I know I talk a lot about different drugs.

[tppppppp]

Thinking about Ativan. I know it's tough to come off of. But after this long dealing with my shit I'll take anything. So I remember taking xanax for a few days very early with my situation. I remember taking it at night only and having a weird let down later the next day. I hear you take Ativan 3 times a day. Regularly. Anyone had any luck? I know Jayinla has had success with it. Thoughts?

[JAYnLA]

It is currently helping me and not optional in my doctor's opinion. He assures me that we will taper off of it safely when the time comes.

[tppppppp in reply to JAYnLA]

I hear it's hard. But fuck it Jay. Are you still having panic attacks on it?

[JAYnLA in reply to tppppppp]

I had a very stressful morning, not enough sleep and took less than usual - so I had an attack. It happens.

[Timmypliskin in reply to tppppppp]

I think anything taken as prescribed is safe,

As far as comming off,

You can read just as many horror stories from people comming off of any of the ssri meds ...

[tppppppp in reply to Timmypliskin]

Have you tried a benzo?

[tppppppp in reply to JAYnLA]

Did you get scrip from doc or psych? I'm gonna talk to my psych about it. Does it help with depression?

[JAYnLA in reply to tppppppp]

My psychiatrist not only prescribed it, he insisted. I don't know if it helps with depression. I've read comments elsewhere saying that it does, but I can't vouch for it.

[tppppppp in reply to JAYnLA]

Ok. I'm on it boss.

[1OshunDreamer]

I can only say the Xanax helps me when I know an attack is coming. It keeps my thoughts from being jumbled. But I can't imagine it helps for a daily plus it's addictive.

[MK1978]

I’ve been on medication for 5 years. Tried to go off them many times and something happens and the panic attacks come back. All I can say is I’ve put on so much weight from these drugs that I don’t like looking in the mirror and this makes me feel very low. I’m looking at other options now. Lifestyle changes- CBT workshops, homeopathic solutions etc.

[Timmypliskin]

One thing that peplexes me is, as it seems common with people with anxiety, is the consistent concern about having to take medication, or getting off medication, even if the medication is helping.

I take medication for blood pressure, will be on it for the rest of my life.

Would be the same for diabetes or other health health issues.

The stigma attached to mental health issues, and medications only adds to the problem.

[Hidden]

There is no magic pill imo. I was on and off several for seven years. Even those prescribed can be dangerous. One of mine had a high risk of heart disease, almost guaranteed diabetes eventually and massive weight gain. I got off that one because the risk was too high. That is why mentally ill people have early deaths statistically, aside from suicide. The meds are harmful such as antipsychotics particularly. Have you even been diagnosed? Many meds make symptoms worse for some psychosis and hallucinations from being on or often times getting off. Med switches are a big reason many people go back to the mental hospitals. I know all this first hand from my experiences and of those that were in the hospital with we for months. Meds are not the answer. I believe more in behavioral treatment, counseling and such. It an attitude and our perception that tricks our mind and mental state. That is what we need to change. Not cover up symptoms with substances like meds that practically sedate you and change who you are.

[tppppppp in reply to Hidden]

I've been diagnosed with gad and mdd. I hear good things with Ativan and am thinking of giving it a shot.

[Hidden in reply to tppppppp]

Be careful. The problems I was speaking to were mainly bipolar meds and antipsychotics. If you have to stop consult your doctor.

[Calm_mama]

Hi- work with your doc!

I was on Flurazepam for a very short while (< 1 month) in college. It helped me chill the heck out in the moment, but it did not cure me. I personally think benzos like ativan/xanax have their place in treatment, though, for some people, sometimes. My daughter was on xanax for about 3 months. It was absolutely appropriate at the time for her. Her mind had been completely and thoroughly hijacked by anxiety, and there was no breaking that pattern without a benzo at the time. Here are my thoughts, feel free to take it or leave it

- check out/learn about how anxiety and depression are related. It's my opinion that while some people have primary depression as their struggle, many people develop depression as a result of untreated anxiety. It's a very natural progression to go from high anxiety into a depressed state. I've been there, and no doubt that for me at least, the anxiety came first, and the depression came second. Everyone is different and this may not be your case, but it's something to consider.

- consider the benzo as something to be taken for being an a state of severe anxiety. One where you are really tied up in knots. The benzo will give people some space to start seeing things for what they are (not so scary), plus a little relief of the exhausting physical symptoms.

- Consider the benzo and the "space" that it brings to your mind as an opportunity to do the real work: where you can start letting other ways of looking at things/other perspectives/new knowledge about your anxiety and depression really sink in. This is where recovery lies IMO. CBT and other therapies with a highly qualified therapist can help so much with this. Check out Dr. Claire Weekes' work. She understood exactly how it all worked and created books and audio for people to move towards recovery.

- remember that today's docs are unlikely to prescribe a benzo long-term. For 2 reasons: addiction concerns and they've learned that benzos are ultimately not the true way to recovery. Too often they see people relying on benzos as a permanent solution, rather than doing the important work in therapy that gets so many people better. Plus they know that there is a tolerance that develops over time if taken regularly/long-term: More of the medication is needed to get the same effect.

- remember that feeling anxiety in all its glory, without any dulling effects from something like a benzo, is an important part of recovery. Benzos settle anxiety down, no doubt. But we actually need anxiety in full force to practice the correct, "whatever" reaction to it that gets us better.

Of course we want a pill that will "get rid of this". Who can fault anyone for this? I was one of those people, of COURSE! But it doesn't work that way. My experience is that there IS a "pill" and it's called enlightenment around anxiety/depression and then the acceptance approach to anxiety. Deep understanding of how your mind works and how to work with it, and not against it can be the true keys to recovery. In the meantime, if your doc will approve and work with you, and you're in therapy, and you understand how benzos work/don't expect them to cure you, a little benzo here and there for some space/breathing room might be appropriate to help you along.

Wishing you all the best tppppppp!!

[Hidden in reply to Calm_mama]

This was a really helpful and thoughtful response, Calm_mama. Thank you.

[stanislavski66]

Ativan is a safe and helpful med if taken as prescribed. I take 1mg at night, along with 300mg Gabapentin. I never increase the dose, no need to. Has improved my sleep, which in turn has improved my mood and consequently helped with depression - somewhat. As long as you stay within the parameters of your script, you're fine. The problem begins when you crave increased doses or take it as a leisure drug