Lorazepam and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Off...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 27, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Have taken Ativan on and off...more on than off for 24 years. I have quit it for life and am having terrible withdrawal symptoms. Hot, cold, blurred vision, memory loss. Please do not take this medication."

• CCM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 5, 2017

For Anxiety "I have had severe anxiety for a couple of years. My attacks get so bad, I feel I need to run as far away as I can. Taking lorazepam 3 mg a day has been a tremendous help. I have read comments about going off the medicine and the difficult withdrawals, but if something works in your personal lifestyle where nothing else has, why shouldn't you be able to stay on this medication as long as you need it? It's like high blood pressure. If you have it and can't get it under control, medications are key. No one starts telling you that you should stop the medication. For some, lorazepam is a lifesaver. Maybe not for everyone, but for me, in my situation, it is."

• You...
• July 8, 2016

Lorazepam 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."

• Lau...
• August 20, 2015

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I'm 19, and this anxiety and OCD had been poured on me out of nowhere. It scared me so bad I felt like I couldn't live my life. I went to the ER, and they prescribed me Ativan 1 mg 3 times a day. It was extremely effective. The first week I was only taking half or sometimes 2. I've been on it for 3 weeks and am waiting to get on an SSRI for more long-term. Ativan is helping me through my days. I am just nervous about withdrawals because I don't take it as prescribed, only as needed."

• jon...
• July 13, 2008

"I've been on Ativan for 4 months now, 0.5 mg once or twice a day to control my anxiety attacks. I take it when I feel jittery, have a flushing face, a heavy head akin to a tension headache, and dizziness. Usually, these symptoms subside within 2 hours of dosing. It isn't often that I have to take 1 mg in two divided (0.5 mg) 6-hourly doses. Last month, I didn't take Ativan for 5 straight days, and I didn't suffer any withdrawal symptoms or rebounds, but my anxiety attacks returned on the sixth day."