Panic Attacks Support Group

A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...

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Xanax for acute panic attacks? Help!

deleted_user
deleted_user
I am going on a trip in the next few weeks and all i have access to is some Xanax. I usually always use Ativan but of course I cannot get in to get some....doctor all booked up. I have Xanax which i have never taken in the cupboard. Here is the dilemma. i am scared to death.....i can not describe the panic attacks i get when getting on an airplane...they are so bad I can get banned from the airline for acting like a psycho. Desensitizing has NOT worked. Ativan has always worked i take 4-5mg and i dont have a care in the world when on that plane....we hit a little turbulence and it is an adventure for me!!
What can i expect when taking Xanax for this trip? When should i take it and how much? If i take one today to test out their effect on me will they be less effective when the trip time comes? I mean a tolerance type effect? I take Klonopin now but it is and has always really worked half-ass for me. I still get bad anxiety.
As long as I am on the topic of Xanax. i have done some research on it. I read that it is good for anxiety related depression. I think a good part of my depression is from anxiety. Anyone used Xanax for this?
In my opinion i think the klonopin lasts too long and might aggravate a person's depression....what do you think?
What is Xanax good for and should i speak to my doctor about maybe switching? How likely is he to give it to me, compared to the Klonopin. I have heard that doctors do not like to give it out.
Well thanks for any help,
Bobbi
deleted_user
deleted_user
I use xanax for anxiety and panic attacks. It has helped me. I take a really low dose .25 mg, sometimes only half a pill. I'm pretty small..only 100 pounds so i don't think i need too much. It does calm me down and make me sleepy. It may work just great for an airplane ride. Try taking it an hour before. Good luck! Be strong, you'll do fine!
deleted_user
deleted_user
omg xanax is my new best friend. i m afraid of meds too so i dont take anything but xanax and it helped me a lot . i can leave the house, i can eat in a resturant without leaving , i can work. trust me it helps it calms you donw there are noo side effects. might be a little drowsy but thats it and it makes my panic and anxiety feelings go away...
ItsKimi
ItsKimi
Xanax is pretty fast acting. My guess is that's why he gave it to you for the flight. Keep in mind 1 mg of Ativan is quite different from 1 mg of Xanax. Quite different! I have taken Xanax before dental procedures, because the Ativan just wasn't enough to cut it. I'm sure your doc told you how much you should take, but what you need to do is see how much Ativan you take at a time and do the conversion. I have a conversion book if you don't have one, so if you need some info feel free to message me. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine. :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I too was petrified to go on vacation 2 months ago because of flying. I had never taken xanax before and was scared to try it, but when I boarded the plane I was freaking out so badly that my friend MADE me take it and before we took off I was feeling much better,calm and relaxed and really enjoyed the trip! I only took half of a .25
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have been taking Xanax for about 4 years now. I only take the low dose .25 mg., and sometimes I only take half a pill. It does wonders for my anxiety and panic attacks. I can take up to 3 per day but rarely ever do. I find them to be pretty fast acting and they will make me sleepy but if I keep moving the sleepiness passes rather quickly. I have done so much better since taking this and only take it when I feel I really need it.
I hope this has helped you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have acute panic attacks and have had them for 10 years. Just started meds 5 years ago. First I took Zoloft. It worked for a while then It just wasn't enough. My doc put me on Zanax .25mg and in 30 munutes it was like a wonder drug! I now take .5mg 3 times daily. I was worried about addiction but he said if you just take them as prescribed you will be ok. But yes it will help!
deleted_user
deleted_user
It's done wonders for me. I take it on top of taking Celexa, so when I get a mild panic attack at work, it usually kicks in for me within 20 minutes and I'm back on track. And, actually since I started taking Celexa, I'm only taking the .25mg of Xanax once/twice daily instead of the 3/4 I started to when my father first passed away. But, I do have moments where I can't get my heart to stop pounding, and it does wonderful things to my mind.
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