Hi Rhonnie & Celtic,
Well the concert was last night & I took your advise. I took 1/2 a Xanax before I left the house (although I was already feeling anxious)& when I got there I did great. The last 2 times I was there I had an attack while going thru the gate but no attacks last night. Thanks so much!!
One other thing I did different: I put a rubber band on my wrist & when I'd have an anxious thought (even a small one) I'd pop the band on my wrist & it kinda takes my mind off "the thought". It really seemed to work for my anticipatory anxiety.
Now when I go somewhere that I feel anxious about I wont be afraid to take my Xanax beforehand.
Again.. thanks so much!!
Chanda
Hi Chanda Maybe take the half pill like you normally do but take it before you go into the doors at the concert.You should be fine with that in your system to get to enjoy the concert. If you start feeling very anxious, you can always take the other half.By the way, you are NOT a failure for taking meds to get through this terrible disorder! I still take 0.25 mgs of clonezapam everyday! Today I only took half of that to see how I do. When I'm ready and when you're ready, then we can say goodbye to the meds!!! Have a really good time with your friends and family!!
Hey Rhonnie & Celtic, thanks for the feedback.
My dr also told me that I can take Xanax before an anxious event I just never have. I always try to do it w/o the meds & then if I have to take it I feel like I failed.
But since I've never taken Xanax until I really needed it(during an attack)I'm afraid that it wont work the same.??? I guess I'm scared that I'll still panic but then I'll be afraid to take another one to stop the attack. (I'm not sure if that makes sence.. the way I explained it)I've never taken more than 1 in a day because I'm afraid to.
Also, I have always taken 1/2 a Xanax during an attack(under my tongue). If I take it before the concert should I take 1/2 or 1 whole pill??
Maybe I'll just take one right before I leave my house to go...?
P.S. my husband is like my "safe person" I guess you could say & he is not going to the show with us. It will be a few friends, myself, & lots of kids.
I know I'm just rambling..I'm really sorry
Hope to hear back from someone soon.
Chanda
Hi Chanda I agree with Celtic. My doc recommended that I take the meds when I know I'm going into an anxious situation. Even though I'm done my CBT therapy, I'm not quite ready to come off the meds. Have fun at the concert!!!
Hi Chanda,
I'm certainly no medical professional but have suffered enough panic attacks to probably qualify for one and I know exactly what you mean about trying to decide exactly when is best to take the xanax. I can tell you what works best for me: I have found many, many times that it works best for me if I take it prior to the anxiety producing situation and then I always carry more with me to take in case I am there longer than planned and it starts to wear off. I have tried waiting to take it "just to see what happens" and time and time again, my anxiety about the situation throws me into a panic attack and by then I'm not in good shape even after taking the xanax. Good luck and let us know how you make out!!!! :)
I am sooo anxious right now.
Anyone who has ever read my posts know about my past with concerts. (I panick every time!!)
My neighbor just gave me free tickets to take my kids to see Jessica Simpson this weekend. He works someplace that he gets all kinds of free tickets & my kids are soo excited. He gave us enough to take several of their friends & their 1st reaction (after yelling) was desciding who to invite.
I'm sure you can guess what my 1st reaction was...I'm already dreading it like crazy.
I wish so bad that I could look forward to something again. Everything is such a challenge to me.
My big descision now is whether to take my Xanax before I get there or wait until I'm panicking.!?
Chanda
