Xanax and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Jew...
• January 13, 2019

For Anxiety "I'm new to taking Xanax and to this site. I'm 31 years old, got married in June to a man who doesn't believe in anxiety, so it makes me feel worse. I have been so scared to take it due to the fact I have taken stuff as a teen that made me feel really out of it and depressed. I have been to every doctor and emergency room late at night, sick to my stomach, my chest feeling heavy and my head heavy and fuzzy, can't focus, dizzy, hot, tingling feeling numbness in my face, my lips, my arms, and everyone says it's anxiety or a panic attack. I feel so alone in this, and I'm scared that there is something really wrong with me and the doctors are just not finding it. I feel hopeless. I hope the Xanax will help do something. I can't function in society, and I'm tired of faking that I'm okay when I'm dying inside. Does anyone else feel like this, or am I just crazy?"

• Dea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 25, 2021

For Anxiety "I've C-PTSD after having an extremely violent home environment growing up. I've gone through everything to try and calm my symptoms down. Seven years ago, my doctor put me on a combination of Xanax 1.5 mg per day over three doses and 15 mg of Mirtazapine. I went from a hermit to having a normal life. Having a career, a solid relationship... my life did a full 180. Now I have a new doctor and went to have my longstanding script renewed (I've just moved country)... he reduced the dose to Xanax two 0.5 mg, which isn't enough as I get nausea and dizziness between doses if I leave it too long. So I carried on with my 0.5 three times a day and have to go back tomorrow to get him to fix the script. I'm terrified that he will try to reduce or take me off them. These are literally the only thing that has worked. I'm willing to accept the risks as the rewards of having a normal life far outweigh the bad effects."

• Fit...
• December 15, 2019

For Anxiety "Was prescribed Xanax 0.25 mg as needed about 9 months ago. After a few weeks, I cut it back on my own to 0.125 as needed. I’m averaging 0.1 mg a day. I’m concerned about long-term use, (is 9 months considered long-term?) Withdrawal is another fear (does replacing Xanax with another drug make any sense?) and mostly, the dizziness that I feel almost daily, especially when standing up or getting out of bed. Anyone have advice or personal experience that can help me? I’m 62, with 3 widowmaker stents, but otherwise in excellent health."

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2009

For Anxiety "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

For Anxiety "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."

• Edu...
• December 13, 2015

For Anxiety "All started when I was about 18 years young. All typical symptoms - racing thoughts, palpitations, high blood pressure, dizziness, fear, choking feeling, chest tightness, fear of death, and many other unbearable things which happen when anxiety becomes uncontrollable! Over the years, I have had my good days and my bad days. Sometimes to a point where I don't want to live anymore, but then come good days, and to live is the thing I want the most. For those dark moments when close to panic, Xanax has really helped me! It gets me a bit calmer straight away, and then I can start breathing exercises and other little things which help to calm down. Without Xanax, I honestly wouldn't know what to do!"

• Jeb...
• July 16, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I've had vertigo for three years now due to a head injury. This caused inner ear damage, and I have chronic dizzy spells. I have tried every medication out there and was introduced to Xanax at an urgent care clinic. BINGO! Finally, I found something that works. It's also the only medication that helps me sleep. I don't know what I'd do without it. Addicting, but at least I can make it better with Xanax."

• Jeb...
• July 16, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I've had vertigo for three years now due to a head injury. This caused inner ear damage, and I have chronic dizzy spells. I have tried every medication out there and was introduced to Xanax at an urgent care clinic. BINGO! Finally, I found something that works. It's also the only medication that helps me sleep. I don't know what I'd do without it. Addicting, but at least I can make it better with Xanax."

• min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2015

For Anxiety "I've always suffered with anxiety, but I've been able to control it. I've been out of work for 3 weeks, with a phobia of going back, because I had a panic attack, and I was exposed, and people were watching. My secret was out. Rewind - 3 weeks ago I had a kidney infection, I was in the hospital for 5 days, home for 5 days, then went directly back to a stressful job. That's where it happened, the attack. People were surrounding me and causing me more stress, I was put back in the hospital. I'm now on Buspar and Xanax. Buspar I have my negative thoughts on that, not sure it's helping or not, dizzy spells. But the Xanax does help with the anxiety. It makes me super sleepy and groggy. I'm seeing a therapist and psychiatrist, pray for me."

• Hol...
• July 19, 2015

For Anxiety "Truly a miracle pill! Starting to have severe anxiety attacks out of nowhere (heart palpitations, numbness in arms and legs, dizziness, tremors), and within 15 to 20 minutes, I feel normal again! I would advise only taking it when desperately needed because I can see how they can become addictive! I take 0.5 mg but will start to cut that in half, a lower dosage is always better if it works. I have only been taking it for one week, so far so good, and no side effects to report."

• Isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

For Anxiety "I was taking Alprazolam, 5 mg 3x a day for anxiety. Got off it for about a month because I was dizzy all the time. Doctor told me it wasn't from the Alprazolam, but I think it is. I have had CT scans, MRIs, and MRA on my neck and head, and they found nothing. Today is my last little dose of weaning off of it, so I'm hoping the dizziness will stop here in a few weeks. I hate this drug and it hasn't really done anything for me except make me dizzy. Won't use again. Anyone else have the dizziness?"

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2012

For Anxiety "Xanax has been a lifesaver. I have always had problems feeling a little anxious. But once I was diagnosed as having a brain tumor at 26, it only made things worse. My doctor prescribed Lexapro, which worked okay, but I didn't like the way it made me feel, so I stopped taking them on my own. One particular night about 3 weeks ago, I got so upset that I thought I was having a heart attack. I was dizzy, chest hurting and pounding, weakness. Nobody could find anything medically wrong with me. I asked the doctor for something for anxiety, to which he prescribed Xanax 0.25 mg every 6 hours, and within the 30 minutes of taking it, all my symptoms had diminished. Xanax really saved my life."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

For Panic Disorder "I had been getting panic attacks for so long, they were so scary. I had already been to the ER like four times, and the only thing that did was get me a huge bill that I don't have money to pay. Xanax was like a miracle pill for me. I got some, felt so relieved, a little dizzy at first, but relieved that I wasn't so panicky anymore. I'm guessing you should only take it when you start feeling like you're going to get a panic attack again or as told by your doctor. Just don't drink any alcohol while you're on Xanax. It does make me feel sleepy, but sometimes when I feel like going out, I fight it, and I don't sleep, and I'm still able to go out and enjoy myself."

• Hug...
• December 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been on quite a few different kinds of medications for anxiety and depression, but I've never had a reaction quite like I did with this one. Within hours of taking it for the first time, I began to feel nauseous, drowsy, uncoordinated, shaky; my vision was blurry and I couldn't drive a car. These symptoms persisted until I stopped the medication. I tried it once or twice after stopping the first time, and the horrible symptoms came right back. I couldn't even do my work. If you have any sensitivities to this medication, I would not recommend it. I'm no doctor, but even I know when a pill isn't worth the risk."

• Lak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2018

For Depression "I was initially diagnosed with severe depression. It was the drug of first choice to treat my extreme shyness. While on it, I had trouble breathing. I was so dizzy and confused that at times I didn't even know where I was. I couldn't do anything. All I did was sleep. I was supposed to take it 3x a day but stopped before completing the treatment. I wouldn't recommend the experience to anyone. I honestly can't tell why some people take it for kicks or how they end up being addicted to it."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2011

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking Xanax for 4 years. This pill has done wonders for me. It really did give me control of my life back. I was prescribed 1 mg. I was afraid to take it at first because of all the stories I have heard about addiction. Well, when I first tried it, it was an immediate success, and I knew I found the key to living the rest of my life normally. My doctor didn't just throw this at me. This was our last option. It was the best one. I do get dizzy sometimes. I also experienced weight gain. That was mainly because as I started to live normally again, I stopped working out and other methods that I used to help combat panic. That was mainly a healthier lifestyle that I assumed would naturally help me think clear."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2015

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this med because I lost my dad very suddenly recently and suffered my first full-blown panic/anxiety attack. The attack itself was the usual numbness and tingling sensation. Hard time breathing and impending doom thoughts. I was told to take on an as-needed basis, so that's what I did. I started to have the strangest things happening to my body, flu-like symptoms with hot and cold flashes and pain all over! My usually high blood pressure kept falling, and I was dizzy and lightheaded. My doctor attributes it to anxiety and directed me to take more! So we upped my dose, and OMG the pain was worse!! Now I know I might just be sensitive to this drug, but my friend had the exact same experience with it. So beware!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 27, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I'm 63 and started Xanax at 19. Had panic disorder. Now I suffer trying to hold a job as I can’t remember things while trying to be trained. I’ve lost the last 2 jobs due to it. My balance is suffering, been tired for years and now see it causes Alzheimer's. I’m scared of what’s ahead in my future now, but after 40 years, the damage is already done. It was very effective for helping me live, but now I wish they’d have tried something different."