"i started using xanax xr about 2 yrs ago and it has been a life saver for me. i was suffering from really bad anxiety that would bring on bad panic attacks that sent me to the er twice. my doctor started me out at 1mg once a day then she decreased it to 0.5mg about a yer ago and that&#039;s what i&#039;ve been taking. i hated the way i felt for a day or two when i was brought down to 0.5mg&#039;s so that has made me too scared to even try to start weaning off of it. i can function perfectly well on this medication. "