I started taking 0.5mg xanax 3x per day after giving birth to my daughter back in march 2011, I was having major panic attacks and even got to a point where I didnt want to leave my home. During my pregnancy I went through a lot of stress from being sick from the pregnancy to almost losing my husband in an accident.I went through a real depression. Thankfully now I feel a lot better and feel as though im getting stronger and have been able to drive and do everyday errands with my daughter. =) I have been able to get down to half of one 0.5mg once a day for a few months now. Im afraid that taking it every single day is a problem and I feel like Im the only one doing this. If I dont take that one dose a day I am afraid of withdrawals and also possibly going back to that dark place feeling anxious and panic. Your help and opinions would really be great as I have noone in my life who can relate. thank you.
Is anyone taking xanax (alprazolem) 0.25 mg once a day?
Question posted by iipinkiixo on 12 April 2012
Last updated on 18 March 2025 (8 weeks ago) by MissAnxietyX
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8 Answers
Hi! I know this conversation thread is really old! But I'm taking the same 0.25mg dose everyday to keep my GAD at bay, I'm extremely worried about dependency or withdrawals stuff... and I have health anxiety too, so the mix is really bad! How are you going now? Did you stop taking them? I really want experiences from other GAD sufferers because xanax really help me with my morning anxiety, I usually take 1 x 0.25mg and work for the whole day, because my mornings I feel extremely overwhelmed and my main feelings are psychological (like feel nervous and overwhelmed) not physical (shaking, racing pulse... ) I really appreciate your insights, a big hug for everybody!
Yes I take 0.25mg of xanax 3 times a day they do help but make me feel like i have had a few beers I am going to start taking just 2 a day and see how that goes I started this med about 2 months ago after my neurologist told me I have panic attacks I also take 1 5mg diazepam before bed
Hi. Am on Xanax and antidepressant to deal with my health. My hubby has been on Xanax for many years, helps him sleep.
I have found that when you need a med there are far less problems getting off than pushing a drug until you can't get relief. The brain adjusts to high doses as easily as low doses.
Don't worry about all the withdrawal stories you read. This is a tiny bit of something and you can finish the weaning as you are by cutting the pill in half, if that makes you more comfortable. Sometimes changing the antidepressant is more important and you won't need the Xanax. Since it works for a few hours and is done, the little you are taking only affects you for maybe four hours the day you take it. That means you are already doing fine on your off days, right? maybe you are done already.
Dear iipinkiixo,
Well, I agree with the others too. I am prescribed a benzodiazapine like Xanax three times a day for major anxiety disorder. I try to only take it two times a day. I don't feel bad about it at all. I don't plan on staying on it forever. But feel I definately need it right now. You are definately not the only one who has to take it every day, but if you can get by with every other day, then try that. And then if you want to get off of it... you can. That is what I plan to do in time myself. Good luck to you and best wishes. Ruth Oh..and congrats on the new baby girl. What a blessing for sure. Ruth
thanks Ruth =) question ; how long have you been taking it everyday ? and how much? im down to half of 0.5 but im afraid that ii still feel as though ii need ii only take it once around 2pm and thats it. if ii get a panic attack any other time ii maintain and try to control it myself. Im just afraid ii wont be able to take that leap into not needing it at all. =/ hope to one day wake with NO anxiety it is the worst!! Good luck to you as well =)
Hey there . I was given Xanax .25 to be taken 3 x daily. I never took it daily and only took it here or there if I felt stressed or had nights I couldn't sleep . I when I took it I usually broke the .25 in half . So I don't think there is a risk of dependency or withdrawal because there simply wasn't enough in my system for any duration. That said it made me sleep so during the day I don't feel anxiety . As I said I used to take it once in a while like perhaps once in 2 weeks if I need to but not every day. Doing it this way as I stated there is no getting hooked nor withdrawal . I have been using a program I bought on iTunes which I downloaded it's called attacking anxiety and depression by Lucinda Bassett . It's a God send . I don't work for nor am i an affiliate of her but I tell you that program is the cure. Please get it you will find you will no longer need your meds as you go through the program .
16 audios you listen to one per week and I tell you by the 3 track you will change completely .i still listen to mine from time to time . No meds for me I defeated anxiety and panic using this method try it please. You can also find new or used copies on Amazon.com. Anxiety is only a thought that causes fearful feelings and uncomfortable feelings in the body . We then become fearful of these feelings reoccurring which causes them to reoccur because we start anticipateing the feelings which then scares us to the point of fearful panic . Just a thought dies that to you. Then it becomes a vicious cycle . With the program I mentioned I learned to interrupt the cycle to even command the panic to come as strong as it want to . But it can't come it collapses in it self if I dare it to come and tell it ur welcome to come and stay . It's a brain trick. If u tell something to come and invite it that tells your amygla in the brain that you are not afraid of these feelings any longer which in turn retrains it to look at these feelings as a non threat . Hence no more panic attack. This is just one technique .
I totally agree with the others answers. I have had to take xanax for years to get me to sleep at night, not for anxiety. I started on .05 mg., & many nights didnt use it at all. It is a low dose, & if your anxiety has lessesned, it shouldn't be a problem to do as laurie suggested taking it every other day or just when you feel you must have it. Stopping it shouldn't be a problem... Mary
thanks again Mary; it feels good to know im not alone in this. I just thought taking half of a 0.5 every single day was not good and honestly didnt know anyone who did. thanks for the advice ! best wishes to you and your husband =)
You are welcome & thanks for the well wishes... Mary
Hi there - first, congrats on ur new baby girl! 0.25 mg of Xanax is actually considered a subtheraputic dose, which basically just means u should have no issues stopping. It's just not enough 4 ur brain 2 care :) I'm not completely clear on whether u felt ur anxiety/panic attacks or depression was/is ur primary issue. There are antidepressents that have some anti anxiety properties, and ironically, Xanax has some anti-depressent properties. I would agree that trying every other day & seeing how u feel is a good start. Whatever u choose, there's no shame or blame in the proper use of either Xanax or Cymbalta. Even a positive life change like marriage, birth of a child, promotion at work, etc are all still major life changes. Through in hormones, ur husband's accident, & adjusting 2 caring for an infant... that's a lot! Pls be kind & gentle 2 yourself & pat yourself on the back 4 handling all this as well as u have! Best wishes 2 u & ur family
great answer echo. Ruth
thank you echo. this makes me feel a whole lot better. this is the first ive openly spoke about how ii felt and someone understood. It gives me a lot of hope ; its been a year on the xanax and im hoping to wean off like you say as docs have told me as well trying every every other day. Im afraid im not ready to take that leap =/ ii dont feel the need to want more & more for the effect more so just that one a day to prevent the anxiety. *sighs* thanks again this really makes me feel better you have no idea. =) best wishes to you as well
Since you are only taking half of a 0.5mg pill you shouldn't have any withdrawals. You could always go to taking the half everyother day for a week and then stop. See what happens. If the depression returns, though I doubt it would be from the lack of xanax, might want to try an antidepressant which also works great for anxiety like the previous poster says. You are not alone in your efforts, time to take the jump.
great thanks for the help ive heard thats a good way also, like you mentioned every other day , i will try to do that. thank you. =)
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter. I had major
depression/anxiety after I had my daughter (although it was
24 years ago I remember it well). I am on zoloft now but my
pdoc gives me Xanax to take on an as-needed basis. Once when
I was in the middle of changing meds I had to use a pretty
high dose of xanax for 5 months until my new med kicked in.
Once the new med started working I was able to come off
the xanax quickly without any withdrawal effects. You can
always check with your doctor but at your low dose just
once a day I wouldnt think you would have any problems.
If your symptons were to return you may want to consider
a long-term med like an antidepressant but of course your
doctor knows best. I hope things continue to improve for you.
best wishes,
starr2
thank you for the advice ! very much appreciated. I have been prescribed cymbalta but ive been so afraid of trying to start on any new meds. But I will def. try.
Related topics
xanax, anxiety, panic disorder
Further information
- Xanax uses and safety info
- Xanax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax (detailed)
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