does anyone take xanax?

[pugz]

I just got an Rx this week due to the recent addition of panic attacks to my life, wheee!  My doctor said to try it on the weekend sometime when dh is around so I can see how it affects me before I take it at work or when home alone with the baby.  I'm super nervous to try it.  What kind of effect does it have on you?  

[Deleted]

I took it for years for breakthrough anxiety not controlled by my regular AD. Are you on anything else? Do you know what your triggers are? Xanax helped me definitely but always in addition to removing myself from the source. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[Deleted]

I am fine on it. I can work and such.

[Deleted]

I take it for panic attacks. What doseage did they give you? I started with .25 mg. I was nervous to take it as well. I guess it goes with the territory of being anxiety prone. I was able to split mine in half and that small dose was enough to take the edge off and eliminate terror/panic symptoms within about 20-30 minutes for me. Once the anxiety related sensations were gone I was able to deal more rationally with my panic attack and talk myself down. I can go months without needing them. I don't feel my tolerance has gone up. I've done .5 mg for full blown massive attacks and it gets them under control and it will make me feel a bit sleepy but that's the extent for me. I'd start with a half dose and see how that effects you. You can always take the other 1/2 if the first 1/2 didn't have any major sedative effects for you and your anxiety is still in full swing.

Today I bought Rescue Remedy. I've heard great things about it. Hopefully that will be a more natural alternative for me.

[krystee]

I've taken it three times. (I had mild panic attacks for a year, and just knowing I HAD the prescription and COULD take it was typically enough to get me through it.)The doctor gave me a low dose, but one pill made me feel very flat and tired, like I wouldn't really care about anything, whether super happy or super sad. I definitely got over the anxiety with it, but didn't like how I felt (it wore off in a few hours). The next two times I took half a pill, and it was much better. I could have driven and operated independently either way, but since you have a baby, it might be a good idea for your H to be home. With the full pill, I might not have really cared if I heard a crying baby!

[chessie]

Only take it around my IL's. Its works okay, founds other methods that worked better though.

[Deleted]

My sister and DH have taken it in the past. For both it just took the anxiety down a few notches. No particular side effects.

Are you on a daily med? DH is on Effexor everyday which made a much bigger improvement.

[StJess80]

I have a script for it, so I can take 1mg a day, but I never take that much. I can work when I take it, because if I choose to take it, it's because I am keyed up enough, and it brings me down to normal.


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[livinitup]

Personally, greatest Rx Ever! I had a rare bit of anxiety + no sleep and my doctor was a God-send with a Rx of Xanax. I used it very sparingly, but it was SO WONDERFUL to have the option when I needed less anxiety.

I only take 1/2 pill at a time, feel no loopie-ness, and benefit greatly from having it as needed.

[Deleted]

Depending on your individual situation Xanax may or may not be a great treatment. With or without therapy and increasing/adding other meds. And benzos can be effective for panic attacks long term, depending on the patient.

And that homeopathic rescue remedy crap is total bullshit. Do not waste your money.

[OG Jo]

I have a standing Rx for it and only take it sparingly. I take 1/2 pill if I'm starting to freak the F out about something. I only take a full pill if I'm in a full blown panic attack and can go to sleep at a decent hour. I can work fine after taking a full one but will sleep like the dead that night.

[pugz]

I am already on 100mg of zoloft daily and it works great. Keeps any intrusive thoughts and general anxiety/depression under control. The panic attacks have happened twice. Both were work related. One was the week before I went back to work for the first time. I had no idea what was happening and hyperventilated and passed out, hit my face on the nightstand, it was awesome. Lasted maybe 15 minutes.

Second one I had worked all day (but it really wasn't stressful) and I was on call when the panic attack happened. I knew what it was so I did breathing exercises and kept it from progressing past shortness of breath and tightening in my chest. It lasted about 45 minutes.

I wasn't thinking about work or stress at the time I had these panic attacks. First time I was bathing the baby, second time I was giving her a bottle.

Dosage is .25 and she said to take half a pill one day, and a full one the next.

[pugz]

and I may do some CBT again, there is a psych that just joined the family practice I go to so I may meet with her once or twice and see if we click. I did it back in 2008 with a psychologist before I went on Zoloft and for awhile after until things leveled off for me. It was helpful in working through some things I was dealing with at the time. I have honestly been great until that first panic attack back in October. I thought I was dying, I honestly had no idea what was happening, it was so scary.

I felt pretty down during December but feel really good now that I'm back at work 2 days a week. I just cannot predict when I'll have the panic attacks and I do worry about having one while I'm there. I've talked to my co-workers about it (all social workers and nurses) so they know and would be able to come take over my patients if I needed to step out for a bit.

[Deleted]

Are you taking it every day?

[pugz]

No no only if i feel a panic attack start

[Deleted]

Cool. Every day could give you a nasty rebound. Hope it helps!

[Deleted]

I take it on occasion. I've been working on the same bottle for quite a while.

I can only take half of a pill though, unless I want to sleep. I can't function on a whole pill. I think the weekend idea is a good one.