[thea_kronborg]

the ativan makes me feel so much better sometimes i'm scared to take it. isn't that weird? if i'm on a crying jag it cuts it short. if i can't stop worrying about my future it lets me sleep. i always try to talk myself out of taking it also, because i'm scared to get addicted, or of liking it too much, or of having it lose its effects. I don't know if those are rational fears or not though, given how much I'm taking.

i still only take one (.5 mg) or once in a while two per day, and only really for the past 3 weeks or so.

i guess i'm looking for reassurance. not that you should necessarily indulge me.

thea

[Brighid]

Ativan is a very addictive medicine. I have been taking 1.0 mg, four times a day for almost three years now. There were times when I started taking six or seven a day because it did make me feel SO much better, but then it came to a point when you realize you are becoming addicted. So, now....I only take two a day even though I am to have four, just be careful when you see a pattern starting.

[sundog]

I don't think it's weird to be wary of an addictive medication. I think it's smart. Personally I don't think your fears are irrational because Ativan and other benzos are extremely potent drugs. I am very prone to addictive behaviors so benzos are not feasible for me on a regular basis. However, many people are able to take them as prescribed and they do ok. There's no question these medications are very helpful in the treatment of anxiety. Unfortunately that's also part of the problem though. So it's very important to keep an eye on your usage.

Good luck to you!

[Cyran0]

I posed these exact same concerns to my therapist and he said the thing to watch for is abusing the medication. In other words, using it more than you're supposed to be. If you take them responsibly and stay within the prescribed parameters you should be fine (according to my T). I still take them as little as I can stand because like sundog, I have a very addictive personality and have wrestled with drug issues in the past.

For now, I think you're fine.

Cyran0

[thea_kronborg]

that's really helpful cyrano, thanks

[wishing.girl]

Thanks everyone for posting here. I just posted a new thread on this (I'm a new member and didn't see this one). My doctor has been giving me a hard time about using it, but it seems like the ONLY thing that is working right now (I've only been dealing with panic for a short period of time). Without it I can't even keep food down, I'm too sick to my stomach. It calms me down enough that I can eat and go to my job.

She has put me on Prozac because she is so against Ativan ("it is a controlled substance, you won't be able to get it forever--doctors will quit prescribing this to you at some point.") Does anyone have experience with Prozac with or instead of Ativan?

[thea_kronborg]

You know, I had a very similar issue with a doctor suggesting it was a bad idea to take it. I posted about it a while ago. He called it "alcohol in a pill", which made me feel like an alcoholic. Other doctors I have had said nothing about it at all. My current pdoc didn't even blink when I asked for it.

I was originally taking ativan while waiting for my prozac to start working. It helped A LOT. then once it did start to work, I found I didn't really need it any more. Right now my antidepressants (this time, Lexapro) are starting to work and I haven't taken any ativan in days.

I hope that helps but if you want more details let me know

thea

[Miss Laura]

Hey Thea Kronborg,

I was prescribed 0.5mg too and only given 7 tablets that was at start of year and I could really do with some now. I am going through a hard time and my anxiety levels are really high. I am really needing something to stop my head worrying and for my body to stop reacting to the worrying.

However I do see the potential for an addiction and that was the reason behind my Psych not given me more. I am seeing Psych on Fri and am gonna ask him for some more. I can't cope with my anxieties around certain personal reasons at the moment. Its ruining my life as I can not live a "normal" life

[listeningone]

I have taken Ativan on and off for several years. My physician knows that with anxiety sometimes medicines are absolutely necessary but he has always suggested that I talk to someone as well and not rely solely on the medicine. Just be honest with your physician. I take it only now when I cannot sleep. My mind sometimes just won't rest. Hang in there.