Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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megsmom8816 03/08/2015

My doctor prescribed a low dose of Xanax (25 mg) because I went to him with symptoms that he said suggested I have some anxiety. I have had a ton of health issues in the past 7 years and am kind of depressed about them. I have back issues, migraines, had brain surgery, heart surgery, etc. I have recovered from all but the back pain and migraines.

My anxiety symptoms are dizziness, loss of balance, tingling in face and hands, nervousness, and general loss of interest in doing things with friends because if puts me out of my comfort zone. I teach high school and I notice during the work week my anxiety is so much worse.

I have not really taken the Xanax but a few times, and he prescribed it 6 months ago. When I have taken it, I took half of a pill. I am afraid of being addicted to it, but I really feel like I should take it with these symptoms. Will it help the lightheadedness and dizziness, which are my most worrisome symptoms??

Any advice?

megsmom8816 03/08/2015

By the way, the dose is .25, not 25.

BonTemps 03/08/2015

Anxiety can cause all kinds of physical symptoms including dizziness, racing pulse, nausea and many others . The dose your doc suggested is very small. You could just take it "as needed" when the symptoms become overwhelming. I have Ativan , a very similar drug, and don't take it unless Im desperate. Just having it with me helps be more calm
because I know relief is available . One drug I had some success with for anxiety is Buspar. Its not a Benzo , so not habit forming . Its usually
taken 2 or 3 times a day. It takes about 2 weeks to start working . Side effects are minimal and easy to stop if it doesn't work for you.

gramybear 03/09/2015

My eyes almost popped out of my head with the 25 mg you had written. LOL I was given Xanax a while back and they are only 1 mg. I don't find they work for me as well as Ativan does. The only one that truly scares me is Klonopin because I have heard horror stories about trying to get off of them, including when my son had to. A lot of people swear by Xanax and say they help a great deal. I hope they do the same for you. Hugs GB

megsmom8816 03/09/2015

Thanks. Yeah I read my post again and thought I had better correct that number. I took half of a .25 this morning and felt better despite the fact I only slept three hours last night. Sunday nights are rough for me because my mind is racing towards the week ahead.

debib399 03/09/2015

I take 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. It does help but I try not to take it unless I really have to. I take 2 at night to sleep. .25 is a very low dose but if it helps your symptoms I would take it. I have taken buspar but didn't find it did anything for me. Everyone is different. I'm with Gramybear on Klonopin it also scares me. Good luck and hope you find relief soon. I totally understand being in your comfort zone.
Hugs to you.

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