Lorazepam and Insomnia: What Users Say

• ins...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

Lorazepam for Insomnia "Ativan ruined my life. My psychiatrist prescribed me 2mg to take every night while trying out an antidepressant. After about 7 weeks, I was addicted to Ativan, and when I tried to stop taking it, I had seizures and panic attacks. I had to keep taking it to stabilize. Then I had to switch to Valium and slowly taper off the benzodiazepines to avoid another seizure. It took me a year and a half to taper off, and I now have chronic fear, anxiety, tinnitus, and insomnia. I wish I never touched this drug."

• Tha...
• September 9, 2015

Lorazepam for Anxiety "This medicine has saved my life on several occasions. I developed physical anxiety issues (severe tingling, losing balance, trouble driving, insomnia, etc) a year after my 3rd child was born. My physician tried several SSRI and tricyclic antidepressants. They all made my symptoms worse. Ativan/Lorazepam helped immediately for all symptoms. In my opinion, it is a miracle and I hate how it is demonized in the media and medical community. When you suffer a month without sleeping hardly at all and can barely function in a normal setting due to crippling physical anxiety symptoms, and something provides relief, you take it. Yes, when you are ready to stop the medicine you have to reduce very slowly over a long period of time. Godsend!"

• the...
• July 1, 2016

For Insomnia "Ativan/Lorazepam provides a very sound, sustained sleep with few, if any, dreams. I have never had problems getting to sleep, but staying asleep was a real issue. Waking up at 4 AM with an active mind and watching the sun rise, knowing that I would crash at midday, was a pain. Ativan (.5 mg or 1 mg splurge) helps me sleep until the alarm, and I never feel weird or dopey in the AM. HOWEVER, be aware that your body and mind get conditioned, so don't take it nightly (or sleep won't come without it). The pros are the effectiveness and the lack of side effects. The cons are dependency/poor sleep without it. I use it maybe three times per week, and it's fine, alternating a night or two. Never taken it in the day, likely never will."

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2010

Lorazepam 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."

• Hyp...
• March 11, 2019

Lorazepam 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."

• Ben...
• July 6, 2016

For Insomnia "DO NOT take benzos for insomnia - they work great, until you reach tolerance, and then you go into full withdrawal unless you up the dose considerably. By then you probably will have already found the dirty underside of this terrible drug, which is agoraphobia, brutal insomnia, loss of motivation and stunning depression. Next, you'll find out that you cannot withdraw from this drug in a reasonable manner, and the required tapering-off methods could take years. During withdrawal you will have the worst insomnia imaginable, for months on end, and nothing will relieve it, except more benzos than any doctor will prescribe. Don't even start on this evil drug. If you think this is an overreaction, Google 'benzodiazepine withdrawal'."

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2018

For Insomnia "I've had various meds over the past 31 years, on and off, for anxiety, insomnia, and depression. I've suffered two bereavements this year - one of them was my mom. Lorazepam was my saving grace. I have 1 before bed and 1 before lunch, if during a day too if I feel anxiety getting to fever pitch. Works really well, and I still function at work, etc. You can certainly come off it, but always under your doctor's direction. Little by little. You may feel a bit bad as your body and brain adapt. Sort of anxiety/insomnia symptoms as side effects. They do lessen. You can do it. I did. And I have the willpower of a cushion! Good luck."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2012

Lorazepam for Nausea/Vomiting "This is amazing! It helps so many things. But the 3 main ones are nausea, insomnia, and panic disorder. I also have fibromyalgia. I do try to keep the dosage as low as I can. I am prescribed a 1 mg pill 4 times a day. I take 2 of those at bedtime with a muscle relaxer, and I sleep all the way through the night. I try to keep it to only 3 pills a day. I also take 60 mg of Cymbalta a day. Combined with the Ativan, it keeps me and my husband sane. I also do yoga 2 to 3 times a week and walk. Exercise is a must with fibromyalgia."

• EJK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Yes, it will stop panic attacks, but good luck coming off it. I was having severe anxiety after a bad spell of taking Lexapro, which made my anxiety worse and gave me constant panic attacks, so my doctor had me taking 0.5 mg three times a day. I was so grateful to have some relief that I didn't question the dose, but the more I read about dependence, the more nervous I became. I started tapering off it after only a month, and I thought I was going to die. Hallucinating, insomnia where I didn't sleep for days, couldn't keep down solid food, crippling depression, and agoraphobia... it was a nightmare, and I was contemplating checking into a hospital. I eventually transitioned to buspirone and eventually Pristiq. Such a nightmare. I can't recommend Ativan to anyone who may be sensitive to benzos."

• joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2018

For Insomnia "As with all benzos and opiates, this drug was amazing at first. Solved all my problems, then became a big problem. A problem worse than the one I initially had. Trust me, be careful. After a benzo withdrawal, you will be begging for the little bit of insomnia that started this in the first place. Whatever you do, do not view this medication or any benzo as a means of maintaining or managing your condition, it's a bandaid, and any long-term use should be done only as a last resort."

• Sun...
• May 9, 2014

For Anxiety "Lorazepam has saved me from anxiety many times. I personally believe this medicine is best used when needed rather than every day. When I take 0.5 mg, I feel relaxed and my mind is clear, all my worries seem minuscule. It seems to slow down my cycle of constant worry. It does take about 45 minutes to really kick in and peaks about 2 hours after taking it. The effects last 4-5 hours. If I take 1 mg, the amount it lasts stays roughly the same, it's just a stronger feeling and does make me very tired. Taking it when needed is a lifesaver. However, I have taken 0.5 mg every day for a week once, and when I stopped, I felt a slight increase in anxiety and other symptoms such as insomnia and diarrhea that lasted 1-2 days. GREAT when anxiety is unbearable."

• Sad...
• October 2, 2019

For Insomnia "I have suffered from anxiety, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome for over 15 years. I was lucky to have started on Ativan .5 twice a day back then, and it has helped me tremendously. However, on the 12th of September, my big brother, age 55, committed suicide, unfortunately. And .5 was worthless for that. So, Dr. just raised it to 1g 3x's a day. And tonight it still hasn't been helping. I just hope I get some sleep soon."

• 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."

• 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."

• Fig...
• January 11, 2017

Lorazepam for Sedation "52 years old, diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July 2016. Received chest mediport in August and went through 12 weeks of chemo. Only side effects were constipation from chemo and sleepless nights from Decadron. While these steroids made me feel strong and allowed me to work while taking chemo, they also kept me wired at night. Only on those days of chemo did I take 1 mg of Ativan at night. So blessed to get some much-needed rest and was at work by 6:00, ready for my workday. Feeling rested and getting that quality sleep is very vital when fighting this disease and taking chemo. I just had IP port surgically implanted into my abdomen today. Starting the next 3 cycles of IP chemo after having surgery December 8th. Ativan has helped me, no side effects."

• woo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 24, 2021

For Insomnia "Been on this over 30 years. I have never had a problem with it. I take it for insomnia - 2 mg at bedtime. I read all the lurid withdrawal symptoms, and I have twice been pressured into trying to come off, but then I got no sleep and couldn't function. I am in my mid-60s now, and there is no way I'd consider suffering up to 10 years of withdrawal symptoms. If it's a choice between sleeping or becoming addicted - I'll take my chances!"

• Ana...
• February 25, 2020

For Insomnia "My experience is for the lack of quality in the drug. I take 2 mg every night. Usually, that works, but tonight and yesterday, nothing. It's like the ones I have got now are fake. So I take a chip or half a second one. Still, nothing. I'm touchy about using this too much, so it's not a habit, it's the quality. Why does it have to be so hard to get a decent working medication? I won't continue to get this brand. I encourage others to stand up for yourself, if it doesn't work, it's because it's a bad drug. It's effective when you are actually getting the real deal. I really have insomnia, now I'm back up."

• Hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2015

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I took 0.5 mg Ativan 2 times a day for 14 days. I noticed I wasn't getting the same anti-anxiety effect, so I decided to stop taking it. I figured it had only been 2 weeks, so stopping should not have been a problem. I then proceeded into 11 days of HELL. The first 2 days were not too bad, but every day progressively got worse. The insomnia was the worst. I got to the point where I would dread the night. And then the nightmares started. They were horribly dark. I thought I was going to die. I finally would take 0.5 mg every other or every third night just to get some sleep. It took me months to find a doctor who understood how to get off the Ativan. I'm now on a 2.5% taper (40 weeks). I'm on week 9. Not fun. DO NOT TAKE IT."

• Mos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I had horrible anxiety for years and tried numerous drug treatments. I wanted something I could take as needed, which would give fast results. Many of the other anxiety drugs I tried had negative side effects, but Lorazepam had none (with me anyway). It would immediately make me feel calm and helped me to sleep at night. I was taking 2 mg/day. I stayed on it for over a year and feel like it was a lifesaver. When my doctor retired, I decided to wean myself off of Lorazepam, mostly over concerns of these types of drugs being linked to dementia in later life. I went through horrible withdrawals (very bad anxiety, insomnia, agitation, quick to anger, etc.) that took over a month to stabilize. I quit cold turkey, which you're not supposed to do. Now, months later, I still have bouts with anxiety, but I'm trying to manage it without drugs. I wish there was something safe and effective that I could use long term."

• mit...
• December 14, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I literally took one dose of 1.5 mg of lorazepam after being prescribed the drug for panic attacks and anxiety. It worked for the panic attack, but since that first dose I haven't slept in 3 days. Reflecting on it now, I would have rather just gone through the full-on panic attack. This drug is no joke."

• Rid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

For Insomnia "This is my second night. My Dr. prescribed me 1 mg, but it didn't seem to work. So then he said to increase to 2 mg. I had a good night's sleep on the 1st night at 2 mg. But on the second night, after 2 pills of 1 mg, I am still wide awake."

• 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."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I was prescribed this to take prior to an MRI. I had been taking Klonopin for my anxiety, which is more slow-acting, so I thought I would try this. It immediately calmed me down before the MRI, and I felt good after. I spoke with my PCP about trying this instead of Klonopin, and she was okay with that at 1 mg twice a day as needed. The first week was fine, and then during week two, I was having a lot of panic attacks, chest tightness, and insomnia. I suffer from MS, so I'm never sure what is MS-related or anxiety-caused problems. I have decided to go back to the Klonopin. It doesn't kick in as fast but lasts much longer, and I feel much better on it."