how does xanax make YOU feel?

[isthisme85]

I was recently prescribed xanax an am afraid to take it because of all the warning labels. What does it do to you? Does it help you with the panicy feeling, or just put you to sleep. Is it anything like atarax?

[allmymarbles]

My apologies. I replied without reading all the entries, so I did not realize that I was repeating, in different words, what you had already said.

[Ihatepalps2]

I hope you read this. I have been on Xanax for 18 years. Wow, you say? What an addict? No...although some HERE may agree, Im not. Do I take it every day? Nope. Im prescribed the smallest dose...0.25mg...and over the years, my doctor has pretty much backed OFF of the prescribing...hes realized Im not over-using it..and that I know probably more about it than he does. In other words, he trusts me to use it responsibly, and I do. I used to have major panic attacks. Knock on wood--but I havent had a full blown one in a long time. I have major major stressors in my life (mom just died of cancer after 4 YEARS...dad just diagnosed with brain tumor...holy cow).....So I know about stress. I use my Xanax to "take the edge off". If I know Im going to be in a stressful situation (all the time now) I take a xanax. And 30 minutes later..I can feel myself relaxing...a bit. NOT where I lose control..or fall asleep standing up...none of that. It just does what I said..takes the edge off the anxiety. And if it doesnt, I take another.
Ive never taken more than 2& 1/2 pills at a time..and thats only 62mg...I know some people who take 2 and 3 full mg tablets...so..it definatly DOES help with the panic..at the correct dose...but doesnt put me to sleep (unless I take it at bedtime specifically because I want it to make me sleepy).....I go days without it, and then take it when I need it only.
Good luck to you.

[nursegirl6572]

Thanks, greenlydia for explaining that that's what I said.

Here's what I said....pretty clear to me...I said that tolerance can become an issue when used regularly....  

"It's a great medication to be used "as needed", or as a rescue med, to take when anxiety or panic hits.  It's not really suitable for regular, long term use because of issues with tolerance (where a higher dose will be needed to achieve the same effect). "

[kickanxietysbutt]

To me, Xanax is a miracle drug.  I've had a more difficult time than most adjusting to SSRI's...to the point of feeling like a drug addict going through withdrawls or on an extremely bad high...but Xanax is the only thing that truly ever calms me.  When I first started taking it (I was a lot thinner), it put me to sleep within five minutes of taking it.  Now, it simply calms me.  It doesn't build up in your system like SSRI's do (it's not long lasting like those drugs).  

[RubyWitch]

That is exactly what nursegirl said. Tolerance ISN'T an issue if Xanax is used PRN. (as needed)
She also said that tolerance CAN become an issue when Xanax is used regularly, meaning, most likely, every day or 3-4X every week for an extended period of time longer than 4 months.

[allmymarbles]

Tolerance is not an issue if you use it erratically, that is, not every day, and skipping a few days occasionally.