Using Xanax

I have been taking it for about a year, once i told my Dr I needed something to asisist in moment to moment issues, not "all the time issues".  I had been on anti-depressants with the death of my father, and hystoerectomy and marrying a man that had 3 children and added to my 2 and actually had custody of them.  That's whay I was on anti- depressants, now I feel "clean" from not taking them (anti-depressants)  and only take the xanax as needed, like when I know something is coming up, or something stressful is going to happen or an issue with one of the ex wives or even the children are a little more rambuncious than usual, I find I can deal.

I do know that my rx was low one weekend, and my doctor was out of town, and I freaked because I couldn't get a refill before the weekend.  We have since fixed that issue, and it was a hard weeekend, but I lived.

So in that aspect, I would say it's something I need, but I don't even take the 3 prescribed a day, I take one a day some times none and at most 2 a day, spread out over time.

Hope that helps.

I always had BAD anxiety, and I went to my dr. and just told him that I just don't know what to do with myself, an everythign I felt. He put me on Xanex and it has been the best thing ever! I am more relaxed, comfortable in social situations, and have more ambition to do things that need to be done.  I don't abuse them but I couldn't imagine life without them, and that scares me! I have told my doctor that also, but he said that I am taking them for the right reasons.

Hello All,

  I just wanted to share that I am now 53 years old.  I am also a recovering alcoholic/addict...36 years this past April 1st.

  At one point when I was very young, all though I was drinking before I was born and began using heroin at 10 years old, I suffered with Seperation Anxiety...even though my mother was an abusive alcoholic. 

  I went on to become a doctor and then a teacher. Out of nowhere, I could not go to work, could not make it through a grocery store without leaving in a run halfway through my shopping, could not make a phone call, would not answer the phone, and eventually did not go outside my home.  I had been working everyday, had 3 children, was an avid Runner(7 miles every morning), drove all over the place and it all stopped.

  Every night I was at the hospital ER, or at the doctor's office "sure I was dying."

  I was not dying, I was "Agorophobic."  The doctor's tried me on several meds I could not tolerate, nor did they work.  Something GREAT happened.  Xanax came out in a study group and I was sent to participate in that. I was terrified of the ride there at first(still could not drive.) But, within a week, I accidentally answered the phone. Then I accidently went out and got the mail. Then I accidently picked some daffodils from my backyard.  I saw what I was doing, freaked out with joy........and I still have my life back.

  YES, I am likely addicted to Xanax and personally I DO NOT CARE. And only every great once in awhile a very small anxiety attacks hits me....as always out of nowhere.  I ride it out, I BREATHE, do positive self talk, call a friend, anything and it does pass.  Those measures would NEVER have worked before the Xanax.

  I have been taking 3 mg. a day for over 2 decades and never once abused it and sometimes forget the afternoon does.  Initially it did cause me to be drowsy, but no more.

  I am free!!!!!!!!!  I'm the lady in the blue Volkswagen Beetle driving happily past you on the road.

Love & Huggz,

  Sarah

Thanks sarah.I too felt the recluseness panic attacks...I am taking 2 mg 3xs a day..............I usually have 2 glasses of wine at night........I should not.I have been in rehab for abuse of everything.My husband leaves out my pills for the day and i do not seem to want to abuse the wine thing.......But i am never relaxed just able to cope.....I too do not care if i am addiced to it..........As long as i know i can not function.............My husband takes one klonapin at night...His old dr. Wanted to get him off it because he was afraid he was addicted to it..He has resless leg syndrome..My dr who he switched to said so what one pill a day?I take an anti depressant too........Of course i need it...............So i am not afraid of the addiction that is quite monitored...........I just looked below at a gals question.My husband could bite off a quarter of one of my plls and sleep for a week......It feels like nothing but without it i am nuts...........................Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxthanks it is just a medicine i must need...........

I have had anxiety and depression all my life and didn't know it until I was 18 years old. I was put on antidepressants and anxiety pills.  nothing worked. When I move to Flordia 7 years ago I had a doctor put me on a high dose of xanax. I am now addicted to it and want to wean myself off it. Now my doctor won't care  for me and no doctor will take me because I am on 8mg a day! yes 8mg a day for over 2 years. My body craves it and I blame my doctor for giving me higher and higher doeses. I have a hard time getting my scpript for xanax filled because the does is so high. 2mg 4 times a day. I feel it's unethical to perscribe someone such a high dose and then kick them to the curb after 7 years of being his patient. Please help me as to how I can lower my dose without the withdrawls and help  me not be so psychologically addicted. I think the doctor should be held accountable for unethical medical practices. Please help me

Xanax has improved the quality of my life. I have fibromyalgia and an anxiety disorder...have tried 18 different antidepressants that did not help and I has bad side effects to all. Before xanax I was very anxious when I tried to leave home by myself. Years of therapy did not "cure" me. I take xanax 3 times a day.....sometimes I forget to take the afternoon pill. Until something better comes along I will stick with xanax even though everytime I go to a new dr. I'm acused of being a drug addict. The last time I saw my former rh dr. who always gave me a hard time xanax I was so anxious that I did have an anxiety attack in his office...his response was that Ineeded to stay on xanax!!!!