part of my life back. I didn't like to be in crowds of people or go to social events, and since I am on this medicine, I no longer suffer from these anxieties."

• Daw...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2019

"I have taken two 0.5 tabs at bedtime for over 7 years. Sometimes I can just take one. I don't like having to take a medication, but it helps me sleep. If I can get a decent night's sleep, I feel I can take on the next day. This medication works great, and my dosage hasn't been increased in all these years."

• Bug...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2023

"Xanax is a miracle cure for me. I was so bad, I didn’t want to leave my house. But since being on them, I’m actually a manager at a restaurant now and work long hours without having a meltdown. 100% a 5-star rating. I’m able to function like a normal person."

• pbi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2019

"I have been having sleep issues for years. At times it's not too bad, but lately it's been hard to fall asleep. I also get up multiple times to urinate due to an enlarged prostate. I'm 51. My wife had some Xanax, and she told me to try one before going to bed. I used it the last 2 nights. The pills are 0.5 mg. OMG, I slept like a BABY for the 2 nights and felt so refreshed. I also only got up once to use the bathroom. Most nights I get up almost every hour to urinate. That wrecks my sleep. I will not take the pill every night, but I may periodically. Too bad it's not safe to take for a long period of time."

• Dan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 15, 2019

"I have been on Xanax since I was 22. (I am 39 now.) I take it probably once or twice a year (yes, year!) At 22, I got diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I couldn't leave the house, it was debilitating. I was put on Prozac and told to take Xanax as needed only. So I started on 0.5 when I really, really needed it. In the beginning, I will say I took one about every week. Then Prozac kicked in, and I was fine. I still get those moments where I can feel the panic attack coming, so I will pop one, and I'm good to go. One bottle of 30 pills could last me years! But because they expire after 2 years, the doctor sends me for a fresh bottle. If taken responsibly, this medication is great. No side effects for me, and 0.5 mg is more than enough to take the edge off. I tried Valium and Ativan, and it made me sick (nausea, vomiting, hallucinations). Xanax was the only one that was gentle for me. Keep in mind, everyone is different and will have different experiences."

• Trk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2013

"Saved my job... I'm a truck driver, so I spend a lot of time in a truck, and it gets really depressing being away from the family for weeks at a time, but Xanax helps me cope with the situation. This is the only medicine I've found that won't make me tired and drowsy, unlike Zoloft that made me so tired I had to take two days off work. Xanax helps me relax and gives me focus so I can deal with my work situation."

• sho...
• March 19, 2015

"I have had anxiety since I was a child. From my personal experiences, this medicine is the fastest and most effective, but be very careful, it is also the most addictive. I ran my prescription short one month and was without it for a couple of days and had a seizure while driving. Just because the doctor says three or four times a day doesn't mean you need them that much. Be very careful!"

• som...
• May 16, 2017

"I have been through many, many years of anxiety. Couldn't drive a car, couldn't sit through a church service, torment. This drug helps me focus and function. People abuse it, but it's a Godsend for people with real issues. Not everyone is a drug addict that needs Xanax. I am 50 and a female, and my life's been limited since a trauma in childhood. I have post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety to severe limits."

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2009

"Xanax is the best medicine. I was dizzy for two months straight. I felt like I was on a boat and couldn't get off. My whole life was just a mess between working full time, school, personal life until I found Xanax. I am on 0.5mg twice a day and I have my life back. I can tolerate people again. This is the wonder drug. Other than being a little more tired than normal, which I will suffer through because it is better than biting people's heads off every chance I got."

• Got...
• November 7, 2019

"Been on Xanax for almost 17 years for acute anxiety disorder. I also have a rare heart condition that I take meds for. Xanax was good at first, but now after 17 years and up to a prescription of 6 mg a day. Just came down from 8 mg a day. It’s messing with me. In the past few months, I’ve been experiencing what I call googly eyes followed by a headache. I’ve told my doctors, and none have an explanation. So I did a test myself. Took my heart meds as usual in the morning, left out the Xanax. No googly eyes. Until I took one, then there it was. Dizzy, couldn’t see straight, had to lay down with a bad headache. Can you build up a bad dose in your body after taking so much for so long? I’ve only been on the 8 and 6 mg for about 5 years. I have a family, and I know I’m going to need inpatient care to get off this stupid medicine. Also, let me add, yes I know I’m addicted and dependent, but I’m scared and not sure what to do but try to slowly wean myself off. Of course, my doctor is helping."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2017

"Been on Xanax .05 for about two years. Doc put me on just an antidepressant for the first month, didn't help ANY. Went back and she saw how anxious I was and put me on Xanax because I was honest with her and told her a friend gave me a few of hers, and it helped my anxiety tons. I get thirty .05 a month, and I can go days without them, and some days I have to take two or three. Anyone with anxiety disorders knows some days aren't easy at all. It helps me just knowing I have them. I still currently take Celexa daily, I don't know if it really helps my anxiety at all, but the combo with the Xanax seems to work. I know a lot of people don't want to use pills, but I'd much rather have medication than panic attacks."

• Cof...
• August 8, 2019

"I started Xanax in my 30s after my father was diagnosed with cancer and other life events started to pile up. It helped at the beginning. I could notice the difference in my anxiety and sleep patterns. However, a year or two went by, and I found myself completely hooked. I had lost contact with friends and isolated from family, I left my job and spent most of the day at home. I truly had a 180-degree change in my social life, hobbies, and relationships. I spent all day at home watching TV and listening to music. I had no desire to deal with people or any type of social interaction. I found myself avoiding everything, like going grocery shopping, driving, dealing with problems. Every time I tried getting off the Xanax, it would backfire. It took months for me to stop taking Xanax, and it has been 3 years without it. I lost many friends and family members, and my relationship ended. I have slowly built myself up. I have a great job that keeps me busy, started running again, and I am starting to make new friends."

• NoT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

"From my experience with Xanax, it ruins lives, period. Xanax was made for 14-day use for acute crisis but is grossly misprescribed. Xanax is more addictive than heroin and turns normal people into weird and angry shells of who they previously were. The drug causes the brain to stop producing chemicals it needs, and the half-life is so short that you go into withdrawal every time the drug 'runs out' every 4 hours. You believe the feeling is 'anxiety' and take another pill to treat it! However, the feeling is just withdrawal. You will need more and more of the drug just to get the original effects, and you will not really be aware of how you’re acting. The longer you take the drug, the worse it gets-and eventually, the doctor who got you hooked on it will stop prescribing it. A safe way to get off of Xanax is the Ashton method (Benzodiazepines: How They Work & How to Withdraw)-switching slowly from Xanax to Valium. Valium is like a longer-acting form of Xanax, which then is easier to cut down on. I urge you never to start the drug."