success with xanax

Hi, I am looking for people's success with xanax.

I have it to go along with my paxil cr.  I have be extrememly to hesitant to take it for over 6 months.  I stare at it.

After a horrible weekend trip to Tennessee and a trip to ER and three freak outs I am considering it.

I am afraid it will make me sleepy and lower my blood pressure.

any stories of success welcome.

gizmofab

Xanax can definitely help stabilize me. I started this most recent bout with anxiety about 4 months ago and for about 2 months Xanax really helped to mitigate the effects of my panic attacks, until Lexapro took over. The one thing I would suggest is to take it easy, only take it as needed and try to get the lowest dosage possible. For some reason they started me out on 1 mg xanax this time and that was way too much for me(I'm a big guy too, 6'3" 220 lbs) .25 mg worked just fine if I was having an attack. The way I view Xanax is as a bridge to more lasting treatment such as an SSRI, a replacement SSRI if yours has pooped out or as a bridge to CBT. It's really tough when I'm in the thick of it with panic attacks, I end up having them because I'm scared of having them and I need something to break that cycle. Xanax does break the cycle long enough for me to adjust, gain a little confidence and address my treatment needs, once I'm in treatment, I get off of the xanax and things are usually a lot better, I think the way I think of it is as a pause button that targets my anxiety and allows me to take the steps I need to. Like anything you have to be responsible with it, don't take it if you don't need it and don't take more than your doctor suggests.

Gizmo,

Taking it in a 'safe-zone' for the first time is great idea. I was going to post earlier, but wanted to let members who had had actual experience to give, chime in first.

I was going to suggest however that you take your first one at home, when your husband or other loved one was with you. I would take it in the evening, making sure that you have no obligations looming over you for later, and the next morning, in case you are groggy.

Benzos are short acting, so do not anticipate any long term effects. In fact, try not to anticipate anything, and just see how you feel.:)

Chances are that you will respond really well, with the edge taken off of your anxiety, and the panic measurably reduced.

I wish you the best, and please let us know how you are doing soon.:)

S.C.

Hello,
Xanax is a great pharmaceutical to help take the edge off. I have taken Xanax on and off for two years as PRN. I had a habit of taking it too often and when I didn't need to but I weaned myself off of it and now if I take a 0.25 MG dose I am all but completely relaxed and a bit drowsy. Xanax worked well to help shutdown my panic attacks but I realized for me personally I needed something longer term. I have been on Lexapro for three weeks and it's absolutely amazing. I feel much better than I previously had and haven't had to take a Xanax but maybe twice since taking it. I wouldn't be scared of Xanax, as with all drugs it effects everyone differently, but I think you'll find it helps. I reiterate SCat's advice about taking it in the evening and with your husband' s supervision. It doesn't really require it but the extra security might make you feel better. Don't worry about how long it will take to kick in, it will believe me.
Good luck and God bless,
-Rxclusion

I take Xanax now as needed. It does not make me too drowsy unless it is at night. I take a pink one and break it in half. It is plenty for me and I am 240 pounds. I may need to take at most 4 halfs a month. However, I am going out of town and will probably blow past that this weekend. The best thing I like about Xanax is I know I can stop or mitigate a panic attack. So I kinda of talk myself out of them saying well if it gets bad I will take one. It works sometimes, sometimes they come on so fast I have to take one and suffer until it kicks in. I don't want to pre medicate, but when the attacks got real bad I had to take one a day until I got better. At that time I don't think I could have made it without the help. However, I was very reluctant to take them at first. Wouldn't actaully, but my sister made me and I felt so bad that I gave in. I always had a fear of an allergic reaction, so I rarely took anything. It has made things easier for me. Hope this helps and be careful.
Ed

It works differently for me at different times. I just got off of Effexor and Paxil about 3-4 months ago due to poop-out. I am now trying Citalopram (Celexa). I have had the Xanax for about 9 months since the old AD's pooped out to combat panic attacks. In the beginning last year, I would get a lump in my throat. 1/2 a pill or a whole (.25mg or .5) would get rid of that and some mild anxiety. Sometimes, I would have to take .5 or .75 to get the panic gone. I then got to having a "dizzy" spell every now and then where my eyes/balance would wobble side to side. If I took .25, it would go away. Recently, I can tell by a dull "feeling" in my head when I am about to spook, so If I take .25mg, it usually will subside after ~20min of mild anxiety. Last night, however, I had a "Big One" panic attack. I started to feel a little anxious around 7:30, so took .25mg. Went to go to sleep at 8:30 (get up for work at 4:40am) and started having a major panic attack in bed (where mine usually happened). Took another .25. Tried to go to sleep and couldn't. Was cycling from anxious panic (hot and sweaty) to calm, tired and cooling off. Took another .25 about 45 minutes later. Still felt up and down, unable to go to sleep. Took another .25 around 11ish maybe. Finally fell asleep at some point...... I was feeling pretty good the past month or so with mild anxiety every now and then that a .25mg dose would seem to handle. I have been wearing my self out physically, working on remodeling a home this week, so I don't know if I just got too tired or what. I hope tonight is much better. I can tell you, that I had Valium before, and It didn't touch my panic attacks at night when they started up again this past summer.