its nice to hear some positive input. ativan is the only medication i've been taking for some time now and while i tend to feel worse before i feel better, conversation with pdoc suggests its not a problem with the medication, but my fear of taking any medication. (i'm so afraid something terrible is going to happen just by my taking it that my panic gets even worse. then the meds kick in and i feel better). i appreciate all the comments and advice everyone has provided about this because its been on my mind a lot lately.