Xanax for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• MeS...
• January 25, 2015

"Xanax works almost immediately when I'm having a panic attack. I have tried a lot of different 'newer' antidepressants, and they always have weird side effects. Then the doctor says to keep taking them for weeks to work."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2012

"I have had a lot of bad things happen in my life, and sometimes I wondered why. I felt like I didn't want to live in this world full of evil, hate, and violence. Xanax has helped me for over 18 years to calm me and let me understand that no matter what happens, I will be okay."

• Sop...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 24, 2024

"I’ve had maybe 5 side effects in the 20+ years that I've taken it for my PTSD/GAD. - Sleepiness, forgetfulness, memory issues, increased hunger, talkative. ~Nothing else. Now the downside is- addiction. I've actually had to learn how to use this medicine through incredible self-discipline. You will build tolerance to this drug within 2 weeks and require a tapering wean down to get off. If you take it long term, you have to taper every 2 weeks to keep your tolerance down. Withdrawals are harsh so that's where the discipline comes into play. Now if you can take it only “as needed” during a panic attack and not need it daily- perfect! That's how I recommend this medication. But to those who suffer 24/7 with acute attacks, you must follow the taper system or you will be in a world of addiction issues. But nothing will stop a panic attack in its tracks faster than Xanax."

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

"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."

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

"I started taking Xanax 19 years ago after experiencing my first panic attack. The first 8 or 9 years I took 0.25 mgs up to 3 times per day for anxiety and the occasional panic attack. Then my dose was increased to 0.50 mgs up to 3x daily. This medication keeps me on an even keel and stops the occasional panic attack in its tracks within 30 minutes. My doctor periodically reviews my need vs. addictive tendencies of this medication. I tell him it has been a lifesaver to me and don't plan on experiencing any withdrawal symptoms because at age 60, I plan on taking it for life. He has recently, however, reduced the frequency from 3 to 2 per day as needed."

• JG-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2014

"I have been taking Xanax 1 mg twice daily as needed to help cope with my severe panic disorder and anxiety attacks, which have been impacting my sleep schedule drastically. Take the correct oral amount daily, and you will see positive results in no time! If you feel like you're having complications, contact your doctor immediately! Everyone's tolerances are different!"

• jre...
• December 18, 2014

"30 years of Xanax at 1 mg 3x a day. I miss the passion that my husband and I have, but my body is numb. I have my perfect husband, so I pretend. Xanax will ruin your sex life and take a lot from you if you take it for years like I have. They hardly work at all now, and I am having lots of problems trying to stop. Beware, because at first, they are wonderful."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2019

"I take Xanax now and again for severe anxiety when I feel a panic attack is coming on. It works wonders and is a godsend. I am sensitive to meds, so even 1.5 mg is enough for me to take. I wouldn't be taking this every day for anxiety because you get used to it, and then it won't work, so then you end up upping the dose and quantity, which you'll end up addicted. It's only for short-term use. I never take it after a panic attack because it's already happened, so that's pointless, unless I'm still crippled with anxiety or the panic doesn't stop. Now that I know it helps and it's there, I get less panicky now because I know a Xanax can stop it. I think that's a psychological thing for me. But it's amazing how it works. I could be totally panicky, nauseated, chronically worrying, and just take one of these, and 15 minutes later, I couldn't care less if the house fell down. Get the best night's sleep too."

• swe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 9, 2016

"I have been on Xanax 0.5 mg tablets twice a day for about 6 years due to a panic disorder. It has been fantastic. Then there was a time when I stopped them, as I only used them when needed. It is comforting to know you have them just in case, as they are fantastic to calm down anxiety. Since the onset of menopause, my body just broke down into a million pieces, and my anxiety went through the roof, so once again, I'm taking 2 a day until this all settles back down. I can recommend these tablets 100%, they are amazing. Yay for Xanax."

• Fin...
• June 12, 2009

"It is a miracle. I was always against medicines, and thought that panic disorders were people who just worry and cry all the time until it happened to me - completely out of the blue in April after my dad had been diagnosed with cancer. The day after Easter, I came home from work and just felt something coming over me. Light-headedness followed by tingling in my arms, legs, and hands. A few minutes later I was completely paralyzed, crippled, and numb. I had my boyfriend call 911, and they took me to the ER. It took me 4 hours to try to relax and calm down, and then the Xanax came to me. A few minutes later, everything started to calm down. I had 3 more attacks that week. Now I am on 0.5mg, which I take when needed. Very effective."

• 646...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 10, 2016

"I was given Xanax 0.5 mg over 10 years ago for extreme panic attacks, always and still does do the trick. I started off with 2 a day, it became *as needed*. Luckily, I didn't build up a tolerance. I am having trouble (since my doctor retired) finding a doctor to prescribe them. As I type, I have been forced to be without them for going on 5 days, and I have had a few really bad panic attacks. Could be lack of pills, could be physiological, most likely menopause. I have not found anyone to help me with this. Why? Clearly, I know what works for me."

• Mym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2024

"I want to start by saying that I was one of those people who was iffy on taking Xanax due to the stigma surrounding it and having never been prescribed it before. My psychiatrist prescribed me it for panic attacks I was having. I primarily wanted something for the panic because it was happening during college tests/assessments and was seriously beginning to affect my grades. It definitely helps to calm down my panic without making me drowsy at all. However, I do sometimes take half of a dose as I noticed my full dose (0.25 mg) was almost making me too relaxed and causing careless errors as opposed to stress-induced errors. All in all, Xanax has been a lifesaver for me as my panic attacks can get quite severe and cause intense tremors that make it very hard to do anything! Again, Xanax has not caused any drowsiness for me and I have had no negative side effects when taking it. But I only take it when absolutely needed, and we only fill half a month to a month's worth of them every 2-3 months."

• Tyl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2023

"Without a doubt the most effective medicine I’ve ever had. It gave me a fighting chance at life. Disappointing, the negative stigmas that surround it, but if you don’t constantly go up on your dose, it can make life manageable."

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2010

"There is such a misconception about Xanax, with people thinking you will be addicted forever if you use it. When this medicine is used the right way, it can be life-changing. Every drug can be abused, even over-the-counter medicines. I can relax just knowing I have my Xanax."

• Nic...
• September 27, 2015

"I've been taking this medication for a long time. 10 yrs.! I wasn't warned about the memory problems, or any way of becoming addicted. I can happily say it has helped me, I even went into agoraphobia stage. Also, from my own personal experience, be very careful in taking this medication. I actually saw for myself how bad the memory problems can be. When I experienced that, I went to my Dr and said I wanted to wean myself off, but slowly, not stupid either. I've been addicted to this medication, but you have to realize our brain, our mind is more powerful than we give it credit for. I was using 0.5 mg 6-8 times a day. I'm now down to 3 and a half times per day, I'm getting better again."

• Pet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2016

"I was 53 years old, living a normal, happy life when my son (then 18) was diagnosed with major depression. A few weeks later, he had a psychotic episode, and he left my life out of the blue, severing all contact with me ever since. This had a serious effect on my mental health, and within 3 months, I started having anxiety or panic attacks. I did not know what they were. It was all novel to me. After a few difficult months, I went to a psychiatrist, and he put me on alprazolam (Xanax) in a reduced dosage of 0.25 mg as necessary. It did provide serious relief. I take it no more than once a day at most. It was a life saver. Yet it deals with the symptoms of anxiety, it doesn't resolve your underlying issues. Yet it was a fantastic help. Recommended."

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

"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!"

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2023

"I was so afraid of medication, it’s ridiculous. Lost a lot of time in life by suffering. Until my panic almost left me homeless. Still, each day I battled. Finally, started Xanax with reservations, and for me, it’s a “normalizing” medication. No side effects whatsoever. This is what in combination with Celexa - I really do highly recommend for the weary."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2012

"As many people stated, Xanax has given me my life back (alongside Paxil). When I had severe, severe anxiety, I took half a Xanax daily, but now that I'm thankfully a million times better, I only take it once in a blue moon when I feel like I need it and take a quarter of a pill. This is amazing."

• Whi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 15, 2015

"I had the worst anxiety imaginable that manifested to agoraphobia, and I was a prisoner for years. It's a long story, but Xanax saved my life, or rather gave me my life back. In any event, those that suffer daily anxiety or GAD (general anxiety disorder) are better off using an MAOI inhibitor as a maintenance medication and Xanax as an emergency medication. I'm on Effexor daily, 150 mg, that took about 10 weeks to start working, but when it did, it was a miracle. I did have side effects when I started, but my doctor told me to 'hang in there' because the side effects are usually just temporary, and they were, with the exception of weight gain, which I control with exercise and diet, which gave me another side effect: better health!"

• Raq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2016

"I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia in 2000, a little after a car accident. I went back to work and worked fast and hard as usual, and the dystonia got worse. Shortly after, I developed panic attacks. Dr. prescribed generic Xanax, and it really helped. I don't remember how much it was in 2005. The Xanax not only took the panic attacks away, but my neck pulling would go away for a long time. Since 2013, dystonia came back with vengeance. No one has prescribed Xanax and keeps prescribing crappy medications: Baclofen, Flexeril, and now Atarax. I'm scared to take the Atarax. I know Xanax works, and I only used it maybe four times a month. No habit forming for me. Kids ruined it for folks that need it :("

• Pon...
• June 1, 2017

"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!"

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2013

"I have found that Xanax does indeed work. It's quick and relieving. Take it about 20-30 minutes before an anxious event, and it will help you. The downside is the tolerance that generally develops very quickly, in my case already after one week."

• Jeb...
• July 16, 2015

"I've had vertigo for three years now due to a head injury. This caused inner ear damage, and I have chronic dizzy spells. I have tried every medication out there and was introduced to Xanax at an urgent care clinic. BINGO! Finally, I found something that works. It's also the only medication that helps me sleep. I don't know what I'd do without it. Addicting, but at least I can make it better with Xanax."

• Fox...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2013

"Xanax is a lifesaver for me! I am 40 years old, diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. It all started when I was about 13 or 14 years old. To make a long story short, every other medicine I took either didn't work or made me gain a ton of weight (SSRIs). I am currently weaning myself off of Zoloft from 200 mg since it doesn't seem to be working anymore (down to 100 mg at the moment). I plan on just taking Xanax alone when I'm off of the Zoloft. It is the ONLY medicine that relieves ALL of my symptoms. I will see my doc tomorrow to discuss what dosage I should take after going off of Zoloft completely, because I do take both right now. I'm just tired of being fat from all these SSRIs!"