Just Got Put On Xanax. Need Answers

[Chaoticmind]

Went to the doctor today for mild on and off chest pain when I woke up. While waiting, I felt a panic attack come on. Throwing up, wanting to faint, blood pressure of 145/100 and pulse of 140. He gave me a prescription for Xanax and said take as needed along with a beta blocker to control my heart rate.

So Monday I'm supposed to go away over night and I'm worrying that I'll have a panic attack on the way or while I'm there. So my question is, should I take a Xanax before my trip even begins or wait til I feel anxious or panic? I've never been on anti anxiety meds, only anti depressants and those are taken daily. Some input would be great.

 

[Ocean5]

Everyone is different. What I was told. When you feel a panic attack starting take it before it gets too bad. At the start to break the cycle of panic attacks.

Then think of as an insurance policy. If you need it - it is there. Plus it works quick.

Good luck!

 

[Sideways]

I'm a very committed smoker, but I take a beta blocker to prevent migraines and my normal BP is about 100/70...in my defence, I do jog regularly as well. But the beta blocker should def help with your BP:)

 

[Friday]

From experience of new meds... Test.

Meaning take a Xanax today to find out how you react to taking it when you don't need it.

Then, ideally, take a Xanax tomorrow* and go do something that usually inspires panic attacks.

* Super ideally... Don't take a benzo 2 days in a row. Use today as the no-need-test & Monday as the taking-in-advance-of-known-need-test. It's also better for the test to find out how long the "legs" are to skip a day (either positive effect or hangover). Benzos are highly addictive, and the more intermittently you use them a) the longer they'll work & b) the lesser the chance you'll get addicted to them. However since you only have 2 days before your trip? To test for peace of mind, that means bending the rules of every-other-day-at-most. 3 days in a row will not an addiction make. But do be careful. The bliss of relief from symptoms? Truly, try and imagine those like sunny days in winter. Something occasionally reveled in, not a new normal.

 

[Lucycat]

I find mine are very efficient in my purse. Just knowing they are there - always - actually means I take less than I might, as I keep putting it off. I know my medication works well, and I trust it, so therefore I don't take it very often during the day.e( although every night when I go to bed)

 

[Chaoticmind]

From experience of new meds... Test.

Meaning take a Xanax today to find out how you react to taking...

Thank you. I actually took one about an hour ago and not sure how I feel. He gave me 1mg. I feel a bit uneasy. Not panicky or anything but just not normal. Wish I had a better explanation.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Im on xanax and have been for over 7 yrs. It is addicting but ive been addicted to it (stopped it for 4 months without any issues) because i take it only when needed. Dont take it as preventive, thats a good way to get addicted. Take it when you feel the anxiety come on, in the beginning, takes about 15 mins to work, and for smaller attacks use things like breathing exerzises and metaphors (imagining yourself floating on your back on water for instance).

I know i shitload of people, my step mom being one, that takes it as preventitive and got addicted to it and "needs" it when no anxiety is present.

ETA: I also dont take it on my days off of work unless the anxiety is super SUPER bad.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I take Xanax. If I'm going to travel I make sure I have a couple in case I need one. They are fast acting at least for me. Just having them with me relaxes me. 1mg is generous. I use .25mg. My script is for four a day as needed but not more. They do alter your physiology, I imagine that you are feeling different if you've taken one.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

1mg is generous. I use .25mg.

Not really, depends on how bad your anxiety is. .25 is the lowest. I was started on two 1mg a day but increased to 3 a day due to needing one at night now. But due to not taking on days off of work, i always have extra. Just depends on the anxiety. I was having on average, 8 severe panic attacks a day and half of my face went numb, went to the ER due to Dr fearong I had a mini stroke and come to find out it was anxiety.

But benzos are addictive so you need to be careful, never take to prevent, take in the beginning of anxiety only when you need it.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

To add thay might help, there's plenty of self help for anxiety but the app I downloaded to my phone helped a ton. Its called What's Up:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jacksontempra.apps.whatsup&hl=en&referrer=utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=whats+up+anxiety+android&pcampaignid=APPU_1_AbcSV-HEB4TYeemshogC

Dead Link Removed

 

[EveHarrington]

Yep, test it out on your own first.

If a med could be sedating, chances are that the first dose will be the most sedating and possibly significantly more sedating than future doses. Not something you'd want to try out in public or away from home for the first time as it could lead to very bad things happening.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Its only sedating if you take it when you dont anxiety which is another reason id say not to take it as preventative...but i agree everyone is different. Also can break in half if its not a huge attack but enough for some med help.