Lorazepam and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I am the 1% of people who take Ativan and suffer from extreme anxiety and paranoia. If you experience these symptoms, you are NOT alone, but you should stop taking the medication (with help from a doctor). Once I stopped taking it, I felt so much better and was not paranoid or filled with anxiety."

• Til...
• December 5, 2015

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Highly addictive medicine. Very angry I was put on this. I have worse anxiety and hand, feet, and head tremors. Docs give out benzos too easily. Then they do not want to help you get off them. It is awful. They treat you like a pill seeker instead of slowly weaning you off. More doctors need to use the Ashton Method of withdrawal. Taking someone off benzos too quickly can induce anger, crying spells, depression, and even seizures. Too many doctors do not want to help patients get off these pills, and it is wrong."

• rai...
• May 14, 2015

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Lifesaver for adrenaline rush feelings. The smallest dose cut in half makes me feel calm, slows my racing heart and heart palpitations, and puts me to sleep. I couldn't have survived Lyme disease without it. The only bad things are it will make you tired, and after being on it for 2 weeks straight, you're likely to have rebound anxiety. If you have long-term anxiety, SSRIs are the best choice."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

For Insomnia "It works well... but getting off makes the original insomnia much worse, plus more. I was battling chronic pain and insomnia and prescribed this for 2 weeks, 2 to 3 days in a row max. Day 1, 1 mg gave me 7 hrs of great sleep. Day 2, thought I'd wind down slowly, 1/2 mg, 6-7 hrs, then 1/4 tablet I only got 2 1/2 hrs... even less than the 4 to 5 broken hours I was getting prior. I worked back to 4 to 5 hrs, then a few days later developed dissociation and anxiety. Worked through that, back on pills to combat pain and sleep. Then got hit with depression. It wasn't until it was too late I realized there was a pattern... 3 to 4 days after each time I stopped... that's when side effects are at the worst. Then I was screwed, cycled through various alternatives which made things worse and had to start taking Lorazepam daily as I could only sleep for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hrs a night by that point. Then finally, over a month I started paroxetine and CBT and I slowly weaned myself off. Stay away, especially if prone to anxiety or depression."

• Nut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2023

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I’ve been on this medication for anxiety and anger since 2018, it immediately takes away panic rage and lets me think clearly. However, my psychiatrist took me off cold turkey 9 days ago, and I feel miserable!!! I’m having constant blackouts, anxiety, intense paranoia, rage, no energy at all to even get up and use the bathroom, and insomnia. I’m afraid of feeling like this for years or forever, I don't know how to deal anymore. This is so unreal. I’ve had many crying fits and moments of depression because of this awful feeling. Pros: 10/10 Cons: 0/10"

• Dow...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2021

Lorazepam for Insomnia "I have had severe insomnia for over a decade. I’ve always been a light sleeper, but the past 8-9 years have been horrid. I am 48 years old. Have been prescribed every drug under the sun. After years of horrible sleep, I now have severe anxiety. I have had to go on short-term disability 3 times in 5 years. I usually hinged my insomnia and anxiety on work stress. I was assigned a new project that was very high profile, and I started not sleeping for days on end. I went to the doctor before things got too bad, I did not want to end up on disability again. He prescribed Ativan. I started taking it, 0.5-1 mg a night. Soon I was taking it every night, then after about 6 months, it stopped working. I ended up in the hospital for a week and quit my job. Ativan works, but you better hope it always does. Now on Seroquel and cannot sleep at all without it. Terrified for my family's future as I am so unstable. I have a wife and 3 kids."

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2016

For Anxiety "If you're using this drug for anxiety, make sure you read up on it before you use it for more than an occasional anxiety fix. Even at the minimal dosage, using this stuff daily for even a week will cause problems. Namely, it CAUSES anxiety. From what I've read, this is a dependence that develops - either (or both) physical or mental. After only a few times, you get accustomed to it 'fixing' your situation. Your body adjusts for the GABA boost, and then 'crashes' - resulting in anxiety. Very bad loop to get in. Warning signs: you're counting the # hours the med will still be working (about 6 total), you're watching the clock for when you might be able to take another pill, you always carry a pill in your pocket, etc. Those are bad signs."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2015

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I took lorazepam for 19 days at .5 mg as needed. I was taking them in the afternoon around 4:30. The doctor only gave me 20 pills for anxiety and sent me home. While taking them, I was feeling even worse, I couldn't sleep, I would wake up shaking and scared, and couldn't eat until I took the pill. I decided to stop taking them because I was getting more anxiety and wired thoughts and was shaking all day. So, I quit cold turkey - I didn't know I was to taper off. On the second day of not taking it, I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, walking around feeling like I'm going crazy, a lot of anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I don't feel joy or happiness. The only thing I could think of is I'm having withdrawals. I stopped taking it on December 9, 2015, it is now December 29, 2015."

• Pau...
• April 20, 2017

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Have been taking this for situational anxiety for many years. It worked to some degree, but I would always feel depressed afterwards, which was awful. Last year, I used it daily, up to 1.5 mg, while I was changing my antidepressant. This was a huge mistake. I soon reached the tolerance and began to get rebound anxiety, which started up every morning. I've been off of it for 10 weeks now and still suffering. This is really hard to come off of. My advice is don't take this more than once a week, and that may be too much. My anxiety is so much worse because of lorazepam."

• OLI...
• May 6, 2010

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I am a 79-year-old woman. I was prescribed 1 mg of Ativan years ago for sleep as I am a naturally anxious person... worrier, etc. Last November, I went through a traumatizing surgery on my back and came up with GAD. I was put on Cymbalta, which made me very sick. I was left with this jittery, crying daily problem, and I finally asked if I could break up a 1 mg Ativan pill and take some of it when I felt these awful jitters coming on. He agreed it was O.K. I resisted it for a week or two after reading some of the posts, but I now think I am old and I need to stop being anxiety-ridden. My family deserves for me to be normal. If taking Ativan accomplishes this, O.K."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2023

Lorazepam for Anxiety "The only word I can use to describe how I feel after taking only 0.25 mg of Ativan is 'weird.' It has ramped up my anxiety, but I still feel a calming sensation on top of it. It's making focusing harder, and I'm a bit uncoordinated. I expected some side effects, but I definitely didn't expect it to make my anxiety worse. It's really unpleasant."

• Cre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2016

For Panic Disorder "Had a full-blown panic attack about 4 months ago and went to the ER. Had no idea what one was until the doctor pumping me full of Ativan explained that I wasn't actually dying. He literally brought me back from panic land. Unfortunately, the anxiety attacks didn't stop there, and I got a script for this without understanding how addicting these are. Now I'm taking 1.5 mg a day with little to no effect. At this point, I'm just avoiding withdrawal symptoms. I also have to avoid alcohol like the plague or risk respiratory failure. But that's the case with any benzo. Take this medication very seldom, and you'll be just fine. Taking it on a schedule (or for more than 2-4 weeks) is what gets you addicted."

• sab...
• January 1, 2010

For Light Anesthesia "My dentist doesn't use sedation, so he prescribed 2 mg lorazepam the night before, 1 in the morning, and 1 an hour before my tooth extractions! It worked wonders. I'm terrified of dentists, by the way. I also was prescribed this same dosing for a closed machine MRI, it was very effective. I also use 1 mg for anxiety (panic attacks). It is a bit less effective - I'd give it a 7 out of 10 for that use."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2020

For Insomnia "I recently went through an experience that triggered my anxiety. I have always had anxiety, social, loud noises, smaller sleeping quarters, etc. My sleep regimen now consists of taking 15 mg of Remeron and 1 mg of lorazepam. I know the lorazepam is very addictive, but I tried to go for 4 days without it, and my anxiety came back pretty high, so I'm back on it. I talked to someone else who has bad anxiety and trouble sleeping, and they take Xanax at night. It's really difficult for me to have to take such a powerful drug at night, but at this time, with all the other stressors in life-the election, COVID-I don't have much of a choice. I hope to find a better way to relax in the upcoming months and slowly taper off of it or switch to a different medication. If you do decide to stop taking this drug and have anxiety, you will need a plan to do so. There are methods. Google Benzo.org.uk for the withdrawal schedule."

• ocd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2014

For Anxiety "I suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. It has worked wonders when I start to suffer. I take 1 mg in the morning, and I feel like my old self again. However, I'm starting to wonder if it is causing some of my depression. Once the medicine wears off, my mood crashes. I get very emotional, anxiety creeps up, agitated, and very depressed. I pop another one, and my mood stabilizes. Another thing, it is very habit-forming, so don't stop taking it abruptly. Consult your doctor first for a plan."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2015

For Anxiety "I suffer from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and OCD. I take 1 mg twice daily and am on 40 mg of Prozac. My disorders are quite severe, and on a bad day I'm housebound. The lorazepam does work well, but I do get bad withdrawal in the morning, which involves being very anxious for about an hour or so till my meds kick in, which I'm going to try some different courses of action to try and counter this. I'm 36 years old and a solo dad, so getting well for my son is a big priority for me! My heart goes out to all the anxiety sufferers out there, and I suppose we can all hope that we can get the right balance of meds that helps us without too many side effects and be as well as possible! So overall review of this drug is 7/10. Good luck!"

• cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2020

For Panic Disorder "I was first prescribed Ativan for debilitating panic attacks. I was very sick with Lyme disease, and my anxiety went through the roof. My doctor gave me only 10 pills and cautioned me against regular use. I should’ve listened. I wound up in the ER a week later, and they prescribed me a month’s worth of Ativan, 0.5 mg 3x daily. At first, I swore this was a miracle drug. I felt so much better. No more panic attacks! However, I’ve now been on them for just 5 weeks and started experiencing interdose withdrawals. After 6 or 7 hours, I start shaking and panicking. It wakes me from my sleep. I’m now tapering down my dose, and I feel horrible. High anxiety, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, and more. I’m so upset, and I really hope I can go back to normal after this. Please use caution when taking this drug! You CAN get addicted after only a few weeks."

• Cra...
• April 23, 2013

For Anxiety "I just took my first lorazepam 2 days ago. I had them in my purse for 2 weeks trying to cope with my severe anxiety attacks. After leaving a 12-year abusive marriage and being diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease, I have been a basket case. So thankful I finally took one. I only take 1/3 of the 0.5 pill, but it prevents the attacks. I still feel some anxiety, so maybe I will try 1/2 a pill. I am just paranoid about pills. So thankful for these...would not be coping without them!"

• Sar...
• February 15, 2019

For Anxiety "Taking 1 mg per day before bed for about 7 years. Helps a lot with falling asleep. No side effects during daytime. Then, about 3 years ago, withdrawal symptoms started. I started getting anxiety during daytime, which was especially bad about lunchtime, which was about 15 hours after the night dose. For the last 6 months, I have been tapering off lorazepam by breaking bits off the 1 mg pill. Now I am at about 0.5 mg per night and feeling better during the day. Sometimes I still get anxiety during the day, but it has become milder. Still staying on the 0.5 mg dose as I need my sleep."

• Iri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2018

For Anxiety "I have been taking Ativan for almost three years now this second time around. The first time around, I took it for two years. I am taking 1 mg three times daily. It only lasts 3-4 hours at most. When I wake up in the morning, I have a severe headache from going 10-12 hours without Ativan, I get severe headaches and deal with confusion. I also get severe rebound anxiety often. I am currently trying to wean off of this medication now and find a more suitable medication. I wish I would have never started taking this medication."

• Tom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 11, 2019

For Cervical Dystonia "I have CD, tried all the different Botoxes. Botox A works best for me and which doctor injects, but lorazepam has always helped with my anxiety and dystonia if I can get it prescribed to me. But zolpidem 10 mg taken in half gives me full relief for 3-4 hours per dose with no Botox injections, full range of motion. The hard part is getting it prescribed or the prescription from the pharmacy. Insurance finally pays for 4 doses, 2 pills a day, really need 5 to 6 doses a day, have been doing this treatment for 1 year off-label and it is working for spasms and some anxiety issues, thanks for your time."

• cre...
• January 12, 2012

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Ativan 0.5 mg calms me down considerably within 30 minutes, but the side effects are so bad that I can't continue to take it. I experienced EXTREME loss of energy, tiredness, laziness, apathy, and an increase in appetite. This might be okay for someone who's at home trying to recover from panic attacks, but not for me. I work 5 days a week, and this past week that I was only taking 1 x 0.5 mg pill a day was the absolute worst week I've ever had at work, living in a fog and totally wiped out of energy. I hardly got ANYTHING done, which is totally out of character for me. Also, when this medicine wears off in a few hours, it makes me very irritable and nervous."

• Pau...
• December 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been taking Cipralex 20 mg in the morning and 15 mg Remeron at night and would take from 0.5 mg to 1 mg of lorazepam in the morning as this is when my anxiety is worst. Since my anxiety was not improving, I decided to get off the Remeron to reduce the serotonin. Remeron was great for helping me sleep, but the withdrawal was awful. I decided to use lorazepam to help me sleep, which worked well for a while. Without the Remeron, my morning anxiety became better, and I started to have better days. This only lasted about a week. Pretty soon, I was having sleeping problems, and the lorazepam didn't help my daily anxiety either, and in fact, at times I felt worse. This is the downfall of lorazepam. You build up a tolerance and have to increase the dose."

• nor...
• November 10, 2009

For Anxiety "I am 28 years old and have been taking Ativan for 7 years now for anxiety and panic attacks. I started at 0.5 mg at bedtime, and over the years have needed constant increases. I am now taking 2 mg three times a day. The pill does its job, but if I am even an hour late taking it (from when I usually do), I start developing severe mood swings, agitation, anxiety, and a total feeling like I am going crazy. I take the pill, and in about an hour, I am feeling normal again. This has caused a lot of stress in my relationship. My wife knows exactly when I need my pill, and even my oldest son started saying, 'I think daddy needs his pill.' I have tried to taper in the past, but the withdrawal side effects were bad. I hope one day to come off this drug."

• xdo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2022

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "I have very severe anxiety and panic attacks 24/7. It never goes away, and I’m too scared to take antidepressants. I also have a phobia of vomiting, fainting, and having a panic attack, haha. I also have 24/7 dizziness. I’ve only ever taken 0.5 mg of Ativan (under tongue) a few times when I was having a panic attack or when I had to go to the dentist. It made me feel almost more anxious when I left my dentist appointment, and I thought I was going to have a panic attack. That was a little over an hour after taking it. The other times I took it, it worked and didn’t peak my panic attack, but made me feel groggy and more anxious when it wore off. For me, any benzo is a hit or miss, and I never know if it’s going to work this time or not."