ativan vs xanax

[DIRTYFRESH]

i take 2mg xanex a day 3 times a day and ive found out that when i take 4-8mg of ativan a day its almost the same the xanex just puts me more out of it like as if im drunk, the ativan just makes me want to lay down and be lazy but with both i get no anxiety anymore. if i were to chose one i would say xanex if your a busy person, if you have not alot to do, then ativan, its less addictive too. BUT Kolopin 2mg are the best for anxiety and busy people i could take up to 10mg of kolopin and still go about my day not looking messed up and not feeling tired just feeling good about myself and happy, I calll them my happy pills.

[Robert_325]

i take 2mg xanex a day 3 times a day and ive found out that when i take 4-8mg of ativan a day its almost the same the xanex just puts me more out of it like as if im drunk, the ativan just makes me want to lay down and be lazy but with both i get no anxiety anymore. if i were to chose one i would say xanex if your a busy person, if you have not alot to do, then ativan, its less addictive too. BUT Kolopin 2mg are the best for anxiety and busy people i could take up to 10mg of kolopin and still go about my day not looking messed up and not feeling tired just feeling good about myself and happy, I calll them my happy pills.

10mg of klonopin a day are HAPPY PILLS??? I disagree! I guess that is something to be proud of that one can take 10mg of klonopin and "not look messed up." God bless.

[rusty_shackelford]

This is an older thread but I'm glad it's still active! I take Xanax only when flying. Today I asked my doctor for a refill for an upcoming trip, and mentioned that I'd need more than usual because it's an overseas trip. She suggested Ativan instead, and said it's longer lasting and would be a better choice for a longer trip. But the dose she prescribed (0.25 mg) is so small that the pharmacy didn't even have it in stock, so I'll be cutting teeny pills in half. Anyway... I do very well on Xanax - I get quite sleepy, but I only take it on the day I travel and there are no addiction or withdrawal issues. Can I expect the same from Ativan?

[Robert_325]

This is an older thread but I'm glad it's still active! I take Xanax only when flying. Today I asked my doctor for a refill for an upcoming trip, and mentioned that I'd need more than usual because it's an overseas trip. She suggested Ativan instead, and said it's longer lasting and would be a better choice for a longer trip. But the dose she prescribed (0.25 mg) is so small that the pharmacy didn't even have it in stock, so I'll be cutting teeny pills in half. Anyway... I do very well on Xanax - I get quite sleepy, but I only take it on the day I travel and there are no addiction or withdrawal issues. Can I expect the same from Ativan?

You shouldn't have any problems with either med using them just for flying in the manner you've described. God bless.

[headtripp]

ime and imo ativan is much more smoother than xanax. they last about the same but xanax just always made me groggy. Valium is what i stuck too and helps the best and lasts much longer.

[mjsds]

I have taken xanax sporadically for several years. Mostly at night as a sleep aid when traveling, and changing time zones. It has worked quite well. I try not to take it more than once or twice a week. I also take it before I go to the dentist or before I have an interview or presentation, which is seldom. It keeps me from getting worked up and tense. I usually take half of a ,05 mg tablet, rarely I take a whole tablet if I am not the least tired and I need to sleep. I wake up relaxed and unconcerned. I have never taken it on a daily basis. Just knowing the possible addictive nature of the medication helps me to use it only under the previosly mentioned circumstances. I have never taken ativan so I can't comment on it.

I have taken BOTH Ativan and I was just prescribed xanax. It's been 4 months now but I do take them wisely. I do NOT take them every day. I have had trouble breathing and also have vocal cord spasms which cut off your air supply. I have had over 40 appts including Neurology, cardiology, endocrinology, asthma/allergy. ect. After many tests, CT scans and MRI I am having asthma attacks with extreme anxiety. After treating the Asthma the panic attacks get so bad I have crawled into the ER 7 times now. I was given Ativan through an IV and was given a prescription to take home. 2 months later and 40 appointment later no one could find a cause for my symptoms other then asthma/vocal cord dysfunction followed by panic ( due to the fact that I could not catch my breath) I crawled my way into Urgent care and the doctor did give me Xanax. I am on a long term Anti Anxiety medication but I'm only in week 2. The medication I'm on takes 3-6 weeks in order to feel any benefit and I'm also going through Therapy and seeing a professional to monitor these drugs. Good luck to you all.

[melaniemeow]

I have been taking Xanax for over twenty years--1 mg 3 times a day. The couple of times I have run out, I had horrible headaches, muscles cramps and spasms. stuttering, and my insides felt like they were being squeezed out. I had to go to the ER and they were afraid I was going to have a seizure. A nurse tried to tell me not to start taking it, and that the withdrawals are worse than even alcohol or heroin. I am MISERABLE if I run out! I agree that Klonepin is much safer, lasts longer, and is much less addictive. Again, this is from personal experience. If I take Klonipin it helps with withdrawals, and so does ativan, but it just isn't the same. Trust me, you will go through HELL if you get addicted and run out. I have to admit to myself that I am a drug addict, even though it is prescribed for my Panic Disorder. Good luck and yes, God bless you--and please try the less addictive branch of the benzo family first!

[davisgwar]

Hope you have found the proper medication for your anxiety. I see you asked this question in 2009, however if you need any assistance or have any questions please let me know. Take care.

[Tree0fKnowledge]

yes xanax is the devils drug. i cant even explain how bad the withdrawals are from xanax, all i can say is that i was withdrawing from both opiates and benzos at the same time and i did not feel the opiates WD's at all .XANAX is hell.

If you mix benzos with narcos you WILL get a very specific hell on earth type withdrawal and FAST. If you just take the benzos for a few weeks and only benzos then you'll be okay.

[softbaked]

Hi, This is my first post here because I found this thread interesting. Anxiety has been a part of my life for over 20 years, at one point even Agoraphobic, so I have seen the whole experience.

I have had a Xanax prescription for over 20 years and it is my silver bullet, nothing works faster or better for putting the breaks on an anxiety attack than Xanax for me but I have NEVER been addicted to Xanax because I do not take it every day sometimes I go days/weeks/months between doses and that is the trick...

You should only take this medicine when you need it and do not rely on it for the only cure, meditation/counseling/diet/exercise/sleep/ etc... is the only way to truly get your Anxiety under control to live a normal life, it's the lifestyle you live that puts you in control of your Anxiety.

Don't get me wrong... Xanax saved my life and gives me the courage/confidence to go out in the world because I know if an attack is going to happen I have the cure in my pocket and it works very fast and I do not even need a strong dose, .25mg usually does the trick nowadays, I get the .5mg prescription and break them in half when needed and if it is a really strong attack I know I can take the whole .5mg or two of them together for a total of 1mg (but that is rare, cannot even remember the last time at that dose)

If you take it every day, then, when you really need it the effect will not be enough, I'm sure by now some of you reading this are probably thinking "we'll he must not have bad anxiety" nothing could be further from the truth, before learning the secrets above I lost my wife/job/house/etc..., I know how much anxiety can destroy your life, but with a Xanax in my pocket I am in control of how/when/where I go.

Another very important part of controlling your anxiety is taking a beta-blocker on a daily basis, when I started taking Nadolol once daily I found that I did not need the Xanax as often and now I hardly even use Xanax, just for emergency's.

*side not: If anxiety attacks are new to you and have been suffering then do yourself a favor and take the Xanax two/three time a day for two weeks just to feel life without anxiety again, you deserve it and it will help your brain, after that just take when needed combined with a daily beta-blocker, do not allow yourself to become addicted to Xanax, it will loose it's magic potency for when you really need it. If the anxiety is still so bad that you truly feel the need to take the Xanax daily then you should look for other help immediately and resist the industry who's answer is making you a drug addict with other drugs, find a good doctor/psychiatrist/therapist who will do more than sell you more drugs, the drugs are the means not the ends and never, ever feel ashamed for your condition, this medical condition is biological/hereditary just like any other disease like autism/epilepsy etc... and if the ones you are with cannot understand this, they need to be counseled/educated and if after that they still do not get it and are not helping/understanding your condition/disease then they should not be a part of your daily life, they will make this worse for you, harsh but true, people are like water we seek our own level, find that balance of people/support and you will live a full, happy, productive life. I learned all this the long/hard way, learn this and you have already won.

Good luck, never give up, live strong and free, find a way to turn all that alone time you will have into doing something productive/unique no matter what it is, the success from that accomplishment will carry you throughout your entire life. Peace

[coysoloman]

I have had anxiety for 29 years full time and had it as a child. I take Ativan 2mg 3 times a day. I do not get a buzz nor does it make me tired. I have anxiety from the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed. I am on disability because of it. I go the right doctors. I talk alot to them. But to no avail I still end up in the ER at least 3 times a year. They have tried me on different meds,buspar,paxil you name it but they all had adverse reactions to me. ( they call me ass backwards lol). Like I cant take a whole vicodine onle a half of one and sometimes that is too much for me. But anyways I have been on Ativan for years. I do self help,walking,yoga,meditation,go to church I pray alot and I mean alot. There are times I cant go out in public I stay away from crowds at all times. I cant hardly shop anymore and I cant drive anymore by myself because I will blackout with anxiety. I know I am addicted to it. But like the Doctors and I have both agreed upon is if it works it works so take it. If I could get off of it God would have answered my prayers. God bless all of you that are new coming into this and I wish you the best of luck.

[kar324]

I want to preface this by saying I am a behavioral health and addictions RN. I have been working in this capacity for 10 years. Benzos are good only as needed in SEVERE anxiety or panic attacks and only when prescribed by a responsible physician. Different people, have varied brain chemistry and each respond differently to different benzos. I have seen both sides of the fence. I have seen people use benzos very responsibly as prescribed, for only AS NEEDED in the event of a full blown, all out emergent panic attack and NEVER become addicted. I have also seen people abuse benzos and the most widely abused is Xanax. If people only use these medications AS PRESCRIBED for pretty much an emergent situation only, they can have and live productive lives. Seek therapy for any free-floating anxiety--talk it out, journal out negative emotions and feelings. The answer isn't always in a pill. And NEVER try to stop benzo's cold-turkey. I have witnessed full blown, grand mal seizures for those who have tried doing this. Seek professional help if you have severe anxiety or are having a problem with benzos. It is like a tight-rope exercise. Proceed with caution and only, again, take any medication as prescribed and only prescribed by a RESPONSIBLE licensed physician. Not really rocket science here. Have a good day : )

[annietjones]

DANGER?! FOR ADDICTION!?
If used more than a few weeks? Who the H told you that gave you a bunch of . I use Xanax during the Winter season for the blues... And am tapered off come Spring.. If you follow the prescription correctly, you should be just fine There is no danger unless you ABUSE IT.

[annietjones]

I started getting panic attacks when I was 30. I needed the meds to control it. The more I learned about panic/anxiety, the more I learned to recognize the onset of an attack. And learned to stop it without meds. I learned to just ignore it.. Sounds unreal, but it is true. I have learned to relax and just take things as face value. I don't worry about life like I used to. Life is way too short to not enjoy it to the fullest.. You can mentally control your attacks.. It will take time ad patients, but in the long run you will become drug free. I do however need it once in a while to help me sleep.. Even then it is half of the lowest dose possible. Good luck

[DrOpiates]

Yes, as everyone has said, they are addictive. But if your like me and basically have a major panic attack whenever more than 4 people are looking at me these meds are the only ones that really work. There is another one called gabapintan that's for long term use but you'd be better off blowing in a paper bag. Xanax is what I take. 8mg a day. Sounds like alot but after you take it awhile the side effects(f'd up, sleepy, woozy) go away and I'm in a state of bliss all day.

[DrOpiates]

And learned to stop it without meds. I learned to just ignore it.. Sounds unreal, but it is true. You can mentally control your attacks.. I do however need it once in a while to help me sleep.. Even then it is half of the lowest dose possible. Good luck

I'm sorry. Then you don't truely have the type of anxiety that's required medication. A panic attack is not something you can control. I understand the part about feeling them coming, but being able to use your Jedi mind to stop them is just not the case. Once a panic attack that has been building in your nervous system, it cannot be stopped IMO. It is a clinical problem. Your nerves have built up to a point where they are literally about to explode. And if you use it for sleep, that's abusing it. If you have a true case of extreme anxiety where benzo's are required, they do not make you sleepy. They just clam your nervous system to point where you can breath again.

[panly557]

So basically I am 14 and terrified to fly. I think I might have a form of post traumatic stress disorder as I've been afraid to fly ever since I was 9 when we had AWFUL turbulence and It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me and I am afraid it will happen again.