Anxiety or other health issue?

About two years ago I started getting bad sleep anxiety. I was presc.25m worth of xanax to sleep. Since then my dosage has increased to .5 and I find myself taking them more freq. Over the past 6 mths or so I find myself having these weird spells, typically after meals. I get dizzy, lightheaded, anxious, panic, hard heartbeat usually after meals in the afternoon. I started taking xanax accordingly to calm me down b/c it was too hard to work.I drink about 6 20oz bottles of water a day and still feel dehydrated. This is a daily occurence now. Hooked up to a heart monitor last year and nothing was found. I do have mitral valve.I have had my blood sugar checked and found that sometimes it seems to be a bit low, but I'll have some carbs to get it where it needs to be.  My blood pressure is also a bit high. I was prescribed a beta blocker to help w/ the heart beat but i didnt feel it really did anything. I don't smoke. I do drink..usually 3 to 4 nights a week, but just beer, no liquor...and not an excessive amount. I still feel as though I shouldn't be feeling like this at the age of 27. I'm sick of going to the doctor and feeling this way as well as feeling like I'm addicted to a Benzo. .Are the symptoms I'm having related to the xanax, and possible withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms or do you think there's possibly something else wrong w me? Switched to Buspar for a bit..didn't help..It typically happens right after I eat lunch mid-day..it's like my body goes in a state of shock and I get lightheaded like i could pass out, anxiety, panic, dizzy. I can't tell if my body is reacting to something in the food..(sodium?)...(blood sugar)..or if it's a symptom of withdrawl (withdrawal) from xanax..or what?. I've had anxiety q that tight feeling in my stomach..this is different. Around 12 I'll have a lean cuisine w/ diet soda.It feels like a weird body reaction to something and it feels like I can't go through a whole day anymore without feeling normal. I don't want to increase my xanax..please help thanks

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

You might have to consider anxiety at the root of this problem you are having. Anxiety is often associated with irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux. Acid reflux can mimic anxiety symptoms. A careful investigation in this matter would help. Talk to your GP for necessary evaluation. You might try taking frequent short (small quantity) meals. Talk to your doctor if you need to continue Xanax, depending upon if the original sleep anxiety is still there or not.  However, the current problem does not seem to be a withdrawal issue.