Need to know if anyone is taking xanax xr 0.5. My doctor prescribed this to me and I really want to try it to see how it helps with my agoraphobia while driving and traveling, but I am afraid of a few things. Side effects, such as being drowsy, not being able to drive, because Im drowsy, and also not feeling like myself while Im on it. I dont want to be an emotionless zombie. What fun would that be! Im also afraid of being panic free. I've been like this for so long (14) w/out meds that normal sounds scary. HAHAHA

Can anyone taking xanax xr tell me what to expect. Will I even know that I am taking it? And does it work for what I described above? Also does it help or make obsessive thoughts (sometimes) scary thoughts worse?

I have never taken anything for my panic, anxiety or agoraphobia in the past.

Thanks!

My doctor has had me on Xanax 0.5 (not XR) for some time on an "as needed" basis. I usually take half a pill when anxious to calm me (I'm on daily Cymbalta 60 mg). The 0.25 mg that I take at a time seems to work fairly well without getting tired, but when I have to take a full dose I tend to get sleepy. I think the effects then are more because I'm dealing with severe anxiety or the start of a panic attack and my body just wants to shut down as oppossed to the Xanax.

I take Xanax 0.5 as needed also. I also take a half of a pill in the morning and other times as needed. I did start out taking a whole one and it will make you drowsy, but after taking it for awhile the side effects won't be as bad. I also take Welbutrin 300 mg in the morning and that has been helping my depression and also my anxiety. Good luck!

from what I've been told the xr is time released so it doesnt hit you all at once, you only take it once a day.

when you take the regular one you said you get sleepy, do you feel like you could still function, like cook dinner, drive to the store etc..., or is the urge to go to sleep much to strong to do anything but sleep??

Do you feel like yourself when your on the xanax? And how about obsessive thoughs, does the xanax help them, make them worse or is there no difference?

Thanks for your input!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: there-is-light,

I don't get sleepy when I'm at work or doing something. I think I feel like myself. Taking half 0.25 Xanax just takes the edge off when I feel the anxiety coming on. I'm trying to use the tools they are giving me in Session 1 and I just started Session 2 and I hope I won't have to use any Xanax when I use those tools.

Hi dwaith,
My Dr. just prescribed me Cymbalta yesterday. I started on 30mg today. Any input on this med.?

I have been on xanax since end of May. The doctor wanted me to take 1mg. That made me very sleepy and zombie feeling. I take half a pill at night, before I got to bed. It helps me to calm down and sleep. I dont have all those thoughts going through my head. The doctor wanted me to take .25 twice a day also. But I refuse to take it in the daytime. Just at night.

Hi dwaith!
I was on Xanax for quite some time and I don't recall that it caused drowsiness. I stopped it cold turkey and I don't recommend doing that. I am now taking Serax on an as needed basis. It doesn't make me sleepy but isn't effective if my anxiety is through the roof. The trick is to take it at the first sign of your symptoms. I do take it at night and that seems to help me sleep better.

My doctor has me take Xanax only if I need it. He said its effect is good for no more than 2.5 hours. I haven't used it in 2 weeks. I never made me drowsy.

quote:

Originally posted by Darlene Elizabeth:
Hi dwaith!
I was on Xanax for quite some time and I don't recall that it caused drowsiness. I stopped it cold turkey and I don't recommend doing that. I am now taking Serax on an as needed basis. It doesn't make me sleepy but isn't effective if my anxiety is through the roof. The trick is to take it at the first sign of your symptoms. I do take it at night and that seems to help me sleep better.