lorazepam (ativan)

Can anyone here share personal positive and/or negative experiences while taking lorazepam (generic for ativan, I believe).
I would like to have as much info as possible before I start taking it.
Thanks!

click this

http://psychcentral.com/meds/ativan.html

Thanks Pegasus! That was quite informative!

Now I wonder what dosage people normally take.

It's really addictive - I got hooked on it and had to be weaned off of it, so be careful. I think the max dosage is 10 mg a day.

I'm now taking clonazapam and like it a lot better because it's longer acting.

--splitimage

I too got hooked on it...but, then again, I think I get addicted to everything...

hmmm if u r easily hooked on something, from what i see i wouldnt take it.... but hope u find something u work with.
take care
self

I could be mistaken, but it looks like the pc drug review link given above states <u>exactly</u> same information for ativan, xanax and valium.
no attempt is given to differentiate between these three, so my point is, don't assume all three are the same.
they do indeed have little chemical differences that make them work a little better or worse for people.
i've used all three and they are as different as night and day for me (all good!)

I have taken it off and on, mostly on, for 6 or 7 years. The bothersome thing is reading that it should only be for short term use. My dose was 1 mg twice a day at first, then reduced to .5 mg. twice a day, and then I started cutting that in half. I'm at least psychologically dependant on it.

Ativan and Xanax are not the best choice. Klonopin (clonazepam) is better because you don't get the interdosal anxiety that you can get with the other two. Klonopin has a much longer half-life. What that means is that one dose stays in your body longer, it builds up more slowly and exits the system more slowly preventing the abrupt "edges."

All are very addictive and can cause serious problems with getting off of them. They need to be titrated very slowly by a pdoc who knows benzos, or an addiction specialist who knows benzos.

Talk to your doc about Neurontin, will ya? See what he/she says... It's worked wonders for many for anxiety without the addictive potential or unwanted side effects.

Good luck and please keep us posted on how you're doing!
Take care,
Okie

I've been taking Ativan for about 4-5 years. My dose has varied. The greatest dose I was on was 4mg up to 7mg daily as I needed it. Currently I take 2mg just at bedtime and haven't had a need for the medication during the day. I have found Ativan to be very helpful for me.

Just want to thank you all for sharing; it's much appreciated!