[Nessa213]

This week at the GP appointment she offered me Ativan for my anxiety. My pdoc appointment isn't for another month. But because I've always been the stubborn type, I turned down the Ativan.

Today (and yesterday really) my anxiety was SO bad I was in tears on more than a few occasions. I was on the way to my parent's house today for the Easter weekend and I was fully prepared to go through my mom's meds to see what she had. And actually, I DID end up going through them but decided not to take any. I felt like such a damn loser.

Anyway, long story short, I'm thinking about calling my GP back on Monday to tell her I changed my mind about the anxiety meds. She did specifically mention Ativan and was wondering if anyone had experiences with it. I'm also on birth control pills and am wondering if this makes them less effective? Anyone know?

[Moose72]

I take Ativan. I wouldn't think they'd do anything to birth control but don't quote me.

[unlived]

I've taken it but it never really did much for me. They seem to prescribe it a lot for anxiety though so it must work. Good luck - hope it works for you.

[C.Oliver]

I take Ativan. I have no idea about the birth control pills since I don't take those. I am sure your GP will know about that.

I find that the Ativan works well for anxiety for the short term. I did habituate to them fairly quickly or at least more quickly than I would have liked. The first time I used 1/2 mg and I practically fell asleep. Now I can take 2 mg and barely feel a thing.

So my point is that if I was going to use it for anxiety I wouldn't use it very often or I would use something like Buspar which is a 'non-addictive' daily anti-anxiety med or something similar instead.

Unfortunately I have to use it for sleep because I can't take other sleep meds and I have habituated to it quite a lot and it is very frustrating.

I know a lot of people use meds like Ativan for anxiety quite often but you do really have to be a little careful with them.

C and Oliver (my Service Dog)

[~Christina]

Personally I would Try Genetics "squeeze a lemon in a glass of water " Also focus on your breathing and how the air feels inside entering your lungs.. That actually gives an immediate relief from stress.

Benzios are really easy to get addicted to.

Good luck with whatever your decide .

[jesusplay]

ativan did nothing for me. .5, 1mg, 2mg. nothing

[kim24]

I get the stubborn thing. that's basically genetic in my family.
ativan, klonopin, xanax and be great as a quick acting way to combat anxiety and/or panic attacks. if you find you need to take it, say more than 3 times a week, then you might want to look at something like buspar or work harder to reduce stress.
mindfulness and meditation as lame or hippy as it sometimes sounds, it really helpful for a great number of people in reducing stress. it also works a bit like CBT in noticing your stress and actively reducing it.
another outlet, such as jogging, taking a dog for a walk, painting, whatever floats your boat can also be a great thing to pick up when you're anxiety is getting bad.
My current therapist had a a pretty great suggestion that I naturally do, which is learning another language. that kind of list making and repetition can be very soothing.

as far as birth control pills, I don't think it does affect them, but read the side effect thing, and use a back up method if it does affect them. the whole med-interference makes me glad I got IUD, lol.

*hugs* and I hope things get better soon for you.

Originally Posted by Nessa213

This week at the GP appointment she offered me Ativan for my anxiety. My pdoc appointment isn't for another month. But because I've always been the stubborn type, I turned down the Ativan.

Today (and yesterday really) my anxiety was SO bad I was in tears on more than a few occasions. I was on the way to my parent's house today for the Easter weekend and I was fully prepared to go through my mom's meds to see what she had. And actually, I DID end up going through them but decided not to take any. I felt like such a damn loser.

Anyway, long story short, I'm thinking about calling my GP back on Monday to tell her I changed my mind about the anxiety meds. She did specifically mention Ativan and was wondering if anyone had experiences with it. I'm also on birth control pills and am wondering if this makes them less effective? Anyone know?

I take mine just at night. I hope to be off of them soon. Sleeping has always been one of my top issues though. I don't think it is good to pop them whenever you're feeling anxious. Breathing exercises really help me. They have some on YouTube you could try.

Good luck

[comicgeek007]

It worked well for panic attacks for me while I was hospitalized. I have a fear of being locked up so I was already on edge and then they had this girl who they had to put in seclusion and it freaked me the blankety-blank out. I still have a prescription for it, but haven't touched it because I don't think my normal level of anxiety is enough to warrant it and I don't want to get addicted.

[Nessa213]

Yes, the addiction thing is something I'm kind of worried about, which is why I turned it down in the first place.

I might have to try the "learning another language" suggestion. YEARS ago I bought these Italian tapes (back before CDs were even the "thing"... yup... I'm old) but I never used them. I might have to try to hunt those down.

That lemon juice suggestion is intriguing. I've heard about it around here before. I'm curious how I could make it work if I'm at work. This is going to sound silly, but does it lose any effectiveness if you squeeze the juice out before hand? Since this is where I encounter about 80% of my stress/anxiety it'd be handy to have a way to do this at work.

I DO work behind a desk with probably the LEAST stressful job in the whole department... actually... probably the whole company... but I can STILL find a way to lose it on just about a daily basis.

[Cocosurviving]

I take Ativan...started off taking 1/2 and now I need 1-2MG. I was told this was common. Ativan did work for me. Anxiety has become a regular part of my life. I'm interested in something not addicting. I don't want to take a chance.

[Confusedinomicon]

It should be fine. Just put ice in the water to keep it cool.

That's what I do at work.