Ativan User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Mac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 10, 2025

"After retiring from the military, I received help I had been dealing with for years. If you are too honest with any mental health problems on active duty, you can lose promotion opportunities or be discharged, so I waited. This drug is a lifesaver for my debilitating anxiety and insomnia. I have taken it for 3 years, and yes, you build up a tolerance, but it’s better than nothing. There were times I didn’t take it for weeks to see if the withdrawal was that bad. Honestly, it was about the same anxiety as I had to begin with. A couple of days you don’t sleep, but it wasn’t as bad for me. I take 3 mg a day, and it keeps me functioning normally. Without it, I’d be a mess. If I have to take it for life, so be it. It is addictive, but the alternative life isn’t worth living, so I’m glad for this therapy. It doesn’t make you loopy or comatose. The first few weeks will be drowsy, but if you are high anxiety, you will feel normal."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2009

For Anxiety "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."

• MHE...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2023

"I suffer from hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO), which is a rare disabling genetic disorder, part of it is autism and extreme anxiety. The fear is so great that you feel like you are dying. After years of trying SSRIs, SRIs, SIRs, and all those psychological drugs that never worked but gave me horrendous side effects, Ativan answered my prayers. For my first dose, I was required to take half of 1 mg in the doctor's presence. I braced myself for that anxiety-inducing feeling of trying a new medication. Five minutes passed, and nothing happened. Then, instantly, I felt like someone had released me from hell. Ativan was like a release of anxiety in every cell of my body. I didn't feel sleepy, nauseous, sweaty, or unbalanced, and my heart wasn't racing. I looked at my doctor and genuinely smiled. He smiled back, and I said, 'I think this is the miracle I've been looking for.' I am not addicted to it. I did increase my dose to 1 mg when necessary, but some days I don't take any. I always start with half a milligram. I can confidently say that Ativan has given me my life back."

• Jak...
• March 7, 2016

For Anxiety "I take 0.5-1 mg 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."

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

For Anxiety "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 lifesaver 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."

• kst...
• August 16, 2016

For Anxiety "I was super against taking medication. I've started dealing with anxiety (some depression) for a while 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 overthinking. I went back to the doctor and decided to try it. She prescribed me 0.50 three 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 in the morning and mid-afternoon and a full at night because it does make you feel tired. My brain is in a slight fog, but nothing crazy, I still know what's going on, though :) Give it a try if you are suffering. You will know after one."

• Adc...
• December 17, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I use Ativan when I experience a panic attack at the time of going to bed or when I wake up with one. I only use a quarter of a 2.5 mg. and it seems to calm me down enough to sleep. I only use it occasionally namely once in about a two-week period when something happens in my life which stresses me out and causes the panic attack. It also calms me down and brings down my BP since I have an overreactive BP spike whenever I have a panic attack. It's a Godsend for me :) Because of the small dosage, I never have an unwanted side effect...feel refreshed in the morning."

• Ati...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2022

For Anxiety "This is an absolute lifesaver for anxiety sufferers. I take 2 mg 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 nowhere 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 between me taking this and 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 are people out there that abuse it. Use it the right way, and you’ll get the results that you need! I would 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."

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

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

• Aim...
• March 21, 2008

For Anxiety "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 0.5 mg - as needed), I took the pill, and after 15 minutes, my BP started going down - felt relaxed and had a good sleep. Wonderful!"

• DFn...
• December 6, 2013

For Anxiety "Klonopin made me irritable & short with people, especially as they began wearing off. Xanax are okay but made my food taste better, so I gained some. So Ativan several days now, and it's just perfect. A little sleepy but I'll work through that."

• You...
• July 8, 2016

For Anxiety "I take 2 mg of Ativan a day: 1 mg in the morning and 1 mg at night before bed. I have been diagnosed with severe panic attacks and depression. Lorazepam (generic brand for Ativan) does help me. Understand that the effects of any medication are going to vary from 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 hellish. Note: Anybody can be dependent on any medication/drug. Talk to your psychiatrist. Remember, everyone responds to medication differently."

• luc...
• February 27, 2008

For Anxiety "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. 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 a small prescription or samples first."

• Joh...
• October 9, 2015

For Anxiety "I love them. 0.5 mg when I'm shaking (getting over a fear of heights) that I got due to a sickness. Tried all others, none worked, and they had bad side effects. I take it at work and drive fine, work fine. It makes me not care about heights, bills, and stresses in life, just a very good pill. Just watch out, I have been caught twice looking at a wall for hours, smiling, not knowing it was that long, just content and happy..."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2008

For Anxiety "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 or anxiety attacks. I enjoy every single trip I have now."

• Ati...
• November 7, 2023

For Anxiety "I struggle with certain traveling experiences which flare up my anxiety, especially at bedtime. I suffer from hypnic jerks and am not able to fall asleep at all, which leads to anxiety during the day and then again at night. My doctor prescribed me Ativan, and I was very reluctant to take it after hearing all these benzodiazepine horror stories. But my mom has been on it for 25 years, so I thought, 'Don't believe everything you hear.' So I took 2mg last night, and wow, I had such a great sleep. It was amazing."

• blu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2018

For Nausea/Vomiting "Ativan is a wonderful medicine. The people that abuse it are ruining it for everyone. I got food poisoning, followed by 3 rounds of what doctors called 'stomach flu.' They couldn't figure out how to help me. Ativan is the only thing that helped my nausea. The stomach issues I had also caused me anxiety that I never had in my life before. Ativan helped both nausea and anxiety with zero side effects. Took Ativan for 6 weeks, then switched to Klonopin to wean off. Both of those meds are far better than any other SSRI, which seems to have so many side effects."

• RyG...
• May 30, 2009

For Anxiety "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."

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

For Anxiety "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."

• Liz...
• March 15, 2016

For Anxiety "I took my first 1 mg 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
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 13, 2018

For Anxiety "I started taking Ativan when I was 18 years old due to a nervous breakdown. The doctor 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 it 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 about 13 years ago. The doctor 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 is to go off this drug completely and use it only for emergencies."

• ker...
• January 4, 2017

For Anxiety "I've been on/off benzodiazepines for about 20 years. I am now back on Ativan 1 mg 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."

• Ric...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 28, 2014

For Insomnia "My experience with Ativan (lorazepam) has been one I've come to love and set the bar high when it comes to sleep. I developed insomnia as a result of having to take opioid medication for my CRPS/RSD, in addition to the fact that I'm slowly recovering from the death of my best friend, who passed in 2010. I have been on every insomnia medicine there is. My current regimen consists of the normal opiate and muscle relaxants, one to 1.5 grams of Keppra, 555 mg valerian root, 10 mg of melatonin, 25 mg of amitriptyline, and adding up to 4 mg of Ativan, depending on the next day's tasks. It works like a charm every night."

• Lun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2020

"Oh. My. God... relief. I had been suffering restlessness for four months on end, and it was horrible. Risperidone and Haldol made it worse, and Klonopin made me suicidal. Then I started Ativan and upped my gabapentin dose (I had previously been on a higher dose, and I suspected me lowering it 4 months ago is what triggered the restlessness), and it worked. I feel a bit sedated (although taking Ativan with the gabapentin actually relieves the brain fog/smothered feeling I used to get on higher gabapentin) and there are times during the day when I feel my inhibitions are a bit lower, but compared to living a nightmare for four months, this is bliss. I can function and do things again, and I don’t live in constant fear of the horrible restlessness that I could always feel just below the surface. I checked my chest, I don’t feel any restlessness at all. I can sit here and think about the restlessness feeling, and I don’t feel it. For the first time in 4 months, I’m free."

• Ron...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2024

For Panic Disorder "I've suffered some horrific panic attacks. They are extremely unpleasant, my mouth dries up and my whole body starts shaking like crazy, sometimes feeling like I'm falling through the earth. Ativan has gotten me out of all those panic attacks. Another time I was rushed to the hospital for a drug-induced panic attack, it was the worst feeling of my life. Ativan got me out of that as well. It doesn't cause me any side effects, surprising because I usually experience side effects with everything. Thank you!"