I've always read that xanax is fast acting. But I find that when I've already gotten to the point of high anxiety it takes a good 1/2 -1 hr along with deep breathing and realxation to feel ok again. I just had this happen when I took .5 and after about an hour, felt ok again.

My doc advised me to take 3 times a day reguardless if anxiety is there to keep in my system but I was a zombie. So I just take one when I think I may be getting anxious. Alot of stressors in my life right now so pretty much every day.

I know it takes my Ativan about 30 to take effect, with the total effect coming at closer to an hour. I'd expect Xanax to be similar to that, I think one or the other lasts longer though? Not sure, sorry!

I've been in higher than normal anxiety today. It seems each time one health issue is dealt with I get handled another thing pops up to freak me out. Now I'm worried about something else. I'm taking more Xanax to get an effect and it is taking longer to feel the effects. In the morning if I wake up at 4:00-5:00 am I can take .50 and because I am already tired it knocks me out. But any other time during the day it is taking longer. I don't like the idea of having to up the dosage. Right now today I don't care so much because my imagination is taking me to scary places. The Xanax is barely touching it, but, it did put me to sleep for a few hours which is what I was going for. I have heard if you chew it (I know uck) or put it under your tongue it will get into your system faster. If you chew it just have a big glass of water to wash the taste away. I have had it with this cr@p, seriously. I actually got mad and yelled to the universe, WHY!!!??? I feel like I'm in some kind of horror movie sometimes. I just want a break from this unrelenting "symptom de jour" . The one I have now is so scarey to me I don't even want to say it in print. I hope I am overreacting that's all I can say. I hope you feel better. Take care Mich

Oh Mich I am so sorry you are having it again! Mine was BAD this morning. I was pretty convinced I was going to have to go to the hospital and be admittted (I'm not joking!). Those thoughts are very scary. I think I know now what they mean by "racing thoughts". I finally just layed down on the couch and kept repeating over and over "just let the feelings be there" anytime I had a scary or stressful thought I would just let it float right out of my head. After about 20 minutes I had totally calmed down without even taking my xanax! Just goes to show you the power of the mind! I am not trying to make light of what we are going through. I was just pretty proud that the "cure" is not some "pill". The power lies inside of us somewhere! Xanax is a wonderful friend but I don't want it to take over my life. Believe me I am not cool as a cucumber right now, and I expect to have more bad "spells", but want to be able to use some of my own power and not be waiting for my next "fix". That is not a life. Don't get me wrong I plan on having a full supply of xanax in my cupboard and purse. I hope you can get on top of whatever your issue is today. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

about 30 minutes .. but I try to feel that panic anxiety comming on and time it right

The company that makes xanax says it takes about 1 1/2 for it to work to its full potential. I start yawning about 30 minutes after I take a .25 dose. Then about 30 minutes to an hour later the relaxation kicks in. Sometimes it kicks in so good I need to take a nap! If that's fast acting, I sure would hate to take something that took any longer! I just know once I take a pill that eventually I will feel better, so that in an of itself makes me calm down a little bit.

Yes, sometimes I can talk myself down, at least I was able to the previous month. I am wondering if the Lexapro needs to be upped a bit. My issue that I was worrying about appears to be an overreaction on my part (I think) I did better today, only took .5 xanax today. I don't really think it works for me at that dose anymore when I am stressed only when I wake up early and can't back to sleep but am still a bit sleepy. Like you I don't want to rely on it and I think I need to back off, which I was, I wasn't taking my morning dose for a week or so. I don't get any kind of withdrawal symptoms when I don't take it, but, then again I take it every night for sure. Maybe the dose I take isn't high enough to cause a withdrawal reaction. I'm also feeling a little depressed too. I really didn't want to up the dose of Lexapro but may have to. I am so happy you were able to talk yourself down from your anxiety, when you can do that, it gives you another tool other than meds. The more tools in your "toolbox" the better. My anxiety seems to only be involved when I am worrying about my health which it seems I have been since last December. If there are no health worries I am overall ok. I hope yours doesn't get so bad you need to go to the hospital that is pretty severe anxiety. Have you spoken to your Dr. to tell him how close you are to going that route? Feel better and I am here for you as well. Mich

yep it takes me a hour too to feel the full effects.

If I want to get one in my system quick, I actually chew one or at least grind it up with my teeth and put it under my tounge--yes it takes bitter, but that is the sweet taste of the calvalry coming over the mountains to me!

Sometimes just knowing I could take a xanax is enough to calm me if I am not in an extreme state. I will just carry the bottle around like a Teddy bear and say to myself.."If I feel like this in a half hour, I can always take one" I really only take them once a week or so now with this method.

Also....there are some longer acting benzos that might be worth considering if you are feeling that you are not getting enough sustained relief on Xanax--I haven't taken them, but would definitely consider doing so if my anxiety came back full force. They avoid the roller coaster and the need for the constant self checking "Should I take one now? Should I?

Depends on how "crazy" I feel at the time. I've taken it before and felt better within 30 min. This weekend I took one and kept sprialing upward. Took another in about two hours and kept going. had a glass of wine and kept going. Nothing worked until I just wore myself out. Was a miserable Saturday and Sunday. Better now but I thought about taking myself to the ED to be "watched", if you get my drift. Hope you are feeling better now.