Need some help (Xanax users) - Anxiety Message Board

nazzy9999 · 05-27-2004, 10:56 PM

Hello. My doctor says that I have anxierty diosorder but like many, I refuse to believe it. Well, my symptoms are extreme swelling of the hands and feet. Almost to the point where they are numb. Also, breathing becomes a chore as I have extreme shortness of breath and my head feels like it's on a swivel .

I was on Xanax for only a week but my symptoms pretty much subsided. My question is for the Xanax users, how long were you on it before your symptoms were cured? The reason is that I wonder being on Xanax for a long period of time can cause serious harm. My doctor says a year will help me but I have my doubts.

Thanks!

Graciecat · 05-28-2004, 05:30 AM

I'm not being smart here or anything, but I might as well say this before someone else does.
Someone will be sure to come on here and tell you that the medication won't cure you, that's it's only a band aid...well maybe that's the case, but I needed that band aid, without it I wouldn't be here now.

I took a very low dose of Xanax everyday for 7 years...another thing I've been ripped apart about...but I never had one problem with taking that drug....yes some people do, but everyone reacts differently to all medication.

This is just my opinion, but I don't think that panic disorder is ever cured.
I think that you just learn ways of coping with it and you learn not to be scared of the symptoms and once you do that then they don't have a hold on you anymore.
Once you stop worring about the symptoms a lot of the time those symptoms just go away....that's what happened to me...I got up one morning and I was fine...weaned off the medication and never looked back.

Even reading this back, it's still not coming out the way I want it to, sorry I'm not explaining it very well.

Did your Doctor do any tests to rule out other things first?
Therapy along with the medication also helps some people, did he/she suggest you look into that?

bingling · 05-28-2004, 10:40 AM

I agree with GracieCat
These pills are never a cure..They are the bridge to get you there..but you must build supports for it.I took meds thinking they would make me better....never went to therapy..I regret that now..I went off my meds for 6 months...It all came back again.I have to learn to think differently..I plan to go to therapy this time..change whats wrong in my life...then try and get off meds.You can learn to understand it..what causes it..and why it's happening to you.Good luck...I know how hard it can be.