 [ Symptoms ] what is the best medication for anxiety xanax or ativan  i have anxiety and have been taking xanax for 14 years and i just wanted to know if ativan would be better for me i am 62 years old and i have chronic pain and i take morphine er 15mg and oxycodone 5 mg baclofen 10 mg and my doctor said i needed a letter from my other doctor telling her i needed a letter from her stating i needed to take xanax and they have tried other meds on my my daughter is a nurse and she said ativan helps with anxiety [ Disease ] daily crying spells nausea headache short term memory loss you are having stress and anxiety disorder …nothing more than a head massage breathing exercise some exercise and joy… if you are not older than 55 60 it is not something of organic origin try what i told you…if symptoms increased then get a brain mri