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Global Patient Feedback for Ativan (Lorazepam) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I've been taking Lorazepam for insomnia & PTSD for 11 years. I am prescribed 2mg tablets (3 tablets daily- 2mg@3pm and 4mg@8pm) and if I'm lucky, I'll get some sleep around 1am (definitely by 3am-and up again at 7am M-F and 9am on weekends). At first, I was only taking one 2mg tablet at bedtime and it worked like a charm. 2 years later it took 4mg to help me sleep at night and 1 year after that, I was needing 6mg daily. I want my doctor to wean me back down to a more safe level (no more than 2-3 mg daily), however he states it will take years to do this. I should've been given way more info on this drug b4 being put on it. I was told it was totally safe, non-addictive and temporary from the original provider. My doctor now says "no way u can just quit taking it w/o risking major stroke, heart attack or possible death- and it takes just as long to get off it as you've been on it". Great- 10 years to go.....ASK YOUR DOCTORS EVERY QUESTION YOU CAN THINK OF B4 BEGINNING ANY NEW MEDICATION P L E A S E!!!!!!
42 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-09 10:37:23
Answer/Reply:
I would consult with another doctor about how long it takes to get off Lorazepam. Under a doctor's supervision you can
be off of it in a couple of months.
Speaking from experience after being on it for 10 years.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-11 15:23:56
Question/Comment:
I have been using Lorazapam for 10 years now primarily for Insomnia and occasionally for Anxiety. I began taking 2mg for my Insomnia and now after 10 years I am up to 3-4mg. I definately rely on it but it has helped me to get around 7 hrs sleep a night which is a blessing for me. My years of living with Insomnia "untreated" has done some permenant damage to my mental health.If I have to take it for the rest of my life, i'm ok with that because the alternative of having to live with Insomnia is not an option for me. For the odd time that I need to take it for Anxiety, 2mg under the tounge always does the trick. The only side effect that I have had is slight tremours that sometimes affect my hand writing but these seem to go away during the day.
55 year old Male
Posted: 2008-09-28 11:41:43
Answer/Reply:
i am happy there is this place to read about lorazepam, and clonezapam. when i missed them, i had a case called anxiety death. i was dieing, in a restraunt of 90 others, no one saw me. since my Mom is blind, she was not aware. i finally pounded my chest, the brisket dislodged. i felt so awful, and looked so, but when the dr. said the occasion, i knew what to take, and within 2 days, i am better. Thanks Be To God! and the meds i take!
51 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-18 20:32:48
Question/Comment:
I am 50 yr old female I have been taking Activan for 3 years I went about 10 years not knowing what was wrong with me until I changed Dr. who told me what was wrong.I have always been a strong person and look to the Lord for answers .We have to help ourselves I also took Lexapro but 2 months ago had to changed to Cymbalta doing good so far. So if u feel like your body going down talk to DR. GOD BE WITH U ALL THANKS FOR LISTEN TO ME
51 year old Male
Posted: 2008-09-27 15:25:10
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I'm 52, male recovered alcoholic, diabetic neuopothy manic depressive. Cymbalta worked wonders for my neuropathy and depression but just about ruined my sex life until I found 90% have side effect of E.D. I could not get erection and drs thought it was nerve damage from diabetes. Turned out a psycialtrist took me off cymbalta and the problem went away immediately
Posted: 2008-10-06 08:06:11
Question/Comment:
I,ve b een on Lorazepam, (ativan) for many years, Can't remember how many, but a long time....I don't have migraines anymore but I think that's just life changes..........physical and mental........I am still very, very jumpy........I think it's cause I have been on it for such a long time that it's no longer doing the job........I'd like to get off of it with the help of my doc.....I tried o ne kind of pill that he gave me and it didn't agree with my body at all....... even made my a-fib. act up........I felt terrible.......so, we'll just have to wait and see what happens....64 year old female
66 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-24 14:44:58
Question/Comment:
I had to get off ativan as it caused a reaction in me. I developed vascultitis in my face. very painful. I am on depakote now to offset the reaction.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-23 18:50:37
Question/Comment:
I just started taking Lorazepam in August '08 (.5mg once to twice a day). Doctor tried me first on Prozac and then Lexapro, unfortunately I can't tolerate either one as the side effects are just awful. I guess I'm just too sensitive to anti-depressants...Thank goodness for Lorazepam...it works so good for my anxiety and without any side effects. I just hope I don't have to take it forever that I can help overcome my anxiety issues on my own...eventually.
49 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-09 15:41:28
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I just went on this today' . Is ativan a narcotic .It sounds like its part of the zanac family.
Thanks,
John from winchendon Ma.
Posted: 2008-09-17 06:03:57
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
My finace is the same way he could not take any of the two you had just metion. But the one thing I do not like is he says he thinks he is having miny heat attack and the doctor keeps saying its anexity attacks. But when one kicks in its very quick and sudden and comes out of no were. Takes half of the lorazepam by chewing it once that happens then all symptoms are gone. Takes 3-3 1/2 a day.
Posted: 2008-10-12 12:31:40
Question/Comment:
Lorazepam is a great Rx. It has definitely helped me survive my many problems. I might have committed suicide or gotten into stupid fatal fights without this. I have been using it since around 1992. I am bi-polar and I have wicked PTSD and deep depressions for long periods. I tolerate lorazepam very well. I have never overdone it or abused it (I always take the lowest effective dose that I can), and I don't drink anymore, so that helps. You really need to use some common sense and have some self-discipline if you use this Rx. Lorazepam helps keep me from over-reacting to stressful situations, and it keeps me out of fights, unpleasant disagreements and arguments with people, mostly republicans. I am much more serene and I do not go off "half-cocked", as I do without this wonder-drug. God bless the people who came up with this medication! I hope they read this...(I am a 55 year old male)
57 year old Male
Posted: 2008-07-22 14:22:17
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
If you're a Democratic Liberal,you need more than Ativan,you need a brain transplant and a Visa to Iraq.
Posted: 2008-09-30 15:20:00
Question/Comment:
i am 49 years old female and have been taking ativan for 12 years to cure my anxiety over everything. i can honestly say that if it wasn t for ativan i would have gone into depression but thanks to this wonderl drug i feel good. i feel that if there r side effects hey r for sure insignificant compared to the way ativan works.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2008-07-19 19:05:38
Answer/Reply:
how much ativan do you take?
37 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-21 14:07:23
Answer/Reply:
I am a 54 year old female and have been on ativan, for years now too, for anxiety and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I understand your satisfaction with it. I feel the same way. I still suffer a bit of depression from manic/depressive, but my meds are working on that now too. I've been on meds since I was 15 for depression and anxiety, and it's very frustrating to have to take so much meds, but if it wasn't for the meds, I wouldn't be functioning... Have a great week...
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-02 10:53:18
Question/Comment:
I take Ativan to help shut down my overthinking brain,especially at night. It helps me get a
good nights sleep. I usually take only one half of the lowest doseage (doctors recomendation)
and then increase it if needed. I can't see me not takeing it. I haven't really noticed any side
effects or any intereactions with my other medications. It also seems to calm me down as
I tend to get a little hyper at times.
63 year old female
65 year old Female
Posted: 2008-07-18 12:25:09
Answer/Reply:
I have been on various drugs over the years for depression,pms,after I had a hysteractony at 43 and had a hard time coping with life.Doctors prescribed various drugs ,which made me feel worse. My latest problem took me to a nurse practioner who prescribed lorazepam 1to 2 tabs at 1mg. each. I take a half in the morning and a half or whole pill before bed. I sleep well and function so much better during the day,I didnt realize there was chances of addiction,but my level at enjoying life is so much better with it.Susan
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-04 14:43:52
Question/Comment:
I've had very good luck with Ativan. I've taken it for 3 years. It helps me calm down if I'm stressed and it helps me sleep better than most sleep aids. My only caution would be to try not to take it every day and take the lowest dose possible. I can imagine it would easy to build up a tolerance and become addicted if you took a higher dose every day. On an "as needed" basis, it is a great drug!
41 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-24 17:15:24
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Thank you for your comments. I have just been prescribed Ativan. I hope it will help me calm down my "monkey"brain and help me get a good night sleep. Sleeping pills I have been taking on and off for the last few months don't seem to work for me. I am unsure on what you mean about not taking it every day. How do you know when to take it? My brain seems to be always busy, especially when I go to bed, so to get a good night sleep and function effectively at work I would need to take it every day. At the same time, I am extremely worried about getting addicted to it, so I completely buy it why I would need to be careful. PLEASE ADVICE. How do you decide?
Posted: 2008-08-08 01:03:47
Question/Comment:
I eat a half of red grapefruit everyday. is there a drug or food interaction while taking lorazepam? Has anybody had any problems with this? Thanks
72 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-27 16:08:11
Answer/Reply:
As of now there is no know interaction with grapefruit and Ativan. Grapefruit is metabolized by a certain enzyme in the liver and digestive tract. Valium also used the same enzyme. Thus more valium stays in the body for a longer period of time, possibly causing excessive sedation. You have no worries. Do however be careful when taking new medications and eating grapefruit there may be interaction.
33 year old Male
Posted: 2008-08-04 18:58:05
Question/Comment:
Yes, If you don't take 3 to 4wks. to wean yourself off of this drug...It can be very difficult.On the other hand...If it weren't for this drug, I probably would not be alive,seriously!
But we won't go there at the moment. Thanks.
55 year old Male
Posted: 2008-05-13 01:02:46
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Is Ativan addictive? I have taken it occasionally for the past 10 years.
Posted: 2008-05-24 03:56:04
Question/Comment:
I tryed fervently to decress the medication. I was at an all time low of feeling skiddish and experienced some shakiness. After do that I went back on a little at a time, now that Ive done so Im more myself.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-06 19:19:05
Question/Comment:
Use as sleep aid. Am able to wake up without being groggy.
64 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-05 13:16:08
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Regarding ativan--just be careful as it can affect memory, especially short term memory.
I have been taking it for years as I have SEVERE anxiety. It has definitely saved my life but it can have drawbacks. Possibly short term use would be better.There are other, safer drugs on the market, I think. It would be wise to look into that possibility. But, I do not deny-it works excellently.
Posted: 2008-09-23 14:49:14
Question/Comment:
start with the lowest strength first, then is not working talk to your Dr. about upping the dose. ONLY in 1/2 mg at a time,
64 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
use as little as possible, follow your doctors advice for your prescription.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
It helps a lot with anxiety attacks
27 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Start when the Dr. says to and take it just how he prescribes it. If you have any side effects call the Dr. right of way.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Use it for a limited time period and don't become addicted to it as it is a slow process to withdraw from the medicine.
64 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
It has been a lifesaver for me -- I was unable to leave my home with any confidence, until I started lorazepam. Now I am active, healthy, fully-engaged in my fulltime job, unafraid to shop or drive...it saved me!
56 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Start at a low dose
44 year old Male
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Use sparingly as tolerence will be built up
51 year old Male
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Stay at home and do not do anything strenuous until you know how you will react.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
it a great help itll stop panic attacks before they start
46 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
I answered yes to # 20 so that I could make a response here.it seems to help me over stressfull times . I wish I could use it more often but my doctor - who was not the original prescriber likes to limit my use.But without it I can have anxiety and restless legs
59 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Answer/Reply:
Ativan is moderately addictive. Not as addictive as Xanax, but more so than Valium. He's trying to prevent you from taking it to often and becoming chemically dependent. Withdrawal for these drugs can be a nightmare and even cause permanent damage to parts of the brain. Just use it when you must. :)
33 year old Male
Posted: 2008-08-04 19:02:09
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