I took Xanax to help me get used to taking Zoloft. I only took it once a day for a few weeks and it really took the edge off of my symptoms. I would say use it for things like that but try not to use it all the time as the instant relief of symptoms can be addicting and won't allow you to work on the real issues.

Xanax helped take the edge off things. I take .25 mg in the morning. I am now able to go INTO the store instead of sending in my 15 year old daughter, who rewarded herself with many unnecessary items. It was either go shopping myself, or go broke! Once in a while i take an additional .25 mg in the evening if I feel a panic attack coming on. But that is not very often. I have been taking this dose for about 2 years. Everybody said that my body would get used to that amount and I would need more, but that has not been the case.

I take Xanax on an as needed basis when I have times of high anxiety, panic attacks, or when I have insomnia. I usually only take .5 mg, but only when I really need to use it. It works relatively quickly, usually within 5 or 10 minutes of taking it. Its effects last between 3-4 hours. To me, it is a miracle drug but I only use it as a last resort because I don't want to build up a tolerance to it or become dependent. In addition to it, I use breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and guided meditation.

ok i'm convinced i just might give this a try thanks for the responses

I would like to know if people on Xanax 1) gained weight or 2) feel tired all the time. Those are things I'm trying to avoid, otherwise I might try it. Thanks.

Potent, fast acting, addictive. Would not recommend daily use
for more than a couple of weeks. A few times per week is better.

My only problem with Xanax is the vastly different ways the various generic brands can affect me. My first bottle was the generic brand "purepac" and it worked great. Made me a little tired, but not too much, very little "giddiness," and significantly reduced my anxiety.

The second bottle I got was the generic brand "sandoz." Makes me very tired (almost narcoleptic), so I can't take it during classes or work. No giddy feeling at all (a good thing, as that would tempt me to take them when I don't need). Unfortunately, these don't seem to help calm me down very much, which would be a problem if they didn't also make me fall asleep.

It's too bad I'm not allowed to specify which generic brand I get when I fill the prescription.

Too afraid I'd get addicted because it was love at first try.

I agree completely with ChrisS333, a friend of mine has been taking it for years and "can't" stop taking it now because she is totally addicted. She takes it every day, and not only once a day. I think she needs it more often because it isn't as effective anymore, her body is to used to it. Use it only when absolutely necessary, don't become dependant on it.

My doctor gave me Xanax after my first (and so far, only) panic attack, and told me to only take it for panic attacks or when I'm really stressed out -- not every day. I've taken it twice, both a 0.25 mg dose, and it knocks me out! It made me so tired that I just slept for 2-3 hours each time, though by the time I woke up I was feeling much better :) Needless to say, this isn't something I can take when I'm out and about or need to drive, but if I ever have a panic attack at home I guess I can take it again!

Xanax is a great drug for me,I have high anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia and it is the only thing that has helped me. I take 4 .2mg a day and never take a nap, that is how anxious Iam,most people would be sleeping for days.They put me on the psyc. drug Kolonopin,which helps some people,but I totally lost it on itbecame sucidal,attacked my hubby(and Iam not a mean person) So I say I would rather be on xanax anyday,than any psyc drug.YEP its addictive just like my vicodin I've been on for yrs but if it is going to help me live a better quality of life, then I say who cares if its addictive.At least I can lower my pain and definitely lower my anxiety.Some people worry about getting addicted to certian drugs I understand everyone's different,but I have been on the same dose of xanax for 2 yrs and its still working,and I have been on vicodin for so many yrs,and it still helps. If I was able to smoke some pot I would bc it helps alot of illnesses,but I'm allergic to it. I know several people who smoke pot for different reasons and its a natural grown medical drug,they need to legalize it here.

I agree with lucky 64. I too have high anxiety and can never nap at all. It helps me to make it through. I wonder if pot would help my high anxiety? Jus wondering.

Pot can help anxiety, but it can just as easily make it worse. Panic attacks while sober are bad. Panic attacks while high are ... beyond imagining for those who haven't been there. I'd advise any anxiety sufferer to be very very careful with marijuana use.

I agree with LUKOI when it comes to smoking pot. When I did try it, it would make my anxiety much worse, where for most people it mellows them out,it must have to do with the way are chemicals in our brain are. We are all wired differently LOL.
After I had a seizure with just smoking a joint with my brother,I was 15, and had a seizure,thhat was enough for me,never touched it again! I'm around it with other people smoking it,but that doesn't bother me.

I realized I told people to be careful with marijuana use without explaining how. I'm not trying to get people to go out and get high, but rather give some first-hand tips on how to do it more safely. For anxiety sufferers who still want to smoke pot, follow a few tips:

1) Try to avoid using high quality weed. Yes, your pot smoking friends might make fun of you for smoking "rag weed", but it's less potent and therefore easier to control how high you're going to get. Another benefit to this is that it's cheaper and easier to get (and your friends are less likely to mooch it off of you).

2) If you can, smoke using a vaporizer. Not only is it better for your lungs, I have found this is the best way to moderate my intake. Also, while your friends may tell to breathe it in and hold it... don't. Just breathe in and exhale. Wait 10-15 minutes after every "hit" to get a good estimate of it's effects. The goal here is to not go too far.

Eating foods laced with marijuana is the absolute worst idea for those prone to panic. It will hit you about an hour later, and if you took too much, there's nothing you can do but suffer through until the end.

3) This is more of a general drug tip... never smoke around people you don't know or trust. Never use a drug given to you by someone you don't know or trust. While stories of laced marijuana are rare, they DO happen, so be careful.