Good morning,

I have been fighting a huge sinus infection. Yesterday was day two of the antibiotic so I know it takes time to kick in. So anyway, late in the afternoon I started with the pain on the top of my head again, in my temples and my ear, (ear infection as well). I was on my way to my childs graduation and started feeling really awful. the head was so bad, and then the nerves of graduation and anxiety kick in. I took .25 of xanax. It did nothing. I waited an hour for graduation to start and still was tingly, lightheaded, hot, (the placebo week of my tri-cycle birth control pills added to this mess) and so out of it. My hubby suggested I sit in the car for a while, I did, sitll could not calm down. Ten minutes before the ceremony I took another xanax and within 10 minutes finally felt better. Good actually. Made it through with flying colors. Actually, I enjoyed it, amazing what drugs can do. By the time we got home arond 10 pm, I ws sound asleep until 5:30 am. The first time I slept through the night in weeks. The night before I was up at 3! I even fell back asleep till 8:30.

Do any of you experience an absolute exhaustion after a major attack like that? Should I take another today just to keep the system calm? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks for listening.

I had a similar experience yesterday, so this post sparked my attention. Anxiety throughout the day building taking xanax and not getting relief and then a panic attack, followed by another xanax. Yes, I was exhausted after this and actually slept better. I don't think this is good for our bodies unfortunately. I think our bodies can only take so much so after all the anxiety and panic it just gives out. I rarely start up with the xanax the next day, I wait until the anxiety builds again. Professionals tell me this is a bad idea but, I never want to take to much. I think I should try to do what you suggest and maybe keep the calmness going. Who know, it also depends on which day of my cycle I'm in. I'm nearing my period so who knows.

Oh absolutely hon! My attacks (which are few of late thank God!!) will leave me completely worn out. When they first started it was not unusual to see me sleep for 12 hours straight......the bodies way of recouping. Don't worry about this.......your body certainly knows what it needs......give in and just let it do what it needs to do. If that means sleep for the day......then so be it. Hope you feel better soon!!

Yep .. feel asleep in the middle of a 3-D movie at Kennedy Space Center of all places

Thanks guys, I decided to give another xanax a try and took it around 10:30. My sinuses are still full so that is annoying, but I haopint not to let it all get hte best of me today. Calm, cool and collected. I figure one now and maybe later tonight a glass of red wine, (good for the heart). NOt that I feel I want one or anything.

I wish you all a peaceful and restful day.

[quote name='enough' date='Jun 19 2009, 06:28 PM' post='291095']
Good morning,

I have been fighting a huge sinus infection. Yesterday was day two of the antibiotic so I know it takes time to kick in. So anyway, late in the afternoon I started with the pain on the top of my head again, in my temples and my ear, (ear infection as well). I was on my way to my childs graduation and started feeling really awful. the head was so bad, and then the nerves of graduation and anxiety kick in. I took .25 of xanax. It did nothing. I waited an hour for graduation to start and still was tingly, lightheaded, hot, (the placebo week of my tri-cycle birth control pills added to this mess) and so out of it. My hubby suggested I sit in the car for a while, I did, sitll could not calm down. Ten minutes before the ceremony I took another xanax and within 10 minutes finally felt better. Good actually. Made it through with flying colors. Actually, I enjoyed it, amazing what drugs can do. By the time we got home arond 10 pm, I ws sound asleep until 5:30 am. The first time I slept through the night in weeks. The night before I was up at 3! I even fell back asleep till 8:30.

Do any of you experience an absolute exhaustion after a major attack like that? Should I take another today just to keep the system calm? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks for listening.
[/q
Dear 'enough'
]A big 'Yes' to this one!
This year I have been particularly plagued by sinus infections plus a nagging husband.The combination is lethal.So I do use a small dose of Xanax as needed.
In the beginning of Anxiety-but of course always check with your prescribing Physician-it is often recommended to take a small dose of Xanax daily and then after two weeks or so gradually taper down.If used sensibly and with caution Xanax can be very helpful

Sometimes I go for weeks needing nothing and then might need the odd one.I like the secure feeling it is there.
I do Yoga and practise Meditation and deep breathing but the honest truth is that when my anxiety is very high I am not able to flow with it.I envy those who do!

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Thanks Elizabeth. I watch how much I take. Si noticed that since January I used 20. Not bad. That's about 3 a month. It seems to be during a phase when something big is going on, even good big, i just get so hyped up. I am so afraid of addiction that I tend to ere in the not taking until it's past due and it takes soooo much longer to calm down. After two and a half years you'd think I would learn. My fmily and firends all tell me "take your pill" but nooooo I fight it out. Sometimes that is good but sometimes it is stupid, the damage I do then I pay for days later with my stomach, (ibs) and tmj, the jaw pain gets so bad from all the tensing. I exercise every day and want yoga but where I live it is costly, I will try a tape and do it on my own.

Happy day to you.

enough,
This is the problem with xanax, it has to be taken before, not after you already anxious, i believe it has to be taken small doses 2-3 times a day, I do the same, wait until i am all worked up. Now I have learned, to take it at least, closer to bed time, so i can sleep normally.
Most ADs and BZD woek by maintaining certain level in the tissues, yes, addiction is a problem, but suffering from anxiety is much worse.
I tell myself, once it is over, then I will think of getting off, so far, I know the minimum dose is 1mg, i take 0.25 once or twice a day, better than feel rotten and pay later, you are right.
If I let myself, it wil be few days before my muscles "unclench" and stomach stops rumbling. Since the hormones still dancing, for now I am taking xanax, and not going to quit.
Most doctors try to push ADs, I know they may work, but this scare me more than BZD, not sure why.
All in all, all physchotic meds work when you take them, try to get off, the symptoms will be hellish, so be it, for now, I am taking it, and it cost me $10 a month.
At least, I can now drive again, and sleep, and eat, TG for this.

I am sorry to hear you have to deal with this too. I have not been taking any xanax for months and now since all of this surgery and moving crap, I am out of my mind with panic attacks. I literally feel sick from the anxiety. I blame everything else until I get so desperate that finally, I took some xanax. Wow, did I ever feel better. I slept better but let me tell you, the letdown after the storm just exhausts me. I have come to the conclusion it's better to take a little xanax before it all hits the fan than to take a larger dose when you have gone over the edge. After you feel better just back off the xanax and you will see the anxiety cycle quickly comes to a halt. Debra

I used to get so exhausted after an anxiety episode as well. I vote for taking it a head of time. I learned the hard way that delaying it only makes getting over it that much harder. Hope you feel better soon.

Well, as usual, you guys do not disappoint. I am so glad I did take one yesterday, because as it turned out, my mom wound up in the hospital. 9 hours in the ER. So, luckily I had taken one around 11 am just to calm from the night before and then, obviously around 5 pm to keep me on track while at the hospital. I think it would be in my best interest to keep it going once or twice a day for now, she may in for a week, not sure yet.

Thank you as always for giving me strength. My family is so good as home, but having people going through the same thing really helps so much, my family here is always something I am grateful for as well.

Hope your mom will be OK. Take care of yourself...a lot of us need those anxiety meds.

Thanks, she will be fine. I will continue with the one a day I think while we ride out this storm. Just to keep things calm. It is better for her for me to be calm and also myself and my family. If that what works to get me through, than so be it. Better than being in a bed next to her all wound up and a mess.


Thank you all again.

Shamefully, I was prescribed an antibiotic for a sinus infection, only to take it for three days....

Now, its back with a vengeance....

Low grade irritable, face pain, ears ringing, digestive upset, and unreasonably fatigued...

I'll be taking those tabs tonight....

Dear 'enough'
Sorry to hear that your dear Mum is in Hospital.I am praying that she does well
And yes,if used sensibly.an anti-anxiety med. can help a great deal
The people who generally get addicted are not the ones who are very concerned with getting addicted.
There will come a day when you can gradually taper off completely or use on an as needed basis.

Warm Hugs
Elizabeth

I do feel that way after a major panic attack. I call it my panic attack hangover.
I feel like I've been hit by a bus. Not as bad as I feel after a migraine, but
pretty cruddy.

Just an FYI, I get increased panic and sense of fear, etc. when I take certain
antibiotics.

Thank you all. Things are settling. Mom is still in the hospital, surgery last night, but doing well. I am taking one to tow xanax's a day while she is there, just to stay calm. It just makes sense to me. I know next week, I will be fine, I finally know that by now, so I am not worried,more worried about how I feel when I don;t, like so panicy that I can't calm down. I just wish the head pressure from the sinuses would go away. That freaks me out, the pain on the top of the head, could it also be stress?