Just took ativan

christinepsc · Post by **christinepsc** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:11 am

And now I am anxious almost to panic.

I needed to take it because I have a long trip comming up next week and wanted to make sure I was able to take it if I needed it. It made it worse!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:14 am

Don't take it, Christine. When I took Ativan it gave me panic attacks. Also, even after taking if for a week straight you can become dependent on it. Deep breathing and meditation will help a lot more. Think positive thoughts about your trip when you are meditating.

The ativan will wear off in a few hours. I wouldn't take it a gain.

From someone who knows..
Turtle

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:40 am

hi Christine. I have a different opinion. I use a low dose (1/4-1/2mg) of Ativan to help control my anxiety when I am not able to control it myself and it has worked very well for me. Are you sure the panic is not the result of your fear of taking the medication? We have a tendency to do that. But everyone is different and it is true that some anti anxiety meds actually make anxiety worse (I had that problem with a different med). I would talk to your doctor before you give up on it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:51 am

I agree with DMC, I take ativan .5mg as needed when my paxil doesn't seem to do the trick right away. It has worked wonders for me

Misty

Ld26angell · Post by **Ld26angell** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:01 am

Ativan makes me totally yuck- extreme dizziness, nausea, and anxiety. It just doesn't agree with me at all and I won't take anything that gives me more anxiety or panic. I'm trying to wean off Xanax as it is and it's been rough. I know people it doesn't bother at all, but it is addictive and weaning off can be tough.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:37 am

Ativan can work very well for some people and backfire on others. Sometimes it may be a matter of fear of medications but if we are afraid then there are other ways that can be just as soothing and relaxing without getting caught in the drug dependence cycle. These drugs are extremely hard to come off of if one decides to do so. Some folks do extremely well on benzos their entire lives. For other people they can backfire and become less effective, needing higher and higher doses.

All of our body chemistries are different even though we may suffer from the same types of disorders.

I would strongly advise against getting trapped into benzodiazepine dependence if at all possible.

Christine, have you started the program? I am on my first week and telling myself positive things instead of my constant negative thinking. It has taken me about 4 days to get into this pattern and I have to watch my thoughts constantly. It has already helped my anxiety.

I was on klonopin for 3 months for sleep issues after a complete hysterectomy. That was 3 years ago. I have been struggling to come off of it ever since.

Be wise and proactive in your own health decisions regarding any medication you intend to take.

Reasearch a bit but don't go too far as that can really cause more anxiety.

T

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:54 pm

Turtle I am back on the first week. I never get passed week three or four. I never apply the program like I should. So I am going back to square one.

I took the ativan today because I wanted to be able to take it if I need it on my road trip next week. I am going to be nine hours from home and that scares me. I have to be able to do this. My husband needs me for support and to travel with him. I hope I will be able to.

jillzmind · Post by **jillzmind** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:10 pm

I know what I have experienced after over 25years of battling bipolar and for me a combination of things like this program and medication seems to work best for me . Everyone is different

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:12 pm

Thing is I have a HUGE phobia of taking meds so this was a big step for me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:05 pm

Christine,

If you just take it on an as-needed basis and maybe not more than once a week, you should be fine. Sometimes just having it along with you is enough to make you feel better. At least you know you'll have it if you need it.

Turtle