Ativan User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Want...
• September 16, 2015

For Anxiety "I have been taking Ativan for 20 years. It was prescribed for me when my husband was in hospice care and I was struggling to care for him and our young daughters. I have GAD and it is the only thing that calms my mind and makes me feel normal if I am in high anxiety mode. I have reduced my amount needed to one half of the .5 pill to help sleep and the other half if I wake up too early and cannot get back to sleep. I also use it to fly. I have no hangovers and never feel fuzzy. It is a miracle drug for me."

• MeepM...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2016

For Anxiety "I'm speaking from nearly 10 years suffering from severe generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. On a 1-10 scale, I'd say my anxiety is at a 12 on most days. My first panic attack brought me to the ER where I was introduced to the world of psychiatric meds, specifically, Ativan. What I will say to all of those who consider taking any benzodiazepines for their anxiety or panic attacks is that there is no benzo I would rather choose than Ativan. It provides not only relief from anxiety and panic attacks, but generally quells anxiety prone symptoms such as nausea, irritability etc., most effectively. I have never experienced much of a withdrawal effect, if at all, and the smaller half-life means less accumulation in your system."

• Flykate
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2014

For Anxiety "I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder and take this nightly to sleep. This medication works wonderfully for relieving the physical symptoms of GAD which is what it was intended for. Yes this is addictive and has side effects that can affect memory however I don't think I could live without this medication. Anti-Depressants don't touch my anxiety where as this does."

• nancy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2023

For Anxiety "I have GAD and severe panic attacks. Went to E.R. and was prescribed Ativan 1 mg daily. I have been taking them now for 2 years. I really believe this medication helped save my life. I am now weaning myself off (under medical care) and am taking .5 mg in the morning and 1 mg nightly. My goal is to only need to take them if I am having a panic attack. I would highly recommend this medication to anyone who feels debilitated by anxiety symptoms, like shortness of breath, chest tightness, and feeling like you're dying from anxiety."

• ether...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2015

For Anxiety "I suffer from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I previously took Xanax, but it was too short acting for me. I needed a benzodiazepine that was longer acting, since my anxiety goes on for a long time. I like that Ativan lasts 6-8 hours, in which I need for times of long time anxiousness. However I have realized that smoking cigarettes lessens the effectiveness of benzodiazepines, so I will have to work around that. Anyway, Ativan is great for people like me who have anxiety and panic attacks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2015

For Anxiety "Thank God for Ativan. Even though when the stressful situation came up, instead of having a panic attack I was able to stop it with the calm. I do wish it could erase those trigger moments but I'm so glad I can stop them and manage them better with Ativan. I also really like that I can take it on a work day with no side effects or that fuzzy high feeling. It has not affected my sleep or anything else. It's a lifesaver for me. I'm back!"

• Anxio...
• March 11, 2008

For Anxiety "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."

• Kat
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2018

For Anxiety "Have had depression and anxiety for most of my 65 years. I have been treated for depression and am now on bupropion 300mg/daily. It does not help with my anxiety which includes muscle stiffness and all over pain. After my husband died and left a bottle of Ativan, a script he had been on for years, I started taking 1mg in the morning and at night. I was amazed at the relief I received. I've used Ativan many times in the past but no doctor will give it to me on a long term basis sighting addiction. My husband took it daily for years. Why am I not able to get a long term prescription? Ativan is a lifesaver for me, eliminates the muscle stiffness and pain and gives me energy. Doctors need to understand that patients know what helps their issues and allow them the medication needed in order to have quality of life, which I don't have right now."

• adrie...
• February 7, 2008

For Anxiety "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!"

• final
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 10, 2013

For Anxiety "This is the one thing I can always count on to help me when I am in need . I have dealing with anxiety and depression my whole life I am 23 . It is great for calming you down I don't know what I would do without it"

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2023

For Anxiety "In 2020 my anxiety was really bad. The doctor kept convincing me to take Ativan when I have anxiety attacks, I refused at first because of the danger I’d heard of using Benzos. Once my anxiety got so severe I couldn’t breathe so I went ahead and tried it at 0.5mg Ativan, it took about 30 minutes and then I became completely calm and didn’t feel anxious. A year comes I’m taking 1 mg every night to help with my insomnia, my anxiety gets severe at nighttime and it’s the only pill that has helped me. I also have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), I’m on the spectrum, Borderline personality disorder (BPD), and severe anxiety. No antidepressant has ever worked for me. I tell the doctor how I’m taking 1mg every night to help me and the doctor tells me I’m only supposed to be taking it as needed. So he stops giving it to me and I’m forced to stop taking it and now I’m back to having anxiety attacks."

• 23 Male
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2014

For Anxiety "I have been taking Ativan for a few days while I wait for Lexapro to kick in. It has been a life saver. It has allowed me to eat and sleep, which has been huge in this fight against anxiety. It really helps mellow me out and take the edge off."

• soucis
• February 27, 2017

For Anxiety "I know that many, including myself are not in favour of the pharmaceutical industry yet, when this drug literally saves your life, i.e. prevents suicidal ideation, can you really hate the industry, then? Think about that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2014

For Panic Disorder "I have panic disorder and generalized anxiety. I take 1 to 2 mg sublingually when fighting anxiety or at the onset of a panic attack. I took one at the onset of an attack this morning, and within 5 minutes I could breathe again, my hands returned to normal temperature, and I was able to focus on getting the kids ready for school. I'm glad that 1mg is strong enough to prevent an attack, and that it doesn't dope me up - just calms me down and eases the physical issues."

• Allen
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 11, 2016

For Anxiety "I have had a prescription for Ativan for about 6 years. This was given to me after a diagnosis of GAD that was taking over my life. I have tried many SSRIs, SNRIs, and several off label drugs, but none helped. Most actually seemed to make my condition worse. I would take 0.5 - 1mg of Ativan on occasions when I felt out of control, and it would bring me relief. I have taken 0.5 - 1 mg in a day only as perscribed. Sometimes I have taken it daily for three months at this dosage. I was always terrified about the withdrawals you read so much about if you stop taking this, but I am perhaps one of the lucky ones who, at this dosage, can simply stop with no bad effects. I regularly stop for months at a time."

• RAG
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 16, 2022

For Anxiety "I've taken ativan as a last resort during my time with it, in other words using it as needed and not a set schedule like some of the other people here. It has always been the 0.5mg dose that I have. From the times I have used it, it has worked wonders in helping deal with anxiety or panic. Not only that but I think another important aspect of ativan for many people is it being recognized as a "saftey net". Just knowing it is there as a way out can make one feel more calm when going through a difficult time and ultimately not even taking it and it still works."

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2010

For Anxiety "I developed anxiety very fast and didn't know what it was until one day when my heart was beating out of my chest and I started worrying about my life changes. Went to ER twice in a month thought I was going to have a heart attack. I am 25 and I never knew anxiety can be this bad. I started taking Ativan and it's been 4 months now. I started with 2 a day and now I'm taking one a day. It's a great pill not many side effects, a bit disoriented sometimes but I can sleep better and eat more. I am planning on staying on it until my life gets back on track and once everything settles down I will get off of it. Anxiety is a hard thing to deal with on your own. Only if you have it you understand."

• Garne...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 18, 2019

For Anxiety "With diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, major/clinical depression, adult onset ADD with BPD on the side, ativan has been in my life for a while and I have never had a problem with it and its never negatively effected my life. It's maybe saved my life a few times."

• bashb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2017

For Insomnia "I have been taking 1 1/2 mg every other night for sleep for the past 3 years. I have tried my other drugs for sleep and ativan is the only one that works consistently. Because of its addiction potential I take it only every other night. Also I have not had to increase the dosage in 3 years, which I believe is a result of not taking it every night. It is easier to tolerate my non-Ativan night of insomnia when I know I will be sleeping well the next night."

• RollaB
• August 16, 2015

For Anxiety "Ativan is a miracle drug. Whoever invented it should have received the Nobel Prize. Zero adverse effetcs, completely safe. I am going through chemo and my beloved old companion cat which I had for over 14 years died after many months of poor health. I felt gripping anxiety for weeks, it felt like my chest was going to explode. I was faced with vet bills and wasn't working. Ativan worked in less than an hour, I felt such relief, and only after 1mg. I take it once, sometimes twice, a day and my life is bearable. Please don't suffer. If you experience anxiety ask you Dr for Ativan, even 0.5 mg may work."

• Hypoc...
• March 11, 2019

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with panic disorder at 8 years old, and when I was 13, the panic attacks became severe. My psychiatrist finally prescribed me 15 pills per month of 1 mg of Ativan. I’m now 18, and just went through a really hard time. I relapsed into severe anxiety, had to quit all my schooling. My panic attacks can last for hours, and this is the only thing that provides relief during those sleepless nights. If it weren’t for Ativan, I’d have gone to the hospital 30 times now. It is pretty easy to become dependent. I’m tapering off, went from 0.5 mg per day to 0.25 mg, to skipping days. The withdrawal symptoms are not terrible, but they’re definitely uncomfortable. I suffered vertigo, insomnia, and increased anxiety. Advice to anyone taking this medication: Never cut cold turkey. Although rare, it can cause seizures if you stop the medication suddenly. Also, it’s very easy to become dependent on it. Please be careful."

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

For Anxiety "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. "

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

For Anxiety "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."

• 1975LRT
• February 21, 2014

For Anxiety "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!"

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I was put on Ativan after I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolism. I was given Ativan while in the ER and during my hospital stay. After I was released, I was given a prescription of Ativan (with no refills). It helped me tremendously. I didn't take it daily, only when I felt a panic attack coming on, or felt my anxiety creeping up also. My primary physician prescribed me another prescription after I was out of the one from the hospital. That one had no refills also. She prescribed it to me because I was a mess from PE and was suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and she diagnosed me with PTSD. I was moving also (out of state) and she said that the new doctors I would be seeing wouldn't prescribe me this again, so that is why she prescribed one more 30-count for me. I only took it when I knew I needed to take it. I never abused the drug, and it helped me so much it was a life-changer. I never had any issues with Ativan, no side effects, I love it!"