Anyone here on Xanax? I have some questions.

[2angelsinheaven]

I've gone through a lot in the past few months and have been unable to sleep, been not myself, etc, been very anxious. So my Dr. gave me an RX for Xanax to try and I've read the side effects/warnings but wanted to hear from some "real" people what it did to them. I'm wondering what side effects you got if any, and how does it make you feel? Tired, groggy, normal just relaxed, etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[grinningghost]

I carry a bottle of Xanax with me everywhere I go - just in case. I get panic attacks and nothing else kills one like Xanax does.

I get no side effects from it. It simply puts me into a calm, serene kind of mood. Not dopey, not spacey - just even. It clears out the cobwebs and I can think clearly after I use it.

That said, I only use it when I feel a panic attack really coming on, or if I get into a seriously high anxiety mood. I think because I don't overuse it, it works well. I've heard of people getting tolerant to it and then it doesn't work so well - I never want to be one of those people.

Good luck with it. I think it's a safe drug if used wisely.

 

[AllyandJack]

I take it. I have .5mg pills that I can split in half. Sometimes I take a half, sometimes I take a whole. He says I can take up to 2 three times a day (yeah right...I DO work, afterall), which would be 1mg. I've taken a full 1mg pill before and been fine...can't drive, but I didn't have any negative reactions.

Generally, I take a half when I get to work (after driving here). If I feel the need, I take another half by 1pm (since I have to drive myself home). I'll usually take either a half or a whole before bed depending on how I feel.

I, personally, didn't have any side effects from it. It depends on how much you take whether you get knocked out, groggy or just relaxed. My mother takes it and she doesn't have bad effects either.

I don't take the full dose three times a day. I hear it can be addictive. But, sometimes I don't take any at all. I actually went 4 months without any...then DH lost his job, all hell broke loose and I started taking them again.

My advice is to start with half the pill when you're at home. Not before sleeping because you want to actually FEEL the effect it's having on you, just hanging around the house. See how it goes. If you don't notice any reaction in 2 hours or so, pop the other half. Eventually, you'll figure out what you can take and still work and what you need to take to get to sleep.

Good luck with everything. Sometimes crap happens and we need a little help dealing with it. For a long time I was so ashamed that I needed pills to deal with "life" - everyone told me to just deal with it. Well, now, I'll happily admit that I'm sick and tired of dealing with "life" and I want better living through chemicals.

As a side....it has had the amazing effect of helping certain attacks of my colitis. So, it's helped me in more ways than one.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Yeah I was kinda taken back at the suggestion that I use a medication to "relax" but I think it's better than countinuing to go without sleep, worrying all the time, etc. My Dr. prescribed me 1mg pills, 1 to 2 pills in the evening for sleep, this seems a bit high compared to what others take, maybe I'll try and 1/2 pill.

 

[minkydog]

My DH & I both take Xanax as needed for anxiety. Since he had heart failure last year, his ability to control & withstand stress is severely limited. So Xanax comes to the rescue for those occasions when he is too worked up and can't settle down. I think it makes him more mellow, but he is not drugged. I take it occasionally when the stress is getting to me and it doesn't make me sleepy or feel weird. I just feel like i am in control and the stressful stuff stays in it's place instead of being in front of my eyes(can you picture what's i'm talking about?) Xanax is habit-forming, so we are both careful to only use it when we need it. but it rally makes a difference in our outlook on things. Instead of perseverating on stuff, we are able to resolve our problems and think more clearly.

 

[tevagirl]

I love my Xanax!

 

[disneyworld!]

xanax, this is a great medication, it saved my life. BUT it is highly addictive. and that is even taking just one pill a day. I have had them for 21 years. you have to be pretty careful on these meds. I to still get them, but do not take them like I am supose to(I would not be able to get out of bed) the longer you take what you take, after a while your body needs more. I have had friends die in there sleep on them, due to taking one to many and having a few beers.

and yes, if you are one them for a week or two straight, you will feel a withdrawal....and yes, even with only .5 mg.
I to have them for panic/anxiety. I have to "chew" one to fly.

 

[SillyMe]

I had a prescription for my anxiety. I was supposed to take them 2x/day but was afraid b/c I know they're addictive. I only took them when I absolutely needed them. I've since run out and haven't gotten the Rx refilled, but when the nerves get bad I sure wish I had some.

I took mine at night b/c I felt really, really relaxed when I took them. I don't know if I would've been fit to drive or function at work if I took them during the day. It's not a "groggy" feeling. It's just a "nothing could bother me" feeling. It made me happy.

As a matter of fact, I took one the night before our trip to Disney b/c I was afraid to fly. I sat on the couch reading DelsWife's trip report. We all know she's hilarious to begin with. Add some Xanax to that, I was rolling! Of course my family thought I was a little nuts.

 

[Kitty 34]

Can I ask a question, too? Is Xanax like Valium or is it a lot different? I take Valium once in a blue moon as a muscle relaxant for a slipped disc.

Just wondering....

 

[chadfromdallas]

Can I ask a question, too? Is Xanax like Valium or is it a lot different?

Its the same. They are both Tranquilizers.

 

[Christine]

I have taken Xanax off and on since 1995 when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Due to thyroid issues that are ongoing, I now have panic disorder (most likely due to not being properly regulated). Anyway, sometimes I will take .25 mg every night for weeks and then stop. I have no problems stopping on that low of a dose and do not have withdrawal. When I am going through "panic times" it is best to take .25 mg, three times a day. When I go on that regimen, I will feel a little "slow" in the mornings, but after a day or two that wears off.

Also, I am the queen of getting side effects from medications. Xanax gives me none.

 

[snoopy]

Can I ask a question, too? Is Xanax like Valium or is it a lot different? I take Valium once in a blue moon as a muscle relaxant for a slipped disc.

Just wondering....

I use Xanax every so often when I can't sleep....its very similar to Valium, both take the edge off.

And I don't think "addictive" is the right term -- its certainly possible to build up a dependency on these drugs, but its not the kind of drug the body requires more and more of in order to maintain. Someone on the boards who is a nurse told me that its best to use them in cycles, 3 weeks on, 1 week off, to avoid a dependency.

 

[disneyworld!]

Can I ask a question, too? Is Xanax like Valium or is it a lot different? I take Valium once in a blue moon as a muscle relaxant for a slipped disc.

Just wondering....

well, they are in the same catagory...xanax being a Alprazolam
and valuim is Diazepam
to me they are different, xanax came out more or less to "replace" valuim. I do not feel the same when I take valuim as apposed to xanax, xanax has a less hang over feeling.

I get 8mg a day. which is 4 ...2mg.
but cannot take all that, I would be toast!

 

[Lachesis00]

I take it. I have both .5mg and 1mg but I only take .25, wait an hour or 2 (depending on how bad I am) and then take another .25 and so on until I am relaxed. {Normally the .25 does it for me thankfully}.
I have both anxiety and anxiety attacks. I am told they probably triggered my 3 grand mal seizures in the past. :/

MY problem is my family is highly addicted to "legal" drugs and so I am scared to take Xanax even tho it is prescribed to me. It's mind tricks... I keep telling myself it will get better, it will pass, :/ it never does (well eventually it does). All of a sudden it's time to get up for work. I will often go 2-5 days w/o or very little sleep. I get so mad at myself...


Edited to say I do not have an addiction problem... my mom, sister, aunts, cousins and uncles on my mom's side have serious issues.

 

[disneyworld!]

I use Xanax every so often when I can't sleep....its very similar to Valium, both take the edge off.

And I don't think "addictive" is the right term -- its certainly possible to build up a dependency on these drugs, but its not the kind of drug the body requires more and more of in order to maintain. Someone on the boards who is a nurse told me that its best to use them in cycles, 3 weeks on, 1 week off, to avoid a dependency.

right snoopy, you may not be "addictive" it is more of your body having a dependecy to them. I have gone thru up to a 6 month with drawal on these. they store in your fat cells, not water soluable..that is why they build up in your system

 

[Christine]

Valium will relax your muscles, Xanax will not. Valium will also make you much more slow and dopey feeling than Xanax.

 

[cyndibelle]

ahh xanax ....i love it...always have it handy for panic attacks or when i feel like my world is out of control..meaning my anxiety is so high i cant function.....xanax is great...just be careful when you first start taking it...it will totally chill you out..

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Well I'm going to try one tonight and see how things go. I've been pretty stressed with my grandfather's passing, work issues, etc... and then today found out my grandmother is now sick as well is really getting to me. Pharmacist recommended a 1/2 pill to start, then another after if it doesn't work. How long does it take to kick in? Thanks!

 

[lsyorke]

Just a word of caution. If you're taking Xanax on a consistent basis(not just occasional use for bad panic attack) DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING IT!! I have seen some horrible withdrawal from long term Xanax users.It must be weaned carefully or it can result is psychotic symptoms.

 

[Dee & Greg]

It will "kick in" in about 20 minutes. You may want to start with 1/2 pill, then take another 1/2 in 30 minutes or so if you feel you need more.
I was afraid that it would really wipe me out, but that isn't the case. Just a mellow, peaceful feeling. And no side effects. Wish I could say the same about Zoloft! It gives me the shakes, but I can't just go off it.