I stopped taking my meds a couple of weeks ago. I'm probably not the best person to advise you, as it has not been good for me, but I do wish you all the best and say Kia Kaha (which means Stand Strong in Maori) to you :o)

I never took meds for anxiety til 13 years ago. I started anxiety attacks when i was 9, 10 ... Til the meds, I guess I would just walk it off when the attacks would hit. When I was 9,I used to get out of bed and run around the house saying I couldn't breath. Back in 1969 anxiety wasn't all that openly talked about, and my mom didn't know what was wrong, so i was just told to go back to bed. nNow I have Xanax, which I take each nite before bed, just in case. It is a low dose (.5mg) annd my body has never adjusted and needed more, so I don't worry about addictiion. I say take the meds until you find something else that works just as well. Maybe herbal supplements? I've heard alot about B12 stress formula...

I was on Klonzapan for a couple of years and recently taken off it because me & my husband are trying to get pregnant. I slowing went off it like my dr instructed me to and I still had horrible w/draw symptoms for a few days. Then my ob/gyn changed my antidepressants so it made it even worse! I ended up going back on my regular antidepressants and I have been doing ok so far.

I have not taken meds for anxiety. I find little helps me when my anxiety escalates out of control. I recommend you begin to identify triggers and symptoms of your anxiety as well as anything that may help to calm you. I try to catch the anxiety right when it starts and immediately take precautions to prevent it from escalating out of control.

I suggest some exercise every day, enough to make you sweat a little bit and get your endorphins going. Ive just come off meds too for depression. I'd been on them for 13 years. I've just started CBT so I'm not there yet. Anxiety is still pretty bad. It doesn't happen over night though.

I admire you for trying to do without the meds -- if you can do that, great. But one note: when I once mentioned to my psychiatrist that I was afraid of becoming dependent on anti-anxiety meds, he pointed out that diabetics are often dependent on insulin or oral meds and no one thinks anything at all about that because everyone knows diabetes is a medical condition. So if you do have to go back don't feel like you've failed -- just remember you have a legitimate medical condition.

That said, I admire you for seeking to get yourself better. Good luck!

I've only been on med's once and hated it. I exercise alot (like 3-4 times a week of intense 30 mins) and meditate almost every day for at least 30 minutes, and that combo has helped more than medication ever did. Just remember even though it may not feel like you can control your thoughts, you can, if you just look at them the right way.

I carry my xanax with me wherever I go, however, I haven't had to take it in over a month. In the past I only took half of my prescribed dose and only took it as needed for severe anxiety. I prefer to treat my anxiety without meds. I'm treating my anxiety with good nutrition, vitamins, exercise, prayer and meditation, and CBT. I now have what I consider to be mild anxiety and I have more days now where I have absolutely no anxiety.

Did the doctor wean you off gradually, or did you abruptly stop taking them?
I have seen more incidents while reading on this site of doctors just taking a patient off of a med or switching to another one abruptly.
I've been around this block too many times. I'm a little concerned because the Dr. who prescribes Xanax for me is retiring next month, and he was the only Dr. who has said "You need it-you'll get addicted,probably, but if you don't develop a tolerance-that's okay.
I've had some relief in the past 4 years that I've never had and I'm afraid when I find a new Dr., he/she will be an anti drug person.
But if that happens, I'm prepared to tell them that they have to live with me during the withdrawal period-lol.
Not a nice scenario.
Personally, I have no problem with taking meds. If I had a thyroid disorder I would take the appropriate medication. Life is tough for people who don't battle anxiety and panic, and harder for those of us that do.
Give me that crutch-I'll take it.

Meds never did anything for me but reduce the physical symptoms while making the psychological symptoms worse. Things that worked for me are exercise (esp long walks in the hills), understanding more about what was happening to me, meditation, and mentally absorbing activities which take your mind off the anxiety. Deep breating can help too, but needs practice. More recently i've found Claire Weekes books and tapes very useful, the crux is learning to accept your anxiety and not be so scared of the symptoms.