Alprazolam for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2014

"Just got prescribed 0.5mg of Xanax. Within a half hour, the intrusive thoughts and panic attacks stopped. Taking sparingly, only when needed. Definitely a good thing to take at your worst moments, but not good for regular use."

• cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2013

"I've tried Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, and many more antidepressants and none of them worked for my severe anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I struggle with panic attacks on a daily basis, but Xanax has helped me so much and I've come a long way. Panic attacks are one of the worst conditions to have."

• Ham...
• October 1, 2008

"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."

• sac...
• May 26, 2015

"I hear a lot of people saying the same thing about this being sort of like a miracle drug. That is what my psychiatrist and doctor call it. It is quite amazing how you can be going through a full-blown panic anxiety attack and just not too long after taking Xanax. It's like night and day. It's definitely good to have one of these on hand if you suffer from anxiety or panic disorder. Sometimes just knowing I have it helps me. Anyway, 10 out of 10 very addictive but definitely works. As long as you're not popping them every couple of hours, I think most people on here will find that it works great."

• GGa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2019

"Have had symptoms of panic attack and anxiety disorder for over 50 years. Diagnosed in 1980 by a psychiatrist. I was able to lead a high-functioning life and hold down a 20-year high-functioning career with the state. After this many years and all the reading that I have done, and also my experience in working with psychiatric patients, I understand what a benzodiazepine can do. In my estimation, it is the most dangerous drug, bar none, to detox from. Because of the opiate epidemic, it is being suggested to the medical community to curtail the use of benzodiazepines. If I came away with nothing from this post, I hope to come away with the fact that doctors need to be educated on the dangers of removing patients from long-term benzodiazepine use without titrating."

• The...
• January 14, 2015

"I first started taking 0.25 mg. It worked like a miracle pill. I was also having trouble sleeping. I tried everything: antidepressant, Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril - you name it, I tried it. Now, after 3 hours on Xanax, I use a 1 mg pill before bed and I sleep like a rock, and very rarely do I have an attack during the next day. If I do, I take 0.25 mg, and in 15 minutes, I'm fine. For me, it took care of both sleeping and panic attacks!"

• Bea...
• January 6, 2020

"This drug, Xanax, does exactly what it’s supposed to do for panic attacks. It’s honestly the only prescribed drug I’ve ever taken that really fulfills what it says it will do. I’ve been taking this medicine for close to 20 years, sometimes not for long periods of time but very steadily for about the past 7. I gave it nine stars because it is super effective but has a good deal of drawbacks. For one, it’s crazy addicting. I feel I’m definitely addicted to it and start having very serious withdrawals if I skip a few days. Personally, I feel like it’s the lesser of two bad options, being that not having it in my life is just constant anxiety and panic, but it creates its own anxiety knowing that you need it. I currently take 2 mg a day, and sometimes I break it up throughout the day. If your anxiety is truly severe and strongly affecting your life, I would recommend taking it, but if that’s not the case, I would use some discretion before getting involved with a drug as strong as this."

• Kay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 1, 2019

"After our son committed suicide, I developed PTSD and panic disorder. Xanax literally saved my life. No big deal stopping this drug, but others have severe problems. By God's grace, I'm off of all drugs."

• Nic...
• March 23, 2018

"I am one of those scared of taking any medication related to psych. I had a stable job for 20 years before the onset of anxiety and panic disorder. I thought I will brave it. So read books, took yoga, etc., but it only got worse. Before long, it was affecting my performance at work. Finally, getting into elevators became impossible. Then, I became almost housebound. People even began to notice. That’s when I resolved to solve this problem once and for all. After several trials with my doctor, I found Xanax and it completely changed my life. I take 0.5 mg daily. All my symptoms are gone. Thank goodness for that medication."

• Bri...
• February 19, 2017

"This medication is a miracle if you have extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I've been on it close to 10 years and have never changed my dose. If you don't overuse it and only take it when you can't take the anxiety anymore, then you should be fine. Within about a half hour, I'm feeling much better and my anxiety is at bay."

• Cum...
• August 23, 2016

"Started at 24. Took it until 44. It's the only medication that ever worked for me. I was a guinea pig for 6 months. 2 days after taking it, it was a miracle medicine. I actually called my Dr thanking him. I had finally gotten the elephant off my chest. Never abused it, sometimes dealing with anxiety so as not to get addicted. Are there any doctors left that will prescribe real, working medication for people who really need but do not abuse it? I do not need a psychiatrist, I just need (as one put it) one in hand just in case. Doctors today think it's taboo to even mention this medication. I'm not 15 nor do I abuse it. I take a 1 mg at night and sleep like a rock. Hey doctors, this medicine works!"

• kyl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 7, 2019

"I use alprazolam ER. Have been on some form of benzo for panic issues 20-30 years. Xanax worked best. Problem was with its relief time, # of hours it would work before needing to take another. I think the main issue was with my system's ability to notice the absence of fear because the medication would give me comfort by inebriation, feeling intoxicated. Which is fine for some people, but my system began needing more. Stopping would magnify my fear, bring on withdrawal, make life beyond miserable. I was given Xanax ER, and my fear almost disappeared without intoxicating me; wish I could describe it more precisely. All I know is I do not feel like my fear is being replaced by 2-3 pints of lager. It is gone almost always without having to increase medication. Pretty amazing for someone who has medication issues."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2014

"I've had severe panic attacks for most of my life. At first, I began with 0.25mg of regular Xanax (IR) as needed, but found that I would feel it wear off. I now take 0.5mg of Xanax XR every morning, and it has been a complete life-changer. I also struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Xanax XR has also helped lessen the symptoms of both of those as well, which I was not expecting. Xanax XR completely helps the racing thoughts, helps me stay in the moment, and overall helps me feel calm and at ease."

• pan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 3, 2016

"If I could give Xanax more stars, I would. I have Panic Disorder and during college, panic disorder with mild Agoraphobia. After being prescribed Xanax, whenever I felt the onset of a panic attack emerging, this medication would save me from spiraling into a cycle of uncontrolled panic. My agoraphobia is gone. I would only recommend taking it as needed. I couldn't be happier with my results and I can live a normal life knowing I have my 'security blanket' if I need it."

• Bil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 3, 2016

"I have chronic panic disorder/agoraphobia. If not for this drug, I would be dead. Now, with all the conflict going on about it, I won't survive. I'm a 60-year-old man who has been on 3 to 4 mg a day. How inhuman these new doctors are."

• Nin...
• March 28, 2016

"It's so great to have something that finally works for me! It's fast acting and takes away my insane thoughts and brings me back to reality quickly. My worries go away and I can feel like a normal person. I've been on Ativan, Clonazepam, Paxil, and Effexor in my younger days. The Ativan did nothing. The Clonazepam was OK but is much better for sleep. The Paxil and Effexor were nightmares and had horrible side effects. I would never take that kind of medication again. I take 1-2 mg Xanax when I get an attack or intrusive thoughts, and it's the best thing for me! I become a rational thinking person again, and couldn't be happier to have something that really works. It's really improved my life."

• mzj...
• May 12, 2015

"This medication is a real life saver for aviaphobics/claus terephobics with panic disorder. I find 0.25 mgs prior to boarding and then an additional 0.25-0.50 as needed stops an attack in its tracks. This medication (coupled with relaxing music on my iPod) has given me the ability to conquer the anticipatory anxiety and the panic itself. I cannot recommend this medication enough for true panic disorder/panic attacks."

• pre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 17, 2013

"Excellent. It helps my anxiety tremendously and takes care of my panic attacks promptly. I highly recommend it. If you take it as prescribed, you will not get addicted. I have been taking it for ten years. It also helps with my high blood pressure and tachycardia."

• Ola...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

"I was prescribed 0.5 mg Xanax as needed for my PTSD, severe anxiety, and panic attacks. I can say it works 100%. My panic attacks lasted about 45 mins before it was prescribed, and now they last about 5 mins. I take about 1 mg (2 doses of 0.5 mg) when I feel it coming on. This drug saved my life! I am also on 150 mg of Zoloft and hydroxyzine for the evening to keep my anxiety down and help me sleep. They say this drug is very, very addictive, but my psychiatrist said it’s hard to get addicted if you use it correctly and only as needed. Make sure to not drink much with Xanax, or it will make you sleep for a long time and is super dangerous. I will be on this med for a very, very long time."

• des...
• May 26, 2020

"Started Xanax XR 1 mg about 10 years ago. I took it on and off for GAD. Then increased to 1 mg plus 0.5 mg if needed. Due to extended release, my doctor kept telling me that it is not an addictive drug. Rubbish. Also, tapering off is a problem because you can only do 0.5 mg at a time. So now, after cancer and death in the family, I had to stay on it for anxiety. New doctor (psychiatrist) after 10 plus years. First word out of his mouth: I don't like prescribing Xanax XR that much. Great. Plus, appointments are with telemedicine, which stinks. The drug works, but definitely dependence and tolerance. Any feedback would be nice."

• Dar...
• June 30, 2016

"Just wanted to give my experience with Xanax so far. I started having genuine anxiety attacks and all-day anxiety episodes about two months ago. But there were definitely signs of a building anxiety disorder before that. As opposed to normal anxiety, which we should all try to cope with as best as possible without unnecessary drugs. But these attacks had become all-day, distracting, genuinely life-disrupting experiences, tense muscles, constant intrusive thoughts, inability to concentrate on other things, etc. At that point, there's something wrong, and it needs to be diagnosed. Xanax works like a tourniquet for your mind - and sometimes you just need that. It won't cure the underlying issues, but it'll give your mind space to recuperate."

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

"I started having panic attacks about 13 years ago. The doctor gave me a few different drugs to try - all either had horrible side effects, including nightmares - or did nothing. Then we tried Xanax - it was a miracle for me! One 0.5 mg Xanax, and I can function again. When I was promoted at work to a position where I would have to speak in front of a crowd, I was terrified, but taking one of these has changed my life!"

• Amy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 10, 2015

"I don't know how to explain the turmoil and suffering that I went through in the mid-nineties even after a perfect childhood at 17 years old. I found myself 79 pounds in the hospital because I could not eat, I could not sleep, and I could not function. However, misdiagnosed as an eating disorder and depression, it took me quite a few times to even go to a doctor that noticed I may be a bit nervous. I bet that was an understatement. Because I keep getting slack about the medication, I have tried Klonopin, which brought me out like a teenager and did not work for me. I have tried Valium, which was way too strong for me. I have been on this medication for over 15 years and have never had to up my dosage, not once, and it still works."

• Emo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 8, 2013

"I have found that Xanax works for me in such a way that I can go outside, to the shopping mall, and to other events with my family that I would otherwise avoid at all costs. I have been on Xanax since 1987, and aside from a couple of small self-medicating incidents and using it with alcohol when I was younger (which I no longer do as it's quite dangerous), my life has been almost normal."

• DEE...
• September 28, 2019

"I was on 0.5 mg (1/2 mg) 2x daily of regular Xanax for 15 years for panic attacks and anxiety disorder. It worked wonderfully, and I had a very good quality of life with it. Suddenly, last month, my psychiatrist of 20 years decided he no longer likes to prescribe regular Xanax anymore. Well, I had a very bad anxiety relapse when he prescribed me Xanax Extended Release 1 mg one time per day instead. It was horrible! It felt like I didn't even take my Xanax, and I had waves of normalcy mixed with horrendous rolling anxiety and intermittent panic attacks daily and nightly. What I didn't know was that it was only giving me 0.25 mg at a time 4 times per day. Well, I was used to the 1/2 of a mg 2 times per day, which was much stronger. People with anxiety or panic disorder notice every subtle detail and bodily change, so I started panicking when I felt like they weren't working. My anticipatory anxiety shot through the roof, and I felt panicked for the past month. It has been a roller coaster ride!"