Ativan for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 3)

• Johnny...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2013

"After recovery from prostate cancer 8 mos. ago, I began experiencing panic attacks & General Anxiety Disorder. I have tried 3 different therapists (psychobabblers), and 4 diff SSRI's, all to no avail. The only effective treatment that resolved my difficulties was Ativan. My prescription is 1 mg up to 3 times a day as needed. 1 mg per day works 90% of time. It's rare that I need 2, and never 3. Without it I'd be looking for the highest bridge. "

• 1975LRT
• February 21, 2014

"Ativan has made a tremendous difference in my life as my anxiety was out of control and panic attacks were frequent. I don't find that it makes me tired and I like how the effects are quickly felt. I used to take 1 mg but now only take 0.5mg once a day; twice if I need it. I can skip days the odd time if I am at home and things are peaceful. I was put on Valium and couldn't handle that at all - Ativan was a lifesaver for me!"

• Rigas
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2022

"This medication has saved my life. I always suffered with panic attacks, agoraphobia and anxiety. I wasn't taking anything for my condition and was simply surviving, not living. 3 months ago I tried a melatonin supplement which contained passiflora incarnata and had a really bad reaction. I couldn't sleep for 7 days straight and it triggered severe anxiety. On day 7 I stopped taking the supplement but it left me with EXTREME anxiety which wouldn't go away. Doctors gave me seroquel, risperidone, zoloft, nothing worked. I am going to try lexapro. I went through 3 months of hell. One of the doctors prescribed me Ativan and I am so happy he did. It's the only thing that worked, I was contemplating suicide because I felt horrible dread feelings 24/7. Words can't explain how bad I felt I was in hell. Ativan is the only thing that truly helped me and stopped the anxiety at its tracks. I couldn't sleep before it, I would wake up every 20 minutes and have horrible anxiety dreams. Ativan saves."

• Medical...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2012

"I had a great experience with Ativan. It does a great job of heading off a panic attack when you feel one coming on. It works very quickly (5 minutes or less). It doesn't make you feel drunk or high, but more just kind of relaxed and mellow (a bit sleepy). I took a very low dose, as needed, and it's just nice to have something in case I need it, that wasn't real addictive or habit forming. Like having a spare tire. You don't have to use it very often, but it's comforting knowing you have one, and it will get you through. I didn't notice any side effects at all to be honest, except for feeling sleepy when I took it sometimes, but that's not always a bad thing."

• Hotmom
• July 10, 2018

"I’ve been taking .05 Ativan for 15 years . It’s a miracle drug for me . It keeps my mind more stable and calm . Keeps my anxiety under control as well . I sleep like a baby with this drug. I wake up refreshed every morning . I usually take one 0.5 after dinner every night . There are days I do fine without it, but I love knowing it’s in hands reach at all times . I highly recommend Ativan . Keep it a small dose and you will be fine ."

• Vicky...
• June 3, 2016

"Works great! Been suffering with anxiety for a while now was very hesitant on taking any kind of medication was given this medication in the hospital and within 20 minutes I felt relaxed and calm wish I wasn't so hesitant and took it sooner. Great for when anxiety attack comes on"

• MahryT
• November 2, 2016

"I am on lexapro since I was 16, so for the past basically five years I've struggled with anxiety. My doctor decided about three weeks ago to give me ativan as a "break the glass kind of emergency" immediate anxiety relief. I've only used it twice since then and I don't know how to describe this medicine other than quiet. It makes everything so quiet. and for someone with anxiety, its a miracle. I've learned what the on-set of an attack looks like, and by taking this medicine within thirty minutes I am calm, collected and have completely avoided what might have been a mental breakdown. Honestly, this drug is such a life saver. It does make you a little sleepy but nothing at all unbearable. I can take it any time of the day. its amazing."

• Skeeter
• October 19, 2014

"I was given a prescription for this 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. It is the one thing I can count on to help slow spiraling thinking. I have never taken it regularly until recently because of some major life stressors. I would normally take 0.5 mg in the morning once in awhile, but now I have been advised by my Dr. To take up to 0.5 mg three times a day as needed while I adjust to Zoloft. I have not needed it more than twice in a day. It sure helps, and so far I have never had any problems stopping taking it."

• Noon
• October 14, 2016

"About a week ago I experienced a somewhat traumatic event that kept me awake at night. I felt as soon as the sun went down my anxiety started to gradually rise until I had pain in my chest and was hypventilating. Nothing could calm me down or get me to sleep. I finally went to see my doctor and he gave me 10 days of Ativan. Last night was the first time I took one, or any benzo for that matter, and it was like a miracle worker. Within 10 minutes of taking one 0.5g sublingual tab it's like all the anxiety in me went out the window. I felt I still needed to control my thoughts to steer away from provoking an attack but it sincerely helped calm me down to a point where I felt safe and was able to sleep. Definitely recommend."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2009

"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."

• Jasej...
• April 25, 2013

"Ativan will definitely help calm you down, but stick to the script! If you quit cold turkey you will have withdrawals for a week. You build a slight tolerance for it and want more. If you give in and take more you will run out before refill time and then come the withdrawals! But it does do its job on anxiety!"

• Kandi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2013

"I have been in the hospital for 5 days now and today I just received some bad news about my health. I started freaking out and had a panic attack with a lot of anxiety. They decided to give me Ativan through my I.V. It completely calmed me down and helped me. Thank Goodness it did!"

• Sa68
• February 25, 2016

"I started taking Ativan in 1997. My first and only time in a psychiatric ward. I was diagnosed with panic attacks. When I first started taking them the first 3 days were an absolute nightmare. I was getting more side effects being on them than without. I told the doctor and he told me to give it a few day and that this side effect would go away. I was literally going to sleep (in and out of sleep?) with a bible in my arms. Finally the 3rd day it did start to take effect and my panic became less frightening. I started in 1997 @ .5 MG 3xday and now in 2015 I take 1mg 3xday. It has never given me a problem except for those fee days when I started the dosage."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2012

"Ativan has changed my life for the better. I can do things now that I used to have to avoid because of my anxiety, such as public speaking and being in high places. I even went on a roller coaster last month for the first time in 20 years. I have extreme hypertension (taking Lisinopril for that), and sometimes blood pressure spikes will trigger an anxiety attack. I take a 0.5 Ativan when that happens, and in about 20 minutes I'm fine. I'm so grateful to now have this medicine."

• It wo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 23, 2022

"I am frustrated with doctors and the opioid crisis because Ativan works and doctors no longer prescribe it due to junkies and miss use. I have PTSD I’ve been prescribed everything but my tried and true Ativan lately because of junkies . The manufacture of Ativan should sue the Canadian government that thinks they know what is best for our individual needs . Bullying Canadian doctors and putting the fear of ‘ misuse and addiction’ into not prescribing it when required has had a detrimental effect on my health ."

• Paul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2023

"I am 67 years old. I was prescribed Ativan in the early 1980s. I got addicted and after 5 months was taking 12 a day instead of the prescribed 6. I threw them down the toilet then ended up at my gp with acute withdrawal symptoms. He did a six-week withdrawal plan. I lost the memory of that 6 months. I also lost a lot of my memory up to that point. As a person who has suffered memory loss and lack of emotion for the last 40 years and my life wrecked I implore people not to take this drug."

• Nervis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2019

"Do not hype yourself up about addiction, but do know certain people will be at risk more than others, high stress jobs (where people's lives are on the line), addictive personality, or using these to "solve" problems, should find other ways to cope. The .05 pills are gentle, they take the edge off. Things like alcohol, and opiates seem like they are WAY more addictive. I had to deal with my mom who had a high stress job and was HORRIBLY addicted to Xanax, almost died taking them. I refused to take benzos my whole life for that reason until I just recently needed them due to a miscarriage. Will only use them as needed (during PMS) I had absolutely NO withdrawals or odd sensations the next day after taking. Have seen what benzos do to some people. I am hoping that not to be me, nor do I get the withdrawals people say they get the next day. Everyone reacts to drugs differently. I cannot tolerate MJ, most other people can."

• Kelly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2016

"Ativan has been SO SO helpful for anxiety and panic attacks. It can be addicting so I try and only take it when I really need to; not more than a couple times a week. But it definitely has helped me and I would recommend it to those with bad anxiety."

• Jake
• March 7, 2016

"I take 0.5-1mg for times of unmanageable anxiety or panic attacks. This happens a few times a year. Very effective medication with no side effects for me. I've been taking it since I was 26, I'm now 30."

• kstew
• August 16, 2016

"I was super against taking medication. I've started dealing with anxiety (some depression) for awhile now. I got prescribed Ativan months ago, and never took it. I thought I could handle myself again but then my relationship started to fail because of my over thinking. I went back to the doctor, and decided to try it. She prescribed me .50 3 times a day. I took a full one at night after a bad panic attack, and within 30 minutes I was calm and slept through the entire night. I have only been taking a half morning and mid afternoon and full at night because it does make you feel tired. My brain is in a slight fog, but nothing crazy, I still know whats going on though :) Give it a try if you are suffering. You will know after 1."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2009

"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."

• Marks...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2016

"I have PTSD with panic attacks. When these come on it's terrifying to say the least! I take half a tablet and about 30 mins later I am calm. It has truly been a life saver for me. Like a lot of people here I went to the ER 3 times thinking I was dying all tests revealed nothing wrong with me."

• Johnboy
• October 9, 2015

"I love them. .5 mg when I'm shaking (getting over a fear of heights) that I got due to a sickness. Tried all others none worked & they had bad side affects. Take it at work and drive fine, work fine. Makes me not care about heights, bills, stresses in life, just a very good pill. Just watch out have been caught twice looking at a wall for hours smiling not knowing it was that long just content and happy..."

• Ativan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2022

"This is an absolute lifesaver for anxiety sufferers, I take 2mg throughout the day, half in the morning, half in the afternoon and a full one at night. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Ativan, it’s just enough to take the edge off, I still suffer with anxiety but no where near as bad as I would if I wasn’t on this. I know people say don’t take it for a long time because of how addicting it is, but to me there is no difference me taking this than an antidepressant, they're also highly addicting and once you start on them you struggle to come off them. I hate how Ativan gets given a bad name just because there’s people out there that abuse it... use it the right way and you’ll get the results that you need! Much rather be addicted to this than to be stuck on an antidepressant that I can’t come off. I also can’t take antidepressants as I have had several bad reactions to them."

• DFnB
• December 6, 2013

"Klonopin made me irritable & short with people especially as they began wearing off. Xanax are ok but made my food taste better so I gained some. So Ativan several days now and its just perfect. Little sleepy but I'll work through that."