On Xanax and isnt working

[DarLina23]

I am 23 years old I just recently began having Anxiety attacks since I had my son 3 years ago. My doctor put be on Xanax and I am a college student so I am taking it and am in a daze from then on and now I am having to take up to .5 mg 3 times a day and still having problems. The anxiety attacks are so bad that I am having to get up and leave my classes, or just skip them all together, I was wondering if there is a better thing out there for me I do not have depression just social anxiety. I tried Paxil and that didnt help either. My mother has a disorder and when she went to school they had her on Buspar I was wondering the differences of these med's and also which would be better for me?

[greenlydia]

Hi Toots,
Sorry to hear the Xanax is not helping you any more than the Paxil did.
But before we get any deeper into this conversation, I just want to make sure you understand that NONE of us on this forum is either a medical doctor or a pharmacist. With that in mind, the only responsible answer I can give you is for you to go back to your prescriber and tell them what you've just told us...........that your meds are NOT working for you. There are many options out there and you will find, if you spend any time on this forum, that what works for some, will not work for others. We are all so different, not only in our needs but in our basic chemistry. I could spend a great deal of time telling you about some of the differences in these meds, but you can get that information from Google or another trustworthy site like WebMed. Some of the other folks here might step forward with their opinions on what worked best for them. But we can't answer your question about which would be best for YOU. Sorry to repeat myself, but only you and your doctor can answer that question.
One other thing you will find on this forum is that we frequently and strongly urge people to seek out the help of a qualified therapist to get to the root of their anxiety. Meds are a good bridge, but most of us here are trying to get over that bridge. Keep posting and know you can PM anyone here if you'd feel better talking in a less "open forum." I wish you well in your search and know that we are always here for you.
Peace
Greenlydia  

[MrGreen]

I write as an xanax user. I take 1mg 3 times a day. 8 hours in between each tablet. I find they don't and never have prevented panic attacks. We don't know when panic attacks are going to come on. If one came on this second and you popped .5 of an xanax it would take about an hour to work anyway. Leaving you with your panic attack. Xanax is a mild form of anxiety tablet really. Most handed out at first by doctors for a period of weeks only. Then your doctor should put you on something else. Because the body will get used to xanax and then they will do nothing at all. But you will still need them. They are addictive little buggers if you are left on them for too long.

So, as was suggested above, go have a word with your doctor. Tell the doc the tablets are not working. You might need something else. Not every tablet works for everybody. Really it is not the tablets alone that bring about the sollutions. They only do so much. Maybe your doctor will ask you to take on some form therapy as well. To help you to learn how to cope and takle panic attacks. Learn some deep breathing exercises. It all comes with therapy. To find out why you panic and try to deal with the underlying issues of the situation. Not just take a tablet and bury the real problems away.

Can only wish you the best of luck.

[DarLina23]

I have been in therapy for about a year... but i will speak to my dr about another med. besides xanax