After taking Buspar and Lexapro for a three month period back in Sept.-Nov., I was able to taper off of them and deal with my anxiety without the use of medication. However, my psychologist has kept watch on the sort of anxiety that I have been experience since then and while there has been nothing big, my occasional attacks made him want to put me on Zanax, which is supposed to reduce the anxiety and kick into effect within minutes. That kind of scares me because I never thought of my anxiety as a heartburn or headache. It makes me think I'm taking the anti-anxiety version of Advil. Is there such a thing?

I'm only supposed to take the medication on those rare days when I just wake up with the anxiety and don't stand much of a chance at fighting it well for the rest of the day. But I was hoping someone might be using Zanax and be able to tell me a little bit more about it.

Hi
Saw your post but is the medication Xanax or Zantac? Xanax is an anti-anxiety drug that helps to calm you down on a as needed basis or regular basis. Zantac is an anti-acid reducer for the stomach. I am actually on both on a regular basis and each one of these drugs I had found to be a life saver for me without giving me any side effects. GOOD LUCK!

Hi,

I take Xanax. My Dr. told me to take it when I felt the need. There are times when I take it more often than others. Generally though, a pretty low dose once a day. It seems to work fairly quickly, maybe within 20 minutes. It doesn't take it all away - that's the internal work we all have to do - but it smooths it out a bit. I have found it very helpful - once I got over the denial of needing a little extra help while I was working out the reasons behind my anxiety. Actually accepting the fact that I needed this type of help was sooooo hard. But, once I did it and got beyond what I think was a fear of weakness, it's been very helpful and necessary. I was afraid it would make me totally spaced out or something but that wasn't the case. Like I said, it just smooths things out when they're really intense. Like my Dr. said, kind of like an umbrella to use during a storm. Once the storm passes - which can take some time and a lot of hard work - the need for the meds decreases as well. I can say, personally, that this has been the case for me. I have been using it primarily at bedtime - I figure that if I sleep well I will have the energy and the focus to work on the issues that are on my plate right now. All in all, it has turned out much better than I thought. Hope this helps...

Hi Lena,

I also use Xanax. I've used it on and off for about 5 years. It has helped me tremendously. I also take Paxil CR along with Xanax (only the Xanax on an as needed basis). I agree with mushu, it does smooth things out. You also have to do your part by helping yourself in other ways. I was also in denial about taking medication because I thought I was 'superwoman' or something without it. LOL! In conclusion, I'm glad that I was able to accept the fact that I needed something to help me out. The best part was that I had mild side effects. But do remember that every person is different, some will respond well to it and others will not. I hope this helps a bit!

-uknee33

Why do we think we need to be "super" people? That has been the bigger of the issues on my plate - I have to do and be all - what a drain. It has not been easy to admit, and not feel ashamed, that I can't do it all or even don't want to do it all. I suppose it's been a way to keep a distance from people so no one can get close enough to hurt me --- again. As you can probably surmise, I came out of an emotionally abusive relationship. So, doing it all made me self-sufficient. It's amazing how life brings you things that force you to look at the trouble spots in your life (if you're willing to look) - this last year has forced me to look at myself in a way I never have before and face the fear of letting someone get close to me and be there for me. What a risk...thus, the need for Xanax to help me pass through this storm.

Good for you Mushu!!! I congratulate you on your ability to look back when there is some of us that don't even want to take a glimpse. There are things that one doesn't want to look back at but then again we should look back and think of all the happy moments that we have had. I know that as anxiety sufferers it is hard to think of a happy moment in our life but I'm sure that there are. For you to get out of an abusive relationship is very coursgeous. I know that it is a negitive experience that you probably don't want to remember but if you look at the positive about it, YOU had the COURAGE to look out for yourself because you love yourself and want the best for you. It takes guts! I've never been there but I'm pretty sure that you made the right decision. I applaude you.

BTW, about the Xanax, like I have said before, it is a great drug to help you through. But always check with your doctor. Good luck Mushu and to all!

-uknee33

Lena,
Xanax IS the anti-anxiety version of Advil. I have always had some .25's available. I hardly ever use them, but I found my anxiety lessens just knowing I have the option to use them. I have usually used them if I've been anxious and want to sleep at night, because if I have a couple rough nights it kinda sets me into a panic.
Xanax is highly addictive, but I don't see that as anyone's problem here. I hate taking even Advil. Xanax just calms you enough so that the phsyical effects of anxiety aren't felt. It helps the body get out of that fight or flight mode. You feel "normal" and can refocus.
I wouldn't be afraid of taking it. I doesn't stay in the system, does no harm, is a proven safe drug and has been around for years and years.
Hope this helps you.
Kristen

I am so confused about taking meds, I am scared to become dependent on them, and often ask myself will I need to take pills for the rest of my life? My doctor has prescribed Xanax .25 and I have taken half of one, thinking it won't do anything major to me. What ever that means? LOL
He has also prescribed Zoloft which I did not want to take, but I am now seriously considering it. I am so scared! I need some help, please I have two young daughters so I need to be right for them! I want to feel like me again. About the Xanax when and should I take the whole pill? And what will happen to me if I start to take pills. I do not even take Nyquil, tylenol or anything. Talk about issues! AHHHH please some words of advice. I would really appreciate it. Thanks

I have Xanax .25 ml - I can tell when I start getting more anxious than I am comfortable with, my breathing starts to accelerate, my thoughts start to race a bit - it's better to take it before it gets full blown because then it doesn't seem to have the same impact. I am not a "pill taker" either - no Tylenol, nothing. But this I do take. My Dr. said that this is a really low dose so, for me, I need to take 1-2 as needed. I know when I start to need it. Like I said, when I have waited until I was full into my anxiety it didn't really help. I think the idea is to catch it before it gets big.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I'm usually prone to having bad mornings on occasion, which is probably the time I will have to take Xanax.

quote:

Actually accepting the fact that I needed this type of help was sooooo hard.

Yeah, I'm so stubborn and proud when it comes to medication. "I can do it, coach--I'm mean, doctor!"

In answer to Dee Gonzalez, you should take a whole pill whenever you have your next anxiety attack and need for medication. Your dosage is only .25mg, which is the same as mine, and is a low amount of medication--even for a 95lb girl like me--so the entire pill should be taken, as my doctor recommended. He told me that the whole pill was a safe amount to take at once, without concern for overdosage or other complications when dealing with a new medication. But of course, listen to what your doctor recommended about the intake of Zanax.

quote:

Originally posted by mushu:
[qb]I have Xanax .25 ml - I can tell when I start getting more anxious than I am comfortable with, my breathing starts to accelerate, my thoughts start to race a bit - it's better to take it before it gets full blown because then it doesn't seem to have the same impact. I am not a "pill taker" either - no Tylenol, nothing. But this I do take. My Dr. said that this is a really low dose so, for me, I need to take 1-2 as needed. I know when I start to need it. Like I said, when I have waited until I was full into my anxiety it didn't really help. I think the idea is to catch it before it gets big.[/qb]

Mushu,

This is some very very good advice! We discovered, or should I say my WIFE discovered this with our 16 year old son. Taking this when symptoms START is the key. Catch it before it gets BIG.

My son takes Ativan, which is very similar to xanax. They both work the same way and are both anxiety meds.
Now, with him he takes 1 gram when needed. We started out with 0.25 but it simply was not enough. Even 1 gram is very low however. I know, addiction-addiction-addiction scares are all over. But with him there was NO addiction. He took these for 3 months straight (1 gram every day) and just recently did not even need them, NO addiction, withdrawls, NOTHING. In the past 14 days he only took 1 Gram.

Did they work? Yup. And I mean a BIG YUP. These literally meant the difference of leaving the house or not, of doing his schoolwork, of going to Church , and on and on.

But ALWAYS check and listen to your doctor.

I am so relieved to see this thread on here. I have been working the Attacking Anxiety program for a couple of months and got to lesson 10 and then had some life stressors happen and my anxiety got the worst it has been in probably 10 years. My doctor prescribed me Xanax and I was afraid to take it, for all of the reasons already discussed here- fear that it meant I was a failure because I couldn't face it on my own, fear of addiction, fear of medication. I took my first .25 mg dose on Monday, one on Tuesday, none on Wednesday, a full .5 dose yesterday and a .25 dose today. It gives me relief within 35 minutes, helps me calm down and think more clearly, and helps me expand my world again. I did not know about taking it at the onset of the anxiety. I've been trying to stand as much as I can stand and then as a last resort take it, but maybe it will work better to take it at the onset and just have a much better day. I am actively working on my issues in therapy and with the Attacking Anxiety program and so hopefully soon I won't need the medication and can just have it as a security blanket.
I feel relieved hearing your experiences about this issue. Thank you!

Lena,
ive been on xanax for over 5 yrs. i take .025 twice a day, oncein the morning , once at night.It great for anxiety attacks, when you feel your starting an attacks, put it under your tongue, it goes to work immediately, like 3 minutes. i used to swallow them but sometimes it takes to long to stop mine. My doc told me to put it under your tongue goes directly in your blood stream. ive never increased the amount i take. Just go by your docs recommendation.

Hi,

I agree with mushu, It is great for anxiety.
actually i'm on xanax write now as i'm writting this. I also take 0.25mg and one half pill seems todo the trick most times.The only thing about xanax is it can be addicting. Nelly said she has been taking 2pills aday for 5years. WOW I can barely handle 1pill aday and function, (WORK).
It makes me tired alot but thats not saying much because I donot do well with medication anyway.
Remember get the presciption and if you don't like it don't take it..

Good luck, Dennis..

Hi
I started taking Xanax in 2001 and was on a very small dose .25 2 times a day. Even at that small of a dose I would only take half a pill at a time which did me no good at all. When I told the doctor what I had been doing he said that taking that small amount was like spitting in the ocean (too little amount for the problems of anxiety and panic)I finally just gave in and did as he said and found that I was getting better but still having symptoms every day. I am now on .50 mg 4-5 times a day and it has been a lifesaver.
I know the risks of this drug being addictive. I have out weighed the risks to the benefits and I will continue to stay where I am because I have come so far without any side effects with this drug. That is more than I can say for all of the anti-depressants they had me try and ended up in the trash.