Alprazolam and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Wor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 28, 2020

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I have severe anxiety panic disorder that started when I was a child. I have been taking Xanax for over 30 years now. Every day I take 4 pills, but on really bad days I take 6 pills. My doctor has retired, and now I have a new doctor who is cutting me off. Instead of taking 4 pills every day, they only gave me enough for half a pill per day. I'm never able to sleep due to extreme insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks that plague me every day. I was shocked at how much they cut me off and so quickly. Right now, I am in critical condition. They say I exceeded my monthly limit. When I was given Xanax, I was able to function, sleep normally, eat, and live a normal life. I have been taking Xanax for over 30 years. It is truly inhumane. My body relies on taking medicine every day, and suddenly being cut off will be really hard on my body. Some people really do need Xanax."

• Nev...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 24, 2019

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I rated Xanax a 5 because yes at first it was a godsend! I got an appetite, became interested in daily activities again, gave me motivation, and I once again had goals set for myself. However, this drug is for short-term use and that's it! I was on it for several years, and when I became physically dependent on it, what was prescribed to me was never enough! I not only was physically dependent but also addicted! It began to cause increased anxiety, irrational behavior, destructive actions, and really bad mood swings! I weaned myself off as soon as I realized it was causing the problems in my life! If you get on this medication, don't stay on it for too long! Getting off of this medication was the hardest thing I have ever done in my whole life. I am still struggling with it 2 years later!"

• fli...
• March 14, 2011

Alprazolam for Tinnitus "I have been taking Xanax XR for about 8 years. Prior to that, I took Xanax every 4 hours. My tinnitus is so loud it cannot be tested, and after a lifetime of living with tinnitus, I sought help. Xanax XR is better than Xanax for me because you take it once a day and it continually releases, preventing ups and downs and the autonomic functions check, which increases T after sleep. Panic attacks are gone from residual nervousness tinnitus causes. Definitely my quality of life is better, although Xanax XR is not a cure."

• kay...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 18, 2024

For Anxiety "Have been taking this med for years. Am on a lower dose but still helps. This med has been demonized. If it helps people, quit making it a bad drug. Some people need this med to live a normal life. Before I took it, I would get panic attacks, I wouldn't even take my kids to the zoo for fear of getting attacks. After being prescribed this med, I went on trips, took my children places. It made my life better. Wish more doctors realized how much it helps some people and quit trying to take it away from patients... that alone greatly increases the anxiety that this med helps."

• bon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2017

For Tinnitus "I developed tinnitus, and it has been driving me nuts for a year. I reduced my dosage of alprazolam this past week to the point that I have not had any of this medication for several days now. Guess what! No tinnitus. It is completely gone. My alprazolam prescription is 2mg. If I find myself needing a dose because of anxiety, I will take one half of a pill, and it should get rid of my anxiety. I wanted other people to know the use of alprazolam can cause tinnitus."

• Ash...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 4, 2014

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I get intense panic attacks. Xanax is very effective at working quickly to stop a panic attack. It saved my life, until after a few months I tried to stop taking it and got horrible withdrawals. I felt like I was dying, my anxiety was worse than it had ever been in my life, high blood pressure (and mine is naturally low), tachycardia, hallucinations, tremors. I hope anyone considering taking Xanax takes it at a low dose and not daily. If daily, do not quit cold turkey."

• Man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2017

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "Panic disorder is no fun. You feel like you have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, and that you are coming to an end! Xanax has helped me against this terrible nervousness, demonic feeling. I only take it when I truly need it. I take the lowest dose possible, 0.25. The thing about this drug is that it makes you feel so relaxed. So people keep taking it to keep feeling good, and that's when it backfires. Please only take it as needed. Don't take it if you're not feeling panic at the moment. You have to respect this drug. Taking it when you don't feel panic is not the way to go. Trust me! Prayer and a little help from Xanax can make all the difference in the world!!"

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

Alprazolam for Anxiety "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."

• aar...
• March 10, 2016

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "I had horrible anxiety from 14 to 21, then I got prescribed Xanax 0.25, and my life changed. I was going out with friends, didn't care about little things like what people think of me-it was great! Then at 23, I decided I was good, I didn't need it anymore and had 4 months of hell getting off. I'm now 29, and I've dealt with the anxiety every day, and it got easier, but it was still a small burden. Something was missing. I just got back on it a few weeks ago, and now I've worked harder than ever. I was promoted to assistant manager within 2 weeks of starting back on Xanax. Everyone told me how they noticed my confidence in everything, and I take control of stressful situations. As I work in the food business, suddenly I'm the go-to guy at work. I work 50 hours a week."

• Cof...
• August 8, 2019

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I started Xanax in my 30s after my father was diagnosed with cancer and other life events started to pile up. It helped at the beginning. I could notice the difference in my anxiety and sleep patterns. However, a year or two went by, and I found myself completely hooked. I had lost contact with friends and isolated from family, I left my job and spent most of the day at home. I truly had a 180-degree change in my social life, hobbies, and relationships. I spent all day at home watching TV and listening to music. I had no desire to deal with people or any type of social interaction. I found myself avoiding everything, like going grocery shopping, driving, dealing with problems. Every time I tried getting off the Xanax, it would backfire. It took months for me to stop taking Xanax, and it has been 3 years without it. I lost many friends and family members, and my relationship ended. I have slowly built myself up. I have a great job that keeps me busy, started running again, and I am starting to make new friends."

• goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2015

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "When I'm at my worst, or I literally have so many racing thoughts, or I get too agitated, I take half or 1 mg, smoke tobacco, and I'm fine. It's amazing, I have not found this drug addictive. I only need it when I'm thinking or having an anxiety attack. I'm going to a psychiatrist and am hopefully going to be prescribed it. It has blessed me and made me think clear thoughts without overthinking. Best suited if you're diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, or panic attacks."

• Gre...
• June 22, 2016

Alprazolam for Anxiety "For several years, I have been prescribed 1 mg to take up to 3 times per day - sometimes I take less, some days even none! But I find that Xanax does for me what Adderall does for children suffering ADD. For some reason, the drug helps me have precision focus, a clear mind, better communication, rapid-fire thought processing, and motivation - just for starters. I don't expect to take it for the rest of my life, but I go through prolonged periods of anxiety and antisocial behavior (will urinate in bottles in my room when at my worst). Glad to know there are a few people who experience the same effects using Xanax as maintenance. It's been a lifesaver for me! Curious to understand why it has this off-label effect on us select few."

• Kat...
• July 11, 2014

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I thought this medicine might help with the onset of an atrial fibrillation attack, and it does! Not a guarantee, but very often helps, especially at night when I feel something coming on. It allows me to fall into a deeper sleep, which at times kicks the onset. Also, very useful for anxiousness, as documented. I do not take it daily, only when needed."

• Jam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2016

Alprazolam for Anxiety "Was prescribed Xanax (alprazolam) for GAD. First few months were a godsend. After I became dependent on them, the doctor - apparently not understanding the slightest thing about dependence - upped the dosage several times. I noticed that my anxiety seemed to be getting worse, and I was afraid to leave the house - a problem I had never had before. Took me a while to realize the elephant in the room - it was the 'anti-anxiety' drugs! After withdrawing from the drugs - which fortunately was easy compared to the nightmare I have seen some people describe, I noticed I felt less anxious and, in general, more 'alive'. If you feel like your anxiety isn't improving after long-term benzo use - the root of your problem may be the drugs themselves!"

• Rea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 10, 2019

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I have tried all possible drugs to relieve anxiety. I practice meditation and a few walks per week. Xanax combined with trazodone is the only medication that makes me normal. Without it, I am clumsy, fearful, afraid of life, paranoid sometimes, and hypochondriac. I don't have a tolerance problem, never asked to raise the dose in the last 3 years. It saved my life."

• Ala...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 12, 2024

"I was prescribed alprazolam 22 years ago. I had a tendency to be fast to anger and to verbally lash out at people that I loved. After trying many SSRI-type medications, my family doctor gave me a prescription for alprazolam. Everything in my life got better, and I was much happier. I was on 0.5 milligrams and stayed there for over 20 years. I never took it as prescribed because I only needed 1 pill a day taken at bedtime. My doctor retired last year, and my new doctor refused to allow me to continue on the medication. So for six months, my insomnia has taken my sleep and joy away. My BP is out of control because my doctor thought my previous beta blocker was bad for me. Somebody find me a doctor that is not working for a corporation, taking their cue from some damn handbook. Oh, by the way, I am no longer able to take international flights or continue scuba diving due to my new friend anxiety. So because we have a group of people that abuse medications, we will punish the ones that don't!"

• ont...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2015

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "I was diagnosed with 'Bilateral Sensorineural Conductive Hearing Loss,' severe nerve damage from the ear to the brain. It caused me severe panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder. My brain is sending me mixed signals. We are still working on finding out why, or if, this nerve causes these disorders, they started at the same time I started getting these blaring foghorn sounds in my ears 24/7. I took my 0.5 mg Xanax about 10 days ago and OMG... for the first time in 3 years, I slept, had no attacks, which I had up to 6 times a day, no depression, little to no mixed brain signals, no suicidal thoughts, I'm starting to get functional, no crazy thoughts, I even went out of the house and socialized again! :) I still need to be diagnosed, though."

• son...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 18, 2019

For Anxiety "Was not diagnosed with anxiety until I was 28. I took Valium 5 mg for 30 years, then became tolerant, changed to alprazolam 1 mg. It has now been 40 years, and I feel good, unafraid, and am social. I also take it responsibly, but now, because of the national drug problems, they are trying to take me off. That's causing more anxiety. All people are not alike, now society may have another malcontent on their hands. The medical powers need to recognize this drug can do wonders for a person if taken properly, but that's the part they don't investigate."

• Gre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 19, 2018

For Dysautonomia "I have a form of dysautonomia, anxiety/panic, HEDS, insomnia, chronic pain, muscle spasms, hypothyroidism, and a bunch of other stuff. Xanax or forms of benzodiazepines seem to help with anxiety, hyperhidrosis, heart rate, feelings of someone standing on my chest. Within 15-30 minutes, my symptoms go away and I can go on with my day like a normal person. My doctors don't listen to my concerns with this being so helpful. They just want to try to set me up to try things that I've tried in the past, and it never worked."

• Ang...
• January 23, 2016

For Tinnitus "I have been suffering from tinnitus for years. It was pretty bearable when I first experienced it; however, I fell on the ice a few years ago and hit the back of my head and neck. I developed vertigo, which has gotten much better, but the tinnitus was still unbearable. I tried Xanax to calm my anxiety and found it to greatly help my tinnitus. I was afraid of getting addicted to it, but I only take a small dose and don't take it every day. When I don't take it, the tinnitus is pretty bad. I don't know if it is because the anxiety is so bad and it helps that, but it certainly reduces the volume of the tinnitus."

• bry...
• February 25, 2013

Alprazolam for Anxiety "Xanax has been a lifesaver! Just recently had a heart attack and had my 4th stent put in. Was still having chest pains, which obviously scare me when I have them. The tricky part is separating the chest pains from anxiety, which I have been diagnosed with. What a vicious cycle!"

• pnu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 21, 2015

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "Suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for over 17 years. This was the best thing to keep me from having anxiety, triggering a panic attack. Other meds made it worse. Especially if you take an antidepressant like Lexapro. Lexapro alone will not work. Together with Xanax and Lexapro is the best combination for PTSD!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2021

Alprazolam for Anxiety "This drug absolutely made my anxiety worse. And when I decided to stop taking it, I was not aware of the horrible effects that cold turkey would have on my body because doctors never let me know how severe it can be. I felt disabled until I began to take them again. During that time, I couldn't walk, I couldn't read, I couldn't go to work or function. The only thing that alleviated me was getting back on the drug. I have since weaned off, and I'm thankful to no longer be dependent. Some people may believe they need Xanax because their anxiety is debilitating, without realizing that Xanax is the reason for worsening symptoms. My agoraphobia and paranoia were never as bad as it was after taking Xanax. I feel that I'm still recovering from a brain injury. It really is that bad, people seize up due to the effects this drug has on their brains. Not meaning to scare anybody, this is simply reality. People have lost their lives to Xanax."

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2016

Alprazolam for Anxiety "After being tried on Klonopin and Ativan, my doctor put me on 90 1mg Xanax. I noticed that if I put it under my tongue, it helps faster. I noticed it didn't only help anxiety. Myoclonus decreases while on anxiety, and my seizures have decreased a little. I normally don't get an aura before a seizure. If I do, I quickly chew it up and melt it under my tongue. Within minutes, I calm down, and the aura will slow down most of the time. I do believe that this has aborted a seizure too. I can't stand to get out in public, my heart races, I feel this sense of panic, and then think, 'What if I have another seizure in public?'. I feel much calmer on this medication. It starts working within a few minutes, unlike Klonopin or Ativan."

• Pon...
• June 1, 2017

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "One day, out of the blue, I felt lightheaded; I was nauseous, my legs were tingling, and a horrible fear overtook me. I had every physical test taken. All were negative. Finally, totally desperate and afraid I'd have another attack, I went to 2 psychiatrists. Both diagnosed Panic Disorder. (Found out it runs in my family.) Was put on amitriptyline, Prozac, Buspar, Paxil. I stuck each one out for 6 weeks. The nausea was horrible, and the anxiety debilitating. Finally, I met a psychiatrist who put me on Xanax (0.5 mg 4 to 5 times a day) and 25 mg of Zoloft. My life improved immediately. He said he hoped the Zoloft would end the panic attacks, but it took a combination of both meds. I take 0.5 Xanax 3 times a day. I'm alive again!"