Stress Center Peer Support

My panic attacks started again about a month ago so my Dr gave me xanax. It seems like on the days i have to take it i feel so depressed, like there is just a black fog all around me and i just cant feel joy. Has this happened to any of you?

You should report this to your doctor. He may consider another medication or change your dose.

Stay off xanax. Find something else. Benzo's are dangerous. I just tried them for a couple months. Worst experience of my life.

They are known to cause depression or a down feeling. That is why they work for official panic attacks. If you don't have panic attacks, try and use the Xanax sparingly. I don't use them except for 1/4 of .5 mgs. I can tell a difference. But if you need it to fly in an airplane or something, then use it.

There is a fine line...at least for me whether to take them for just a little bit of time. As walking or eating a protein meal helps me feel better. Paislee

Yeah thats the whole reason im taking it, i have bad bad panic attacks so i need them. I used to take them years ago and they didnt do this to me before.

I use xanax only if I'm having a panic attack and can't calm myself down. I take 0.25mg. When I do take it I find that the next day I feel down and sometimes very tearful.

I think I'm in an awful cycle ... I've been taking Xanax for years. My present dose is .5 mg per pill, and I'm allowed to take it up to 4 times a day (i.e., every 6 hours). I take it for anxiety attacks brought on by, hell, I don't know!!! Anything can bring on an attack ... mainly experienced when I get up to walk to someone's office / cubicle ... I get severely winded after only a couple of steps, I feel like I'm going to black out, and it feels like I'm going to hyperventilate. Sometimes, it's a struggle just to get to a private area so I can "catch" my breath -- literally, it feels like I can't breath. Then, it subsides and everything is okay. As far as taking the Xanax, I find myself taking it to try and ward off one of those episodes ... usually taking 1=2 pills at a time. I also take 1-2 pills at night with my Zolpidem (10mg) and Abilify (5mg) as I've had problems with "racing thoughts" or waking up in the middle of the night in a full-blown anxiety attack -- racing heartbeats, recounting a nightmare, etc. My doctor wants me to rein in on the Xanax, but I feel like it's the only thing keeping me going over the edge. I know I'm dependent on it, but life terrifies me without it. Any suggestions?