Lorazepam and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2021

For Anxiety "Due to PTSD, I often have vivid nightmares, insomnia, and struggle with anxiety. Ativan has helped me immensely. I take 1 mg at night, if needed. My doctor prescribes me 20 at a time, and I usually refill every 4-5 months. A little pill under the tongue, and some soothing binaural beats, makes for a very restful night, without fear. I've never experienced any morning grogginess or other side effect."

• Kay...
• January 6, 2021

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "I have severe panic disorder, agoraphobia, IBS-D, and damage to my nervous system due to trauma. I have been given Ativan for numerous procedures, which I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew for the 24 hours after I felt normal. Not groggy, not post-operative blues, nothing just... normal. After over a year of trying a million different things to manage my conditions, I asked my doctor in his office what he puts in my IV because that is magic. He gave me the rundown on how Ativan can be addicting and how my procedures I get 2 mg and he was going to start me on .5 as needed. In the last month, I've taken a half of a .5 mg tablet as needed, and let me tell you, life has been much more bearable. Unfortunately, Ativan is supposed to be a short-term solution and my problems are very much chronic. I haven't ever experienced more than a slight groggy feeling once. Anyway, if you feel as hopeless as I did, this doesn't hurt to try. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me."

• Chr...
• May 10, 2020

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "I have had panic disorder, agoraphobia, and severe anxiety for 10 years, so I need something like Ativan that sedates me and calms me down when I get hysterical. After numerous trips to the ER and every time I went there they gave me this. Finally, I talked to my psychiatrist and got the prescription so I don't have to go to a hospital for my severe panic attacks. Medications I used to take made me feel like I was going crazy lol. Unlike other medications I have tried in the past, there are really not any side effects besides it makes you a little drowsy. This is a true lifesaver for a person who could not otherwise function. This helps with how debilitating panic attacks and severe anxiety can be. I would highly recommend this, and I have tried countless other remedies but this one tops all."

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

Lorazepam "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."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 16, 2020

For Anxiety "I woke up one day in March 2018. It was a normal day, nothing had happened in my life, so I have no idea why it happened. I’ve never had a panic attack or anything like that. Just felt anxious every day, and I couldn’t sleep. I tried Lexapro, Zoloft, none of them worked. My doctor prescribed me 0.5 mg Lorazepam twice a day, that worked great for a while, but then I started taking them both at the same time, between 9:30 AM and 10 AM, and it has done wonders. Doesn’t cause any drowsiness, I get through my workday just fine, and I immediately started sleeping much better."

• Ele...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 16, 2019

For Anxiety "Lorazepam has saved my life on numerous occasions. When I’m doing all the things I should be to look after myself, yet I still become completely overwhelmed, past the point of no return-to the point where my brain is mostly all nasty and mostly thinks about suicide-then even half a tablet makes the world of difference. The anxiety literally melts away, and I’m able to start again and begin the looking-after-myself process again. I also like that I can take it when I need, and I don’t have to take regular SSRI medications, which all made things worse for me and whose side effects were unbearable. At low dosages, I have no side effects with lorazepam, at higher dosages, I lose balance or trip over things easier and can be forgetful and very sleepy."

• bec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2019

For Insomnia "I have been using this med for sleep, now, for about 30 years, believe it or not. Started on it with anxiety attacks and continued on it for lack of sleep. I take 1 mg. every night and that is it. There are a few nights when it doesn't work, but for the most part, I am sound asleep within 1 hour. I should take it earlier, but I take it about 10:30 or so, read, turn off the light and am soon asleep. I am somewhat sleepy still during the day, but that's better than being exhausted for days on end for lack of sleep."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "The doctor gave me Ativan for treating bad anxiety/panic attacks. I just take 1/2 of a 1mg pill when I’m experiencing a panic attack. The doctor was very reluctant to prescribe it as it is a benzo, but in my opinion, it is 100% better than the long-term stuff which just completely messed up my moods and made me depressed, which I never was before. I keep the Ativan with me, and if I start to feel a bad attack coming on, I have 1/2 a pill and am completely fine again within 15 mins. It’s been a lifesaver for me as my panic attacks would sometimes last days, and I’d be throwing up, the whole deal. Ativan has really helped. I’ve only had to use it twice in six months, but just knowing it’s there if I need it is great. The only side effect I get is drowsiness, but usually I take it at night anyway, so it’s good. I also get a lot of relief from cognitive behavioral therapy like tapping and meditating."

• Ink...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I’ve been taking Ativan on and off for the past 9 years. Started on 0.5 mg, moved up to 1 mg per day as needed. I’ve heard and read about addiction horror stories, but I’ve personally never had to up my dose (except going from 0.5 to 1 mg) and haven’t had the urge to take more than prescribed. I suffer from major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Ativan helps my anxiety immensely. Especially useful for full-blown panic attacks - within half an hour I feel normal again. At first it made me sleepy, but as my body got used to it, that side effect went away. There was a time when I was having debilitating anxiety on a daily basis, and my pdoc advised me that I could take up to 4 mg per day. Thankfully, I haven’t had the need to take that much. Overall, Ativan is a great medicine. I could go days without taking it with no adverse effects (i.e. withdrawal). This medicine works well for me. Good luck!!"

• Ale...
• January 24, 2019

For Anxiety "This drug definitely helped with my anxiety and panic attacks. I mostly use it for my plane anxiety now, and it works great. This is not a long-term drug, if you need a long-term med, I suggest Xanax. Very little to no side effects using this drug, except a little drowsiness."

• gem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Helps with calming for panic attacks. Very fast and effective. Only side effect for me was drowsiness."

• Dol...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 30, 2017

For Anxiety "I am a 35-year-old female with bipolar disorder type 1 and generalized anxiety. I've been taking lorazepam off and on for about seven years, only during panic attacks or particularly bad spells when my anxiety can't be managed by the coping techniques I've learned over the years through CBT, mindfulness meditation, etc., and my daily mental health medications (quetiapine, venlafaxine, and topiramate). When I do need to use it, lorazepam is a godsend. It works more quickly than diazepam, which I'd previously tried, which is what you want when you're in the midst of a panic attack or suffering badly with anxiety. It's very effective without being too much, and I haven't had any side effects, just slight sedation."

• Eag...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I have been experiencing periodic anxiety attacks ever since my house caught on fire, five years ago. Doc initially prescribed two Ativan a day, one in the morning and one at night. It worked great, but I didn't like the drowsy side effect in the morning. But, I will tell you, it is a lifesaver to quell off an attack that's in full gear or one that you feel coming on. As I write this, I just woke up in the middle of an attack and took 1 mg and am starting to come down after an hour. I only take them as needed now, so I don't build up a tolerance to the medication. I hope this was helpful to a few of you that suffer out there too."

• Dar...
• November 9, 2016

For Anxiety "So I've been dealing with anxiety for a while, but never took anything for it until now. I've noticed that it has made me very tired, very drowsy, and dizzy. I like that I am not having anxiety attacks, but the side effects do concern me."

• Raa...
• December 15, 2014

For Anxiety "I suffer from social anxiety - it's situational. I can go out to the grocery stores and other things, but it usually happens in class. I tried 1 mg today, and it worked great. It felt so good to feel calm around people and give good eye contact without my heart racing. It makes me sleepy hours later, but I'm fine with that."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2014

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Given that I've had issues with addiction, my previous psychiatrist would not prescribe me any benzos and instead prescribed me Vistaril, which I found pretty useless. For someone with acute panic and anxiety issues, benzos really should be the first and last word on the topic. Ativan is great. Because of my addiction history, I am very careful with it and never take it more than prescribed. It is enough to make me feel 'evened out' during the day without making me loopy, euphoric, or sleepy. And at night, it puts me out without giving me a 'hangover' the following day like Valium does."

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2014

For Insomnia "The loss of my best friend has changed my world. I have the worst time getting to sleep because I can't deal with not being able to talk to her anymore. I pray a lot and say thank you, Lord, over and over like my mantra, and sometimes that works. Now Lorazepam has become my close friend as it puts me to sleep and stops the racing thoughts that are relentless! I take between 2-3 mg one hour before bedtime because I also take it for anxiety in the day at times. Once in the ER, I was given 4 mg intravenously, and it knocked me out. I had worked a 19-hour shift, and my heart was racing. I love my Lorazepam."

• Opt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2013

Lorazepam for Nausea/Vomiting "Ativan is the only drug that can stop my vomiting when I'm in the middle of a bad cycle (I have cyclical vomiting syndrome which is triggered by neurally mediated hypotension). I've never had any nasty side effects. I just get pleasantly loopy and very sleepy, which is usually a blessing after staying up all night. I don't have a prescription for it, so I end up in the ER a few times a year, which is when they give it to me. (By the time it's that bad, I need IV fluids anyway, so...)"

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2013

For Anxiety "Relaxes me, helps me sleep without any side effects! That's very rare for me, usually, medicine like that makes me irritable and groggy the next day."

• b s...
• April 29, 2013

For Anxiety "Can be sedating, but gets the job done."

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

Lorazepam for Anxiety "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 1 mg taken as needed gives me relief from occasional anxious or panicky feelings. I've had no other side effects, such as drowsiness, etc., even when taken in the daytime."

• Med...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2012

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I had a great experience with Ativan. It does a great job of heading off a panic attack when you feel one coming on. It works very quickly (5 minutes or less). It doesn't make you feel drunk or high, but more just kind of relaxed and mellow (a bit sleepy). I took a very low dose, as needed, and it's just nice to have something in case I need it, that wasn't real addictive or habit-forming. Like having a spare tire. You don't have to use it very often, but it's comforting knowing you have one, and it will get you through. I didn't notice any side effects at all, to be honest, except for feeling sleepy when I took it sometimes, but that's not always a bad thing."

• bha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2012

Lorazepam for Panic Disorder "Excellent experience with Ativan. Have used it for flight anxiety and flew with a smile on my face. Also used it for general panic disorder. Right when I feel a panic attack coming on I take 0.5 mg - very small amount. It kills the panic attack in 15-20 minutes and I feel incredibly relaxed for hours. Only side effect was slight drowsiness but it was not bad at all - even useful if I was trying to go to bed. Highly recommend."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2012

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I've suffered from anxiety disorder for years and have tried several different medications, like Xanax and Klonopin, but they made me too drowsy. Ativan works well and has very little sedating effect."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2012

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I've suffered from anxiety disorder for years and have tried several different medications, like Xanax and Klonopin, but they made me too drowsy. Ativan works well and has very little sedating effect."