For the past several months I've been having anxiety attacks that have increased in severity with each episode. About 2 weeks ago it became so bad that I was hospitalized, observed, and ultimately given Ativan (and a few other things) to calm me down. I don't like to take any prescriptions but sometimes there just comes a time when you have to suck it up and take a pill. Within an hour of taking 1mg of Ativan my symptoms were greatly reduced. I felt completely drunk and stoned the entire day, but the horrible panic attack symptoms stopped for the most part and I feel much better. I've been taking .5mg twice a day since then and have improved a little more each day. I still feel slightly stoned and groggy but I'm getting used to it. My doctor explained that Ativan works differently from Zanax and is less addicting so that makes me feel better, although I am a bit concerned about becoming addicted to the Ativan. But, for now, it's keeping my anxiety at bay whilst I deal with the source(s) of my anxiety via other means (diet, exercise, hypnosis, yoga).

Buggheart

Annapolis, MD

I HAVE SEVERE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME THAT AFTER 2 DAYS AND NO SLEEP, I HAD TO GO TO THE ER WITH MY LEGS JUMPIN, TWITCHING. THEY HAD TRIED 2-3 RUGSS TO GET THEM TO STOP BUT NOTHING WORKED UNTIL THEY GAVE ME ATIVAN. IT KNOCKED ME OUT-DO NOT REMEMBER MY BROTHER BRINGING ME HOME-JUST A GOOD LONG WELL-NEEDED SLEEP WITHOUT THAT HANGOVER FEELING.

deerfisherman

Benton, KY

Ativan (lorazepam), an antianxiety agent, has the chemical formula, 7-chloro-5-(o-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one: C15H10Cl2N2O2 MW: 321.16 It is a nearly white powder almost insoluble in water. Each Ativan (lorazepam) tablet, to be taken orally, contains 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg of lorazepam. The inactive ingredients present are lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polacriline potassium. Tolerance and dependence can develop with the use of Ativan. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it abruptly. Only your doctor should advise you to discontinue or change your dose. Ativan may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Ativan should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. It is dangerous to try and purchase Ativan on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of Ativan purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

raffa07

Tucson, AZ

I suffer from panic disorder and have regular panic/anxiety attacks.  This medication has allowed me to go to very crowded places and prevented or stopped me from having a full blown panic attack.  The benefits to this medication is that though it is a narcotic, it doesn't really have any side effects other than making me a bit drowsy but that does wear off and it's nothing more than a benadryl would do.  This medication shouldn't be taken on a regular basis, but only when needed.  If you are struggling with panic attacks or anxiety attacks, ask a doctor about Atavan/lorazepam.  This is an effective drug for anxiety and can allow you to do things that would normally cause you to have an attack.  I'm not saying that this is a magic pill, obviously you must do other things to help youself as well.  Exersize, meditation, prayer, talking with a counselor, and many other things.  For me, the medication was just an addition to help me with the panic disorder.

gwennasmom88

Huntsville, MO

I have suffered from anxiety for most of my adult life and have tried many different medications for this problem.  Ativan is the most effective medications that I have taken.  I do not feel sluggish like with so many of the anxiety medications I have taken in the past. I take ativan 3 times a day and it is wonderful.  Things that I could not cope with in the past are now bareable.  I can now be around people in social situations which i was not able to do before.  My daughter does not get on my nerves like before with the normal things that children do. The best thing about Ativan is that  it relaxes you and does not make you feel drugged like some medications do.  It is also great to help you get to sleep at night. I wake up in the mornings and I feel rested and ready for my day.  I deal better with everything in my life now and it is wonderful. Talk to your doctor and see what he has to say about it.  It is a great medication.  

claverep

North Augusta, SC

I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks in 2007, much to my dismay.  I was first prescribed generic Xanax, which made me really sleepy and left me feeling hungover the next day (moody, blah, argumentative).  I was given Ativan to use when I have to fly on an airplane, and I was told I could take it when I was experiencing a lot of stress when we last moved.  I was told that it was pretty habit-forming, like many anti-anxiety medications.  I only take it when I absolutely need it, because I don't want to become used to it or dependant on it.  When I take Ativan (I take the generic brand) it makes me feel like I've had about 1-2 glasses or red wine.  And I must say, that's reaaalllly nice.  If I take it about an hour before a flight, I'm much more calm before even getting to the airport.  It seems to me that it starts to work in about a half hour or so, maybe a little bit longer.  I don't have any of that "hangover" feeling like I get when I take Xanax; I'm very thankful that Ativan exists, and even more thankful that it's generic, which is really inexpensive, exists.

jessicamaybe

Jackson, WY

I recently had some bad things happen in my l ife and i was really freaking out all the time. I couln not concenttrate on anything. I was havingtrouble doing everyday thigs for my children and my spouse. I always felt as ifsomething bad as going to happen. I would wakeup with nightmares almot everynight and i cryed for no reason at all severa times a day. I did not know what to do. So I figured I should go to the doctor and at lest try to get some help. He prescribed me ativan only 1 miligram just enough to calm me down and I really did not want to take any medication because i have childrent take care of and a spouse and a job that is very demandin of my time. He assured me that alll this medication was going to do wascalm me down enough for me to complete everyday tasks so with this information ichose to give it a try and he was telling te truth i could functionlike everyone else i did not brak down in tears all the time . at last mylife was looking up and i was very happy

taramotes

Hayneville, AL

**Ativan** is one of the best anti-anxiety prescription medications on the market today.  Unlike many of the other products available, this medication does not make you sleepy or groggy.  After being subjected to various medications to deal with severe anxiety...I was very pleased to have this one on hand "just in case" I felt the need to use it.  I am relieved that I didn't feel addicted to it but that it was there in case a situation were to arise where I needed something to take the edge off my anxiety.  With **ativan**, the patient feels more in control of the medication rather than the other way around.  You are quite aware of your surroundings and more alert to what is going on.  As with any other prescription medication, it is imperative that you take just as your doctor orders and that you do not combine with other drugs and/or alcohol.

dmdifalco

Fort Gratiot, MI

For those who suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, it is hard to function with a calm mind unless you can take Lorazepam. Anxiety is a disorder where the body tightens up, and the mind keeps running. There are many symptoms of anxiety that someone may feel. The most common is a running of the mind where thoughts just come & go so quickly that one doesn't have time to finish the thought before being bombarded with another one. Also, the thoughts don't stop they keep racing through the head where one's thinking abilities become affected. Physical symptoms can include IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), a shaky uneasy feeling, nausea or vertigo, a foggy mind feeling, tightness, fast, rapid heartbeat, heart/chest pains, sweating or clamy feeling, fast talking occurs, louder talking occurs, energy or frustration, inability to think or make decisions. When talking to doctors about it then most all of them want to try anti-depressants. Anti-depressants can make it worse if it is mostly all anxiety issues. When Lorazapam is given, then it seems like a MIRACLE! Lorazepam is calming, so calming that you may fall asleep the first few times you use it because it offers such a relief. Lorazepam stops the racing thoughts and lets you complete your thoughts. Lorazepam will help your heart to beat regularly, so that you won't have chest pains. Lorazepam will let you feel normal again. The best part is that you don't have to be chained to Lorazepam because you only take it when & if you need it. It works right away. It will help you relax at bedtime and will help calm you in the stress of the day. I am very thankful for Lorazepam!

myhello

Vancouver, WA

Ativan is a medication used for anxiety disorders. As a Brain Cancer patient/survivor I have many medications that I take to help me function and Ativan is one of the medications that I have taken on and off for 14 years. Only for about the past 3 years have I been taking the medication regularly however. Ativan, in addition to a combination of several other medications, allows me, despite having a chronic illness, to function at a very high level compared to many people with chronic disease. My current dosage schedule is 1mg 4 times a day. I don't take  it on a schedule, I primarily take it whenever I feel the anxiety coming on or evey few hours. Just in the past couple weeks have I been able to actually stop myself and take notice of what is going on in my body, and many times it happens to be a feeing of anxiety. For many people ativan is a highly addictive drug, but I think for those who actually need it, it is not addictive.

undrkvrnerd

Ontario, CA