Discussions that mention xanax

I can only tell you what is working for me. I too suffer with chronic severe anxiety and panic. I've tried so many AD with no luck. My psych put me on xanax. I take around 2mg day divided so I take 0.5mg 4x day. I have been panic free 100% and anxiety free about 90% which for me is wonderful after suffering for so long. The 10% anxiety I do feel is normal anxiety that most people have, everyday worries and such. Ask your doctor if maybe you can try it. It hasn't affected my sex drive at all, no weight gain. The first few days while you're adjusting it may make you sleepy but not so much you just can't function. You should be careful about driving though until you know how you react to it. I took buspar also but it didn't help. It's more for mild anxiety as told to me by my psych.
Ask your doctor! Some doctors are leary of xanax though because it can be addictive but for me the pros far outweigh that factor. I'm on xanax for the long haul.

Keep me posted and take care!
Tori

I am on Xanax also, and my internist actually perscribed it to me. I also see a therapist which helps out a lot. I only took .25mg twice a day when anxiety was really bad, but now I take it only when I need it.
I think Dr's are afraid of prescibing it because it can be addictive and can also be hard to come down from when you are taking high dosages. I did try to do .5mg and would have rebound anxiety after it wore off.
Everyone is different though and like the pervious poster said don't drive when you first go on it until you see how you react. I can drive on .25mg and .5mg, but they gave me 2mg when I was in the hospital and it was like being happy-drunk and there was no way I could drive.

It doesn't hurt to at least ask for it. Its nice to carry around a little bit of insurance for those just in case times.

Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately my health providers are VERY against Xanax, Valium, or anything of the like. They say it's addictive blah, blah!

I will ask this new dr but I'm not expecting anything different. I'm hoping if I express enough concern about not wanting the side effects that maybe they'll consider trying something different.

Julie

I have GAD and PMDD oh and twin boys that are 3, i have had this sice my boys were born. I have been seeing my psyc dr for about 2 yrs and was on Paxil CR and Klonopin. I have been off both of them for a month today. However i have been having CRAZY anxiety, my heart palpitations are REALLY freaking me out. So, my Dr prescribed xanax 0.5mg twice a day and it does nothing for me. I Know i need a higher dose but she too is against the benzo family meds. I do not want to live with this for the rest of my life! I know you all feel the same. I am trying EVERYTHING under the sun to help with the constant worring and anxiety but it is not enouph. I am taking a high B complex using lavender in everything (i even grew a lavender plant). I just wish i could find a dr that understands that this is not a way to live.
I got off the Paxil CR because i had NO sex drive and my poor husband was suffering as i was too. Now i can feel from my waist down and will not take another anti-depressant. It is so frustrating.
Today while my boys are napping i am trying to find a Dr. I just don't no if i should go to a male or female. I struck out with both in the past. I feel just as lost.
Best of luck, you are not alone.
I am also wondering if i am not expressing myself correctly to the Dr. ahhhhhhhhh i feel like screaming.

You guys really need to find a better doctor. All meds of this type anti-anxiety and anti-depressants are addictive. I have heard horror stories about people trying to quit both. It is really a myth that Xanax or any other Benzo is that horrible. The problem is the FDA is cracking down on it because it now has street value. people get it and take like 40-100 mg at a time and end up completely strung out on the stuff. Yea, it is addictive like all of the other meds, but people who suffer from panic and anxiety are unlikely to become addicted because of their paranoia of drugs. Again, my advice is to find a docor who has been working in the field for many years and 9 times out of ten he/she will be a supporter of Xanax and Benzos for anxiety. I hope you guys find someone who can help.

I agree with you OCD. My doctor was like no big deal when I asked for it, and my sister is on something else for her anxiety also.
Joojoo, do you see a therapist? Seeing one has helped me a lot and the fact that my GP and my therapist know each other may even help me with getting xanax.
Maybe ask your doctor for a referral for a therapist. Even if it is a social worker. The your doc will know that you really are serious and need help.

good luck,
Lyl

Quote from ocdengineer:

You guys really need to find a better doctor. All meds of this type anti-anxiety and anti-depressants are addictive. I have heard horror stories about people trying to quit both. It is really a myth that Xanax or any other Benzo is that horrible. The problem is the FDA is cracking down on it because it now has street value. people get it and take like 40-100 mg at a time and end up completely strung out on the stuff. Yea, it is addictive like all of the other meds, but people who suffer from panic and anxiety are unlikely to become addicted because of their paranoia of drugs. Again, my advice is to find a docor who has been working in the field for many years and 9 times out of ten he/she will be a supporter of Xanax and Benzos for anxiety. I hope you guys find someone who can help.

I have spent the last 3 days trying to find a dr. One called me back and i explained briefly my situation and he said "what meds are you taking?" i said xanax 0.5 twice a day. He then said i do not give xanax to my patientce. So how on earth am i suppose to find a dr that 'understands' that xanax helps me function? i am so frustrated.