Ativan (lorazepam) dosage for insomnia due to anxiety

[wxguy1]

Does anyone have experience with taking Ativan (lorazepam)?  I was given the medication for insomnia and was asked to take 0.5-1mg, but it didn't seem to work too well.  Is it safe to up the dosage? Can you take Restoril (temazepam) at the same time if Ativan doesn't work?  Thanks.

[jean9852]

I also had the night twitches in my legs and all over my body.  Scared, me.  Don't think I'll try Ativan again as a sleep aid.

[dragonwisdom]

An update on Ativan or Lorozepam.  I have had to up my dose to 3mg.  My doctor said that this is the max.   He has prescribe another medication which he said is better for insomnia called Imovane (in Canada) at 7.5 mg (aka Zopclicone in the US).  I have been told that you can combine Lorazepam and Imovane if you need to, but of course it is better not to.  I think the less medication the better.  Studies even show that CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is better for the long term reduction of insomnia then medication.  Also, sleeping medication can have a rebound insomnia effect when you stop taking it and you also develop a tolerance and therefor need a higher dose.   I started at 1mg Lorazepam and now need 3.   I am hoping that the Imovane works much better.    

The bottom line is that sleep is crucial and effect every ascecpt of your day and personality if you are not getting enough.   If one needs the medication then that is a reality, but I would also say try to incorporate exercise, mindfulness training, certain bedtime routines and psychotherapy to try to get to the root of the insomnia.

[dragonwisdom]

Lorazepam is considered a highly addictive substance so if you have an addictive type personality I would be somewhat cautious of this medication.  I have not had any problems with using it as required and then stopping the medication.  However, the literature warms that it should not be taken for more then 4 months and that one should slowly wean off of it with the help of a doctor.  Everyone has a different personality, dependency and psychology, but I would be cautious with a medication that is considered to be rather addictive.   That being said, when I have had great period of anxiety I am very happy that I have this medication and I can notice the reduction in my mood and anxiety very quickly.  It does work and is effective.    

[dragonwisdom]

I have been taking it for about a year now for anxiety at 1 mg/day .  About 9 months ago my anxiety increased and I started to get severe insomnia which continue to today.  I have not taken the medication everyday, but only as need on days when anxiety is severe.   Over the past month my insomnia has gotten unbearable and finally I had to give in and began taking 2mg at night about an hour before bed.  This helped me immensely and I am now getting a much better sleep.  I thought I was going to go crazy without sleeping properly, and at the same time I did not want to rely on medication to help me sleep.  I was fearful of having to rely upon it for sleep.  I would also like to add that I do yoga and meditation daily.  In addtion, I do running in the forest and strength training 3-4 times a week.  I also suffer from periods of depression and feel that exercise is of the utmost important for both depression and anxiety.   Mindfulness practice is also very helpful and you can find many books and tapes on this for depression and anxiety.   I would recommend The Mindful Way through Depression (comes with a great yoga, meditation, body scan CD) by Jon Kabit-Zinn, Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and Jon Teasdale.  I also use the yoga/meditation CDs by Jon Kabat-Zinn which are amazing.   http://mindfulnesstapes.com   I use the Series one CDs almost everyday.  He is a leader in the field of mindfulness and depression.  

[ndhillon]

Hi Limonada,

Did the SSRI help working together with the 1mg of Ativan?

[Limonada]

I was prescribed 1mg. of Ativan - as needed to assist with sleeping (I was having health anxiety and panic attacks and this was what I was given first....until I told the doctor that my symptoms weren't getting any better and I was prescribed Citalopram, a SSRI).  The doctor told me to take the Ativan as needed, warning that it was pretty addictive. It seemed to help me get to sleep....but I'd still awaken in a full blown panic attack.  I also didn't feel well rested from the sleep I got that was induced by the Ativan.

I'd speak to your doctor before upping your dosage of this or any other medication.

Good luck!!