Alprazolam and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• Fox...
• August 29, 2019

For Panic Disorder "Just came back to let you all know I'm STILL taking the same dose I was taking 7 years ago. I am prescribed 1 mg, 3 times a day, but I only take a total of 2 mg: 1 mg in the AM, .5 mg at dinner, and .5 mg before bed. The reason I commented again is because I see people saying that you have to 'up the dosage after so long,' but I'm here to tell you, NO YOU DON'T! I have been taking ONLY this drug for Panic Disorder w/Agoraphobia, PTSD, GAD, OCD, & MDD. Other than my total of 2 mg per day, I do find myself having to take an extra .5 mg sometimes because now I'm going through menopause, and when my hormones go crazy, so does my anxiety and heart palpitations. So I'd say MAYBE 4 days total out of a month, I take an extra .5 mg. This drug has been a Godsend for people like me. I can leave my house! I can go to places surrounded by hundreds of people! Mind you, I might need to take that extra .5 mg if I get too overwhelmed, but I still have a life! Good luck!"

• Pot...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 13, 2017

For Dysautonomia "This is the only med that keeps my adrenaline surges under control. This is a godsend for dysautonomia, specifically postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) patients that have no control over when the ANS decides to release adrenaline, putting us in 'overdrive' with flooding anxiety. I also take other meds: SSRI and beta blockers. This one is crucial in my day-to-day functioning."

• ZZy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2013

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "This has been very effective at helping me control panic disorder with agoraphobia. I am on 2 mg 2 times a day and have been for 5 months or so. I have not found it to be a panacea; I still have occasional attacks that require the intervention of regular alprazolam 0.5 mg, but, in general, this medication has been helpful in evening out my feelings of anxiety throughout the course of a typical day and certainly helps to eliminate some of the rebound anxiety that comes with the use of regular alprazolam."

• sha...
• May 3, 2011

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "I've been taking Xanax for 7 years. Been taking Xanax XR for the past 2 years. It's great. Before I started taking the XR, I was taking 2 mg bars 2 or 3 times a day and would start to have panic attacks after taking one in about 5 hours and would always wake up around 4:30-5:00 am in severe panic, heart pounding, shaking uncontrollably, vision distorted, sweating, and totally paranoid. After taking the 3 mg Xanax XR once in the morning, all that stopped."

• Fox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2018

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "Figured I'd come back with an update since my last post was in 2013. I am still on my Xanax after about 7 years, maybe more. It's still the ONLY drug that helps with my panic disorder w/agoraphobia, PTSD, GAD, OCD, and MDD. I've been prescribed 1 mg 3 x's a day, but have never taken that much. I take 1 mg in the morning and 0.5 mg around dinner and another 0.5 mg before bed. I'm just noticing now that I may need to start taking a little more occasionally. Like an extra 0.5 some days. I'm contributing this to the fact that I am in perimenopause now, and my hormones are crazy at times and increase my anxiety and panic attacks. Also finding it more difficult to leave the house again. But still... I'm not up to the recommended dosage, so I think I might just need to take a full mg 3 x's a day now."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2009

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "VERY GOOD for panic attacks and relief of anxiety. No known problems while on Xanax. However, cutting down the dosage or frequency of use can cause increased anxiety, and so it can cause dependency. I have no problems with Xanax, just problems when I don't have it."

• Sur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 11, 2023

Alprazolam "I began to take Xanax years ago when I developed severe tinnitus. This was maybe 45 years ago. I was taking 1 mg a day and eventually, I cut to .05 a day, usually at nighttime. I have since dropped to only .025 at night for the last 12 years, and I do okay. You would think that at such a very low dose, I could just cut it off completely. I have tried a number of times, and I simply cannot do it. My brain does not work right, cannot make decisions, and have pretty bad anxiety that I can feel in my spine and brain. So at that point, I take the .025, and in half an hour or less, I am a completely functional person with a good brain that does not affect decision-making. I have no desire to give it up since I am 77 years old and have conditions that act up immediately upon withdrawal. I have never had any reverse reaction, tiredness, or brain fog. My brain is much clearer on it."

• Kha...
• June 13, 2016

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I have been suffering from panic attacks since 2013 and was kept on Xanax .5 mg TDS. Really, it's the drug which can enhance the quality of life. Even though we have the Xanax regularly, sometimes panic and anxiety come. I thought to cure anxiety off when I met with the psychiatrist, he prescribed Zoloft 50 mg once a day along with clonazepam .25 mg at bedtime. Having started that, panic came with great intensity, I left both Zoloft and Revotril and rejoined Xanax, the problem solver. Thanks, Almighty, who has put lots of benefits in Xanax."

• Con...
• July 31, 2019

For Anxiety "I have taken Xanax for 8 years when suddenly, my doctor stopped writing it for me and all her patients who were taking Xanax. I’m not certain this was wise... at least for me because the sudden cessation of the drug caused severe insomnia, anxiety, and I felt I had been catapulted back to the dark time of 8 years ago. Thankfully, I was able to see another doctor, but he, too, wants me to cease taking Xanax. He prescribed 15 tablets to last a month and wants me to gradually taper off them entirely. My question is this ... In the past 2 years, I took only 1 tablet a day, at night, was able to sleep, was well-rested, and functioned at a high level on my job. With the new dosage, my sleep has been curtailed, I remain jittery and anxious. I am very conservative in its use and think - at least for some - the drug has a place if it’s used responsibly."

• Con...
• July 31, 2019

For Anxiety "I have taken Xanax for 8 years when suddenly, my doctor stopped writing it for me and all her patients who were taking Xanax. I’m not certain this was wise... at least for me because the sudden cessation of the drug caused severe insomnia, anxiety, and I felt I had been catapulted back to the dark time of 8 years ago. Thankfully, I was able to see another doctor, but he, too, wants me to cease taking Xanax. He prescribed 15 tablets to last a month and wants me to gradually taper off them entirely. My question is this ... In the past 2 years, I took only 1 tablet a day, at night, was able to sleep, was well-rested, and functioned at a high level on my job. With the new dosage, my sleep has been curtailed, I remain jittery and anxious. I am very conservative in its use and think - at least for some - the drug has a place if it’s used responsibly."

• Sho...
• June 12, 2017

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "I have been on Xanax for 15 years. The past 9 years I've been on them solid (haven't missed a day). I just turned 40 years old, and I'm in the worst position in my life than I've ever been! Long story short, I have severe anxiety and panic attack disorder. My first panic attack was at 19. Let's just say I've tried my fair share of narcotics. I'm 10 years clean off of heroin. But the Xanax is a monster of its own. I've had 2 grand mal seizures trying to get off them. They can kill you! I just take 3 mg a day so I don't get sick and anxious. My stepson passed away at 19 from taking too many Xanax. It's not a sleeping pill, it's not for people that are stressed out. They don't discriminate, my 87-year-old grandma was addicted to them too. All I'm saying is do your research first."

• Sim...
• August 13, 2017

For Tinnitus "I have moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss. Xanax alleviated my tinnitus a great deal for a couple of years. After that, I reached tolerance to Xanax, and it was no longer effective. What's more, unless I increased the dose, the tinnitus was louder than ever. Because of tolerance, I was having withdrawal symptoms between doses. Since tapering off and discontinuing Xanax, I have been out of my mind with anxiety and loud hissing tinnitus. These will subside as my brain recovers from the damage the drug has caused. Please educate yourselves about benzodiazepines. Don't rely on your doctor because most of them are recklessly uneducated about the dangers of benzos. 0.5 mg of Xanax is not a low dose; it is roughly equal to 10 mg of Valium."

• McF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2017

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "Switched from Xanax 2 mg 1/2 to one tab 2x daily (AN for anxiety, PTSD, panic disorder) to Xanax XR 1 mg twice daily with .5 Xanax once daily AN for panic. The only thing Xanax XR did was give me waves of relief, along with waves of anxiety also. Went through my Xanax script quicker as it helped greatly compared to XR and needed less. Alprazolam is meant for short-acting anxiety relief. XR is a marketing scheme, cost $26 compared to $0 for Xanax (with insurance). Clonazepam or diazepam is much more suited for longer-acting benzos that help with anxiety. Xanax XR makes it more difficult to stop using and get addicted much easier than safely taking your regular Xanax, as can break them apart. If you feel you need less one day, one week, you can wean yourself easier."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2017

Alprazolam for Anxiety "STAY AWAY FROM XANAX. Please! It will help you-in the moment. But literally hours later, the rebound anxiety and insomnia will hit you and make you regret taking it at all in the first place. And before you know it, you'll go from half a bar to multiple bars just to sleep at night. Oh, and the increased depersonalization and dark thoughts are not potential 'side effects'-they are some of the many very real, consistently DIRECT EFFECTS of taking Xanax. Benzos should be used as rarely and as short-term as possible. Even in these cases, the withdrawal is VERY real...it hurts just to live. Please, take my word for it. I'm going through it for the TENTH time right now. ADDICTIVE."

• Mat...
• April 21, 2015

Alprazolam for Anxiety "This is a qualified positive review for Xanax. I was suffering from mild depression and anxiety last winter, and my doctor put me on Wellbutrin. That stuff takes 4-8 weeks to work, and in the interim, it can really up your anxiety level. A week later, I started 1 mg Xanax 1-2X/day, and it took care of the anxiety immediately. I continued using Xanax for more restful sleep, but after about 3 months, I realized that short and long-term memory was WAY down. I stopped Xanax and replaced it with GABA, and this seems to be a far better solution. The Wellbutrin worked great, I felt more energy the first week, but it did take 6-8 weeks to fully kick in. I will now ONLY take the Xanax for rare, severe stress. Also check the connection to Alzheimer's."

• Mer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2021

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I had the most horrible experience with this drug. I was prescribed it by my doctor for anxiety at .25 once nightly. By the 2nd week, I was 100% convinced I had a heart problem and was going to die. Heart arrhythmias every minute, all day and night. Went to the ER twice, and both times was cleared from any heart problems and was told it was panic attacks. I've never had an issue like this in all my life. My anxiety has never led to panic attacks or pounding arrhythmias. When the ER told me it was anxiety, I stopped the Xanax, and a week later, my 'heart problem' was magically gone. I just want to put this out there for anyone else that might experience this problem. Even at such a small dose, this drug made my anxiety 10x worse once the half-life wore off."

• twa...
• March 6, 2010

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I've tried everything for anxiety - which is severe all the time. Xanax works! Only issue is the length of time it lasts; I can feel the effects almost immediately (within 20 minutes and continue to feel effects kicking in for a good hour after), but after about 3 hours, I start to have rebound anxiety from it wearing off. Be careful of tolerance though. Since I've been on it, I've had to increase 4x. I started off with 0.5 mg 3x/day and am now on 1 mg, 5x/day. I don't want to change that, but this seems to be perfect. It gives me the relief I need as often as my body seems to need it. I am so grateful for this drug, as my panic is non-existent, where it hasn't been in years. It's been non-stop - never relief. I finally feel relief."

• dj1...
• November 21, 2010

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "I have tried many medications for panic disorder. I don't think there was not one tablet I have not tried when I was prescribed Xanax. I felt I was given my life back. No horrible side effects of anxiety or panic disorder whatsoever. I can now function without worrying if I went out I would have a panic attack or drop whatever I was doing and go home as I felt like I was dying. My heart would race, my breathing felt like I was taking my last breath, excessive sweating. They all went away. I take 1 mg when needed and have never abused this medication, but it has been a lifesaver for me. It took 30 years to find a tablet that would stop my panic and anxiety disorder, and then I tried Xanax from my doctor, and I thank her every day."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2019

Alprazolam for Anxiety "This can be a good medication for many people, but please be very cautious. I took it for about 5 years at 4 mg per day. That is a relatively high dose. When I was ready to stop (which I did over a 2-week period, and I don't recommend that), it took several months to really get back to myself. The interesting thing was that once I got through that period, my anxiety and panic attacks stopped. They were at their worst while I took the medication."

• dag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2015

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I started having anxiety attacks a few months ago due to marijuana use. Bad life choice I regret, but due to my natural anxiety, marijuana made it 10x worse. I started having anxiety attacks sometimes up to 6x a day for a few weeks. I had a visit to my doctor scheduled anyway and was honest and told him about my situation. He prescribed me Xanax to use as a short-term medication for my anxiety attacks, as he said weed can cause horrible anxiety for a month in some people. I took it as prescribed, which was every six hours as needed. I started with about 0.25 mg a day, but took 0.5 a few times when it was really bad. Two weeks later, I began splitting the pills in half to 0.12. I'm completely off it now, but it made a huge difference in my life for that time."

• Sta...
• August 12, 2017

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "I was on Xanax for a couple of years for severe panic attacks. I started out on .25 mg, and soon that was not enough. I had to keep increasing the dose as my panic and anxiety increased. I ended up becoming agoraphobic. I could not leave my house without taking a handful of Xanax first. In the end, I was taking way, way, way too much, enough to kill an elephant. I know it sounds hard to believe. It's amazing I am still alive. I had to beg my insurance company to put me in the hospital to detox. I tried to kill myself. I almost died while in the hospital. They took me down to 8 mg a day, and I had a grand mal seizure and almost died. It was the most horrible experience of my life. Be careful. It's highly addicting."

• Xxk...
• February 19, 2019

For Panic Disorder "This medication, paired with my bupropion (Wellbutrin), saved my life... literally. After a long battle with severe depression as a college student and suffering from the terrible effects of Zoloft, then to find out I had severe hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's), I then found myself in the ER one night on vacation thinking I was having a seizure. I thought I was dying or having a heart attack because I had never felt that way before. Come to find out I had panic disorder, and Xanax was a lifesaver. Much better than Ativan. I was really anxious to take Xanax at first because of its bad reputation and always hearing of abuse, but if you actually need it and take it for the right reasons, it’s a godsend from heaven. I started off with 0.5 twice a day, plus as needed if panic episodes were, and now I only take them when absolutely necessary! 10/10 recommend, and the generic is so cheap with insurance."

• Sas...
• March 17, 2016

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I started taking this medication since I was 18 years old, on and off. Let me put it in simple terms: it is highly addictive. Yes, it cured my anxiety, but only temporarily, as long as I was on it. Miss a day, and you want to crawl out of your own skin. The withdrawals are horrendous. Xanax just masks the problem. As soon as I got back on it, my brain just wants it, and that's all I think about. Valerian root is healthier and natural, think twice before taking Xanax. Go for natural products if you can."

• ben...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2015

Alprazolam for Anxiety "Xanax is amazing! In 20 minutes, it will completely take away all of your anxiety and/or problems, and everything will be okay. Life goes on! The only problem is that Xanax has such a short half-life, that in 6 hours it goes away, and your brain wants more. If you take it daily, watch out! That little pill can ruin your life. In prison, they will only give meds to people detoxing from alcohol or benzos. Because it can kill you! Short-term, stressful events like flying, giving a speech, or a panic attack will do you good. Try not taking your Xanax for a few days and see how you feel? Or run out of your prescription a few days early. Let me say, it's not fun. Please be responsible and try meditation or working out. Stay away from alcohol/stimulants."