![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 30. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
I'm currently taking 0.5mg of Ativan once per day as prescribed by my doctor. I told him that I feel very anxious all the time so this is what he gave me. He refuses to give me a higher dose than this because he says its addictive and is actually planning on taking me off it soon. I really hope he doesn't because I feel like its helped me, even on this low dose, although I still feel anxious. Right now I haven't taken it for a few days and I'm pretty sure I feel more anxious than when I take it daily. For people who are taking Ativan, what is the dosage that your taking and has it been effective for you? Should I try to convince my doctor to raise my dosage?? Thanks.
-Matt
Posted by manic666 on July 10, 2008, at 11:58:02
In reply to Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
ativan or loz whatever is a great drug treated with care if you are suffering badly with anxiety half a mg is nothing you would need at least3mg aday for a short time mabye morebut imean a short time i am addicted to ativan but stable at 4mg a day they do me no good now but to come of is unbeleavably bad an im not stong enough yet to tryativan ia a life saver an a life taker so be very careful my friend but for short spells i think an its my opinion its the best good look
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2008, at 12:37:09
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan?? » MattSanz, posted by manic666 on July 10, 2008, at 11:58:02
I also took ativan for a long time all the benzos. Ativan I took 4mg of. I have been on benzos for 37 years and seriously I'm a lifer on them. But when I was prescribed them they didn't seem to care about addicition or tolerance just that you felt better. I'd today if in the same position add a psychologist who deals in anxiety. That's just my opinion. Phillipa ps when life was stress free I simply stopped the benzos and was fine and was on no antidepressant wasn't depressed.
Posted by yxibow on July 11, 2008, at 2:25:01
In reply to Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
> I'm currently taking 0.5mg of Ativan once per day as prescribed by my doctor. I told him that I feel very anxious all the time so this is what he gave me. He refuses to give me a higher dose than this because he says its addictive and is actually planning on taking me off it soon. I really hope he doesn't because I feel like its helped me, even on this low dose, although I still feel anxious. Right now I haven't taken it for a few days and I'm pretty sure I feel more anxious than when I take it daily. For people who are taking Ativan, what is the dosage that your taking and has it been effective for you? Should I try to convince my doctor to raise my dosage?? Thanks.
> -Matt
I've taken it before in small doses for PRN usage (PRN being as you need it). The trouble with short acting benzodiazepines like Ativan and Xanax for long term use is that there may be diminishing returns from habituation for an unknown period of time, at least in some people.
This is not addiction (e.g. forging prescriptions, genetic predisposition to addiction and other subtle nuances in semantics).Habituation is more tolerance to a medication. There may still be some use years down the line, but one won't feel the "oomph" that cuts the anxiety away.
I wish people wouldn't immediately refer to benzodiazepines as "addictive". Yes, addiction can occur at the same time as habituation -- that's even more complicated, if one has done other street drugs for years and also has large doses of benzodiazepines, e.g.That's why some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it long term because other agents like Neurontin, Lyrica, SSRIs like Paxil, may prolong your treatment for anxiety. Ultimately any medication can give out eventually. Its finding the right regime to maximize the time that a moving target like a biochemical imbalance is, is the puzzle. (and I'm not against benzodiazepines at all, they have their place).
-- tidingsJay
Posted by manic666 on July 11, 2008, at 3:17:59
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan?? » MattSanz, posted by yxibow on July 11, 2008, at 2:25:01
sorry buddy but you are fooling yourself with the ativan addiction . i myself used your method for years. to take one when needed how would you define that. i bet when you go on vaction you take some with you,or any stressful situation you take one, you need it ie addiction.prove me wrong manic
Posted by Sky Brite Line on July 11, 2008, at 9:45:47
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by manic666 on July 11, 2008, at 3:17:59
babblemail me, i know all about ativan, i have been on so many tranquilizers i know exactly how they effect.
And how to explain to a doctor why its needed.
Posted by Sky Brite Line on July 11, 2008, at 9:47:06
In reply to Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
I've been on 2mg X 3 daily. So, i've been here.
Posted by cmorhoun on July 13, 2008, at 9:19:17
In reply to Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
I also take very small doses of ativian on occasion so don't worry about dose recomendations from others. Everyone has a differenct constitution...what works for you is what works for you.
There is always a slight risk of addiction and it's higher for "addictive" people. All benzos loose efficacy over time with continual use so people tend to up the dosage over time. This can be mistaken for addiction but it's not. Benzos also run the risk of causing depression with prolonged use.
Ativan is my favorite of the benzos. My advice...take it as needed if possible. If you need in every day then be prepared to increase the dosage with time and get a doctor who understands the reality of that. For those who will continue needing benzos, it's common to try to find something to replace them since they do loose efficacy. Antidepressants are the norm but that's a slippery slope. Neurontin however, basically works on GABA and may be a good substitute.
You might also check into some "natural" alternatives like GABA suppliments. Very hard to get consistant results from them in my experience. You'd be suprised how well fresh organice spinich and brocoli can work. Very soothing and calming for some reason.
Posted by manic666 on July 13, 2008, at 11:04:06
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by cmorhoun on July 13, 2008, at 9:19:17
thanks ive read an taken onboard
Posted by clipper40 on July 15, 2008, at 4:28:00
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by cmorhoun on July 13, 2008, at 9:19:17
I'm not anti-benzo and I do think that they can be very useful. However, I was confused by your statement about people upping the dosage over time to get the same benefit. I thought that was the definition of addiction. If that's not addiction, then what is?
Also, when you're talking about GABA supplements, are you referring to taking GABA directly or to supplements that work on GABA? If it's the former, then I wanted to add that they don't do very well because they don't cross the blood brain barrier.
Posted by manic666 on July 15, 2008, at 12:12:16
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan?? » cmorhoun, posted by clipper40 on July 15, 2008, at 4:28:00
you a right ativan is adictive, i should no i spent a week in mental hospital when i was denied it. i call it the blue cobra because it has a lethal venum when taken without care. i no i still take 4mg a day im stable just about on that. take them away and i would crash an burn manic666
Posted by MattSanz on July 15, 2008, at 19:33:37
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by manic666 on July 15, 2008, at 12:12:16
Manic, you said you take 4mg a day? That seems like a lot, but only compared to my dosage of 0.5mg a day. I hear people saying that they take 3 or 4mg of ativan a day and I'm just wondering why my psych refuses to give me more than 0.5 a day. I think an increase may be helpful for me but I know he won't do it. Maybe different doctors have different opinions on it?
Posted by manic666 on July 16, 2008, at 3:39:26
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 15, 2008, at 19:33:37
right my buddy this is what my doc used to do for me an how i got in trouble.before i took antidepressants. i had bouts of high anxiety to tame it he would give me 4mg day of ativan for one week .no more than one week if i came out the right side great, most of the time i did, but if i didnt i had to wing it he would give me no more.even after one week i would have side effects but i new i could battle them after just 1 week dose.this is were the bad sh*t comes after years of antidepressants my doc asked me to see a shrink to get a new angle on my illness. the hospital gave me ativan an and a new anty-d. he sent a letter to my doc of the meds i need. the anty -d didnt work an my next appointment at the hos was 10 weeks away . so inm in limbo no meds for10 weeks only the repeat for ativan from the hospital an the docs, i have a real big collection of ativan an no meds, i start to abuse them in desperation an get up to 8mg a day an drinking just to stay on the planet.you guessed i crashed my wife drove me to the hospital an the srink on duty took away all my ativan in one go went home an into anxiety attacks every hour till i could take no more an overdosed on the venlafaxine he also prescibed. in mental hospital a week.no ativan an lying in the shower 8 hours aday detoxing bluffed my way out. collasped an my doc put me back on 4 mg ativan took weeks to level of but now i can go no lower.till my boby lets me.sorry for the novel but you never want to go thought that .manic666
Posted by cmorhoun on July 20, 2008, at 10:38:03
In reply to Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
Posted by manic666 on July 20, 2008, at 11:50:11
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan?? (nm), posted by cmorhoun on July 20, 2008, at 10:38:03
sorry buddy your names up but no post can you post again
Posted by cmorhoun on July 20, 2008, at 14:25:53
In reply to Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
Theres a difference between the body needing a drug and the body building up a tolerance to a drug.
GABA can get past the blood brain barrier with the help of, I think it's Niacin, as well as fruit juice, it's just very difficult.
Benzos can be addicting but usually aren't. Too many people on this forum forget that their experience or their friends experience with a drug isn't everyones experience.
It's not unreasonable that the doc is concerened about addiction but that he's sticking to such a low dose of Ativan is. I would search for an alternate med or doctor.
Posted by manic666 on July 21, 2008, at 2:51:54
In reply to Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by MattSanz on July 10, 2008, at 1:50:53
i will agree to disagree with you, matts doc is giving him nothing with the 0.5 ativan if he is full of anxiety that sort of dose wont touch the problem.like i said 3or 4mg a day for one week then 2mg the next. an thats it, unless he wants my experiance as i said lieing on a mental hospital shower floor with cold water running for 8 hours a day to remind you your still alive.ADDICTION is very real and very easy with this drug ask the thousands who tried to sue the company.mannic 666
Posted by cmorhoun on July 21, 2008, at 8:42:47
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by manic666 on July 21, 2008, at 2:51:54
Or you could ask the thousands like myself who have no trouble with the drug. There are far more people who have no trouble with the drug then who do. Your bitterness toward a drug isn't to be mistaken for medical fact.
Posted by manic666 on July 21, 2008, at 13:47:50
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by cmorhoun on July 21, 2008, at 8:42:47
let me ask you buddy after 30 years of ativan like you for years i took it like you a little when needed.and do you no what the standard drug is when mabye not you, but lots like me who have suffered such serious anxiety attacks a day in hospital is called for. got it oxygen an 2mg of ativan no more no less.or some people may be scared of flying, dentist,a,lost love one,exam nerves,a doctor will prescibe ativan in small doses,what is an addictive person you mention is it someone who takes i ativan an dont feel better so takes 2 or mabye 3 an finds 4 is perfect.the week after 4 isnt perfect but 6 is an so on it depends on how ill you are now i dont no how ill you are or the person who needs ativan but his doc probily does.you no i took 8 an now im down to 4 if i was an additive person i would be on 20 a day now it is the best anxiety drug an thats its downfall if your really ill and in distress it will pull you in. so my friend till you find your self in that position is the only way you will no.
Posted by cmorhoun on July 21, 2008, at 14:47:36
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by manic666 on July 21, 2008, at 13:47:50
Holy jibberish. As far as I can tell, you are trying to explain that you got addicted to Ativan. Most people don't, including myself when I was taking it on a regular basis...Pal.
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2008, at 20:06:34
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by cmorhoun on July 21, 2008, at 14:47:36
I didn't get addicted to ativan either usually took less than prescribed as when no anxiety why take what you don't need? Love Phillipa
Posted by manic666 on July 22, 2008, at 3:17:54
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan?? » cmorhoun, posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2008, at 20:06:34
> I didn't get addicted to ativan either usually took less than prescribed as when no anxiety why take what you don't need? Love Phillipa Phillipa i took ativan like you in acute anxiety case, and stopped whe stablised.i did it like that for 20 years as i tried to tell batman.the hospitals in england only precribe 1 anti .d at a time send you away for 10 weeks go back an say it dont work they detox you for another ten weeks with nothing an then start another anti .d we carnt pick a srink you get what your given usually bad on N.H.S.no back up meds inbetween only ativan or valium so if your rearly in crisis you have alchol or ativan or both an thats all you have to stop from full breakdown or in my case overdose
Posted by manic666 on July 22, 2008, at 3:33:58
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by cmorhoun on July 21, 2008, at 14:47:36
> Holy jibberish. As far as I can tell, you are trying to explain that you got addicted to Ativan. Most people don't, including myself when I was taking it on a regular basis...Pal. hey batman PAL, WHAT WEAR YOU ILL WITH AT THE TIME OR HAVE YOU ALWAYS HAD YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH
Posted by yxibow on July 22, 2008, at 19:51:19
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by manic666 on July 22, 2008, at 3:33:58
Benzodiazepines have helped numerous people and some people are still on a dose of Valium since it came out in 1962.
Still, others as myself have habituated to it.
Remember, habituation is not addiction. Addiction and habituation can occur at the same time, though.
As far as I am concerned, addiction is the use of substances outside the scope of a doctor-patient relationship, street drugs, etc. Other people may define this differently and that is fine.
But can't we all get along to be so blunt? Some people may have addiction problems, some may habituate, some may have long term benefits.There is a way of describing one's situation without a conversation descending into the gutter.
At any rate, that is just my observation. Please don't add me to the please be civil, which I think will start to occur from this thread.
-- Jay
Posted by Phillipa on July 22, 2008, at 20:08:45
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Ativan??, posted by manic666 on July 22, 2008, at 3:17:54
Manic so sorry it's so tough in the UK . My heart goes out to you. Take care. Phillipa
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.