Questions Lorazepam Users (And a Klonopin question as well)

[tigereyedjames]

Hey, I was just wondering if anybody out there is currently taking or has ever taken Lorazepam (ativan)...I am currently on it, and I only take it as needed, which is maybe once a day or once every other day...
I have heard that it can be habit forming, and really don't want to add a chemical dependence on top of everything else...
I have been on it for a little under 3 weeks...I take Celexa for the anxiety, also for the same amount of time.
Has anybody taken Lorazepam for anxiety? Did it work for you? How often did you take it? How long have you used it, etc. Also, is this the same as Klonopin? (they are in the same family of medication, I believe) I have had friends take Klonopin with good results...
any info would be greatly appreciated.

[kristine9190]

Hey There! I take Lorazapam, when my anxiety was at its worst, I was taking it 3 times per day, just to get me through my work day. I was taking 1mg 3 times. I never became dependent, however, it is VERY habit forming. As things in my life got better, I was only using it twice a day, and as things continued to get better, I was only using it once a day, now I do take it once every night to help me relax and sleep, and take it once in a blue moon when needed on a stressful day or when I am feeling anxious. I too worried about becoming dependent, but I think things just worked out for me and my taper was a natural taper. With that being said, I have talked with my Dr about this, as I do not want to worry about dependency on top of this anxiety. BUT, I have to agree with her, she told me with everything else on my plate, the last thing I need to WORRY about it forming a habit for my Ativan. That if I take it as prescribed, and become addicted, she will work with me hand in hand to taper myself. I am now completely at ease with taking this med when I need it, if I become addicted to it, than I will work with her on a seamless taper. I can not have another thing to worry about, these meds are supposed to help me, I will cross the dependency bridge when and if I get to it.

I am not familiar with Klonopin, sorry.

Good Luck to you !

[Taybey]

Im on ativan have been for over 22 years.  I have no problem with it. Im also on paxil, and a blood pressure pill and simistation for high cholestroel.

[Angela316]

I first started taking Ativan 1mg about 4 years ago. At the time I was having a really bad anxiety spell and was taking it once a day or once every other day.  As I got better I stopped needing it.  I had no trouble getting off of it.  I started using it again about 5 months ago due to another anxiety spell. It works rather quickly, in about 15-30 minutes but it does make me quite drowsy.  I am currently on Lexapro, so I hope my need for it and the Ativan will end soon. Best of luck to you.

[tigereyedjames]

Thanks for the feedback...
I do already feel better about taking it...and the whole "not needing another worry right now" is so true...
I am seeing a therapist, and have a doctor who prescribed the celexa & lorazepam, but in May I start seeing a psychiatrist to help with sorting out the drugs.
Thanks again!

[Paxiled]

I take klonopin.  It's very different, it's longer lasting, whereas ativan works more quickly but for a shorter period of time.  You can take ativan as needed, but klonopin is generally taken every day to keep it in the system.

[tigereyedjames]

Yeah, that was pretty much what I was thinking, in regards to their dosing/effects...
I am not sure which would be better...a friend gave me a Klonopin once when i was going to meet this artist I really admire, and because I get very bad social anxiety in those kind of situations, I remember it working very well, calmed me down a lot, made me even a little more confident (placebo effect? who knows?)
Anyways, I have been thinking about that ever since (Let me state right now...I do not condone taking other people's perscription pills, and I do NOT make a habit out of it, I promise!)
I am finally going to see a psychiatrist, (on May 8th, the soonest they had!) and hopefully he will sort out my meds for me...

[sinniclou]

I take Ativan for Anxiety/Panic Attacks due to PTSD I developed regarding a severe car accident, followed by another smallere car accident. When my symptoms 1st started I couldn't leave my home and even in my home I did not feel safe. Now w/therapy things are much better although due to the enormous amout of stress and anxiety I have been experiencing for the last few years I have developed several (doctor says) stress/anxiety enduced Heart Arrythmias! I still use the Ativan...mostly at night time as the Arrythmias are very Anxiety/Panic provoking themselves. I am on a Beta-Blocker for the Arrythmias which is only slightly helping but the Ativan does help as far as the anxious, stress, nervousness, especially at night when the mind is empty to think and work ones self up! I have also found the Ativan can be a useful tool for helping slow down and calm down so some other tools such as meditation, breathing and any other form of relaxation techniques can be used regularly as this helps A LOT! Try some meditation with the Ativan and please keep us updated.
Best of Luck!

[tigereyedjames]

I have found that breathing exercises and meditation ARE quite helpful...I have only been doing diaphramyic breathing for 2 weeks, and meditation a few days (this is harder for me, but sticking with it)...especially for sleep, breathing exercises help a great deal...
Obvously, there things are harder to practice in the midst of heavy anxiety, so I am grateful for the Lorazepam if just for the factor that it allows me better head space to work on my self-talk, my positive affirmations and relaxation techniques,
I am still in the midst of learning all of this, so I am gonna keep trying...