Xanax vs. ativan

[GMan 5]

The doctors started me on a low dose of Xanax. I have .25mg tablets, and it says take 1 or 2 up to 2 times daily. It seems that it has helped when anxiety/panic is not as intense. I was able to function more. It doesn’t seem like it helps with an actual attack. I think it might be helping with the panic not turning into waves. I’m looking for something to help with the actual attacks. I read people’s experiences that say that it relaxes their bodies. I don’t think I’m experiencing that effect. Has anyone found that ativan works better? They gave me ativan once in the er, and it seemed to relax my body. They gave it through the IV, so I’m not sure if that made it more effective. 

[Ironman 190]

On 10/20/2023 at 10:45 AM, GMan said:

The doctors started me on a low dose of Xanax. I have .25mg tablets, and it says take 1 or 2 up to 2 times daily. It seems that it has helped when anxiety/panic is not as intense. I was able to function more. It doesn’t seem like it helps with an actual attack. I think it might be helping with the panic not turning into waves. I’m looking for something to help with the actual attacks. I read people’s experiences that say that it relaxes their bodies. I don’t think I’m experiencing that effect. Has anyone found that ativan works better? They gave me ativan once in the er, and it seemed to relax my body. They gave it through the IV, so I’m not sure if that made it more effective. 

It would take CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to really overcome a lot the anxiety.  I finally reduced my Cymbalta this spring by 1/3....and lost 26 pounds.