xanax

i ahve ben on xanax for about 7 years now, i have panic attacks, i like them better than anything else, i still take the lowest dose they give out

Xanax works very well for panic disorder, but you don't want to take them if you don't need them. The SSRIs (Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, etc.) work well for many people. Individuals with panic disorder tend to be more sensitive to the SSRIs, so the dose must be increased gradually. I have a theory that panic disorder is really a chemical imbalance that causes abnormal neuronal firing in the brain close to the brain stem. In that sense, it's kind of like a seizure. Panic disorder will not kill you, but is sure can be debilitating. People who have never had a full blown panic attack will never understand what we go through. Try to find an understanding physician to help you find the right medication. I've had good success with the XR version of Xanax. It can be taken once daily instead of two to three times a day. Hang in there. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

I take the Xanax XR 0.5mg every day, but I also keep some 0.25mg immediate release tablets with me just in case of breakthrough. I've never had to use the 0.25mg tablets. I did try the Zoloft and Paxil, but they really just made things worse for me. Apparently, I'm really sensitive to serotonin. I've never tried it, but a newer antidepressant, Remeron might work well for you. The Remeron can be really sedating, and can cause weight gain. By the way, I am a pharmacist.