Zoloft and Lorazepam

wonderwmn56 · Post by **wonderwmn56** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:40 pm

Hi Everyone,

I just went to the doctor on Friday for my anxiety and to get meds. I used to be on Effexor for my anxiety and it worked ok for awhile but then I went off of it and did pretty good for about a year. My doctor now put me on Zoloft as a daily pill and also gave me Lorazepam to take as needed if my anxiety is bad. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this combination? I'm kinda nervous about the Lorazepam because my doctor said that it makes people really sleepy and is addicting. I have a friend who is on the Lorazepam and only takes it when she needs it and says it really helps but she never said anything about it making her sleepy.

I know that meds is one of the scariest things with anxiety but I also know that it helps and takes time to get used to taking a new med and learning how it effects you.

Also, how long do you think it will take before the Zoloft will kick in?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:26 am

Hi! When I saw your post i wanted to respond b/c i am currently on lorazapam just at night to sleep & in the process of weaning off zoloft. My mom passed away last year & it just threw me into a depression which just added to my anxiety so I needed a "helping hand." I took it for 5 months & will be off it in about a week- 2weeks. I've suffered w/ insomnia for 12 yrs. since my sister was murdered by her husband. I suffered for many years before trying any type of meds b/c like you , I didn't like taking things. Unfortunatly, I don't respond well to most, increases anxiety so I had a time w/ it. One made me a "fruit loop!" I was a mess for 2 yrs! So for the past probably 6 months, I've been on the lorazapam! It's been my saving grace! It doesn't "make you sleepy"....It takes away the anxiety that keeps you from being calm...so you can fall asleep. I still stay up all night sometimes(b/c my anxiety is so high) but I sleep good some too. I feel "normal" again b/c i was running on no sleep for weeks at a time. So that's not healthy ..so i chose the lesser of 2 evils! I'm in session 3 & my goal is by session 15 to be off the lorazapam. if that doesn't happen. I'm ok w/ it b/c I will never go back to the insaneness of the insomnia.

Barb G. · Post by **Barb G.** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:21 am

I have been on zoloft for 4 weeks. I feel so much better. I haven't had any side effects from it. I tried prozac and lexapro before this and within days they made my anxiety kick into high gear. I was a wreck, but zoloft didn't do that and i'm feeling much better. i'm on week 4 of the program and no doubt in my mind that this is helping me immensely also. right now i need the meds, but hopefully by the end of the program I'll bev able to wean off.

lpeter · Post by **lpeter** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:14 pm

I think my doctor just made me really nervous about the lorazepam because he basically said that it will make me a bump on a log and go to sleep right away. he's probably just trying to make me cautious with it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:12 pm

I've been on Lorazepam for about 2-3 months. At first I only needed it for when I was at work working in closed long cubicle that held like 10-12 people. But, now sometimes I'll take it on the weekends if I feel jittery from too much caffeine from the night before or just had too much to drink at a party, etc.
However, the good news is that I only need to take a half of a pill up to one pill in a given day. The regular dosage for a day is way beyond that, but just a half seems to take the "worry" edge off. I'm not on any other meds, but in a month or so I'll need to have another consultation w/ my doctor about 1) do I still need to continue w/ this dose of med, or 2) will I be able to fight off the need to have it thru trying out this program? --
Is there a med out there in interim that does not cause slight sleepiness, but that is focused on just anxiety relief?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:00 pm

HI , I take Lorazepam and that is the only thing that helped me with my anxiety. I was taking 3 pills a day at first .5 mg
that started in Sept. Well I am down to half of a .5 mg a day in the morning. At first it would relax me where it let me rest but after a couple of weeks I didn't even notice. It just help my anxious feelings.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:27 pm

I have been on Zoloft and lorazepam for 14 years and there is nothing to be afraid of! I felt nervous about them just like you but the prescription that i have for lorazepam is 1mg per day and i just feel more relaxed, I don't feel super tired. The Zoloft has always worked well for me as long as i have consistently taken the meds. It seems to take about 1 month for the zoloft to take effect. You will be fine! I wish you well!