Are people prescribed the medication XANAX for PANIC ATTACKS?

Question

I've been having horrible panic attacks! It's beyond generalized anxiety disorder now! I'm on Zoloft currently for anxiety and it's obviously not working.

Answer 1

yes, I have been prescribed xanax for 10 years now, for panic disorder, or panic attacks and if it makes you feel any better, the xanax will work for sure, I can't go without mine, i would be scared, it is the best medication in the world, if your feeling anxious, tense, nervous, bad moods, scared, pain, fear, no matter what the problem xanax will cure it for you it is the cureall for everything, anyway before i got on it i started having panic attacks, (I had had some, here and there over a period of several years, they were minor) but in dec 07 right before xmas, my son was 13 monthes old and i had a daughter 2 1/2 and things were hectic, xmas shopping, locked my keys in the car at toys are us had to go to a family birthday dinner that night, totaling stressing out went to outback and in the middle of dinner started feeling really wierd, th etalbe looked like it was moving slightly in front of me, i was feeling dizzy unbalanced, my heart started beating faster, i couldn't breathe right, so i went outside, it was about 15 degrees, i started breathing better, went back inside and a few minutes later it started again, i went out to my car and my doctor had recently put me on xanax 2.5's for anxiety but a rarely took them, anyway i thought that i was having a hear attack and i actually felt pain in my left arm, my ex-hus (now) came out to the car to check on me and I told him to go get the kids and get me home quick because my xanax were there and i needed to take one, i told him if i got better than it was just the worst attack that i had ever had but if it didn't than i was having a heart attack, well it actually took me 2 pills that night and a longer period of time than normal but it stopped but after that night, my life changed, i started having panic attacks, multiple ones daily, and even when i wasn't in panic attack state of mind I didn't feel normal, I felt floatly, like i was watching everything from above, (they call it feelings of unreality) I felt suicidal almost, I felt the need to run and escape, I didn't feel like I could take care of both of my children by myself and I was actually at one point planning to leave and was only going to take one baby with me, although i never did decide which one, and luckily never had to, I went to the doctor the next week, and they put me on prozac and 4 day's later i felt normal again, and it was only then that i realized that i hadn't been normal for a long time, i was alway's rushing and stressing to get done quick, it was nice to finally take the time and relax and do things at a normal pace, but without the xanax i would have died, and yes any doctor will or should prescribe xanax for you for panic attacks, but you really should be on a antidepressent also, it helps, good luck and don't be scared your not alone

Answer 2

Dear Veronika,

I'm sorry for what you're going through. I, too, suffer from panic attacks. I've now been taking Zoloft for about four years now and, fortunately enough, it's helped me a great deal. Xanax, generally speaking, does helf tremendously. It's to be taken "only as needed" since it's very addictive. Also, some people take it on a daily basis for serious panic disorder. Xanax can be purchased as "Aprazolam" which is the generic version of the drug. I'm sure it's less expensive. I hope this helps. Don't forget to practice deep-breathing techniques. And it wouldn't hurt to join an anxiety support group. Check out www.meetup.com. This website is dedicated to interest groups that get together all over the country and perhaps you can find an anxiety self-help group in your area.

Good luck to you with your panic attacks!

Answer 3

I tried a few of the meds for Panic Attacks...I've never been on Xanax, but i was actually prescribed Prosac.

I really found medication for it to be counterproductive and had a much better time overcoming it by myself. Look for comfort in people, hobbies, things-whatever.

Hope you get better,
Lach

Answer 4

My mom was but that doctor was fired because of it. xanax is an addictive medication and your doctor shouldn't prescribe you medication that is addicting. xanax is to be used as a calming drug for extreme emotional problems as a remedy until another prescription can be filled. Panic attacks should be maintained by an anti-depressent and/or anti-anxiety. Buspar is best for panic attacks or paxil or effexor. Zoloft is for depression and obsessive compolsive disorder.

Answer 5

I also have GAD (general anxiety disorder) and have had panic attacks for about 18 years. I take ativan which is in the same family as xanax. I find that xanax makes me very sleepy. Ativan does not seem to interact with other drugs as much as xanax.** I also take 20 mg. of lexapro. It is one of the newer antidepressants. When I have a panic attack the ativan really helps to calm me down.

Answer 6

Yes, xanax is commonly prescribed for panic disorder. You will likely find great relief. Use as sparingly as possible. Xanax is a benzodiazapine, and carries a risk of addiction.

Best of luck,
~M~

Answer 7

Zoloft is an antidepressant. Yes, they prescribe Xanax for panic attacks. Works quickly sublingual (under the tongue).

Answer 8

Hi Sweetie,

First of all sorry your having panic attacks, they are nasty! Xanax does help with panic attacks one can be taken PRN (as needed) or on a scheduled basis. Please be careful as all medications in the class benzodiazapines are quite addictive and with too much use can cause depression.

Also your zoloft seems to be doing very little for you. You may want to tell your Dr. and try another SSRI (lexapro, paxil,prozac) or even something which works on two brain chemicals to combat anxiety/depression such as effexor or cymbalta.
You may also want to seek therapy to help learn behavioral techniques to combat your GAD and panic disorder. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 9

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 10

Yes, they can be. I was prescribed Ativan but got addicted to it very fast. I was switched to Klonopin and haven't had any problems with that yet and it's been 5 months. Klonopin works well for me. I take 30mg Lexapro for depression but alone it's not enough to battle my anxiety/panic attacks.

I had tried Zoloft (up to 200mg) and it did nothing for my anxiety, etc..