how long have you been on Xanax?

Just sitting here thinking. Actually feeling pretty good since I started taking the Xanax as prescribes(.5mg every 8 hours) instead of as needed. Since me and AD's dont get along well, im just wondering about the long term effects of Xanax.

Ive read and read and read about folks being on them for years. Barring the few who have had addiction issues, ive really not read any negative effects. Any input?

Trader,

I have been on xanax since mid April. I started taking it as needed (which was everyday) for about three weeks. When that didn't get me out of the panic cycle, my pdoc put me on .5 mg 3x daily. I was on that for about three weeks. Then I started tapering my dose. Over the summer I tried to take the minimum amount that I thought I needed. Sometimes 1 mg, sometimes .25 mg a day. I use just enough to take the edge off. I have a problem driving and going into stores, but I am slowly getting better. Using small amounts of Xanax that don't totally relieve my symptoms, but help me enough to actually go in the car and go places. I am down to taking between .25 mg and .125 a day. I have not experienced any rebound anxiety or withdrawl symptoms at all. I was prescribed an ssri, but I was too chicken to take it.