Ativan

[sav_11]

Hello,

I have been taking lexapro for about 6 months now and was also prescribed Ativan for emergencies. I’ve never taken it because I’m scared of what it will do. Lately I’ve had some bad attacks that I could use it for. For those who have taken it can you describe what it does to you? I wanna know what I’m in for in case I need it.

[RecreateMyself]

Hi Sav_11, I was prescribed Ativan for anxiety and it helped to cut the edge off of my extreme thoughts. It also made me feel a bit tired. My doctor eventually prescribed xanax and I find that it works better than Ativan. I know xanax is addicting so I don’t take it unless I really need it in the morning to get me going so I can go to work. I noticed with the Ativan that I would take it and then maybe an hour later I would notice I felt better and less anxious so it did it’s job. I always tell myself it’s not a forever medicine that hopefully I will use it until I get back to feeling like my old self. It definitely helps keep me from falling deeper into a mess.

[sav_11 in reply to RecreateMyself]

Thank you!

[Dave_H in reply to RecreateMyself]

I have been on all of the different tranquilizers over the years, and so yes I have taken ativan. It's not as fast acting and lasts longer than xanax and so has a slightly less chance of becoming addicting. As to getting back to your _old_ self I assume you mean before anxiety became a problem in your life. I would highly recommend that you seek out a therapist if you haven't already or try again if you have because you most likely are getting _stuck_ in some anxiety producing thought loop, and they can help identify it and hopefully come up with some other strategies that work. I still take tranquilizers myself so I'm not slamming the Ativan and what it does for you, but long term use of them can lead to tolerance and dependence. I had to go off of them for awhile years ago and I can tell you it was harder than alcohol and cocaine withdrawal, so please be careful.

[Mike7777]

It has helped me when antidepressants havent. Nothing to be scared of. It calms you especially when having high anxiety.

[Begonia50]

It helps slow down your mind, within 20 minutes of taking it. So helpful to take it. Try it at a time you dont need to drive, to see how it is for you. Take only one at a time. Hope it is helpful for you. :0)