The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
Overall great medication, keep it at a small dose use only when you really need it. First try fighting your anxiety and then if that doesn't help, use your medicines. This drug has been proven to become addicting, I hope this has helped some out there like me suffering from panic attacks and anxiety.
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I have acute panic disorder. I was on SSRI's for a while but they did not work for me to stop the attacks. My doctor decided to put me on Lorazapem. It did stop my panic attacks very well and I started to feel good for a while, I was taking 0.5mg every day. About a year after I had developed a faster heart rate during my panic attacks and I started seeing my pulse pounding on my neck. I still used it and thought that it was probably a new health condition. After going to several cardiac test, nothing was found wrong with my heart.
I read a message at a discussion board one day.
Ativan may cause rapid heart rate, a pounding pulse on the neck and chest. I stopped taking it and switched to Xanax. All my symptoms went away.
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It works great for anxiety. The 2 major downfalls I've noticed, is 1) I built up a tolerance FAST, so I need a stronger dosage quite often, and 2) it sometimes takes up to 2 hrs to kick in! but its a good pill I can take to get me through stressful classes.
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I have suffered from panic attacks for years and couldn't get by without it...I take it as needed. It works quickly and takes the edge off. I take the 0.5 mg.
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Has been a wonder drug for me. I keep my dosages low and take no more than needed, sometimes at the cost of not taking enough. My only complaint is it takes too long for it take effect, sometimes up to 2 hrs.
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Originally prescribed for anxiety related to flying. It does well with general non flight-related anxiety (thought racing, panicky feelings), but am having a hard time finding right time to take dosage before a flight. Am prescribed 1 mg (doctor said I could take up to 4 times or so without any adverse effects). So far, I am less anxious on plane (I don't cry as much, at least, but am still shaking and jumpy whole flight). Strangest thing is I never remember getting off plane, claiming baggage and rides to hotel. I always remember flight and being scared, but the airports (both) are a blur! Maybe my timing is off. Am flying again in 1 week, so I will try my timing again. Luckily our favorite vacation spot is only an hour away, but whew.
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Ativan has a troublesome history of abuse and ignorance associated with it. People expecting some magical pill to solve all their problems on a daily basis, following the advise of a doctor rather than there own body. I lead a stressful life and sometimes there's no amount of relaxing watching movies etc to get my body to calm down. I always want to get up and run workout etc. If used properly it's a lifesaving medication for me, losing my hair from stress Gilberts syndrome etc finally I am able to enjoy my life again enjoy movies etc. Used properly it's a tool I wish to have at my touch at all times available. Responsibility and moderation to all.
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I have terrible anxiety and panic disorder due to PTSD for many years. Ativan has helped me to have a conversation without tripping over my words. I still do that sometimes, but not every time I opened my mouth to speak.
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I'm on 0.5mg 3 times a day. I feel great. I'm happy, calm, and back to my old self again, without anxiety flare ups.
I love this medicine, and would recommend it to anyone. Personally I think this is the best benzodiazepine, take it with caution though, but if you truly need it like I do, then find a doctor willing to prescribe it. Good luck.
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I have been on Ativan or lorazepam for 7 years now. It has saved my life. My now grown children say it is my nice pill. And yes I wasn't a very nice mom when they were growing up. So it is a fare statement. I need it also as an on the spot antianxiety, for depression and nervous breakdowns.
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Ativan at 0.5mg works for me. No side effects. I just feel calm. My doctor gave me a prescription for 1mg but that causes a drowsiness, which finds me napping and losing part of the day. So I am not going to take that strength. He said I could take the 0.5mg 2 to 3 times a day if necessary. I find twice a day is working well.
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I think this drug is wonderful but, like alcohol, it needs to be taken in moderation or else you'll get addicted to it. I like to use Ativan 0.5mg whenever I have a little episode or I'm really stressed and the drug works really quickly. I also use it to put me to sleep. In short: good drug.
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The nurse didn't lie - no anxiety, less nicotine cravings. I'd stay smoke free, but I'm hyper without the cigarettes. At least I've decided strongly against alcohol and drugs. 1 day at a time, 1 step at a time. I'll quit smoking eventually. Then I'll replace the hyperactivity negativity with positive exercise. I don't want another relapse.
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This drug gave me my life back, seriously. I suffered a minor heart attack a couple of months ago, caused by a blocked artery. After taking a month off I was feeling fine. However, once I went back to work I would experience severe attacks where I had severe shortness of breath and dizziness. I also had similar attacks while driving. I ended up on the ER 3 times in 3 weeks because I thought I was having another attack. Turns out the severity of the panic/anxiety attacks was the root cause. I take one 1mg a day (2nd 1mg ONLY if necessary) and my life is back to normal.
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Ativan is great for anxiety flare-ups; especially when breathing or alternative methods won't cut it. However, certain manufacturers make their pills slightly differently and some seem to be more sedating and then I feel out of it. I wish there wasn't a price war for the least expensive medication so the pharmacy would stick to one brand. Even the generic isn't working to control my anxiety right now. When my pharmacy carries the right brand, it works perfectly for those fear and flee moments that I can't get under control.
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Truly a life saver. I take 1.0mg on an as needed basis. I like it that it doesn't give me a hang over and it is short acting for me- usually lasts 4 hours. Klonopin works the same but is longer lasting and a little stronger.
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I've had no obvious side effects except dry mouth. I had severe panic attacks (12-15 a day) before taking Ativan. I couldn't work and thought I was dying. Since I started it I have had only one full blown panic attack in 5 years.
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I was prescribed Ativan for anxiety due to working in a high stress job (prison). Once during a riot at work I had my first ever panic attack, my heart rate was so high that the on call nurse said if I hadn't taken Ativan I would have ended up in the ER. However I started treatment with Effexor XR and that has ceased all my anxiety, so I have recently been using the Ativan to help me sleep, and it works fine to help me relax.
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My elderly dad was prescribed a low dose of Ativan for anxiety. Within 2 weeks he started having auditory hallucinations and could not sleep because the "walls were talking to him". After he passed every physical test in an emergency visit to the local ER- from a cat scan to blood work and everything in between, the psychiatrist on duty matter of factly told me that Ativan has been known to cause delirium in elderly patients.
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I have heard people complain that Ativan is addictive, but I myself have been taking off and on for years and have had little dificulty in stopping at any time.
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My Dr. prescribed me sub-lingual Ativan 1mg for panic attacks. They work pretty well, though for bad episodes I need 2 or 3 pills. The sub-lingual pills take effect in 10 minutes which is awesome when you feel like you are going to die. I am also on an antidepressant for anxiety.
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I was terrified of flying and my doctor prescribed me Ativan a day before my flight and 1 hour before my flight. It works perfect for me. Since then I don't have any panic/anxiety attack. I enjoy every single trip I have now.
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After waking up from a bad dream, my BP read 185/100. I was nervous the whole day and I remembered that I was prescribed Ativan for this kind of anxiety. As prescribed (1/2 of .5 mg - as needed), I took the pill and after 15 minutes, my BP started going down - felt relaxed and had a good sleep. Wonderful!
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Be careful when using ativan. Do not take doses more than 1 or 2 mg. It is easy to get carried away and addicted to Ativan. I find that it is a very effective treatment for anxiety when the RECOMMENDED DOSES are used though though.
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Dentist prescribed 3 for my last visit. He said to take two (1mg tablets) an hour before coming in. Did so, and I have to say they worked well. Wasn't bothered by the dentist at all this time!
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there was a period of time when i kept going to the emergency room for chest pains and shortness of breath. my heart and everything checked out perfect. i went to the doctor and described these episodes i was having and he prescribed ativan 2mg and i have never experienced the tightness of the chest as often once i discovered i was having panic attacks. it is very helpful and not too sedative, and it might not work for everyone, if possible try small rx or samples first.
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My doctor put me on Lorazepam 0.5mg tablets (the generic Ativan) after having several panic/anxiety attacks at work. She called them "chill pills" and told me to take them when I feel an attack coming on (I work in a HIGHLY stressful environment during tax season), the drug worked wonders. I take one when I feel my chest getting tight and when I have difficulty breathing... aka an anxiety attack... and 10-15 minutes later I feel calm and a little less 'uptight'. Good stuff!
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I have an intense fear of going to the dentist, so they prescribed Ativan to me... It... Didn't do a single thing. I dissolved it under my tongue, as instructed by the pharmacist note. Half an hour later, nothing. Hour later, nothing. Even now, 8.5 hours after taking it... nothing. It didn't work on me. I was quite upset. The only thing it did was make my cheeks feel slightly poofier than usual. And maybe dizzy once while walking down some stairs a few hours ago.
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pilmera said: 
ginapoof said: 
