Xanax and Panic Attacks: What Users Say

• Wor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 28, 2020

For Anxiety "I have severe anxiety panic disorder that started when I was a child. I have been taking Xanax for over 30 years now. Every day I take 4 pills, but on really bad days I take 6 pills. My doctor has retired, and now I have a new doctor who is cutting me off. Instead of taking 4 pills every day, they only gave me enough for half a pill per day. I'm never able to sleep due to extreme insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks that plague me every day. I was shocked at how much they cut me off and so quickly. Right now, I am in critical condition. They say I exceeded my monthly limit. When I was given Xanax, I was able to function, sleep normally, eat, and live a normal life. I have been taking Xanax for over 30 years. It is truly inhumane. My body relies on taking medicine every day, and suddenly being cut off will be really hard on my body. Some people really do need Xanax."

• anx...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2016

For Panic Disorder "Before I was prescribed Xanax, I weighed 90 pounds, had bags under my eyes, couldn't get out of bed, had no appetite, was dehydrated, couldn't leave the house, or even speak to anyone. I have severe anxiety and depression, and also suffer from PTSD. Thoughts of suicide were everyday, and I had to be basically babysat 24/7 to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. I don't understand why everyone talks about the negative effects of this pill when people like me actually need it to function and live a happy lifestyle. Since taking it, I've gained healthy weight, no longer throw up from anxiety, I have friends now, and do activities I never thought I would without having panic attacks. It's a great feeling to be able to live again. Thank you, Xanax."

• Ham...
• October 1, 2008

For Panic Disorder "I have used Xanax since 1996. I love it. It has saved my life so many times, I can't count. I have gone through different times in my life where I had to take 9mg a day just to survive the panic attacks. My attacks come in cycles. I have had them since I was 7 years old, and I am now 39. I am so tired of them and feeling them. I had a big one today, as a matter of fact. I am going through withdrawal of getting off Lexapro. I am never without my Xanax though. Simply carrying it around helps keep off the panic attacks sometimes. If I hadn't had it, I would have been put away or had killed myself long ago, because having panic attacks is no way to live."

• Bus...
• March 15, 2016

For Depression "If I could rate Xanax higher I would, this is without a doubt the most effective medication I've ever taken for anxiety, and fast-acting. I've always dealt with public speaking anxiety since high school. I'm 29, healthy, and active, and have never been depressed, so that's why I've been reluctant about SSRIs. My GP prescribed Celexa, went up to 20mg and it was a nightmare, had panic attacks and very vivid intrusive thoughts. My GP switched to Lexapro @10mg and I still get panic attacks. If I get a panic attack, I take a 0.50mg of Xanax and it takes like 15 min to kick in and I feel great - I hate SSRIs and wish Xanax was a daily med."

• Los...
• March 31, 2014

For Anxiety "I was very uneasy, always sad, lost how to be happy, jumpy at the slightest things, and panicked. From the second or third pill, I began to feel a difference. I felt like I could have fun again or really smile, at least. It is like my brain needed a little help adjusting to difficult situations."

• Dav...
• August 23, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking Xanax for 7 years now. And I do not feel like myself anymore. Everything has become worse step by step since I started this! I can barely go out now! Xanax took my life away! My agoraphobia and panic attacks have increased over 1000 times! I'm so addicted to this medicine by now, so if I miss one dose, I get crazy panic and feel I will DIE and get a stroke or heart attack! Have been close to calling an ambulance many times! I had one bad seizure a while ago. NOW I have decided to quit this 'medicine' but at the hospital under the supervision of a doctor! I cannot quit myself! I have been taking 4 mg every day for 7 years! Please STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG! If you take it for years, it will be like selling your soul to the devil! Xanax is the devil's candy! I would have torn my first prescription in 2 parts if I could travel back in time! Now I need 4 mg a day, at least just to survive! Only to keep my nose above the surface! Remember I WARNED YOU! I lost my girlfriend! Pray for me, please!"

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2017

For Anxiety "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."

• Fre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 17, 2017

For Anxiety "I'm 34 years old and have fibromyalgia and anxiety. I have taken all the antidepressants out there, and Xanax is the only one that truly helped me. I have been on Xanax for the last 8 years of my life. I am prescribed two 2 mg a day. I take it as needed, and often I split a 2 mg in half. If I'm off work for a day, I will maybe take a quarter to half for the entire day. Recently, my regular doctor weaned me off of it. I thought I would be okay, instead, I started having panic attacks every day. They were so bad that even being around 1 or 2 friends for a long period of time, I would almost lose my shit. I had seven or eight 1 mg Xanax left when I saw a psychiatrist. I told him what was happening, and he wrote me a script instantly."

• Gil...
• September 19, 2019

For Anxiety "I did get terrible withdrawal when I tapered off Xanax last year. Now panic almost every day. Will ask for Valium instead of Xanax, because a longer half-life means less withdrawal. I'm so tired of being obsessive and terrified without meds, and sleepy with meds."

• Luv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 11, 2017

For Depression "I started Xanax 14 years ago after taking Klonopin for years. My life changed for the better instantly. Before Xanax, I was trapped in my own mind, constantly worrying instead of enjoying my family! It has now become a curse. For years, I've been on 4 mg daily, and I have severe panic attacks, depression, and insomnia. 50 mg of Trazodone for insomnia is not helping, so I use my Xanax to sleep, then, I run out early, leading to detox. I'm just going in circles! I discussed with my family about going to a detox center and starting over with other meds."

• ont...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I was diagnosed with 'Bilateral Sensorineural Conductive Hearing Loss,' severe nerve damage from the ear to the brain. It caused me severe panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder. My brain is sending me mixed signals. We are still working on finding out why, or if, this nerve causes these disorders, they started at the same time I started getting these blaring foghorn sounds in my ears 24/7. I took my 0.5 mg Xanax about 10 days ago and OMG... for the first time in 3 years, I slept, had no attacks, which I had up to 6 times a day, no depression, little to no mixed brain signals, no suicidal thoughts, I'm starting to get functional, no crazy thoughts, I even went out of the house and socialized again! :) I still need to be diagnosed, though."

• lau...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 12, 2015

For Anxiety "Do not use if you have acute anxiety. I've had lifelong daily anxiety and depression that has never gone away. I ended up dropping out of school because I couldn't sit still without having a full-blown panic attack, shaking. My head spins all day, and my anxiety causes me migraines. I've tried yoga, meditation, and all-natural remedies. I've come to terms with the fact it is genetic. I didn't know Xanax existed. I've tried all antidepressants, and they messed me up pretty bad. But I do have a very high tolerance to this medicine. I hate that it's addicting because it's the only thing that makes me feel normal and able to live my life happily."

• pnu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 21, 2015

For Panic Disorder "Suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for over 17 years. This was the best thing to keep me from having anxiety, triggering a panic attack. Other meds made it worse. Especially if you take an antidepressant like Lexapro. Lexapro alone will not work. Together with Xanax and Lexapro is the best combination for PTSD!"

• kyl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2015

For Anxiety "Xanax helped me majorly! When I was 22 years old, I tried Spice. It's a messed-up chemical, synthetic THC bull.. anyways, I smoked three bowls, and then boom, I couldn't breathe. My hands and muscles tightened up, and I couldn't move. My chest felt like I had 500 pounds on it! I thought I was dying, and my whole body was tingly! Went to the hospital, and they diagnosed me with GAD and panic disorder. For three months, I did not leave my house, and I thought I was dying 50% of the time. So my doctor put me on Ativan for a month. I stopped taking it in 5 days. I felt like I was going insane. So I was given Xanax for a month. The first time taking it, BOOM, it all stopped. I was a normal person, it helped me get over all my panic attacks! 0.5 mg as needed!"

• Raq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia in 2000, a little after a car accident. I went back to work and worked fast and hard as usual, and the dystonia got worse. Shortly after, I developed panic attacks. Dr. prescribed generic Xanax, and it really helped. I don't remember how much it was in 2005. The Xanax not only took the panic attacks away, but my neck pulling would go away for a long time. Since 2013, dystonia came back with vengeance. No one has prescribed Xanax and keeps prescribing crappy medications: Baclofen, Flexeril, and now Atarax. I'm scared to take the Atarax. I know Xanax works, and I only used it maybe four times a month. No habit forming for me. Kids ruined it for folks that need it :("

• Lan...
• January 4, 2016

For Anxiety "I suffer from moderate, sometimes severe anxiety. General life stress, such as my job (bad bosses), my kids arguing over any and everything, etc. I've been on Xanax (alprazolam) for about 2 years on and off. Recently, I've started experiencing panic attacks with psychotic features (self-diagnosing here), and as soon as I take a 0.5 mg Xanax tablet, I'm fine within 5-10 minutes. This little tablet has been a lifesaver for me."

• Sir...
• September 24, 2013

For Anxiety "I have had very emotional ups and downs in life, and after getting married 15 years ago, my life became more hectic. 10 years ago, when I lost my cousin, I had panic attacks, and I became a hypochondriac. I took Anxit (Xanax) 0.25 to 0.5 mg twice a day. I stopped all of a sudden after a year and did not notice withdrawal symptoms, as depression was somewhat like part of life dealing with people. Now, recently, I started having very bad panic attacks, and I almost stopped going out alone, as I was scared to go out alone, and my panic was of heart attacks and death by sudden reasons, etc. For the past week, I again started taking Anxit 0.25 mg once in the morning and night. I am fine and happy for the past week, and I want to continue the same dose."

• Fox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Figured I'd come back with an update since my last post was in 2013. I am still on my Xanax after about 7 years, maybe more. It's still the ONLY drug that helps with my panic disorder w/agoraphobia, PTSD, GAD, OCD, and MDD. I've been prescribed 1 mg 3 x's a day, but have never taken that much. I take 1 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg around dinner and another 0.5 mg before bed. I'm just noticing now that I may need to start taking a little more occasionally. Like an extra 0.5 some days. I'm contributing this to the fact that I am in perimenopause now, and my hormones are crazy at times and increase my anxiety and panic attacks. Also finding it more difficult to leave the house again. But still... I'm not up to the recommended dosage, so I think I might just need to take a full mg 3 x's a day now."

• Kha...
• June 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I have been suffering from panic attacks since 2013 and was kept on Xanax .5 mg TDS. Really, it's the drug which can enhance the quality of life. Even though we have the Xanax regularly, sometimes panic and anxiety come. I thought to cure anxiety off when I met with the psychiatrist, he prescribed Zoloft 50 mg once a day along with clonazepam .25 mg at bedtime. Having started that, panic came with great intensity, I left both Zoloft and Revotril and rejoined Xanax, the problem solver. Thanks, Almighty, who has put lots of benefits in Xanax."

• Rac...
• October 13, 2015

For Anxiety "I like to think of this as headache medicine. Take only when you have one. This medicine should be used in emergencies only. It is not for taking every day. For that, I recommend something that has a longer shelf life-that takes longer to break down, like Klonopin. Because of Xanax's short wait time and short shelf life, it can make you feel like an addict. If you forget a dose, in less than 4 hrs you can experience worse symptoms of anxiety because they come without warning or provocation. Instant panic attacks, inability to think or work, etc. However, as a panic attack reducer or for the instant release of an intense anxiety-related event, I do highly recommend it."

• Pam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 18, 2012

For Panic Disorder "I am a female veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq in the Navy. I got out in 2003 and have been going to the VA ever since. I have post-traumatic stress disorder and extremely bad panic attacks, at least 3 to 4 times a day. I can't leave my home; I'm paralyzed with fear. At first, the VA came up with the right combination of quetiapine and 3 mg Xanax daily. I was able to go back to work as a correctional officer at a Georgia state prison. I was happy, and my kids were happy. Miracle. Then the VA Mental Health Center at Dublin canceled all Xanax for everyone last January 2011. In the last year, I have lost my job, friends, and kids. I'm scared all the time. I have lots of panic attacks and can't leave the house anymore."

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2018

For Anxiety "I have had bad anxiety for years. Started with buspirone, but it gave me nightmares and made me stutter a little bit, so I stopped the pill. I went in for my board exam for respiratory care, and I failed. During the end of my test, my heart started racing, chest pain. I was having a panic attack. I went to the doctor, and I was prescribed Xanax. She told me to take 1/2 a pill (0.5) before my test, and I did. During my test, I felt calm, normal, fresh mind. I could think clearly. I wasn't anxious at all. I passed. It's been a great pill. I love it. But tonight, I took 1/2 before bed, and 30 minutes later, I started crying. I am depressed too before starting pills. But for the most part, Xanax has been so good to me."

• Mer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2021

For Anxiety "I had the most horrible experience with this drug. I was prescribed it by my doctor for anxiety at .25 once nightly. By the 2nd week, I was 100% convinced I had a heart problem and was going to die. Heart arrhythmias every minute, all day and night. Went to the ER twice, and both times was cleared from any heart problems and was told it was panic attacks. I've never had an issue like this in all my life. My anxiety has never led to panic attacks or pounding arrhythmias. When the ER told me it was anxiety, I stopped the Xanax, and a week later, my 'heart problem' was magically gone. I just want to put this out there for anyone else that might experience this problem. Even at such a small dose, this drug made my anxiety 10x worse once the half-life wore off."

• 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."

• 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."