I am curious about Ativan. I know people often take too much of it building up a resistance. (I have also heard that weaning off it can be a challenge). How much a day is too much for long term use?
Looking for your opinion re Ativan - Anxiety Support
Looking for your opinion re Ativan
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kama24
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58 Replies
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Only a doctor can advise that. However, I am sure if you search Ativan and max doses you will get some kind of answers.
Thank you for replying. I will google it.
Either 0.5 -1mg max/daily..this drug is not meant to be used long term...
Hello kama
I was on Ativan for years it was a long time ago I did have to wean myself off it it took me 5 months and once I was off of it I felt I had come alive I can remember thinking colours were much brighter and I had more interest in everything
I think it had stopped working for me and just dulled all my senses
I hate saying anything negative to worry someone
If you are monitored by your doctor and it's a short term medication to help you then I would say try it I can't remember how much I had each day but your doctor will advise you
Wishing you all the best
Thank you. Yes my phsyciatrist is very careful with prescription dosage. I take one pill every other day and have no desire to take more.
It’s an as needed type medication in most cases. It’s 1/2 life is about 6 hours . It’s in and out of your system very quick. For this reason Drs tend to prescribe long half life benzodiazepines like klonopin, diazepam these 2 have about 70 hours in your system. When you take Xanax or Ativan these 2 have the shortest half life so your needing to take them more often. But these to are the hardest hitting benzodiazepine, so people suffering from major panic tend to do very well with them as they kick in very fast. Take your medication as your Dr advises my guess is as needed and not to exceed a certain dose.
There very good medication and have gotten a bad name because of the junkies. They are very effective. And for those who may say you will become dependent on them I say. Who cares if they work and give you your life back. People that suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure are also dependent on insulin and high blood pressure medication. Best wishes John
I'm not a " junky" took it as prescribed as I take all my meds.
Dependence is real. Try not taking it and see what happens.
I'm not typically " flip" in my comments, however the term " junky" is offensive to me.
I agree I am very offended too 😠
Ty
I don't think it's an appropriate word to use at all.
People who struggle with addiction shouldn't be called that either.
I was put on it by my doctor and a prescription was just dished out every month and it was reviewed but always encouraged to carry on with it
You can't just stop it either
No one should judge or use those words when they have no idea of other people's circumstances
Thanks I hope you are ok
I'm ok thank you. I hope you are also.
We are all in different spots in our healing journey. Some of us need more meds than others at certain times.
I became dependent on Ativan. It was not pretty. It happened probably because of my chemistry... who knows. But, it happened. I cried when it was realized.
I took my meds as ordered. It happened to me. It took a few weeks for me to figure it out and bring it to my mds attention. In between that time I had visited an urgent care for evaluation of symptoms.
It was an awful feeling physically. I would not wish it on anyone.
Thank you for your response.
Hello Dolphin14
I'm glad you are ok I'm not too bad now thank you
Thankfully I haven't taken any medication for years
I totally agree I wouldn't wish it on anyone I ended up in A&E after just stopping them for a few days I had to get off them very gradually I felt very angry at the time that I was just given a repeat prescription and told I needed them but I guess I just never challenged my GP and trusted her to know best
Take care X
We all do what we need to in order to get through this.
There is always a debate here about benzos. I'm not saying they don't work. I'm just saying I'm one of those people who had a problem. It happens. I didn't expect it as I was taking the med the way I was supposed to.
Good for you for getting off them. 👍
Merry Christmas and thanks for your support.
• in reply toDolphin14
I know this is an old post (I was researching Ativan) and I don’t want to start a benzo debate, but I thought I read elsewhere...the ptsd forum....that you take a benzo every day and have for years. Please, no offense....I am just confused.
Dolphin14• in reply to
No problem. What's your question
• in reply toDolphin14
Not really a question, more of a comment that you had mentioned earlier in this section that ‘There is always a debate here about benzos. I'm not saying they don't work. I'm just saying I'm one of those people who had a problem. It happens. I didn't expect it as I was taking the med the way I was supposed to.’....Was that comment specific to Ativan or all benzos in general because as I said, I thought you had previously indicated that you have taken one for years (something other than Ativan I assume). I am struggling with the acceptance of needing to take Ativan or an equivalent for the rest of my days but I am 63 so I really don’t care. Hoping that meds, whatever kind, plus therapy will let me enjoy the remainder of my days. I have many issues...ptsd, anxiety, depression, and a chronic illness.....every day is a struggle. Please, do not take any offense.
Dolphin14• in reply to
No offense at all. It was Ativan dependence or tolerance whatever word people prefer to use
I was switched to clonopin which I am on now.
I'm a medical professional and I'm not naive to the issues that can occur with these meds.
I don't judge people for being on benzos. I am on them for now until we can get to a weaning process.
I'm speaking facts when I say it is an addictive drug. All benzos are but there will always be a debate
If you need it take it.
I wish you the best of luck.
I take it but I realize I couldn't stop without medical professional slow weaning process
• in reply toDolphin14
I totally agree. I was in the medical field also for many years so I know all too well the addictive nature of these drugs. I have a relative who has been on a low dose of klonopin for 30 years....can’t imagine it is doing much now but acting as a placebo. Final question I promise...would you say you are now dependent on the klonopin? As I mentioned, I am 63, with mental health issues caused by trauma as well as a chronic illness so I do not care about being dependent though tolerance concerns me as I do not want to go any higher than my baby dose of 0.5. Quality of life. I am also doing emdr therapy so who knows, maybe some minor miracle will occur and I won’t need meds some day.
I wish you peace in your healing journey.
Dolphin14• in reply to
I'm sure I'm dependent on it. By that I mean if I didn't take one I would feel it. It is what it is. I know the nature of the drug but I know I have to take it right now.
Quality of life is first.
If we need meds we need them. I have been on board with that from the beginning. I wasn't going to waste my life, it's too short.
Ty I wish you peace also
• in reply toDolphin14
What is junky???...I'm offended but I dont know what it means does it mean like very responsible person
Dolphin14• in reply to
Hi QUICH
It's a derogatory word for someone who has addiction problems.
☕️☕️
I'm a coffee " junky"
• in reply toDolphin14
Oh ok 👍 coffee junky lol...who would've thought you would use coffee as an example....you offcourse
Dolphin14• in reply to
Lol QUICH
Hope you are ok I've missed you
• in reply toDolphin14
I've been working feeling kind of better last week then this week some pain around my chest mostly on my sternum area..but other then that doing alright...hope you doing fine to..I'm sure with your coffee everything is ok...lol......missed you to dolphin...hope santa is nice to u this year
Dolphin14• in reply to
I'm glad you are well. Hope the pain is going away.
🎅🏻🎅🏻... it's almost here can you believe it?
Stay well
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎅🏻🌲
• in reply toDolphin14
Same to you dolphin...merry christmas and let's bring in 2020 in good spirits...I just got off work thank you lord👌🙏
Cat33• in reply to
😊😊😊
You and Dolphin know what I’m talking about but I’ll clarify it for you both. I’m not referring to people that are legally taking this medication as a Junkie.
I’m referring to people that get this medication and use it illegally. There known a JUNKIE’S. This group of people have given this medication a bad name and that offended me. There the reason it makes it difficult for the ones that need it almost impossible , that offends me.
I’m going to go take a Xanax now so I’m no longer offended.
Thank you 😁
I give my opinion and personally don’t care if your offended , if your not a junkie then what your problem with a real issue. People abuse drugs and give the people that are responsible the stigma.
To answer your question I’ve been of and on Xanax for 30 years I can go for long periods without it and when I need it this medication is the only thing that helps.
I’m also offend by people like you that feel the need to be the police of opinion on sites like this.
And for all the junkie out there thanks for giving a great mediation a bad reputation.
• in reply toIronj
In my search for people taking Ativan long term, I came upon this post, I could not agree with you more. Who cares if you become dependent on them....especially someone like myself who is 63 years old with a chronic, debilitating autoimmune condition. I never took an aspirin before the age of 60 and then trauma struck....changed my world. If these drugs allow me to have some quality of life the remainder of my days then so be it. Thank you for a very insightful post.
Ironj• in reply to
Your welcome and I wish you well with you autoimmune condition.
People talk like this medication is an illegal steet drug. It’s league to take , I wish these Dr’s would get off there high horses and prescribe it as needed. The Drs hand out opioid meds like candy , but again if it gives people a quality of life then it’s worth it.
I also wish people would stop coming on sites like this giving them the tale that this is a dooms day medication.
Watch you’ll see some come on and tell me why my opinion is dangerous. Save your time to those people.
• in reply toIronj
As I always say to people, walk a mile in my shoes before you criticize what I am doing. Same goes here...,I don’t like that I have to take this stuff but I have no choice and at 63, time is precious, Thanks for your insight, Do you take it daily? I take Ativan but klonopin is sooo much better. Going to try to sway my dr in that direction.
Ironj• in reply to
Yes most days I take it daily, I have health issues that are very very anxiety provoking, so without it I don’t know what I would do. Besides my real health problems I’ve suffered from health anxiety for 30 years along with panic attacks. When my mind starts to drift off in the negative thoughts s taking Xanax kicks the thoughts out.
I’m a strong believer in taking what works not what’s politically acceptable.
People don’t understand anxiety is triggered by lack of Gaba. Benzodiazepine are what puts the Gaba in the Gaba receptors. Ssri and SNRI help with serotonin and norepinephrine that works great for depression not anxiety.
Best wishes
John
• in reply toIronj
Amen...Same here,,.I have a debilitating autoimmune disease. Anxiety is there daily, Plus I have ptsd and ocd. Every day is a challenge. No one should judge until they have been there.
I wish you the best,
The drug is used for short term use and thousands of patients have become Addicted on long term use even under a Dr’s watch.....it works well but proceed with caution...a small amount for a short while is very helpful though. Speak to your Dr. about your concerns
It certainly relieves anxiety quickly as it calms the central nervous system but it's also highly addictive after a few weeks. It's a benzodiazepine medication (class C drug) also known as Lorazepam that doctors are reluctant to prescribe because of its dependancy issues. Short term use is probably OK though. I keep a stock in case I'm feeling especially low.
Thank you for your response. I've been taking one pill every other day. It seems to help calm me at the time of "crisis". I've never been tempted to take more.
It’s a tricky question. It’s not meant for long term use at any dose. It can cause other health problems down the road. My aunt’s been taking .25mg every night for a few years and hasn’t felt the need to increase it, but I think she’s one of the lucky ones. I was on 1.5mg/day this time last year and it took me a while to wean off of it.
I occasionally take 2mg (1 pill) & have not felt like I want or need more. I just wanted an idea as to how much is too much. I sort of think it depends on the person and their issue.
Karma if it's bad you can high it up if it's a better day our days taken less
Here people in my country goes too 3 mg at day that's a normal doses and never read horror stories
If you are ok with something stick with it
Psychiatrist I go never too.it anymore I work with my local doc
Grt from Belgium
I have been taking it for about 8 months, 1-2 mg day. It is really the only thing that helps me with my anxiety right now.
Yes, of all the meds I have tried over the yrs. it is the only one that has helped in real bad times. I take a 2mg. sublingual every other day and feel it does the job.
That’s exactly how I take them as well. The Gaba receptors in our brain are like Swiss cheese is a good way to describe them. Benzodiazepine are the only medications that plugs the holes and that’s how they stop the anxiety and panic attacks.
That being said anxiety is a chronic condition that needs this type of medication Ssri add serotonin not Gaba Wellbutrin works on dopamine and SNRI work on serotonin and norepinephrine. None of these will stop anxiety.
That being said this is the best medication for anxiety and stop it in it’s tracks.
I wish you the best and hope your anxiety stays level with your Xanax , and it’s a very safe medication just don’t drink with it or use certain pain medications as this could make this safe medication dangerous. that’s how the junkies gave this a bad name mixing them as a recreational thing. Again this is my opinion.
Any benzos are and can be very addicting. But if you need it in the meantime then my advice would be to take them as prescribed. You can wean off them later as you progress...good luck to you..its been 3 weeks since I got off .05 mg xanax...its much better but at times I still think I need it but I rather fight it until I realy do need it
Addiction ?! People are addicted to lots of things - Coffee, gym, gambling, shopping, alcohol, illegal drugs etc.
I have been on Benzos for 3 years & take them everyday. I’ve suffered with anxiety & panic disorder for 20 years. SSRI’s are addictive, try coming off them!!
You have to weigh up the pros & cons, I’ve never felt better since I’ve been on Benzos!
Addiction/dependency versus quality of life? It’s a no brainier for me 😀 I wish you well.
Well said Ffaiers
I’d rather be dependent on a medication and be the old me. Again people are dependent on diabetes meds , High blood pressure, anti platelets to prevent heart attacks, the list goes on and on. Why aren’t these meds being being attacked. And I don’t wanna hear well because you need more and more to be effective. The same is true with all medications.
At the end of the day you make the choice do I wanna feel normal without panic attacks or tough it out and suffer , it your choice people. I’m relaxed and have been on them for 30 years.
I’ve never needed more & like you they were the game changer for me! I’ve got a life back. It’s the people that abuse these drugs that makes it so badly publicised. I actually got on a plane last year, went on holiday for the first time in many years. This is not a dress rehearsal, this is life & I am not going to spend it suffering for anyone. I wish you well.
I have used it off and on for years. I am getting off it again. I only want to use it when anxiety is bad...it really helps me. Just had a bunch of stuff happen and couldn't handle it....
Like me I have used it on and off for years too. I tend to "save" it for when I am really battling, but I've never taken more than 1 a day. Thanks for replying.
Benzodiazepine are meant to be taken as needed. I think when you say you know people often take too much of it your referencing junkies ..
people that need this type of medication take it responsibly as they need it. If your not abusing it it’s my opinion it’s a great medication.
It’s been around since 1963 and is widely prescribed. For good reason they works.
I’ve been on and off benzodiazepine for 31 years. I can go without them until I need them. And like I always say I don’t care if I became dependent on a medication that actually works.
Anxiety is a chronic condition like for example high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure and diabetes are dependent on the medication and sometimes need to ramp the dose up.
I’m sick of people and Drs that say ohh no that’s not a medication I’ll write. Well I say kick that Dr to the curb and find one that care about helping your condition.
But to answer the question I can only speak for me no it’s not a medication hard to come off you’ll need to come off slowly like most medication.
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