Ativan Vs Xanax

Hi everyone, I have a question i'm 32 i have been on xanax for 7 years for anxiety and severe panic attacks, and the xanax works great for me but if the panic attack is really bad i need to take about 1.5mg to calm me down, yesterday i was having really bad mid back pain, doc at er said it was mid back strain and muscle spasms, well while i was at the house before going all the pain threw me into 1 heck of a panic attack i almost called 911 i needed a paper bag to breathe in, i broke my 1mg of xanax in half and took it and waited (only about 15 minutes) which i know it wouldn't kick in that fast but the panic attack was getting very bad, so i took another 1mg of xanax, i got a ride to the hospital, on the way i kept breathing in the paper bag and that helped, i'm also on celexa which im weaning off because it's not helping (thought it was helping the anxiety at first but its not) anyway the doc at the hospital wants me go to ativan, I have takin it a few times before and i seemed to be calmer longer, but i believe it doesn't work as fast as xanax does, also do i need to worry about withdrawl from xanax if im switching to ativan ( im guessing not since its a benzo also) But what i'm scared of is if i do have a severe panic attack and ativan does not help i cant take xanax with it, so i'm not sure what to do, the pharmacist said i can wait up to 6 to 8 hours after my last xanax before taking ativan, but i will be safe and try to wait atleast 24 hours, but out of everyones expierences on here which would you prefer ativan or xanax, and are xanax withdrawls a little worse than ativan or the same, and does ativan seem to keep you calmer longer, thanks everyone and i feel bad for everyone on here who has panic attacks i been dealing with them since i was 14 and they are pure hell, i can't breathe from them my arms go numb and tingly, chest pain, hands go numb, i always think it's a heart attack but the medics tell me it's just from hypervenilating and to use a paper bag.

Hi sos, I really think that you need to call your dr. or pharmacist regarding specific doses and combinations of meds. We can't safely tell you what, or when to take one med or the other. It is even hard for a professional to tell sometimes because everyone reacts differently...but calling them would be the safest thing for you to do.

Have you tried some breathing/relaxation techniques for your current panic episodes? We have some good ones through links in our Anxiety Resource Guide (main page 3rd post) Maybe trying these could make a difference;)

I hope that you start to feel more calm and no more attacks come on to bother you today!

Peace and wellness,
Scaredy Cat

Yeah they both have their pros and cons, but I would say that it comes down to a personal choice, right? 

You need to go with the one that works best for you!

I hope that you are having a great day, and that you are anxiety and pain free all through an awesome weekend!!

Take care,

S.C.