Alprazolam for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• maz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2019

Alprazolam "I have severe OCD, with accompanying anxiety and debilitating insomnia. Xanax helps me break thought loops. I only take it a few times per week, almost exclusively at night, and rarely during the day when I'm hit with a paralyzing bout of obsessional thought. I take .125 mg (half a .25 mg pill). Surprisingly, that is enough to stop the ruminating and make me a little drowsy, and that adds up to falling asleep. Sometimes I take it in the middle of the night to get back to sleep, but only if I don't have to get up early the next day and if I didn't take it to get to sleep that night in the first place. The way I see it, if .125 to .25 mg stops working for me, it'll be time to move on and maybe revisit Xanax at a later date. Having tried a great many different medications, I'm beginning to think rotating treatments is the way to go anyway, to prevent tolerance, addiction, and avoid long-term side effects/consequences."

• Los...
• March 31, 2014

Alprazolam "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."

• Bob...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 10, 2016

Alprazolam "I was prescribed regular Xanax in the early '90s for anxiety, and it changed my life - for the better. I was more productive than ever, my relationships got back to where they should be, and I was finally sleeping well. As time went on, my tolerance increased and I suffered significant peaks and valleys between doses throughout the day. Xanax XR was a complete game changer for me - a completely different medication. I take it in the morning and feel great all day long, and I sleep well. I still take the regular Xanax on occasion if my anxiety flares. The XR version is far better but much more expensive. The $120/month is nothing when it comes to quality of life."

• Kir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 24, 2019

Alprazolam "I've been on Xanax for 25 years. Same 2 mg dose the entire time. It got added to my meds due to childhood PTSD that would not allow me to calm down and sleep. This drug should not be used alone. Other meds should be in place. If you take this drug and need to continue to increase the dosage amount, this drug may not be for you. You need a diagnosis from a psychiatrist to even get this drug. You will be monitored for a long time while on it. Monthly visits to the doctor for years and years. Once you can prove that you can take this medication responsibly, you may find the 'rules' relaxed a bit. You are not to drink on this drug. I have rarely had a drink for the last 25 years. A cocktail once in a blue moon."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2016

Alprazolam "I started taking Xanax 0.25 mg for generalized anxiety over the past few days, and it has helped me feel relaxed, less worried, and happy. It also hasn't affected me with any crazy side effects (which I was afraid would happen). I was so scared to take it, but my anxiety was getting out of control, so I figured I would give it a try and see how my body handles it. I'm going to continue taking one a day since it seems to be helping a lot. I don't worry, and I feel calm. The pill does wear off after a few hours and takes about 20-30 minutes to kick in, but my doctor says it's safe to take another one as needed. I'm also doing counseling, and it is very helpful as well. I definitely recommend this for anxiety!"

• Opi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 28, 2015

Alprazolam "I've been on and off Xanax for years! I've always only taken 1/2 of 0.25mg to take the edge off when I felt my anxiety coming on and if I knew I was going to do something out of my comfort zone. It has helped me tremendously. I concentrate better, and it actually helps my stuttering. I'm a firefighter/paramedic, and I'm constantly dealing with stressful situations. I love my job and could never have done it without Xanax. I hate that it gets a bad rap because people abuse it. I have never even come close to abusing it and use it for what it's for. Throughout the years, I've tried all other anti-anxiety medications, and Xanax is the only one that helped me. It's almost like I have a chemical imbalance, and Xanax corrects it!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2025

Alprazolam "It's been a miracle for my anxiety. Unfortunately, fixture won't prescribe it in 2025. My depression is bad and so many panic attacks. I'm afraid to leave my house or drive. It's ridiculous they are too scared to prescribe it. I did the genetic testing and I can't take any antidepressant. What do they expect me to do? My quality of life is terrible now."

• Gav...
• May 20, 2017

Alprazolam "Any drug can get a bad rap because of some people abusing it. A lot of doctors don't even like prescribing Xanax because they don't want their patients getting 'hooked.' For me, I suffer from occasional anxiety attacks, and my prescription is 'as needed.' Anxiety attacks can be VERY scary. There were a few times I literally thought I was gonna die, it was that bad. I even went to the ER once because I believed I was having a heart attack. They are different for different people. I used to smoke and drink a lot of coffee, so I think that's what screwed up my body chemistry. I don't drink caffeine or smoke anymore. All I know is that now that I have my Alprazolam (Xanax) in my pocket, I'm not as scared to go places. I can live my life again."

• Xan...
• March 4, 2008

Alprazolam "Xanax has helped me tremendously. I was having severe anxiety attacks really bad! My doctor at the time worked next door within the same building/office, and he had witnessed my attacks and finally prescribed me just 1 mg Xanax. He told me to take 1 half in the morning and 1 half in the evening. It took a while but finally I was attack free. I feel like I can live my life now!"

• LDU...
• November 13, 2008

Alprazolam "After taking this medication, I feel very tranquil. I am an easygoing person when I take it. I am calm, and I don't have that high feeling I hate. I am coherent but calm. No one really bothers me. It's a miracle because before, I used it, my husband used to get on my nerves, my kids would get under my skin at the grocery market. I wanted to knock out someone, but now I am a nice calm person that can be approached and even has fun."

• Kin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2017

Alprazolam "Since my dad got sick and eventually passed away, my anxiety, depression, and fears were just overwhelming. I've been having so many intrusive thoughts since then. I had mild depression before he passed, it's been 5 years, and it's finally just destroyed me. I finally went and got help two weeks ago, and Xanax not only completely calms me down, it helps me focus on things I need to focus on and not let my mind wander with anxiety and weird thoughts. Miracle drug. Don't abuse it. Use it when needed, it's amazing."

• Qan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2018

Alprazolam "I had severe postpartum anxiety to the point of no sleep for 3 months, which made me lose touch with all reality. I couldn’t take benzos as I was determined to breastfeed. Once I got through another bout of insomnia when I stopped breastfeeding, I was suicidal from lack of sleep and panic/anxiety. I was put on Xanax, .125 to .25 per day before bed. 4 years later, I still have anxiety around sleep, so I take half the lowest dose 45 mins before bed. I struggle with sleep at times, but I have not increased my dose over the 4 years and don’t freak out or withdraw if I miss a dose. My doctor hired a new nurse who seems bent on getting me off it, makes me plead my case to get refills. I don’t understand this thinking-a low dose of Xanax forever is better than a strung-out suicidal insomniac. I have tried all SSRIs, hypnosis, counseling, meditation, CBTI for insomnia, and hormone therapy. Nothing works as well as half a Xanax 45 mins before bed. It’s just reality for me."

• Alp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2019

Alprazolam "The first time my doctor gave me Xanax, I thought this is the best! I started with 1 mg per day, then 2, and then 3. It made me feel so calm and more happy. But I realized after how addictive it is. Now I take Xanax up to 6 mg per day because I feel it is the only thing that helps me not have anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes I just enjoy how it makes me feel. It has been very effective, but I also think it is dangerous. Because I don't care about the side effects, but I am very scared of the thought of overdosing. I lie to people about how mg I take in a day. Take care of yourself if you have depression. It is easy to get addicted because it gives you that empty feeling you might find pleasant."

• Eli...
• January 10, 2017

Alprazolam "I suffer from emetophobia-related panic attacks and anxiety, and this drug is just a godsend. I try to reserve it until I really need it, as I know that, based on my personality, I could pretty easily become dependent. If it wasn't for the issues with dependency and withdrawal, it would be a ten out of ten for me. I will note that after I stopped using it semi-regularly, I became better at dealing with anxiety, 'on my own' so to speak, and experienced less anxiety overall as I improved my coping skills. Still, I'm really grateful for this medication and encourage other miserably anxious people out there to discuss it with their doctors. It really improved my life when I thought nothing could."

• Pha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2018

Alprazolam "I've taken Xanax regularly for about 5 years. Having to deal with severe family issues, my general anxiety disorder has ramped up considerably these past 5 years. My dosage varies, as I take it as needed. Some days I take 1 mg and many days I take none at all. I probably average 0.25 mg/day, and it has been extremely beneficial to me. Even on my worst days, I realize that taking more won't help, and I will just have to get through that day at a maximum of 1 mg. For me, Xanax has been a very helpful tool in my turbulent life, and as things start to level out, my usage decreases."

• hye...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2013

Alprazolam "I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks as well as live a somewhat stressful lifestyle. Xanax has been my lifesaver and has been a tremendous aid in allowing me to continue to function in life on a daily basis. Truly a blessing in my life 100%."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 4, 2024

Alprazolam "I have taken 0.5 mg Xanax for around 20 years and have never increased my dosage. I have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder most of my life to the point it makes me sick with nausea, difficulty breathing, and racing heart. This happens mostly when I travel anywhere away from home, especially when I have to fly. With Xanax, I am able to travel and live a normal life. 99% of the time I only take it for sleep, but I do take it more when I travel. I have a very stressful job, and I would not be able to sleep without it. I would also not be able to get on an airplane without it. I have been to Europe four times, which I would never be able to do without Xanax. As someone else said, it's my security blanket and I take it with me everywhere I go. I pray my doctor never stops prescribing it for me. I have never had withdrawals or any side effects. It's a miracle drug for me! It is not dangerous or addicting when you take it responsibly."

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2008

Alprazolam "Xanax has helped me tremendously. I do not suffer from any of the side effects that are listed. Since being on this drug for my anxiety, I have been given a part of my life back. I didn't like to be in crowds of people or go to social events, and since I am on this medicine, I no longer suffer from these anxieties."

• Tee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2019

Alprazolam "I have been taking .25 generic Xanax for over 5 years, mostly to help me fall asleep. Sometimes every night or every other night. This drug has saved my life because I was staying awake till 3 a.m. every night for most of my adult life, and it took a toll on my physical and mental health. Sometimes I can fall asleep without it and won’t take it in fear of becoming addicted. But when I can’t fall asleep, it relaxes my mind enough to give me a good 6 hours of sleep. It saved my life because I nearly had a nervous breakdown from worrying about my family and the bad conditions in our country. Thanks to Xanax, I am still here. Most of those who have issues are taking way too much too many times a day. Taking just .25 is all I need to sleep better. And if during the day I get really nervous, I will take 2 pills and get so much relief. Don’t think I can function without it."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 16, 2022

Alprazolam "It worked great for a little while, and then tolerance came on very quickly. The Dr. kept upping the dose until I was on the maximum daily dosage. Then after that, I started having inter-dose withdrawals because of the extremely short half-life. When I finally said enough is enough and tried to quit, I ended up in the hospital intensive care and then in the psych ward strapped down to a bed. I had hallucinations and paranoia for weeks, even on a taper schedule (I've never had any kind of hallucinations or schizophrenia in my entire life before this). It's been a couple of years now, and while some of the damage has gone away and healed, my brain and body are permanently damaged and will never be the same. If you are going to take this drug, please only use it on occasion, maybe no more than once or twice a week. Or try to get on a benzodiazepine like Valium or Ativan, which has a longer half-life. I wish I could go back in time and save myself from the torture I've gone through."

• LPC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 29, 2025

Alprazolam "I am a licensed clinical trauma therapist with 35 years of experience dealing with anxiety and related trauma from a diverse client base. The recreational use of Xanax is a legitimate concern. Albeit, it remains one of the most effective medications for those suffering from chronic anxiety and resulting quality of life decline. My experience with Xanax use for debilitating anxiety stemming from traumatic medical diagnoses (cancers) and co-occurring loss of parents, colleagues, and friends within a very brief time span proved a major factor in recovery. Xanax, appropriately dosed, offered a therapeutic reduction in "fight or flight" symptoms to include an increased sense of calm from physiological and emotional triggers. While benzodiazepines carry dependency risks, this longstanding medication's benefits far outweigh the risks when its use is monitored by a physician who has not been biased by the emergence of pharmaceutical lobbying and prescribing practices."

• Van...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 30, 2020

"I found that the fast-acting nature of alprazolam was very beneficial to my type of severe anxiety. I have had moments where I could not leave the house, but within a half hour, I felt much calmer. I have panic attacks that seem to come out of nowhere and seem to incapacitate me. The alprazolam calms me down to where I am able to breathe, gather my thoughts, and get on with life."

• NoT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

Alprazolam "From my experience with Xanax, it ruins lives, period. Xanax was made for 14-day use for acute crisis but is grossly misprescribed. Xanax is more addictive than heroin and turns normal people into weird and angry shells of who they previously were. The drug causes the brain to stop producing chemicals it needs, and the half-life is so short that you go into withdrawal every time the drug 'runs out' every 4 hours. You believe the feeling is 'anxiety' and take another pill to treat it! However, the feeling is just withdrawal. You will need more and more of the drug just to get the original effects, and you will not really be aware of how you’re acting. The longer you take the drug, the worse it gets-and eventually, the doctor who got you hooked on it will stop prescribing it. A safe way to get off of Xanax is the Ashton method (Benzodiazepines: How They Work & How to Withdraw)-switching slowly from Xanax to Valium. Valium is like a longer-acting form of Xanax, which then is easier to cut down on. I urge you never to start the drug."

• sho...
• March 19, 2015

Alprazolam "I have had anxiety since I was a child. From my personal experiences, this medicine is the fastest and most effective, but be very careful, it is also the most addictive. I ran my prescription short one month and was without it for a couple of days and had a seizure while driving. Just because the doctor says three or four times a day doesn't mean you need them that much. Be very careful!"

• Daw...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2019

Alprazolam "I have taken two 0.5 tabs at bedtime for over 7 years. Sometimes I can just take one. I don't like having to take a medication, but it helps me sleep. If I can get a decent night's sleep, I feel I can take on the next day. This medication works great, and my dosage hasn't been increased in all these years."