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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lgmg on March 23, 2005, at 1:27:26
I've been taking lorazepam (ativan) for almost a year now, i usually don't take too much, at least as my doc says. But being a worrier as i am with all meds, I just want to know if anyone finds it useful. I don't feel like i want it every day and i don't think i could go visit my family without it, even though i don't take it all the time. Just knowing it's there is a huge relief for me. I feel like there is something to the fact that many things have gotten easier for me, because i had a little help from a 1/2 -2 pills or so. I had made an agreement that i would never suffer the feelings i have in the past, i still do but now i have the ability to lighten the load. Please tell me what you think, is it really that hard to get off of, which i have'nt really found, but i would like any opinions. Thank you,J
Posted by med_empowered on March 23, 2005, at 4:18:11
In reply to Is this benzo trouble in my life, posted by lgmg on March 23, 2005, at 1:27:26
hey! I personally like Ativan more than xanax or valium or librium, and about as much as Klonopin (although Klonopin does last longer). My anxiety never really responded to anti-depressants or things like Neurontin all that well, so benzos were necessary for a while. ANYWAY, I personally think the way you're taking the Ativan is *ideal*--the goal of benzo treatment, really, is to use the minimum dose only when necessary, and even when you take it, the idea is to "lighten your load," just like you said in your post--not eliminate your the anxiety completely (the *few* people I've known who truly abused benzos tended to try to use the meds to completely wipe away their anxiety; BIG mistake). Benzos are always a little tricky to withdraw from completely, *if* you've either been taking them heavily or on a more or less daily basis for a while. My Klonopin taper wasn't *HELL*, but it wasn't fun either; basically, I needed a sleeping pill now and then for the insomnia, and some Midrin or Asprin for the occasional headaches. No big deal. The way you're taking Ativan, I doubt you'll have any major problems when you want to taper off...my recommendation would be to keep track of how much you take and how often you take it for a week or two before you see your doc, and then given her/him that info and ask for a tapering schedule (these are SOOOO easy to set up; my doc drew up a 2-month taper for me in about 2 minutes). Try to stick to the schedule as best you can, but do be prepared for some minor problems--insomnia, headaches, nausea, some anxiety, etc. Your doc should help you out with all that. Good luck!
Posted by Spriggy on March 23, 2005, at 8:35:25
In reply to Re: Is this benzo trouble in my life, posted by med_empowered on March 23, 2005, at 4:18:11
Sounds like you aren't abusing the Ativan and just using it as rx'd.
I have been concerned about being on Klonopin but I have found that I really can go an entire day without one with a problem. So my goal is to try at least once a week, to go off of it so if I ever do completely discontinue it, it won't be so hard.
I thought I didn't need it and had stopped taking it and then yesterday in the middle of Wal-Mart WHAM... Anxiety big, big time. So I took a quarter of a pill and an hour or so later, I felt better.
Don't make yourself suffer needlessly. Take it when you need it and whenever you feel able and strong enough, you'll know when it's time to stop.
Posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2005, at 19:05:20
In reply to Re: Is this benzo trouble in my life, posted by Spriggy on March 23, 2005, at 8:35:25
If you feel that your anxiety is alleviated and you aren't abusing it, keep taking it. They really work! Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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