Taking Ativan-Should I still be so anxious?

[WhatIsNormal]

Hello, I am on 2mg's of Ativan a day, I have been taking Ativan since my anxiety started in March. My question is, I am still very anxious, and panicy. Especially 2 weeks of the month(you girls know what I mean, lol) Am I still supposed to be feeling this anxious, or is it normal for the ativan to just take the edge off. I have started taking 3 mg's a day because I am waking up at night in a panic attack. I am in therapy. But I won't see a Dr. till Oct, 10. Just wondering if anyone could help. Thanks

[Merjjb]

I have been on 2 mg of Ativan  for 6 years.  I take it at night to sleep. Which helped so much through a family crisis. Then I woke up and needed it. But doesn't seem to work as quickly in the morning. How can I ween off of it if I'm so worried about having a panic attack? When I feel it coming on it still works

[Sandy7298]

I see here many people write based on their experiences wether good or bad but pls keep in mind everyone is different so pls try to be careful with what u say here so as not to confuse anyone who may be confused as it is.

[SweetPea724]

when I got my first panic attack they gave me ativan...it did NOTHING for me. I would still have panic attack after panic attack.  Then I went to a great doctor that gave me .25mg of xanax and weened me off that and put me on Paxil 30mg....sware it saved my life.

[WhatIsNormal]

There are moments that I don't know how I would have coped without the Ativan. I was a mess. And still am at times. But I do feel as though it is time  for me to try something a little less addictive and not quite so strong.  I feel like I am ready for the next step and with my Dr.'s help I hope to do that soon. I have never felt any rebound anxiety. That sounds aweful. This is a strong drug and ppl have strong opinions of it, I respect them all. And I am glad I have not experienced those side effects. Thanks for all the info.                          

[Siamo Uno]

I agree that benzos can be very addictive if not taken as prescribed, but I have been on them twice in my life, once several years ago for 18 months taking 1 mg twice a day, and another time I was on them for two years taking the same 1 mg twice a day dosage. My doctor weaned me off very slowly both times and I had no problems whatsoever coming off of them. They never ever made me more anxious when I was taking them, and I never had rebound anxiety nor did I ever feel like I needed more than the prescribed dosage. We are all individuals and we all react differently to medication. I agree that benzos must be used with caution and under the care of a good doctor, but they are very useful drugs when used correctly and their use is supervised.

[abby10]

Please don't take any of the class of drugs called benzodiazapines. The ativan is one of them. And one of the stronger short acting ones. The actually make you more anxious, you will develope rebound anxiety. Once your body gets used to them you need more to get the same results. They are extremely addicting. I had trouble sleeping sometimes and was anxious. The first doctor gave me 8mg of ativan and my life was ruined after that. I have been on them for 8 years now and have been withdrawaling for a year now and it has been a nightmare.  I can't describe the mental and physical pain.

My hands and finger tips are trembeling now as I write this message. I had a seizure back in June 2008. Those pills do no good, expect on a very short term basis. Please see site benzo.org and the site benzobuddies.

Nothing is a bad as taking benzos. This includes ativan, xanax, klonopin. And many others. They are a hugh profit making drug!  You are being poisioned by the drug companies. Hard to believe I know. I only wish someone had told me this 8 years ago.

Goof luck,
abby

[WhatIsNormal]

Thanks for the lecture ma,lol! I know....Iknow but my primary doesn't want to deal with it and I refuse to sit around in panic mode,half off the deep end. Ending up in the emergency room, where they give me an ativan and send me home. So at times I skip the middle man.

[RubyWitch]

I hate to start this post by "yelling" at you (LOL)...........but you must NEVER increase or decrease your meds without first discussing it with your doctor. I can't stress that enough.
Since you have been on the Ativan since March and are feeling no real significant relief, it's time to go back to your doctor and let him/her know that this particular med is not working for you. Many of us with anxiety/panic issues often have to try several meds before we find one that will stabilize us. This is very normal and very common.
Since you are in therapy, and I applaud you for that, please discuss this issue with your therapist until you can see your doctor on the 10th.
It is also very common for women to feel more anxiety around the time of their periods. (Just a little added perk for us women!)
Let us know how you're doing, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia