"i was the caregiver for 2 family members from 1997 to 2008.  i had the first full-blown stress panic attack in 2005.  xanax was one of my medications and in 6 months, i was off drugs.  i have no regrets for those 11 years, but thought i was finally free to live my life.  however, i was wrong.  i now have continuous anxiety if i don&#039;t take 0.25 mg xanax in the morning and evening.  i also have very high blood pressure to which a solution has not been found.  xanax does lower it and i couldn&#039;t keep my sanity without it.  i have had no negative side effects, only positive."