tolerance to xanax

i have been taking xanax (0.5 mg) 4 times a day for about 3 years to treat panic attacks and debilitating anxiety. i take the xanax exactly as prescribed, but i have been noticing increasing amounts of anxiety in between doses and that i wake up in the middle of the night covered in sweat with my heart pounding and shortness of breath. i am nervous that my psychiatrist will think that i am abusing the drug when i tell her that it is not working as well as it did. my question is: is tolerance inevitable when taking this drug as i was prescribed it?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Usually there is a time when tolerance is inevitable. There are other medications, including klonopin which is longer lasting, and the ssri's are now first line for anxiety.  You might also consider "talk" therapy to figure out wthat is going on.

[JustSayNo]

You are in WITHDRAWAL.  You are addicted to benzodiazepines and need to slowly.  Benzodiazepines should not be used for any longer than 4 days - they are HIGHLY addictive.  NEVER should these drugs be used for long-term use.

Please read these articles and educate yourself on what is REALLY going on - do not let anyone tell you that YOU are the problem - it is the DRUGS:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DiscloseTheTruth/messagesearch?query=benzo

Learn the truth.  Then disclose it.