Panic fear symptoms and conditions

I've been taking xanax for 12 years now. I take .5 mg 3x daily. It has enabled me to live a normal and productive life. I was finally able to finish college, socialize with people, and function like a normal adult.

What disturbs me are the doctors who won't prescribe xanax because of its addictive quality. So what if it's addictive?! I think most people who live with debilitating anxiety would much rather live a normal life and be addicted to a drug than to live with panic, fear, and irrational thoughts their entire lives.

As far as side effects, I sometimes feel tired, especially when I take one at night, and the withdrawal is very unpleasant. However, I'd rather live with these side effects until something better comes along.

For those of you that are trying to get off of xanax and are having a hard time: good luck and god speed. But don't demonize a drug that has helped countless people feel normal again.

Anxiety, panic, fear. Peak and extreme energy and in alertness after it was taken, followed by a dramatic crash around 12 hours later, into extreme exhaustion. Very dry mouth and eyes. Constant feeling of worrying, feeling that something was wrong. I could not figure out what it was, until my husband told me to check into my medication. Also trouble with my vision, my contacts would cloud up.

I took Avelox as I left the doctor's office. ( she had given me a sample) I was driving my 2 year old daughter home when I began to feel panic, fear, Tremors, tingling in my head, dizziness and an overall sense of illness. We live in the country, and I was afraid if I pulled over, no one would stop for a long time, and my daughter would be caught in the car. It took all my focus to get us home, and I felt if I could just get her in the house, I would call the ambulance, and she'd be safe.

I was weak and dizzy, so first I called my husband to tell him to come home and to call a squad. He called the neighbor, and she came right over. We both called the doctor I had just left, and a pharmacist. They told me I had an adverse effect to the medicine, and to drink lots of water. I was also experiencing severe dry mouth, and a headache, muscle fatique, and tingling.

With 4 glasses of water the symptoms began to subside. Later that night, I had occasional chest pains. I was told by the physician to stop using the drug.

I have since found out the label says "Do not Drive". I am so thankful nothing happened to my baby daughter, and we were able to make it home safely.