[Lemon]

I have been feeling like my anxiety is not under control. I am unable to concentrate as I'd like to and can't relax as much as I'd like. I take Lexapro 20mg which I think has helped with my depression and maybe some with the anxiety. At one time my pdoc suggested ativan, but at the time I didn't want to add anything else.

After talking with my T about it this week I think I'm going to make an apt with my pdoc to talk about adding an antianxiety med like ativan. Does anyone have any experiences or suggestions for questions I should ask my pdoc before I decide what to do?

[sunrise]

Some of the benzos have higher addictive potential than others. So you could ask your pdoc about the addiction potential of ativan. I sometimes take Xanax, and I really like being able to take it as needed, rather than it being a med that I have to take every day and that is in my system constantly. Some situations are just more anxiety-producing than others, so I think "take as needed" benzos can be really helpful. (I'm not sure if Ativan can be used in this way or not.) Good luck

[Rapunzel]

Ativan can be used as a PRN. It's a bit longer-acting than Xanax. Some people also take Ativan before sleep. Generally, although all of the benzos can be addictive, longer-acting will translate to less addictive. And there are alternatives to the benzos for anxiety, like BuSpar. The alternatives tend to work better for people who have not taken benzos, because they are more steady, long-lasting treatment - you won't feel an immediate effect with them. Some people who are used to benzos will find that a bit of a let down and might think it isn't working.

[Lemon]

Thanks all. I'm not that worried about the addiction properties. Maybe I should be more concerned about that, but I trust my T and pdoc to help me make sure that doesn't happen.

I would actually prefer something I could take a low dose of regularly rather than having to make the call whether to take a med or not. I don't want to have to constantly be thinking whether a situation I'm in will cause enough anxiety to justify taking a pill. Probably part of my anxiety that I'd always be second guessing when to take it. I made an apt for Wednesday and I'm very curious how it is going to go and what pdoc will suggest.

My T is going to call pdoc to beforehand. I'm glad T offered to do that, sometimes in an apt its hard to get all the important stuff communicated, I think T will give her some good background/professional opinion.

[Rapunzel]

So, how did it go?

I have taken Xanax & now take Klonopin for anxiety but can only take them at night as they make me sleepy. Very infrequently the anxiety is so intense during the day I will take the Klonopin, but I can't drive & figure the day will be wasted as I will probably go to sleep. But then as I was paralyzed by anxiety I guess it doesn't make much difference.

Have you tried learning mindfulness, breathing techniques & distress tolerance (I'm learning those in dialectical behavioral therapy)? Seem to be helping a lot. Good luck.--Suzy

[splitimage]

I was on Ativan, but wound up being hooked on it and started abusing it. I'm now on Clonazapam which doesn't have the immediate hit of Ativan but is longer lasting so you don't get the same downs. I'm supposed to be taking 1 mg 3 times a day and 2 mg at night.

I always remember the 2 mg at night. But frequently forget the daily dosages so I'd say most days I only take 1 mg during the day and take 2 mg maybe 2 -3 times a week.

I've also found mindfullness meditation to be incredibly helpful in lowering my anxiety levels. Just something else to consider.

---splitimage

[Lemon]

Thanks for asking how my apt went. It went really well, I had a good conversation with my pdoc. Usually I get anxious going there and don't get all my questions answered, but I did better this time and felt like we had an actual conversation.

We talked about different options and decided on this one. We're starting slow and only changing one thing at a time. I'm to take .25 to .5mg of ativan 2x per day. We're going to see how that goes for a couple weeks. My pdoc thinks the need for ativan usally means that another dosage or type of medicine isn't right. I currently take 20mg of Lexapro. So, after going a couple weeks on the Ativan we may increase my Lexapro dosage to 30mg.

I tried out the Ativan at work today. I was worried it would make me to sleepy, but it must be to low a dosage for that. I think I saw an improvement. Things that would have made me upset and unable to concentrate before were not so overwhelming. Of course it was only day one, so we'll have to see. I don't think I'll take it on the weekend unless I have something stressful going on.

Anyone ever try 30mg of Lexapro?

I do lots of breathing techniques, workout 3+ per week, and take yoga so I feel good about my non-med skills. Me and T agreed those just weren't doing enough at the moment, so it was time to try the ativan.

Thanks everyone!

[CedarS]

So glad that you had a great appointment!

I've used ativan in the past as needed, don't recall dose but it was low. It really helps take the edge off of anxiety and stress for me. Gave me a chance to relax and think a little more clearly.

[Bahamadness]

I'm taking Clonizepam for my anxiety and panic disorder. Very low dosage .50mg three times a day or as needed. It works. One evening I was out to an awards banquet. After the room filled to capacity I starting having a panic and anxiety attacks. I went in to the bathroom, pop a C and started to feel better in minutes.

[Lemon]

Thanks for your sucess stories. So far I'm happy with the results of the Ativan. I've been taking .5 2x per day. It hasn't made me sleepy either which was my side-effect worry. I've found that I'm better able to concentrate at work. Yay! hope this continues.