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I've hesitated to respond because I know many will disagree, but here goes anyway, if it helps, so be it!
I have suffered with anxiety - we know now - since I was a child - primarily situational due to family issues. But, as an adult was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks too. The only thing that helped me - other than God (of course) has been Xanax. I've been on and off it for probably close to 20 years. You notice, I say "off it" as well. My doctor says it's a band-aid and when I don't need it anymore, I'll be able to get off it - and I have, several times. Right now - I'm back on it due to high stress. But, after all these years, I have never exceeded the recommended dosage - and I'm not even at the top dosage. I used to freak about being addicted - but, really in depth research has proven real addiction is at dosages higher than 4 mg. a day and I haven't been there.
But, that's just what has helped me. I'm not advocating drugs, but when you can't function, you reach out for what helps and help comes in different forms. At one time, I couldn't sleep at all and was having panic attacks all day and all night, so I was desperate - all I could do was cry out to God.
I don't know why, but even after all these years, I feel ashamed that I'm still having to take it. I think it's because most anti-depressants are "socially acceptable", but anti-anxiety drugs are not. It's like a vicious cycle - the IBS kicks up, I get sick, then I get anxious. Or an anxious situation causes the IBS to kick in! 
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"I Will Survive! :-)... I shall live and not die and declare the works of The Lord..."
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Don't feel ashamed gaga.There are so many people out there that suffer and could have help.The very fact you are on these drugs ocasionally shows that you are willing to accept you can't do it alone.No one can.The ones that think they can are just deludung them selves.Knowing that you can help other people by talking about what you have and what you are taking to fix it will help others to realize theat they aren't alone.That I think is the biggest thing.We all need to talk about our help issues more openly so that shy kid in the corner or the weird guy in the back can get information before its too late.How many youngersters,and adults have ended their lives because they didn't know there was help out there.
Did you know that the actor that plays Sonny on GH suffers from panic and anixety attacks too.Thats why he left the show for a few years.Now he has the meds he needs and he is back doing what he loves.
Depression is crazy and aniexty can confine you to a life of hell.Most of us here know what that is like but we have all searched for an answer and have found you and others here that understand.
Someday you will be able to stop again but It's great that you talk about it.Everyone should.
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IBS-D since 1999...mostly stable..i do cheat too.Bad me.
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Thank you so much for your response. I have these vicious cycles of anxiety/insomnia and feel like I can barely function. Other than the Ambien and very occasion Ativan I never took anything else. One precription would last for months. They just didn't help at all this time.
Went to my very understanding doc last week and she spent a lot of time with me discussing the anxiety thing and breaking these cycles. She put me on the lowest dose of Zoloft (says low doses of antidepressants are used for anxiety) and hopefully this will help. However, it takes about 4 weeks to kick in so until then she has me on the lowest dose of Klonopin in the evening. I have been sleeping better, thank God.....I just feel nauseous in the morning. How I hated, hated, hated to take this route, but I also have to function.
A friend of mine has been helping me come to terms with all of this. She has fibro, chronic fatigue, arthritis and takes a cocktail of low dose drugs every evening...same low dose of eveything has worked for the past 15 years...without the drugs she literally would not be able to live. She finally got me to realize that drugs are there for a reason and if you're under a doctor's supervision and you can have a better quality of life, why would you not want that?? Another friend of mine has taken 2 mg of Ativan and a glass of wine every nite for the last 25 years. She knows she is addicted, but doesn't care. It has made her life liveable.
If I could just wipe this IBS out of my life I wouldn't need any of these meds, but then who knows, maybe it would be something else!!! The IBS is, however, the root of my anxiety. I am much like you when it comes to making plans or going someplace....I start getting panicky weeks ahead of time. People just don't understand why you can't plan a shopping day two weeks in advance.
So far now, I hope the meds help and eventually I'll be able to not need them. However, if I do, I'm going to try and not beat myself up over it. Thank you for your kind response. I've read all of your posts and you have been through so much in your life. With everything you deal with, your optimistic, cheerful personality amazes me. You give so much support to others on the board.
Thanks again for your response.
Blessings to you.
Sharon
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Yes, I listened to a little bit of the deep sleep cd. Looks like he has many cds out there....for a variety of things....anxiety, stress, etc. I could probably use all of them!!!
When I have a chance I'm going to go back and listen for a longer period of time to a couple of then and then decide on which one(s) I want.
Thanks again.
Sharon
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Glad you like them!  I checked out his website last night and found one of my husband and my favorites that we bought years ago. Now I can replace our cassette version with the CD! We lost the cassette and just have the case left. I'm so happy we can get it on CD! It's called "Rocky Mountain Suite".
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GaGa....I totally agree! I've been on a few different anti anxiet/anti depressants over the past few years and it seems unacceptable to everyone or that they don't know how to handle it when I tell them I take anti anxiety meds. But if I tell them I might need meds for thyroid...that's fine. I don't know why there is such a social problem with taking anti depressants or anti anxiety meds. It's no different than taking something for diabetes or any other medical condition.
I, too agree that it's a horrible cycle with IBS and anxiety. One seems to feed off the other with me, too.
{{{hugs}}}
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Very well said! {{{hugs}}} You hit the nail on the head. 
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You really blessed me day and I just pray God doubles it back to you! Thank you!!!
I feel like we're all put here to help each other and just ask my family, my life is an open book! 
I see us like a human chain or even a group climbing a mountain - we're all giving each other a "hand up".
You all are wonderful and it blesses me any time I can help anyone. Think that's why I love my job in guidance with my "sick" kids. It sounds a little "pollyanna-ish", but if I can help make one of their lives a little better, or let them know someone else has been where they are and understand, then you feel like all is well in world for a short time. One of my best friends says I only like people who have something wrong with them! LOL! (Of course, that's why we're friends - she was on cocaine, beat to a pulp by her husband and a general mess when we became friends! Life!!!!
{{{BIG HUGS}}} & Blessings!!! - Dorothy
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"I Will Survive! :-)... I shall live and not die and declare the works of The Lord..."
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Dorothy....{{{{big hugs to you}}}} Beautiful words! I hate to admit it, but I don't know how to pray or put my faith in God. I believe, but I wasn't raised in church. I consider myself Christian, but I don't attend church. Wish I could be as close to God as you are.
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It's a day-to-day walk and He's my strength, my all. But, you don't have to be raised in church or even go to church to know Him, it's just a matter of an individual quest, a hunger and a desire. As for praying - He already knows how you feel, you just talk to Him, like we are right now. And, knowing about Him comes from either hearing about Him or reading The Bible - a good updated/modern/fun version is "The Message" - like reading a book.
My beliefs and faith have changed over the years and gone from religion to an intimate walk with Him. I believe in healing and I pray it for you and all the others I have come to "love" on this site. He said it in His Word and I believe it and claim that promise for us all! It is His desire for you to be well. You wouldn't believe all He's brought me through... abuse, infertility (facing a hysterectomy then miraculously healed of endometriosis), severe financial setbacks, healing of a heart condition. So, it's just a matter of time until we're all well!
I do thank you for your kindness and know He brought you all into my life for "such a time as this".
Blessings - Dorothy
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"I Will Survive! :-)... I shall live and not die and declare the works of The Lord..."
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