Xanax and Panic Attacks: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2022

For Panic Disorder "If you're reading this, you were just like me, scared to death to take Xanax due to reading the side effects and scared to know the feeling of the medication. I avoided it for 1 year, didn’t leave my house, didn’t do anything due to a horrible panic attack I had at work. Let me tell you, I finally just got tired of feeling the doom and hopeless feeling I was having, so I took the lowest dose possible, 0.25. I had the worst panic attack at first, and then when it finally kicked in, I looked over at my girl and told her I feel okay, and a smile came on my face. It’s so crazy how effective this little pill can be. I wish I had started taking it sooner, it completely changed my life, and I’m now able to leave my house and live a normal life. As far as the feeling, there is none if you need it besides normal, no more crazy thoughts and body tingling, anything with anxiety is out of the picture. I wanted to share my experience because I have read every single review on this page. Xanax 10/10"

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2009

For Anxiety "After years of talk-down therapy, I reached a breaking point. A doc gave me Xanax, and it was a miracle. I was able to go to stores and travel on airlines without panic attacks. I have been on Xanax since 1999, .25 mg before bedtime. This has given me my life back. I do take more for long flights where I spend 12 to 24 hours inside the airline system. I started on .25 mg daily, and 10 years later, still use the same amount. If I miss a dose for more than a day, I get antsy, then clammy skin, and finally, unjustified panic attacks on the 3rd or 4th day. This is a well-expected and acceptable response to quitting abruptly. Doc has been upfront about me using this or some other drug for the rest of my life. It is well worth it."

• Jun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 12, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I started taking Xanax in 1992 after having a heart catheter that went wrong. I went into V Tach after that, I suffered from arrhythmia daily and panic attacks, ending up in the hospital a few times. First, the arrhythmia starts, which brings on panic attacks. I realize now this is all PTSD. My new internist put me on Xanax at 0.025 mg, which had little results, then upped to 0.50 mg, which I take twice a day. Twenty-four years later, I'm still on it, taking the same dosage. Tried going off a few times unsuccessfully. New doctor lowered it to once a day. Hoping for the best."

• Ste...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 28, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I was having many issues with anxiety attacks, panic attacks. First started on 1 mg 3 times daily. Then was having night terrors too. So, I ended up on 2 mg, 4 times daily, and 2-3 pills of 2 mg Ativan at night. I got to say not many doctors would give you that, I would not ask! I had a job accident 3 years prior to this and was on OxyContin 60 mg twice daily and 30 mg oxycodone 6 times daily. Sounds like quite a mix, I know. But with proper monitoring, it was a godsend. The pharmacist was not impressed, but that's not his problem, his is to count and fill. If they wanted to be a doctor, then that's their issue. Moral is don't judge yourself by how a pharmacy makes you feel. Now I'm just on the 2 mg of Xanax and 1 mg of Ativan and am normal thanks to a brave, understanding doctor."

• mes...
• August 20, 2010

For Anxiety "I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for years. It got so bad I would actually be driving, pull over to the side of the road, and call 911 because I thought I was having a heart attack, it was really scary. I've been on Xanax for 10 years, off and on. I take 0.5 mg once a day when I start feeling anxious, and my insides feel out of control. It does frighten me to think I could be addicted to this medication, but on the other hand, if it relieves my symptoms, then I guess I need to take Xanax as needed."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Xanax has a paradoxical effect on me. Makes me have panic attacks like I had never experienced before. So many doctors have told me how safe it is, and it wasn’t until I was almost committed for attempted suicide that my doctor admitted that it may not be for me! For some reason, doctors are really in love with Xanax, and it is hard to get them to listen to patients' criticisms."

• cjb...
• March 14, 2023

For Anxiety "I've taken Xanax for 5 years. I do not take it daily. I take half of a .25 mg occasionally, only when I need it. Most days I am fine, but when I have extreme panic attacks or social anxiety, I take half of the .25 mg. That's plenty for me. It calms me down, and I am functional. I do not take it daily, I did for a while, and it made me have more panic attacks and anxiety. I use it only for severe days now. I take a half of .25 mg 2 or 3 times a week at most. That way it actually works when I need it to."

• Lgi...
• February 27, 2012

For Anxiety "I've taken Xanax for years for occasional insomnia. For the past year, I've been battling with high blood pressure along with some new health issues that popped up. For the last two weeks, my heart has been racing and my stomach has had butterflies. I really felt like hiding under the covers and didn't know why. I kept wondering why I am SO afraid lying in bed watching TV? I felt as though my heart was about to just rip itself out of my chest. So I decided to take a Xanax during the day, and it was like a miracle cure. Hopefully, the panic attacks won't last forever, but thank God I had something to help."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2016

For Anxiety "I started on Xanax after the birth of my second child for postpartum anxiety. I used Ativan after my first baby, but my new doctor wanted me to try Xanax. I thought it worked great at first. .25 mg, four times a day. Most days, I only took two or three. My baby developed colic issues, and my husband was working 60-70 hours a week, so I had no help and was going crazy from no sleep and endless hours of non-stop crying, so they upped my dose to .5 mg three times a day. Things calmed down around three months, so I tried to cut back down but ended up with severe panic attacks and shaking, etc. Even when I take my regular dose on time, I am still struggling with increased heart rate, shakiness, irritability, etc. Hoping to switch meds or something at my next appointment."

• Agi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2019

For Anxiety "I will never take this medicine, Xanax, again. One of my worst decisions ever. Made me addicted, couldn't get off it, and for 3 years had bad side effects: increased panic, sweating, heart racing, and 3 seizures if I didn't take another dosage. I weaned myself off Xanax with Lexapro. Thank goodness I will never go back again. Worst drug ever!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2017

For Panic Disorder "Took Xanax for a month for anxiety and panic attacks. I took it 3 times a day (the lowest dosage) 0.25 mg in the morning, 0.25 mg in the afternoon, and 0.50 mg in the evening. The first week seemed fine with little to no changes, but after that was torture. Horrible insomnia, nausea, and panic attacks got WAY worse. My psychiatrist added Adderall to the mix because of my ADHD. This is when the nightmare really started. I couldn't sleep for 4 days straight-- I had to miss work, I was threatening suicide in front of my family-- I was LOSING it. Couldn't keep anything down. The best way to describe it was like a bad trip that you were certain was never going to end. I tapered off of it and felt normal again after 2 weeks. Please use caution."

• CHa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 3, 2021

For Panic Disorder "First time I took a dose of Xanax, I was like 'OMG, this is how normal people feel!' because I'd had panic attacks and night terrors for two decades before that. I've taken 0.5 mg 2x a day for 30 years. No increase needed. No calling the doctor for early refills, no 'losing' my prescription, no other behavior of addiction. My body is dependent on it, but when I've tried to taper or quit, I've ended up in the ER with severe panic attacks and withdrawals. I've tried numerous times because doctors tell me it's for short-term only and that I'll become addicted and that I should wean off. My shrink is reducing his time working (or actually ditching me, personally, tbh), and I'm so scared. No one else wants to prescribe it. I guess I will go back to how I was before and never again feel how normal people feel. They treat me like I'm a criminal when I tell them how long I've taken it, and look at me as if they don't believe I've taken a low dose for so long. I feel undeserving of care."

• Fir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2022

For Panic Disorder "Surprised to read so many high ratings for Xanax. All it did for me was make me go to sleep for an hour, and the minute I woke up, I was just as panicky as if I hadn’t taken it. Klonopin works better for me, more long-lasting."

• Boo...
• August 21, 2009

For Panic Disorder "I have taken Xanax now for six months, and it has been the best six months in a long time. I have finally been able to go out in places where before I absolutely would not go for fear of panic attacks. I was on 8 mg Ativan and 60 mg Tranxene before, and all I did was stay in my house and sleep. Thank goodness my doctor prescribed Xanax."

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2011

For Anxiety "Xanax is an excellent medicine for myself. It has prevented panic attacks and helped me through times of rough anxiety. Ativan never worked for me, and Klonopin makes me drunk-like and put me in the hospital 3 times. The hospital finally said I have an allergy to Klonopin and could no longer take it. After going on Xanax, I felt so much better and relieved. I try not to take Xanax every day, as it is not meant to be a long-term solution to anxiety and can be very addicting, so be very careful. I am on Paxil CR and Risperdal on top of Xanax for my anxiety, PTSD, panic disorder, and OCD."

• Nem...
• December 11, 2015

For Anxiety "Xanax forums are full of how Xanax can be so strong for some people. To me, it was like a sledgehammer over my head. I woke 6 hours later with no recollection of what went on other than I slept. This was a low dose. It is either panic or being knocked out. Where are all these pleasant experiences I hear about?"