Ativan for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 4)

• AimeeR
• March 21, 2008

"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!"

• Pumpel
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2019

"I’ve been taking Lorazapam for about 15 years for sleeping. It works wonders. Six weeks ago I went through a very stressful time and my anxiety went through the roof. I hesitated for weeks about taking another 0.5 during the day because my fear of getting hooked on this. Finally gave in the other afternoon and I was my normal self that night and all next day. Then the following day I was back to being anxious. So disappointing because I had hoped something got jarred into place. I'll try cutting the day one in half and see if I can do that for a few days. I do like this drug."

• Youar...
• July 8, 2016

"Hey Everyone, I take 2mg of Ativan a day. 1 mg in the morning and 1 mg at night before bed. I have been diagnosed with Severe Panic Attack and Depression. Lorazepam (Generic brand for Ativan) does help me. Understand that the effects for any medication is going to vary person to person. I don't get sleepy in the morning when I take it, but it does help me get a good night's sleep at night when I'm tired. Also, I do want to say: Recently, my pharmacy didn't give me the exact amount of pills of Ativan, so I have been off of it "cold turkey" because I ran out and the withdrawal symptoms can be a hellish. Note: Anybody can be dependent on any medication/drug. Talk to your Psychiatrist. REMEMBER...everyone responds to medication differently."

• luchele
• February 27, 2008

"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."

• PN78
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

"This would be my 3rd time in 14 years of getting a weeks’ worth prescription of Ativan(0.5mg). I never seem to take them all. Does calm anxiety and with the low dosage. I don’t get drowsy or have any other side effects. I would suggest taking a pill only when necessary. I could see how this could become habit forming. Sometimes you just naturally need to fight through an anxiety episode."

• kerry...
• January 4, 2017

"I've been on/off benzodiazapines for about 20 years. I am now back on ativan 1mg 3 times a day for anxiety/panic attacks and insomnia. I know I need an increase in dose soon, as it no longer relaxes me as much as it used to. I find ativan to be the best benzo. I've tried xanax, (which made me sleepwalk), valium, (which doesn't affect me really). I think I will stick to ativan and after 20 minutes, I feel a lot better. relaxed."

• RyGuy
• May 30, 2009

"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."

• Lizzy...
• March 15, 2016

"I took my first 1mg dose recently and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. I was prescribed Ativan to take only as needed on the cusp of an anxiety attack, as I've been having a few lately. It absolutely took the sting out of the anxiety and left me feeling really chilled out, to the point of that really comfortable tiredness when you're super relaxed. I haven't felt that in a long time. I didn't have any gross side effects (except for the tiredness) and was able to enjoy the rest of my day :)"

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2008

"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."

• zigzag
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2013

"I had a SEVERE panic/depression episode and was contemplating suicide (didn't tell Dr. about that part though) with uncontrollable crying "spells" and was prescribed 2mg Ativan and it was effective within just a few minutes. I calmed down and the racing thoughts, thoughts of suicide, and other feelings went on hold long enough to compose myself. I was on these for a few weeks and it saved my life. I was already on 2mg Xanax ER at the time but it didn't touch the episode I was having at the current time. However, the Xanax ER was very effective for what it was for, I just had an episode triggered by a bad event that override the power of the Xanax at the time."

• Boston...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2016

"This response is for the person whose Doctor won't prescribe Ativan because it's an old drug. I went to a psychiatrist and that's the med he prescribed for me to help me sleep through the night. It had been 3 months since I'd slept more the 6 hours and usually it was 4 hours each night. Ambien got me to sleep but wouldn't keep me asleep. My PCP prescribed trazadone and that was horrific. She then prescribed doxepin and that sedated me but never put me to sleep. After 3 months of this my PCP said for me to go to a psychiatrist to hear my symptoms and prescribe the right med. he got it spot on. By the second night I was sleeping like a baby and able to naps during the if I felt sleepy. I have gotten myself back. I also take Zoloft."

• EJK
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2018

"Yes, it will stop panic attacks, but good luck coming off it. I was having severe anxiety after a bad spell of taking Lexapro, which made my anxiety worse and gave me constant panic attacks, so my doctor had me taking .5 mg three times a day. I was so grateful to have some relief that I didn't question the dose, but the more I read about dependence, the more nervous I became. I started tapering off it after only a month and I thought I was going to die. Hallucinating, insomnia where I didn't sleep for days, couldn't keep down solid food, crippling depression and agoraphobia...it was a nightmare and I was contemplating checking in to a hospital. I eventually transitioned to buspirone and eventually Pristiq. Such a nightmare. I can't recommend Ativan to anyone who may be sensitive to benzos."

• Winding...
• February 6, 2016

"I have chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia along with all the other issues that come with it. Anxiety & stress easily are two of the things. Ativan over Xanax for me big time for some reason Xanax would make my ankles swell? Then I tried Ativan and it worked great I put under my tongue and it melts under there and helps me within 15 minutes. I can go some weeks/months without ever taking it and then If I have a bad issue with the family or a panic attack from a flare it works fabulous. The most I've had to take it was 10 days in a row. I've had a prescription since 2004 and it's 2016 I get 30 1.mg a month. I don't use them all but I do get a refill every couple months just to have some on hand."

• Ann
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 9, 2024

"Been on Ativan for years. I take 2 a day. Works great. I just called the doctor for a refill and was told by a receptionist that he wanted me to stop taking them. I was given a 2-week supply and told that's it! Devastated. I work full time and take care of a disabled husband."

• MM in...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2013

"I used this medication thirty years ago for anxiety, and recently, I had to get another prescription for it. I have always felt near-immediate relief when taking it. I weigh over 200 pounds, and the 1mg taken as needed gives me relief from an occasional anxious or panicky feelings. I've had no other side-effects, such as drowsiness, etc., even when taken in the daytime."

• Miracle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2017

"At the age of 29, I've developed anxiety and it's gotten progressively worse, with me ending up in the ER for what I thought was a panic attack. After evaluating me, the doctor confirmed I'd had a panic attack and had the nurse give me an Ativan. I came to to the ER in tears, unable to control my breathing, feeling suffocated, body tingling, nauseous, face numb, the whole 9 yards. After taking the Ativan, I was feeling completely back to normal within 15 minutes, I could not believe it! They gave me a short prescription for it until I can follow up with my health care provider and it really is such a miracle drug that really calms the anxiety, allows you to think clearly, and feel relaxed."

• Sound...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2014

"Loved it, love it still but no longer allowed prescriptions due to strength & dependency issues. Was taken as needed to treat anxiety and worked relatively quickly, generally would feel better within ten minutes. Took one almost everyday for 8 wks before going on antidepressants and then had to taper off them. Have kept a small amount on me for extremely bad days though."

• ANXio...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 1, 2017

"I forgot how well this stuff works. I've been using Ativan every so often for six years. I hadn't taken it in ages but had a panic attack tonight and I feel really good now after taking it. I know when my anxiety was a lot worse, it didn't bring me down to 0 anxiety but took the edge off. At one point in the past I was taking it pretty much daily but never became dependent on it (I only take the 0.5mg dose). I do feel kind of sleepy, but pleasantly so. In my experience the sublingual (under the tongue) type works a lot better than the normal swallowed pills."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 13, 2018

"Started taking Ativan when I was 18 years old due to a nervous breakdown. Doc prescribed it to me after experiencing a full-blown panic attack that didn't seem to subside. I felt immediate relief after months of experiencing depression and anxiety attacks. Over the years, I became dependent on it (I take 3-5 times a week) I never take it for more than two days in a row because of a bad reaction that I had like 13 years ago. Doc says I'm SUPER sensitive to meds. Because I take it so sparingly, I have not developed tolerance , but I am dependent on this medication for my agoraphobia and panic attacks. This drug allowed me to go outside and socialize, make new friends, and hold down a job. This job allowed me to live! I don't want to become dependent on it, so I started tapering. I take .25 once or twice a week. My goal to go off this drug completely and use it only for emergencies."

• Kimbe...
• September 12, 2014

"I have a severe Anxiety. It comes and goes. Sometimes I can control or sometimes I can't. Up to now it has been really bad. So my doctor perscribed me Ativan. Just took it this morning. So far It's helping but sometime if my Anxiety gets far to worse and I take the Ativan sometimes it takes a while for it to calm or slows down."

• worried...
• October 27, 2018

"1st time sharing a story or review but I just think this is so important to talk about and let others know. My mother is only 60 years old and has been suffering from depression and anxiety and also panic attacks for about 15 years. 3 months ago my dad pass away so my mom had a breakdown and ever since has been crying complaining about pain on her chest....palpitations...suicidal thoughts. The antidepressant she is taking doesn't seem to help her at all. So we took her to the hospital because we don't know how to help her. No medication helps for her, only ativan is the medication that makes all the above go away ..but doctor doesn't want to prescribe it to her."

• Do...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2017

"My husband was 38 years old and committed suicide while taking Ativan. This medication was administered to him from two different psychiatrists. Ativan was prescribed for his anxiety. He took it in combination with Welbutrin for his depression. He was on Ativan for approximately three months. The medication made his heart race because of the lethal combination mixing with Welbutrin for his depression. He became manic, paranoid, and had extreme body tremors, insomnia, and many many trips to Emergency Room from side effects. This company knows it can cause suicide and writes it on the label. Do not take it."

• pitas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2012

"I lost my darling husband 5 weeks ago. My doctor gave me Lorazepam 0.50 mg. I still get upset but I'm much better than I was. The crying and not eating was making me feel so much worse. These pills are a God send."

• Andrew
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2012

"This is by far the best anxiety medication on the market for immediate help it takes about 10 min. To feel the effects and it is wonderful it's immediate relaxation. I had anxiety about 5 years ago and Ativan cured it. Unfortunately I have been under a lot of financial stress lately and it started bothering me again so my doc put me back on them and it has already killed the anxiety again. Definitely a miracle drug be careful they are for short term only. "

• Owlem
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 30, 2016

"Ativan is very good for anxiety. The trick is not to take it too often. I've found that I get used to dosages fast. I've also found that on the day following when I take it, I'm more tired, listless, and depressed. It's something to watch out for."