Does anyone here use xanax for panic attacks?

[acejka]

I suffer from panic attacks, most of the time I can take a few minutes, breathe deeply and relax myself, lately I am getting more severe attacks with nausea involved... ok that is part of a panic attack, big deal right? Wrong. I am phobic of vomit/vomiting. Instead of being able to calm down, it makes me worse because I am so phobic of vomiting.

We just moved to Orlando and that is a huge step for me, I've never been away from home, I think this is the root of the problem. While I am loving it here and well adjusted without too much homesickness, my panic attacks get worse when I have huge changes in my life.

I don't like it when they start interfering with my daily life or with my DH’s life. And they are starting to. Yesterday, we went to wdw and I was so panicked the whole time we couldn't even get on walk on rides, I was terrified I would get stuck on something without the ability to get off and be there for 3 or 4 hours and I'd get upset and throw up on myself. He is understanding about this, but gets frustrated. He knows I really like most of those rides, and what fun is it riding by himself-oh and by the way why throw out $300 a pop for an annual pass to not ride anything- he is ok with some laid back, enjoy the atmosphere trips, but does want to do some rides with me.

I have a xanax prescription and I've never taken it before, it’s never been this bad. I know everyone is different, but what has your experience been with it? Are you able to wait in long lines without freaking because you are stuck in the middle with no way out, or if you get stuck for 20 minutes on pirates, do you just not care? Does it just block the freak out factors and make you not freak?

I'm really getting depressed about this because I just want to be a normal girl who can hop on a ride and it’s no big deal about it, or eat in a restaurant without a care in the world.

 

[C&G'sMama]

I can't speak to the use of it for panic attacks but I did use it recently for an MRI as the first time I went in I freaked after one minute in the tube. The Xanax got me through the next time but it also made me very sleepy.

 

[Momelie]

I was going to say something similar to C&G's Mama.

I have severe claustrophobia and have a medical condition that necessitates frequent MRIs and most recently a PET scan. I found that I can't even do the open MRIs, believe it or not!

Xanax gets me through them, but I do get kind of drowsy. The one time (PET scan) I took a smaller dose, though, I didn't get drowsy but I did get REALLY loopy! Like, no way could I have been behind the wheel of a car - in fact, I was trying to tell DH how to drive by making vroom, vroom noises at him, rolling down the window and telling people in other cars that their clothes didn't meet my sartorial standards, and other really embarassing things. DH swears he's going to let our 15 year old drive me back from our next one... and she's only had her learner's less than a month, LOL!!!!

Then again, this may have had something to do with the fact that the PET scan had some other stuff in an IV that reacted with the Xanax, so YMMV.

If you are having panic attacks that keep you from enjoying Disney like that, I think you owe it to yourself to at least try to take one and see what happens. Make sure your hubby knows you are taking it, and make a deal between yourselves that he will keep an eye on you and at the first sign of problems, y'all are out of there - or at least in First Aid for a few minutes to calm down in a quiet room till you get your bearings. I don't know how long you've been married, but my DH can ususally just look at my eyes and know when something's not right before I do. Who knows? You may surprise yourself and have a wonderful time! If not, you can check one thing off your list and go back to your doctor for something else. Whatever you do, don't give up! Something is out there that will work, just keep trying till you find it.

Good luck!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I took it for panic attacks and felt it made me worse. I had a fear that when taking it, it slowed me down so much I felt like my heart was going to stop. Yes, I know, sounds strange but that was part of my panic attacks. My doc switched me to Ativan & it really worked for me. I guess I have out grown my panic attacks or seemed to be able to control them without the use of the Ativan. I have not used it in a few years now and seem fine.

 

[hamrinton]

I suffered from panic attacks myself in my life. Practices can not go out of town and Hiways units. Unable to resist a crowd. I have been using Paxil for some time and I felt much better. I suspect that Xanax is enough to handle such problem.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I am a 27 year veteran with xanax. I will start by saying is is very highly addictive, even when taken as prescribed. You cannot help it...on a dose for a while it will stop working and you need more etc.

Most Dr's I know of now will only prescribe it for a short time. Unlike the amount dose and quantity that I get.

It also does make panic attacks worse as well as depression.
I could more or less write a huge book on this med....
It is a good short term in usage, but I would not rely on it...

Maybe take some yoga, meditation, and learn how to deal with the panic attacks.
I suffered so bad for so long, I have a eating disorder. I stop eating for long periods of time. I stopped driving, I could not go outside...etc and you get the point.

Just look long and hard before relying on xanax. I wish someone told me that 27 years ago!

 

[Phlip]

Try taking something to not throw up. I take Bonine when I fly, and every day I'm at disney. I get motion sick, but the fear of being motion sick is almost worse! Works great, better than dramamine, and I've never puked while taking it. Oh, I sometimes need a xanax to fly too--is very habit forming, so I would be very careful about taking it. I've taken it more for anxiety than for a full out panic attack. So try some behavior modification, and maybe next time you will be better prepared.
Good luck!

 

[tiff1228]

I take it when I absolutely have to. I tried to take Cymbalta for a long term fix, but I did not like that at all. I'd rather have something that I can take only if I need to. My panic attacks aren't a everyday thing, but when they are bad they are bad. My heart races and I feel like I can't breathe. Usually I try to control them first with deep breaths, talking to hubbie or whoever else is there to get my mind off things. I never like to take medication, but I have had the Xanax for about a year. I probably have only used it about 4 times. I only have to take half of a 5mg tablet which I put under my tongue (tastes nasty but dissolves quick.) It makes me calm down and feel mellow within 15 minutes. The side effects I have are that when it starts to go out of my system I crash and feel so tired. I also had a headache the evening or next day after I took it the last couple of times....don't know if it was just a coincedence.

Good Luck

 

[debranator]

You are so right...
I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks...for many years.
I was prescribed Xanax and paxil..
I was on both..for about 15-20 years...
I lived my life in a daze...
because..as you stated..you have to take higher dosages..just to styay normal.
I was on 6 3mg. sticks a day.
I am off of them now..
and..it was pure hell to do.
6 weeks..of cold turkey.
If you can possibly avoid taking them..do so.
I now use melatonin for nerves...
it works..I use the 10mg. ones.
They are natural...no prescription...and a lot better for your system.
It will not hurt to try it.

 

[Melisande]

Seriously get a gac for the anxiety disorder at the parks. I do get kind of panicky sometimes about the lines. My daughter is worse with her Aspergers and those anxiety issues. She always has to have a gac in the parks. Otherwise she is too wound up by the time we get on a ride if the line is long to enjoy the ride.

As for the xanax I have taken it. I have also taken Ativan. Ativan is shorter lasting which for me is a good thing at times. I am not so groggy later. Of course if its a bad bad set off sometimes its nice to have the longer lasting xanax but mostly I can just retake more ativan if needed. Everyone is different so try it and see.

Re Debranator: Benederyl also works in a true emergency. I know because that is what I was told to take for anxiety while pregnant..

 

[elbowglitter]

I've got GAD with panic attacks, and I have used Xanax. I take half a tablet and it calms me down when I have an attack. But after years of severe GERD, like you, part of my panic attacks have to do with a fear of throwing up in public. Is this something that happens regularly to me? No.

But what I found really helps me is that I always have a plastic bag on me. An emergency vomit bag, if you will. Folded up in my purse or my pocket. I've never had to use it, but knowing it's there and accessible makes things so much better. Also, rather than take Xanax, I just carry it with me. Then, if I did get stuck on a ride, I could just take it if I needed it.

 

[FigmentChick]

Your symptoms sound very similar to what my DH experiences on a daily basis. He has a fear of not breathing and of something being stuck in his throat. He has been taking Xanax for his anxiety (ie - panic attacks) for two years now. He's a big guy (6'5"), so the dose started out small and then gradually grew. It does seem to help him and he get through most days now. If you'd like to talk to him via email, PM me and I can put you in touch with him.

 

[Murdah777]

Yeah i do use it for panic attacks. It makes me feel better instantly.

What i could advise you is to try taking something to not throw up.

 

[Chelley00]

But after years of severe GERD, like you, part of my panic attacks have to do with a fear of throwing up in public. Is this something that happens regularly to me? No.

But what I found really helps me is that I always have a plastic bag on me. An emergency vomit bag, if you will. Folded up in my purse or my pocket. I've never had to use it, but knowing it's there and accessible makes things so much better. .

Me too. I ALWAYS have a bag on me. I also ALWAYS have gum or mints as well because I find something in my mouth helps me focus on swallowing and not feeling sick. I also take a Bonine if I'm flying, and sometimes even on days I know I'm going to be riding something crazy (like RNR!)

 

[toodycat]

Both DH and I have taken it in small doses during stressful periods in our lives. I was prescribed .25 and he was prescribed .5. We both found that it took the edge off, but we did not take it every day or even sometimes for months at a time, just when we were stressing. I would speak to your doctor again about your concerns before you make a decision since no two patients have identical reactions to a drug, but for both of us, we calmed down.

 

[cinderella73]

Had anxiety years ago and thought I was over it but its been creeping back lately also.

I was put on a few different things years back and one of the things actually caused me to hear things like a doorbell ringing ! It was crazy !

When I tried Ativan ( a pp mentioned it also) it was perfect. It helped take the edge off but didnt confuse me or make me feel disoriented . A little tiny sleepy but barely noticeable. Also its not a daily pill but one you take only when a attack is coming on . It melts on your tongue and works quickly. In fact just knowing I had them made me feel calmer and sometimes I would just hold the bottle and the attack would subside. Eventually they just went away completly.

Mine are just now after 7 years coming back unfortunately .

Ativans are supposed to be considered addictive so some docs will give to you only if you have " situational anxiety " not long term .

Just wanted to mention this because for me I would say it was the best thing I found that treated the symptoms without any bad side effects . Hope you feel better soon. I know how terrible those attacks can be .