Does Xanax pills help you calm down?

[tryingtobesane]

I am thinking of emailing my PCP and ask her to prescribe me some Xanax. From what I have read, it calms you down quicker than say something like Zoloft. Is that true?

I have a prescription for Zoloft...but I have a fear that it can cause a brain tumor. I don't know why I would feel better taking Xanax.

I can't seem to calm myself down since yesterday (mole removal). Normall, I can "talk myself down".

Will Xanax give me relief?

[flowergirl]

Xanax is a benzo which is quicker-acting and more potent than the Zoloft, which is a daily SSRI.  Benzos work better for immediate relief but they have side effects too.  If you do get them be sure to use them sparingly because they can be addictive and I hear the withdrawal from that is not good.

I use ativan (also a benzo), mostly when I think my anxiety is going to disrupt my sleep.  I know if I don't get a good night's sleep it will be even worse the next day.

[shubunkin]

Xanax works very quickly..........but one word of caution.........a doc gave them to me about 8 years ago. A very lose dose, I was in such a state I took thema s prescribed and never researched them. After taking them for about 6 months my doc wanted me to get off them because of thier highly addictive nature. It took me a year to wean off and it was not pleasant. I have been on Zoloft too and it did wonders. It took away everything and there was no need for the xanax. My suggestion is to take the Zoloft and because it can take a couple of weeks to kick in ask your doc for some xanax just to get you through until the Zoloft kicks in. Like I said, Xanax works great..........buts its after you take it a while and try to stop is teh problem. And if you are on a high enough dose and stop it can be downright dangerous. But, only you know whats best for you and what you need. Also, when i find that I am getting a anxious.........I take a Benadryl. It gives me the same releif. A doc actually had suggested that. My best to you in whatever you choose. Danielle

[kite]

Pretty much just a repeat of previous posts in this part:  Works quickly, can be highly addictive, can build tolerance, usually used short-term only (like, until an SSRI or SNRI kicks in).

My experience:  I used to take Xanax daily, starting out at 0.25mg.  Over time, due to tolerance, my dosages were increased to 2-4mg daily.  It has taken me over 6 months so far to get used to not taking it.  And the first few months were not pretty (whatsoever).

[tryingtobesane]

Thank you for responding! So, when you take a pill and your Anxiety is bad, your Anxiety stops?  Do you feel like you handle anything? Say bad test results?

What does it feel like to your body after you've taken a pill?

[kite]

When I first started taking Xanax, it would cut my anxiety quite a bit.  I wouldn't necessarily say that I felt like I could handle anything, though.  My body would just feel more relaxed after taking it.

Although, after I got up to the higher doses of 2-4mg, I couldn't even tell that I had taken it because my body had built up such a tolerance to Xanax.  At that point, it didn't work for me at all.

[Albedo82]

On Benzos your anxiety doesn't go away it just makes you calm down if you're having a panic attack. I always found that the effect didn't last long enough for me I would feel alright for maybe an hour on it then my anxiety would be back again. I would do what everyone else said, take the zoloft that will eventually calm your anxiety down in the long run, but do not rely on the xanax to get rid of your anxiety.

[AOKAY]

I keep Xanax around for those situations which I know will be anxiety provoking.  With me, for example, it's the stress of travel by air; not the flying itself, which doesn't bother me, but the anxiety of getting to the airport on time, clearing security, hoping your bag makes it to the destination, etc.  Rather than panic, I take a Xanax before leaving home.
One warning is that Xanax (and other benzos) can cause temporary amnesia.  While the drug is doing its calming, it's also removing your memory.  Sometimes that's a good thing, but if this is a moment you really want to remember, better not use a benzo.
Also, I agree that the anxiety does not necessarily go away with Xanax; you just don't care as much that it is there.

[mom2boys]

Xanax has been a life saver for me. I have NEVER had a single bad side effect from it. I am very careful about how often I take it. When I'm "needing" it too often like what has been happening to me I know it's time ot start something else. I'm on zoloft now, still adjusting so I'm not sure how much it is going to help... I definitely notice I don't need the xanax as often which is what the plan was... I HATE daily meds but I know xanax can be addicting so I'm always worried about taking it too often.
I always have it on me. No matter how bad my symptoms have got the xanax does eventually help. I can't imagine not having it now.

[dreamland]

Here's the deal with Xanax and other benzodiazepines: if you treat them with respect and use them on an "as need" basis then you have absolutely nothing to worry about as far as addiction or withdrawal is concerned. I take Xanax maybe once or twice a month, especially when I know that I will be faced with a situation which usually evokes feelings of anxiety or restlessness, so don't wait until your anxious but use it sparingly when faced with exogenous factors (giving Powerpoint presentations in front of 50 people, attending all day sales meetings that require stupid "role playing"scenarios, etc.) that usually make you anxious.

The nice thing about Xanax is that out of all the short acting benzos out there, Xanax will actually produce a slightly euphoric feeling, in addition to some mild disinhibition which usually consists of a more affable and facetious demeanor, but nothing crazy. Xanax does not work all that well for neurotic anxiety if you ask me (hypochondria, excessive rumination, fear of going crazy, etc.) and you're better off taking Lorazepam (Ativan) if that happens to be your predicament; Lorazepam is the #1 anxiety killer and also exhibits superior sedative properties if insomnia happens to be a problem as well.

Again, only use these pills on an as need basis and treat them with the utmost respect!

[StarHunter]

Benzo's are not magic pills.  They don't suddenly make all your bad thoughts disappear.  If you get bad test results while taking xanax you will still feel bummed out!  It's normal for people (even without anxiety) to get sad/stressed when getting a bad result in anything - benzo's don't make you an unthinking, uncomprehending zombie.  If you get told you have a terminal illness then that is going to suck regardless of how many pills you take.  Taking xanax will mean that your physical symptoms will abate (ie it will calm down the rush of adrenalin and ease the fight or flight response and all the yucky feelings that go with it).  They are not psychotropic drugs and won't alter your thinking patterns or the way your mind works, they work on physical symptoms only.

They can bring about a feeling of well-being because your body is relaxed and without the adrenalin overdose coursing through your veins you are more likely to be able to rationalise your thoughts.  They can help you sleep even when you have those worrying thoughts.

I am on lorazapam and they don't alter my thinking patterns.  Ie if I get myself all worked up thinking I am dying of some dreadful disease I can take the lorazepam and it stops me feeling like I am jumping out of my skin or needing to crawl up walls etc but it doesn't stop me thinking about the disease - it just calms down the physical symptoms of stress.

They are certainly not the cure for anxiety, they are a tool to help you but won't "cure" your anxiety, that requires a complete rewiring of your thought patterns/processes.  They will calm down your body so your mind is more free to concentrate on rationalising and accepting your thoughts and making your peace with the anxiety.