Xanax and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• twa...
• March 6, 2010

For Anxiety "I've tried everything for anxiety - which is severe all the time. Xanax works! Only issue is the length of time it lasts; I can feel the effects almost immediately (within 20 minutes and continue to feel effects kicking in for a good hour after), but after about 3 hours, I start to have rebound anxiety from it wearing off. Be careful of tolerance though. Since I've been on it, I've had to increase 4x. I started off with 0.5 mg 3x/day and am now on 1 mg, 5x/day. I don't want to change that, but this seems to be perfect. It gives me the relief I need as often as my body seems to need it. I am so grateful for this drug, as my panic is non-existent, where it hasn't been in years. It's been non-stop - never relief. I finally feel relief."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2017

For Anxiety "STAY AWAY FROM XANAX. Please! It will help you-in the moment. But literally hours later, the rebound anxiety and insomnia will hit you and make you regret taking it at all in the first place. And before you know it, you'll go from half a bar to multiple bars just to sleep at night. Oh, and the increased depersonalization and dark thoughts are not potential 'side effects'-they are some of the many very real, consistently DIRECT EFFECTS of taking Xanax. Benzos should be used as rarely and as short-term as possible. Even in these cases, the withdrawal is VERY real...it hurts just to live. Please, take my word for it. I'm going through it for the TENTH time right now. ADDICTIVE."

• dj1...
• November 21, 2010

For Panic Disorder "I have tried many medications for panic disorder. I don't think there was not one tablet I have not tried when I was prescribed Xanax. I felt I was given my life back. No horrible side effects of anxiety or panic disorder whatsoever. I can now function without worrying if I went out I would have a panic attack or drop whatever I was doing and go home as I felt like I was dying. My heart would race, my breathing felt like I was taking my last breath, excessive sweating. They all went away. I take 1 mg when needed and have never abused this medication, but it has been a lifesaver for me. It took 30 years to find a tablet that would stop my panic and anxiety disorder, and then I tried Xanax from my doctor, and I thank her every day."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2019

For Anxiety "This can be a good medication for many people, but please be very cautious. I took it for about 5 years at 4 mg per day. That is a relatively high dose. When I was ready to stop (which I did over a 2-week period, and I don't recommend that), it took several months to really get back to myself. The interesting thing was that once I got through that period, my anxiety and panic attacks stopped. They were at their worst while I took the medication."

• dag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2015

For Anxiety "I started having anxiety attacks a few months ago due to marijuana use. Bad life choice I regret, but due to my natural anxiety, marijuana made it 10x worse. I started having anxiety attacks sometimes up to 6x a day for a few weeks. I had a visit to my doctor scheduled anyway and was honest and told him about my situation. He prescribed me Xanax to use as a short-term medication for my anxiety attacks, as he said weed can cause horrible anxiety for a month in some people. I took it as prescribed, which was every six hours as needed. I started with about 0.25 mg a day, but took 0.5 a few times when it was really bad. Two weeks later, I began splitting the pills in half to 0.12. I'm completely off it now, but it made a huge difference in my life for that time."

• Sta...
• August 12, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I was on Xanax for a couple of years for severe panic attacks. I started out on .25 mg, and soon that was not enough. I had to keep increasing the dose as my panic and anxiety increased. I ended up becoming agoraphobic. I could not leave my house without taking a handful of Xanax first. In the end, I was taking way, way, way too much, enough to kill an elephant. I know it sounds hard to believe. It's amazing I am still alive. I had to beg my insurance company to put me in the hospital to detox. I tried to kill myself. I almost died while in the hospital. They took me down to 8 mg a day, and I had a grand mal seizure and almost died. It was the most horrible experience of my life. Be careful. It's highly addicting."

• Sas...
• March 17, 2016

For Anxiety "I started taking this medication since I was 18 years old, on and off. Let me put it in simple terms: it is highly addictive. Yes, it cured my anxiety, but only temporarily, as long as I was on it. Miss a day, and you want to crawl out of your own skin. The withdrawals are horrendous. Xanax just masks the problem. As soon as I got back on it, my brain just wants it, and that's all I think about. Valerian root is healthier and natural, think twice before taking Xanax. Go for natural products if you can."

• ben...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2015

For Anxiety "Xanax is amazing! In 20 minutes, it will completely take away all of your anxiety and/or problems, and everything will be okay. Life goes on! The only problem is that Xanax has such a short half-life, that in 6 hours it goes away, and your brain wants more. If you take it daily, watch out! That little pill can ruin your life. In prison, they will only give meds to people detoxing from alcohol or benzos. Because it can kill you! Short-term, stressful events like flying, giving a speech, or a panic attack will do you good. Try not taking your Xanax for a few days and see how you feel? Or run out of your prescription a few days early. Let me say, it's not fun. Please be responsible and try meditation or working out. Stay away from alcohol/stimulants."

• D i...
• January 7, 2016

For Anxiety "I started taking Xanax over ten years ago for my anxiety. I started with 0.5 mg twice a day and ended up at 0.5 mg every 4 hours and still feeling like I needed more as I was addicted. I had one heck of a time weaning off. I now take 1/2 of a 0.25 mg tablet every 3 to 4 hours when needed for my tinnitus. It works to lessen the anxiety caused by the constant ringing in my ears, and I try some days to take it only once or twice. It has worked great for me, but I suggest being very conservative with your dosing because it is very easy to build a tolerance and form an addiction."

• Fit...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I’ve been on Xanax for several years, and it works wonders for my anxiety and panic attacks. I only take it as prescribed and try not to take it or taper down 1 day a week. When I take half of a bar, I feel clear-headed and normal. Any more than that, I become sedated, so that’s why I regulate it so carefully. The only downside is the withdrawals are almost unbearable. When I go a couple of days off it, I feel extra anxious, nervous, mildly depressed, and at times it feels like my mind is messing with me. Overall, a great short-term medication for panic or anxiety, but if you choose to take it long-term, please be careful and take exactly what you’re prescribed, and if possible, less."

• Amy...
• June 2, 2015

For Anxiety "Recently was prescribed Klonopin because my doctor didn't like how Xanax had such a quick onset but also a quick fall. I was okay with the change initially because even at 0.5 mg, Xanax would make me so sleepy I couldn't function. That made it pretty impossible to take during any day panic. I've been having anxiety the last couple of days, so I took a Klonopin last night hoping that I would wake with a sense of calm like I usually did with the Xanax. Nope...the anxiety is actually worse. Xanax isn't perfect; like I said, I generally try not to take it unless I am at home, so I've suffered a lot when I shouldn't have had to, but it has a much more calming effect than Klonopin is giving me. I never took it long-term - only as needed."

• cjb...
• March 14, 2023

For Anxiety "I've taken Xanax for 5 years. I do not take it daily. I take half of a .25 mg occasionally, only when I need it. Most days I am fine, but when I have extreme panic attacks or social anxiety, I take half of the .25 mg. That's plenty for me. It calms me down, and I am functional. I do not take it daily, I did for a while, and it made me have more panic attacks and anxiety. I use it only for severe days now. I take a half of .25 mg 2 or 3 times a week at most. That way it actually works when I need it to."

• Ste...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 28, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I was having many issues with anxiety attacks, panic attacks. First started on 1 mg 3 times daily. Then was having night terrors too. So, I ended up on 2 mg, 4 times daily, and 2-3 pills of 2 mg Ativan at night. I got to say not many doctors would give you that, I would not ask! I had a job accident 3 years prior to this and was on OxyContin 60 mg twice daily and 30 mg oxycodone 6 times daily. Sounds like quite a mix, I know. But with proper monitoring, it was a godsend. The pharmacist was not impressed, but that's not his problem, his is to count and fill. If they wanted to be a doctor, then that's their issue. Moral is don't judge yourself by how a pharmacy makes you feel. Now I'm just on the 2 mg of Xanax and 1 mg of Ativan and am normal thanks to a brave, understanding doctor."

• mes...
• August 20, 2010

For Anxiety "I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for years. It got so bad I would actually be driving, pull over to the side of the road, and call 911 because I thought I was having a heart attack, it was really scary. I've been on Xanax for 10 years, off and on. I take 0.5 mg once a day when I start feeling anxious, and my insides feel out of control. It does frighten me to think I could be addicted to this medication, but on the other hand, if it relieves my symptoms, then I guess I need to take Xanax as needed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 26, 2021

For Anxiety "I read most of the comments and see myself in them. I am 76 years old, was on Xanax for 12 years. My doctor also retired, and right away the PA working on me to give up Xanax. Just 4 days ago, I finished with the withdrawal, what a nightmare. Can't sleep, had anxiety attacks, hot tingling feeling in my chest area. They started me on Effexor, was on for 3 days, got myself off, can't deal with this."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Xanax after I had anxiety attacks daily at school and only used them when I had anxiety because I knew how addictive they were, and nothing in the world helped like Xanax did. My anxiety 100 percent disappeared, but after a few months, I began to have anxiety every time I didn’t take them! One month, I used 1 bottle so quickly my mom wouldn’t let me refill my prescription since my uncle had a drug problem, but now I don’t have it. I’m so anxious all over again! Long story short, this is a very effective medicine that works wonders if you only use it during panic, but it’s a lot harder than you think, especially if you have anxiety often! I hate to see this medication with an 8.7 because it’s so dangerous. I just want people to be aware!"

• Gre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 22, 2016

For Anxiety "For several years, I have been prescribed 1 mg to take up to 3 times per day - sometimes I take less, some days even none! But I find that Xanax does for me what Adderall does for children suffering ADD. For some reason, the drug helps me have precision focus, a clear mind, better communication, rapid-fire thought processing, and motivation - just for starters. I don't expect to take it for the rest of my life, but I go through prolonged periods of anxiety and antisocial behavior (will urinate in bottles in my room when at my worst). Glad to know there are a few people who experience the same effects using Xanax as maintenance. It's been a lifesaver for me! Curious to understand why it has this off-label effect on us select few."

• Tap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 29, 2018

For Anxiety "Xanax is one of the hardest, if not the hardest drug to quit taking. Even harder than heroin, according to my doctor. It was so hard for me for almost 3 months after using them every day for 2 years. I will never take one of them again. They actually just take away your anxiety while you are on them. The problem is that all of us are using them for a period. Then you get all the anxiety back again, and the problem is now it is 5 times worse than what it was to begin with. Stopping my Xanax like I wanted to do the first day - just stop taking them - is dangerous. My doctor said that would not be possible since I actually could die from it. So instead, it is a slow, painful reduction of dosage day after day. Just as a warning, take Valium, or in that range instead, it is much less stressful when you are quitting them."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2012

For Anxiety "When the world is closing in on me, I take a Xanax, and suddenly I'm able to function again. I can learn and adapt, and I feel like I can capture and retain information better. Without it, any new information is lost on me, and my learning process is inhibited. The little stuff is not a problem anymore, and I can focus on accomplishing anything I need to. I didn't start having anxiety attacks until after college. I did really well, and all of a sudden I felt like in the real world I could not meet the expectations because of how well I did in school. Everything became too much: debt, learning a new job, reading (which is my favorite thing to do), being with family and friends. I hit a wall. Even with anti-depressants, I could not function."

• Tes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2021

For Anxiety "I was given a small script of 0.5 alprazolam tablets to try after a panic attack, which I suffer from. Compared to 1 mg Lorazepam or 0.5 mg Clonazepam, I found it closer to Lorazepam, with its effects being felt faster, but with more sedation and confusion. Alprazolam and its effects left faster than Lorazepam. It was harder to stay on 1 dose daily. I can see the advantage of rapid onset, but there are other benzodiazepines that leave your system more gradually, so you will have less rebound anxiety or other side effects taking a different benzodiazepine. From my experience taking them."

• mil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 11, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been taking Xanax 0.25 for less than four years to control anxiety, mainly before sleep. It works really well until it does exactly the opposite of its purpose, causing more anxiety and distress. I have been taking Xanax randomly only to relax me before sleep, say 3 times a month, 10 times a month, and most of the time half of the 0.25. I noticed that over time, especially in the months I took it more often, the anxiety, the fast heartbeats, confusion, and strange muscle weakness were getting beyond tolerable. In a few words, I would tell anyone there that NO ONE should even begin taking this very addictive Xanax. Better to suffer through your difficulties than using Xanax to ease your anxiety and panic. The drug will take you to the abyss."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Anxiety "So I took Xanax at the hospital for my anxiety. I had it for at least two days before going in, and it didn’t seem to really work. It would make me go to bed for about 5-10 minutes, and if I woke up from anxiety again, I would get no sleep. If I did, I’d wake up with anxiety again, so I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me, but I didn’t feel better at all after I took a Xanax."

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2011

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."

• Zio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2019

For Anxiety "I’d taken Ativan prior to this, and my experience wasn’t that great with Xanax. It made me feel really sedated and gave a drunk feeling and hangover the next day on only .5. Kind of made me paranoid a little bit. I would highly recommend Ativan over Xanax, as Ativan gives you a calm feeling, better for anxiety, at least for me, and not that disgusting drunk feeling."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2009

For Anxiety "Great for anxiety. The only problem I've had is after taking it regularly. When I try to reduce the dosage or frequency, my anxiety increases."