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Thread: Ativan

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    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
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    Default Ativan

    I was prescribed this in case I feel a panic attack coming on, not to take every day. My doc said it would make feel tranquil. What can I expect? Any side effects? I was told to take one and see how it makes me feel before I actually need it. Just wanna have an idea of how it's gonna make me feel.

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    Featured Member desavirsire's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    I was on this once, ativan is pretty mild and honestly it didn`t do anything for me. I would feel like I hadn`t even taken anything. My doc had to prescribe me something stronger. Hope you have better luck with it!

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    Featured Member xbloodydewdropx's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    I've taken it on and off for a few years and it's been great. Since the dose is low (1mg), and since I don't take it every day, I've never gotten addicted. It calms me in the midst of a panic attack and sometimes helps with insomnia. Personally, I haven't experienced any side effects...save the drowsiness that is expected. I can't tolerate SSRI's, or any antidepressant for that matter. For some people ativan is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but for others it could be bad. Benzo's, the family of drugs that ativan belongs to, are addictive for some people, so you might have a completely different reaction than others. Definitely be careful not to consume alcohol when on it though!
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    Default Re: Ativan

    It will relax you yes, it's in the benzo family. It has a longer half-life than Xanax and some of the others.

  5. #5
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Don't mix it with Tylonal PM, or any other sleeping meds.

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    Senior Member LaylaJo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    I dont know of any side effects, unless you take a massive dose, all you will get is drowsiness.

    Ive had great experiences with ativan, although klonopin is better if you want something longer lasting. I dont take them anymore, but I had to after I tried an SSRI that gave me my first panic attack (that was 2 hours long ). Ativan stopped it, and helped me keep my sanity for the next few months!

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    Veteran Member Korina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    It's FUN!!

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    Veteran Member Korina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    What family is Klonapin in? Is it an anti-depressant, SSRI or an opiate?

    (Sorry for the hijacking)

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    Veteran Member Littlelo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Lol "tranquil", that's putting it mildly.

    I've been using Ativan since I was 15 for panic attacks. I don't take it very often though, because it makes me totally worthless for 6-12 hours, unless I take a half dose. I have 1mg tabs and I weigh 98lbs, so it may hit me a bit harder than it will you. Side effects include; zombification, not caring about anything, drooling and a general sense of wellbeing (as long as you don't have to move.) I've also noticed a weird feeling in my stomach the day after I take it. I usually just munch some carrot sticks and drink gingerale the day after.

    I advise coming up with other coping strategies for times when you can't or don't want to take a zombie pill. Feel free to PM me if you ever need someone to talk to. Anxiety sucks.

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    God/dess greenidlady1's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Quote Originally Posted by Korina View Post
    What family is Klonapin in? Is it an anti-depressant, SSRI or an opiate?

    (Sorry for the hijacking)
    Klonopin is a benzo as well.

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    Default Re: Ativan

    I am supposed to take 4-5mg a day, and they just make me really mellow. I haven't taken one in months because they pretty much end my day due to the sedation. You can't upset me no matter what you do, and I just kinda chill and watch tv. When I took 1 or 2mg it didn't do anything at all to me, so I just went on like normal. It really depends on your dosage as to how it will affect you.

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    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Well, I've never taken ANY benzo before, so I'm sure this is why I was prescribed something extremely mild. I'm a little scared of Klonopin

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    Default Re: Ativan

    Quote Originally Posted by LatinaRose View Post
    Well, I've never taken ANY benzo before, so I'm sure this is why I was prescribed something extremely mild. I'm a little scared of Klonopin
    To me at least, Klonopin was weaker than Ativan. Most people probably don't agree, but when I took Klonopin (no matter the dose) it didn't do a damn thing to me, other than piss me off for not working.

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    Default Re: Ativan

    When I was prescribed Ativan, my doctor recommended that I take a pill on a weekend or early evening, sometime when I didn't have to do anything in particular but when I wasn't panicking, just to see what would happen. Don't take your experimental pill right before bedtime, because you'll be too eager to sleep to see what happens. Instead, take it, and see how you feel, i.e., if you CAN do normal around the house things, have a conversation, make a sandwich, without nodding off midsentence or zoning out for 20 minutes. Don't drink alcohol, don't mix it with other meds, don't try to drive. You'll see if it's for you in terms of side effects/ impairment.

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    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    ^^Yes, that's what I was advised to do. Take it in the middle of the day when I don't need it just so I know what happens when I do actually need it. Did you break it in half or take the whole thing??

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    Default Re: Ativan

    I take it whenever I get a panic attack but I let it melt under my tongue Panic attack is gone before it's done dissolving.


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    Default Re: Ativan

    klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine that is usually used as a preventative for seizures (usually taken three times a day in a patient-dependent dose) - use in treating panic attacks is actually an off label use. when taken orally, the onset of effect varies from 15-45 minutes, peak effect is 1-2 hours, and the effects can last for days

    ativan (lorazepam) is also a benzodiazepine, but is used primarily to treat anxiety and provide sedation (ie before surgery). when taken orally, the onset of effect is almost immediate, it peaks at 1-6 hours, and lasts 12-24 hours

    generally speaking, ativan is best for managing occasional acute panic attacks, but for someone who experiences them frequently, regular dosing with klonopin might be a better choice

    *puts away nursing drug guide*

    i've personally taken both, and i find that ativan is way better for chilling me out when i start to lose it - i get really sedate for an hour or two, frequently end up napping, but afterwards, i'm good to go again...generally, i take 0.5mg if it's daytime, and a full millligram if it's close enough to bedtime

    klonopin is pretty much useless for dealing with my attacks, since they're intense, but short lived - it's usually over before the drug does me any good, so i've been using what's left of my prescription to deal with insomnia
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    ^^Yeah I didn't want something to be taken on the daily. I'm terrified of being a zombie constantly. I was also able to deal with the occasional panic attack here and there. But after a particularly frightening one when I was alone (no boyfriend to calm me down <<had to use it ), I decided it would be a good idea to have something on hand to take next time I feel one coming on. I feel really relieved just having the prescription now b/c I don't ever EVER want to feel like that again.

    Anyway, I probably won't be able to take it til I'm back in Toronto, but once I do, I'll dig up this thread and post about it just in case anyone else is wondering.


    Thanks for all your help and advice chicas!!

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    Veteran Member Littlelo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    If you have frequent anxiety problems you might want to ask your doc about Buspar. Its for "generalized anxiety", you take it everyday. I was on it for a few years and it really made a difference. I went from multiple panic attacks every week to maybe one every couple months. Once I got in the habit of "being normal" I weaned myself off of it. The only side effect I had was a decrease in my sex drive.

    You're right though, it is a big relief to know the happy pills are in the medicine cabinet if you really need them.

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    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Quote Originally Posted by Littlelo View Post
    If you have frequent anxiety problems you might want to ask your doc about Buspar. Its for "generalized anxiety", you take it everyday. I was on it for a few years and it really made a difference. I went from multiple panic attacks every week to maybe one every couple months. Once I got in the habit of "being normal" I weaned myself off of it. The only side effect I had was a decrease in my sex drive.

    You're right though, it is a big relief to know the happy pills are in the medicine cabinet if you really need them.
    Oh.. thank you!!!


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    Featured Member teeth_of_the_hydra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Quote Originally Posted by LatinaRose View Post
    ^^Yes, that's what I was advised to do. Take it in the middle of the day when I don't need it just so I know what happens when I do actually need it. Did you break it in half or take the whole thing??
    I'm pretty sure I took the whole pill, but as I recall I was prescribed 0.5mg to start. I think? Man, it was years ago. Mostly I remember Ativan making me happy and drowsy, like I was getting hugged before bedtime. It was a nice feeling, but I inevitably nodded off about 20 min. after taking it, so it wasn't super helpful. But then again, I'm a notoriously sleepy kid.

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    Veteran Member Alexis81's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Personally I prefer Xanax over Ativan. I tried Ativan for the occiasional panic attack and I got so depressed and blah with it (like I literally didn't want to get out of bed to play with my daughter). I switched back to Xanax which in my opinion is so much better (.25 for the panic attacks during the day) It would calm me down but I'm still able to function and not get drowsy
    Alexis



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    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    Just wanted to update:

    Tranquil is definitely in the description. Took 0.5mg during the day. I wasn't completely useless, but not entirely useful either. It makes me feel...indifferent. Like I just don't give a fuck either way. I so wish I could replicate that feeling w/o a benzo. Anyway, I'm happy with it, though I've only taken it twice since the OP. I like how it acts quickly and allows me to not care and ignore my sensitivities.

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    Banned i.breathe.in's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    i love ativan...but my tolerence is getting bad so i switched to xanax. i like ativan a lot more.

    i started on .5 and now im at 1.5 and i have been on it a year and a half. thats why i decided to try to switch but this xanax shit is sucking the life out of me. im going to call my doc and go back on it.

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    Veteran Member Kitsune83's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ativan

    yay for benzodiazepines! They're all fairly mild hypnotics; with low risk of addiction and abuse. It's damn near impossible to overdose on them to a point of danger, which makes them an ideal choice for people with a tendency to act impulsively. Just stay away from the booze when you're taking them, combined they can supress breathing enough to be a big problem. I was on maintenence doses of Klonopin for 3 years......by the time I stopped taking it I was taking 15mg per day (which for those not in the know, is an INSANELY high dose, bad psychiatrist); and Halcion on an as needed basis to give it a little "boost"...... But even then I was functional. Ativan is nice for the shorter half-life, so if you take it, you know that you don't need to worry about feeling snowed for long. You shouldn't have much trouble with it, but don't drive on it until you've taken it a few times and know how you react to it.....several factors can alter how the drug effects you, like tiredness, how much you've eaten, severity of panics, etc. Good luck with controlling your panics! I know it can be a real bitch.

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