I've been on Xanax since age 15 I'm 54 :( help

Hi....you are SO right about getting the short end on the benzos! Oh yes....I realize how hard it is to get into a new Dr. Mine accepted me, because my husband was already a patient. Otherwise, he would NOT have.....the thing is, many things get overlooked with this Dr., but his Nurse told me that he has 2,200 patients! Anyway, when I was FIRST placed on Xanax....it was fine, it helped. The anxiety....the panic....was relieved. BUT....like most meds like this, it is stated that they should only be used for short periods of time. But everyone I know, who has been placed on it, or something sililar, has been on them for YEARS. At least I got away from the Dr. who prescribed so damn many!! I spoke with my pharmacist about my dosage....I guess I was just worried about being on it for so long. But as he said, Try and not worry, you are on such a low dose, 1 mg. a day is not bad and you have never agreed to an increase, so that's good right there. " I will probably be on it for the rest of my life.....and right now I just can't worry about it. I am now being scheduled for a 2nd open-heart surgery, so I guess I better just concentrate on that. It's always something!! Oh, I'll get through it all....LOL I'm more worried about Daisy, my Senior dog.....she's almost 18 & has so many health problems. I may have to go a few hundred miles to a University hospital for this.....tons of cardiologists around here, but no one wants to touch this surgery.....ugh. PLUS...even though I have decent insurance (United Healthcare/ Medicare with John Deere), they have made a ton of changes with who I can see and who I cannot. So now I just wait and see who they will send me to. Oh, does the Valium help you? I hope so!! I thank God that at least I am only taking 1 mg. daily of Xanax. I know several who take huge doses! You mentioned having PTSD over all you went through....or probably having it....I can very well understand that! I actually WAS diagnosed with PTSD......anything that causes unrelenting stress can cause it. I'll be fine, though.....and I hope you will be, too! I just want this surgery out of the way....the Drs. say one thing, then another....they need to make their damn minds up & just let me get it over with & heal up. I'm starting to think all this 'waiting' is because I have an HMO....I may o back to what I had before, Hammond Henry Health Partners.....and away from Unity Point/Trinity. Not dure WHAT to do. Anyway, sorry for yammering on....so many people have told me how crazy it is for these Drs. to keep dragging their feet....have a severely leaking valve and a bad aortic valve, but they want to take care of the leaking one as of now. I'm passing out too much. Boy....all the problems we all have....I feel for every one of you! It's nice to be able to come to a forum like this....and hear people's experiences. Anyway, I am so thankful that you found a Dr. and got off the Xanax....I wish you EVERYTHING good! I will stay on that 1 mg. for right now....it doesn't seem so scary in that amount. You take care now and God bless!

Yes please,I need prayers more than ever ,I got a call this morning from my Dr and I was told I have a form of cancer,lots of appointments were just made , please pray for me, the power of prayer is amazing 🙏❤️ Thank you so much. God Bless you and stay safe 🌹