Drug Ratings for ATIVANAverage Rating: 3.3 (677 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from longest to shortest Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
Charts & graphs: Reviews Summary for ATIVAN | Top 10 Adverse Effects (reported to FDA)
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ATIVAN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
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| 1 | Anxiety | Ativan is one of the most problematic benzodiazepines. I became addicted in 1975 and could not discontinue due to the horrific withdrawal symptoms. I finally managed to withdraw completely this year using a Diazepam taper as recommended in the Ashton manual. I have now been benzo free for 4 months and feel 100% better but still have many withdrawal symptoms some of which I believe may last longer than I anticipated. I now campaign in the UK in order to help others addicted to benzodiazepines. | Ativan, made initially by John Wyeth and Brother Ltd, is one of the most addictive benzos and has been shown to cause epileptic seizures on withdrawal from therapeutic doses after as little as 3 weeks ingestion. It has also been shown to cause up to 200 side effects and withdrawal symptoms. If you are on it then look up the Ashton manual online for advice and information regarding discontinuation. | M | 55 | 35 years 1mg 1X D | 7/1/2010 | 5 | Anxiety | Sleepiness at first but wore of after a few days, otherwise none. Doesn't affect me at all. | I know some people have had big problems with tranquillizers but I honestly believe Ativan has enabled me to live a happy, creative life while coping with a husband with ADD and daughter with ADHD/OCD,and multiple mental health problems. At first I wanted to just take it when I was stressed but was persuaded by my doctor that it would be more effective if I took it daily. I was assured it was not addictive! This was in the 70s.I do get withdrawal effects if I don't take it but I have never had any need to increase the dose from the minimum of I mg daily. My doctors have agreed to leave me on it. Sometimes I get really stressed and knowing that relief will come when I take that pill at about 5.30 is what gets me through. I even feel more creative after taking it! It hasn't affected me detrementally in any way. Having said that it didn't suit my daughter at all and she started increasing the dose and had to be weaned of. It maddens me that because this drug has had a bad effect on som | F | 61 | 32 years | 3/5/2009 | 5 | Nothing but slight sedation | Don't listen to fools who abuse this drug and then come on here and complain about it! Dont take it everyday-period!!! Lorazepam like many drugs causes the body/brain to become dependent if taken all the time. This stuff is GOLD for those of us with anxiety/panic disorders-but please treat this drug with the respect it deserves-learn to only use it when absolutely necessary not because you feel a little edgy. And to the docs out there- please tell your patients to use this drug properly. | M | 60 | 30 years 1 1X D | 3/19/2011 | 5 | Panic Attack | None | In my 30s had severe panic attacks when having to give speaches..I had never had this problem before..my job was giving speeches..so I found Ativan..this drug kept me from having panic attacks for 30 years. I watched the amount I took and was careful never to exceed 3 mg 3 pills in the morning. I never fet I had to take more than that. It takes sometime to get off Ativan. It does not cure panic attacks. It keeps you from getting them. After 30 years I decided I wanted off these pills and I would drop the dosage down to 2 then 1 then off..I had no more panic attacks maybe due to my system changing over the years. The problem that it did cause was that after stopping this drug I would develop heart dysrhythems. They felt pretty severe so I went to the cardiac Dr had many tests and nothing was found..the skipping stopped as soon as I began the Ativan. So now I take 2 mg to 1 mg every day. This will stop your panic attacks..I found nothing else that did the job. I run 3 miles a day and have for years..no adverse affects..good luck with your panic attacks..they themselves can be life wrecking.. | M | 63 | 30 years 3 mg 1X D | 8/14/2011 | 5 | anxiety | very mild sleepiness-drugged feeling | A wonder drug for the anxious person like myself. My profession would not be possible without it-I panic when I have to chair controversial meetings. But if i dose beforehand with Ativan I am in command and I end up looking cool-calm and very professional. The right dose for me is about 3/4 of a 1 mg tab 3 hours prior to the meeting-1 mg and i'm a little too drugged and 1/2 mg is just not quite enough. Many years of experimentation have led me to these conclusions. Another thing it is good for is sleeping on nights when you have a lot of stressful stuff going on and you want to be rested because the anticipatation disrupts your sleep-also useful for major events in life that create a lot of anxiety. The key for me has been to NOT take this drug everyday and so I have never become addicted to it-weeks may go by when i don't need it but when a big meeting comes up or some other very stressful event I have my little white pill which chokes off the part of the brain that gets all worked up over these things and the real me-the personality shines through and I'll say it again-I OWE MY SUCCESSFUL CAREER PROFESSION TO THIS DRUG I'd probably would have had to quit long ago without it. | M | 57 | 25 years 1X AN | 10/2/2010 | 5 | General Anxiety Disorder | More than 2 mg is definitely mentally dulling | Have used this drug in varying dosages for 25 years. Dependency not a problem if keep daily dose under about 2 mg. Really bad withdrawal if you let your daily dose get up to 6 or 8 mg. Very versatile and reliable drug once you learn how to use it wisely. properly. Very calming with relatively little sedation. | M | 52 | 25 years | 1/14/2010 | 1 | anxiety/sleeplessness | when i tried to get off of it i found it to be impossible | ativan is wrecking my marriage. my wife states that she feels like she is trying to communicate with a person whos head is full of air. she says i have an inability to relate to her what is truly in side of my heart. she is so sad. i feel nothing is wrong. she cries all the time. she says she feels so alone even though we are together all the time. i've tried to get off the ativan but i can't. | M | 53 | 25 years | 1/21/2007 | 2 | Seizure Disorder/MR | .2mg PRN. Seizures stop w/in half hr., if not 2mg.more . Sleep 24hr.Ativan stop seizures yet after affects are Jekyl/ Hyde personality changes | 23 years , PRN Ativan for seizure disorder , works well for stoppage of seizures , yet the end outcome with EXTREME personality change is consuming .From peace,love , dove to ...Violent outbursts, hysterical cry, hate all. | F | 23 | 23 years | 8/25/2007 | 5 | anxiety | some sedation-very mild | here is what all people should be TOLD BY THEIR DOCTORS 1. do not take until you try alternatives like therapy/ssri's 2. because the drug is highly addictive if taken daily for a stretch of time-generally more than 3-4 weeks 3. if you only have occasinal anxiety/panic take the drug AS NEEDED if you use it this way it WILL NEVER be a problem as long as you do not take it daily. 4. if you have chronic panic/anxiety and alternatives do not work then consider taking it daily AS PRESCRIBED the drug is relatively safe long term as long as you DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING IT and the anxiolytic effects generally continue to work indefinately 5. if you need to get OFF ATIVAN refer to THE ASHTON MANUAL-a simple google search will work. A MIRACLE DRUG when used properly. A | M | 44 | 22 years 1X D | 11/6/2010 | 1 | antiety/panic attacks | muscle tension, shortness breath, anger/violent thoughts, anxiety, tightness in chest, weight gain, fatigue, memory loss, nerve pain in face, inability to tolerate others, suicidal thoughts | I've taken ativan for 21 years. I never felt I was abusing it (.5mg prn, and I didn't take it every day for many years until recently) and I NEVER did deal with the issues I was taking it for to begin with, (anxiety). I forgot why I was taking it! It made me feel better for many years, that's all that mattered! my doctor who was giving it to me since I'm 17 just retired.. now I'm forced to stop it or go begging like an addict for more. I have a good job and I can afford to DR shop but now that I'm going through this thought process I see my addiction for what it is and has become. This drug will make you feel better,(no doubt about it!).. but, this drug will make you a lunatic on it and if you try to stop it.. consider the worst panic attack imaginable.. all that hell doesn't even compare to what you will feel and how your body will react when you have no more little pills left. It hurts and it doesn't just go away..this withdrawl duration. forwarned is forarmed. I can't express it i | F | 38 | 21 years | 1/14/2008 | 5 | Panic attacks Agraphobia Anxiety | Sometimes makes me feel sleepy | I was 24 when i started having serious anxiety that led to panic attacks and agraphobia. I didn't see any way to recover and ended up a mess at the doctors. He prescribed ativan and the relief was instant. Trouble was i continued using them daily for 6 months or so and realised that i had indeed become addicted to them, and found myself craving them. I became quite worried at this point and stopped them cold turkey. That hurt...big time! but i felt genuinely proud that i was able to kick them. Since then i have always carried a few with me and take them only when necessary (flying for instance)They make me feel wonderfully calm and relaxed, but i am careful not to take them for any longer than 2 weeks at a time. Great drug | M | 44 | 20 years | 5/7/2009 | 5 | anxiety | none | after years of stress induced panic attacks that made a public life all but impossible, and after using several other meds that did nothing to help, Ativan has literally been a life saver for me. Not that it kept me from death, but I sometimes felt as though I might as well be dead because I had no life. I know it doesn't work for everybody, but it has changed my life dramatically. | M | 58 | 20 years | 8/26/2009 | 4 | Anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, OCD | Memory loss over the years. | Very addicting. I have been taking it for about 20 years at the same dose of 2mg. My PMD prescribed several other sleep meds, but none of them helped me with the anxiety and insomnia like Ativan does. Ativan is the only med that shuts my mind off so I can sleep. It has been a Godsend for me. | F | 55 | 20 years | 12/27/2007 | 4 | Sleep aid/panic attack | This medicine may cause tiredness in the morning, diminished libido. Also, one should not consume alcohol within 6-12 hours of a dose (depending on the dose, amount of alcohol and individual response). Still, it has relativelly minor side effects when compared to other drugs I had to take occasionally (propranolol/inderal for example, which can also be used for some of these conditions - less effective for anxiety but less addictive also) | This drug helped me go through difficult periods of stress, when I was not able to sleep or had occasional panic attacks and dealing with anxiety before medical/dental procedures. The lowest dose (0.5 mg) would usually work for me, but during particularly stressful periods I would take 1-2 mg/day. Since it is very addicting, one should learn to use the minimum effective dosage while doing everything else to improve their condition (i.e. lifestyle changes). Widhdrawal symptoms usually appear after 3-4 days and can last for weeks. | M | 49 | 20 years | 8/27/2007 | 4 | Anxiety,Pain,Muscle Cramps,Insomnia | Drowsiness and Fatigue when taking during the day. Taken at night for sleep, it works great. | I take it as needed. Never a problem with withdrawl or major side effects. Used to hear voices in my head telling me bad things. Now we have regular conversations and they finally make sense. I'd be lonely without it. | F | 88 | 20 years .5 - 2mg 2X D | 1/29/2012 | 1 | Insomnia | IBS,Parathesias & nerve pain,Cog Fog,weakness,memory problems,muscle cramps/spasms,urinary freq/incontinence,blurry vision,no saliva,anxiety,ear & sinus pain/pressure,hair loss | I was sent to many specialists and all tests came back normal. Not one doctor suspected the Ativan was causing all these symptoms. I found out through my own research, and also, that the same thing has happened to many other people. | F | 48 | 20 years .5 mg 1X D | 10/28/2011 | 5 | Anxiety/Panic disorder | This pill helps me a lot. It calms me and takes away my wild thoughts. It starts working in 15 minutes after I take one. | I did take 2mg for awhile but it made me sleepy. I take 1mg per day only when I need it. There are times I do not take any for several weeks. I do not need this pill all the time, but when I do it works wonders. | M | 67 | 18 years | 7/20/2003 | 4 | to make me sleep | slight drool in corner of mouth and lately some depression but think other reasons for the depression. I am also having trouble with my vision. | I use the computer a lot. I am or was an active Realtor until My son was injured very bad in an accident and then my daughter.The doctors did not think my son live but so far he is with us but not ok. My daughter had broken foot and wrist. I am really bad depressed at times and am wondering if maybe since I take such a small dose of ativan that my depression is due to the things happening in my family and I will very soon be having serious money problems and may loose my home. should I stop taking ativan. I do not take any other medications and take such a small dose of the ativan. I do not take it regular and have gone as much as 2 weeks without taking any but lately I am taking 1/2 of .5 every night to help me sleep where as before I would take maybe 2 or 3 times a week in the middle of the night. | F | 80 | 18 years 1/2 of 05 1X D | 4/5/2013 | 1 | panic attack | developed interdose withdrawal after 13 years of dosing 1 1/2mg per day, symptoms: intense anxiety-panic attacks, ringing in ears, lightheadedness, nausea, chest pain, intense lethargy. | This drug will fool you into thinking it's your best friend, in reality, this drug is your worst enemy. Check the FDA guidelines on this drug, only supposed to be prescribed for 2-3 weeks for temporary suspension of intense anxiety! If you are dependent on this drug you must slow taper off, fast tapers will likely bring about intense withdrawal symptoms! All benzos should really be taken off the market, I suspect they may at some point, read all the horror stories at various benzo forums. | M | 55 | 18 years | 2/4/2009 | 5 | panic attacks | NONE. | Miracle Drug!!!! The only problems would be withdrawal but if they work, why go off them? I'll be on them forever; they've given me my life back. I spent many times in psych wards with depression, anxiety, etc. Was agoraphobic, depressed, listless, you name it. Not any more.....excellent drug. | M | 50 | 17 years | 4/13/2009 | 1 | Initially air travel anxiety | Feelings of chronic heart problems. Twice went for heart problem diagnosis. Eventually figured out through the web, benzos.org.uk and this page that Ativan was the problem. This is a very scary drug. Forewarned is forearmed! | I would take 1 mg on a casual basis for travel and anxiety etc. Over the past couple of years I found I would take it for just about every malady - anxiety, insomnia, hangovers etc. I was using about thirty pills every two months. A few months ago one of the doctors at the clinic warned me and said that Ativan is a "bullshit drug" and I should exercise extreme caution. Of course, I thought he was being overly cautious and ignored his advice. Over the past few months I have been plagued by problems associated with heart disease, such as severe left side pain, shortness of breath although I work out regularly and consider myself somewhat fit. Ativan would always restore my sense of well being. This past couple of weeks, I tended to over indulge (to my way of thinking). Took a pill almost every day in the week leading to Christmas, two on Christmeas Eve, two on Christmas Day and because I only had four left and did not wish to be be rebuffed by my doctor, decided to leav | M | 52 | 17 years | 1/3/2006 | 5 | For help sleeping after Migraine | No side affects very good drug if used properly. | Ativan is a very affective drug when used for stress and relaxation... Its very important not to take everyday or even every other day .. space out your dosing and you cant get addicted and wont build up a tolerance ... Its nice to know its there and you have a way to relax but you must be very responsible with this drug.... people that rate this drug bad because of addiction have to hold themselves accountable for not being responsible with the drug.... YES ativan is addictive but so are alot of drugs if you over use them.... BE RESPONSIBLE....If you having anxiety everyday then talk to your doctor and get a new gameplan ... dont take ativan everyday ... its not made for that.... | M | 37 | 15 years | 2/18/2006 | 5 | to stay asleep | No known side effects | I accidentally quit taking it while on vacation. I thought I had it with me and did not, but didn't realize it for 10 days. I really did not have any side effects by quitting cold turkey after taking it daily for 15 years. I was also a daily beer drinker for 30 years and quit that cold turkey, too. Lucky I guess. | M | 64 | 15 years | 6/13/2008 | 5 | anxiety disorder, panic attack | sleepy when taken at night, but when I get real stressed it helps calm me down and prevents me from having panic attacks | F | 47 | 15 years | 11/15/2004 | 5 | Panic Disorder/Anxiety | Drowsiness, euphoria, memory lapses | When I was 19 years old I went to the ER because I was having panic attacks daily. They gave me 1mg Ativan and it was the best feeling I had, not because the drug got me high, but because it did relieve the anxiety I was having. I've used it as needed for weeks at a time to months at a time. If you were are sensitive to drugs, Ativan is better than the other Benzos as far as being easier to go on...I rate it a 5, the only real issue with benzos is you have to go off them very slowly. | M | 34 | 15 years .5 - 1mg 1X AN | 2/8/2017 | 3 | Bipolar 1 with rapid cycling panic | M | 53 | 15 years 1.0 mg 1X D | 7/17/2011 History | 5 | For Panic/Anxiety Disorder | None | Well, the GOOD thing about this drug is that it literally saved my life with respect to moving on with my life. I started with SEVERE panic attacks almost 14 years ago and suffered for about a year before I demanded help (i had to care for my 2 year old with a military husband away a lot) The problem? I cannot for the life of me get off the stuff. I've tried to switch, but they never know how to make the adjustment. Switching I don't see as a good option, but at the same time, I'm just maintaining the dose 2mg 4xday (8mg) but really, it no longer touches me; ( Not sure what to do, but would realllly like to eliminate it. I DO recommend it if you need to move on with your life like I have, but NEVER get up to such a high dose... very hard to get off of... | F | 42 | 14 years | 8/24/2005 | 4 | Panic Disorder | Tired, irritable on occasion. | Great drug for anxiety\panic attacks. Few side effects. But, there are many people who can't tolerate it & get dizzy, nauseous, etc. Alot of the people here telling you how bad ativan is have probably been cut off by their dr.s. & they are bitter. Yes, it would be best if we didn't take any drugs. But many people need this drug the same way another person needs meds for high blood pressure. DO NOT drink while taking this drug. But then, you all knew that..I hope. | F | 57 | 14 years 1 mg 3X D | 4/30/2011 | 4 | panic attacks | Forgetfulness, sleep hangover | Bottom Line: Ativan has few side effects when taken in smaller doses and if taken WITHOUT other drugs or booze. It has allowed many of us to live a 'normal' life. Of course it's addictive, hello..? When you are truly ready to stop this drug always get help and do not attempt to do it alone. You must wean off very slowly, literally chipping away at the pills until all you take is a crumb. I was taught this by a very good psychiatrist. Panic is a very real and physical condition that can tear your life apart. Taking this drug is no different than taking insulin for diabetes. My advice, stay under 4 mgs. daily, preferably 2-3 mgs. and you should be fine. I hear all this hoopla about how scary ativan is, etc. But many of the people who say this are also drinking or taking other drugs. If the drug doesn't click with you stop taking it but Don't tell others they need to stop too. God Bless and may He give you the Peace you deserve. | F | 57 | 14 years 1 mg 3X D | 2/13/2011 | 1 | Insomnia/Anxiety | I took Ativan for 14 years, but the during the last three years after my dosage was increased, I had major problems. I went through living hell. I experienced racing, repetitive negative thoughts about my past constantly that were uncontollable, suicidal thoughts, highly agitated and at times would blow up. This caused major problems for not only me but my family members. I would not recommend this drug to anybody. After coming off the drug, I'm my old self again, and glad to be alive. I have discovered that this drug was not intended for use everyday. Buyer beware. | M | 51 | 14 years | 5/10/2009 | 3 | Anxiety-Panic-Phobias | made me tired, dizzy, more anxious when it wore off. | I took this drug for 13 yrs! It made me MORE anxious! I was hooked. When the drug wore off I was a mess! Very anxious and shakey. Moody as hell. I am trying to get off this drug but it's really hard. | M | 40 | 13 years | 5/27/2009 | 1 | M | 66 | 13 years | 4/11/2005 | 5 | GAD / Panic Attacks | None. | Love ativan. It's like taking a Tylenol for a headache. Within 20 minutes, I am less anxious and whatever was getting me all keyed up seems less intense and more manageable. The only problem is that over time, this medication begins to lose some of its effects and you have to increase your dose. So I keep it as a "fallback drug" - only to be used when the regular meds aren't working so I don't have to become increasingly dependent upon it. I have been taking this med off and on since 1996. | F | 32 | 12 years | 9/12/2008 | 5 | Anxiety/panic attacks | Drowsiness at first. | Ativan is a major help in my life! I have mitral valve prolapse syndrome and a panic attack can strike at any time. I can take up to 2 - 1mg Ativan a day and most of the time I only take 1/2 pill and on average only a few days a month. | F | 49 | 12 years | 1/2/2007 | 5 | Panic attacks, Anxiety | Sometimes it causes me to be a bit tired but other that that no problems other than it is addictive | This Medication allows me to have a much more normal life. | F | 31 | 12 years | 12/30/2005 | 1 | anxiety and insomnia | Initially I thought this was manna from heaven. In fact I have thought that until last year when I learned it is a cause of cognitive impairment...a slowing of mental function. There I was, building my career, when things starting going downhill. I began to notice I couldn't concentrate and couldn't perform at work so well anymore. Then I started getting negative feedback at work. My performance reviews were about some other person I did not recognize. My personality changed. I became emotional at every little thing. I took things personally. I got paranoid. My stress increased, my blood pressure went up. I gained weight. I felt sick all the time. I finally had to quit my job...in shame...and have since lost my home, my income, even my ability to carry on an intelligent conversation about things on which I used to be an expert. This drug has destroyed my life. I am currently using cannabis (strong indica, which is relaxing) to help me relax so I can sleep. My plan is to get to where I | When I expressed my concerns to my DOCTOR about my "addiction" to ativan, he seemed unconcerned and told me it was safe. He also corrected me and explained I wasn't addicted; I just had a dependency. Well, regardless, I don't want to be dependent on ANY drug. And that includes cannabis. (But it's a good workaround!) | F | 59 | 12 years 1 mg 1X D | 7/26/2010 | 1 | Anxiety | Insomnia | I was on this horrible medication 12 years. It quit helping me. I was originally on 2 mg's daily. That was increased to 4 mg's daily. No relief. My new doctor said there is NO point in taking it. So I was weaned from 4 mg's nightly , down to 2 mg's nightly , then down to 1 mg nightly , then down to 1/2 mg. nightly. Now I am completely OFF of it. NO strange withdrawal side effects at all. Other then , I get No sleep at night , or if I do , I only get 1 or 2 hours. 3 if I am real lucky. Don't take this medication , it's addictive and can cause so much grief. I think I am going to have to ask my doctor for some LUNESTA so I can get some sleep at night. | F | 51 | 12 years | 4/12/2009 | 1 | Anxiety Attacks | EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE DRUG ! | I took this Rechid Medication for 12 ( Twelve ) Years due to having bad anxiety attacks from caring for an ill family member. I was on 4 mg's daily. Doctor asked did it still help me ? I said No. So I was weaned off it over a period of 5 months. I have been Free from this Nightmare for about 10 months now. Don't take this Drug ! It will HOOK you , hook , line and sinker till you Crave the stuff. | F | 52 | 12 years | 12/18/2009 | 5 | Anxiety | None | After reading some of the silly comments regarding Ativan, it appears that people who claim to have bizarre experiences with this drug probably need to address some issues that Ativan will not help them with. To them I say "Get help now."" Having said that, I've been on this med for 10 years, no side effects, works like a charm, not to difficult to wean off of IF you follow the proper tapering method. DO NOT stop taking this drug cold turkey under any circumstances (the backlash effect is pretty bad). I've run out a few times, and it's not pleasant. Great medicine, highly recommended. | M | 52 | 11 years | 12/24/2008 | 4 | Anxiety | None. | I've been taking Ativan for 11 years, 3 to 4 mg per day. It has always helped me with anxiety and at the start it helped me sleep. After 2 months I was having trouble sleeping again. The Ativan has been my little friend for a long time now. I too have run out from time to time and agree it is one of the most excrutiating experiences I've had. At first you think, "Oh I can make it a week" then like someone is tightening a violin string in your body you slowly descend into hell. After 2 days and sleepless nights I had to get to the emergency room where I was given an Ativan and ten minutes later I'm perfectly fine. I am now more frightened of running out than any of the anxiety I ever suffered from. Please don't think I didn't suffer either. Since that time I've really tried to wean myself to a point where I wasn't so dependant on them only to fail every time. Someone previously wrote that when she tried to go without her anxiety came back. Well, of course, however, it's not th | M | 38 | 11 years | 12/30/2008 | 5 | episodes of anxiety, insomnia | Occasional reduction of appetite if I use it more than 3 times per week. | This is a WONDERFUL drug when used responsibly! I've been taking 0.25 to 0.5 mg 1-2 times per week, before bed ONLY, if I'm too anxious to sleep. Before this drug, I had terrible bouts of insomnia that would leave me unable to function or go to work. Something would stress me out, causing intense anxiety, and then I wouldn't sleep. Then I'd start worrying about not sleeping, and this vicious cycle of anxiety/insomnia would get a hold on me. It was ruining my life! Thanks to ativan, I don't have to worry about anxiety affecting my sleep anymore, so I've stopped obsessing about it. If I am too anxious to sleep, I know I can take a pill...and just knowing I can take ativan makes me relax enough to sleep (so I often don't even need to take it). This drug has developed a terrible reputation because many people don't use it RESPONSIBLY. They take too high a dose and use it too often. I take it responsibly: low doses used only a few times a week, with breaks in between. I'm really sorry this | F | 44 | 10 years | 6/11/2008 | 5 | anxiety | none | been on it for years. makes the difference between me wanting to slap someone and not doing it lol. just mellows me out, helps if I get panicy, take before going to parties and places where I have to deal with people.use mostly to sleep, take during the day as needed. excellent drug in my opinion | F | 54 | 10 years | 2/1/2005 | 5 | Aniexty | none | works great! | F | 51 | 10 years 2X D | 5/9/2012 | 5 | Panic Attacks | I rated Ativan on this site some 4 years ago. I have taken this medication for some 35 years for panic attacks. For 30 years I took 3 mg a day slowly cutting back to 1 mg. They did the job. Never had a panic attack again. I have never had any reaction at all. I have flown airplanes, jumped out of planes, scuba dived for 15 years with over 500 dives, rode Harley's for 20 years and gave over 1000 presentations, and have been a lead medic on an ambulance and have never had any side affects. I have my blood checked every 6 months and have no ill side affects. I do work out every day running walking and lifting weights. If you have any questions please ask. | M | 66 | 10 years 1 mg | 8/20/2014 | 5 | PMS Anxiety | I have taken Ativan sporadically over the years as needed, during times of intense anxiety (usually when my PMS clashes with difficult relationships). I just started taking it again after about 7 years off and I'm noticing some fatigue, lack of ambition...but I think my adrenals and nervous system are already really depleted and Ativan's anxiety reduction is just putting me in touch with how tired I really am. | I absolutely LOVE Ativan. Life can be really hard sometimes. I am an advanced meditator, yogi, and holistiic healing professional, and I know that there are many ways to deal with stress...but sometimes life gets the best of me and when PMS stacks up against PTSD with a big heaping dose of relationship drama or family drama, I have a really hard time keeping my cool. I have had such bad anxiety attacks that I feel like I can't breathe and that I'm having heart palpitations. When I feel the ice cold hit of cortisol hitting my bloodstream in an intense relationship argument or situation, I know that it's all over for the day and I'll be just trying to hang on by my fingernails to be able to cope with the day. Ativan changes all of this for me. I only take a half dose, as needed. My prescription says to take 2 a day, but I only take about 2 or 3 a week during even the worst stretches of anxiety. One half dose just stops the physiological stress reaction in it's tracks, and allows me to process the situation with a calm, cool and collected mind. The heart palpitations and overwhelm vanish, and I can see the problem clearly and deal with it rationally. Lately I've noticed that I seem to be feeling pretty tired after taking a full dose, but it's not any more tired than I would have been had I been dealing with an anxiety attack all day and night. I love Ativan and I like to have it available to me when I need it. I've never been inclined to abuse substances, so for me, it's a wonde | F | 40 | 10 years 1/2 dose 3X W | 12/20/2014 | 5 | Panic attack | I experienced panic attacks severe at about 30. Worked very well. I am now 68. So I have taken this med for over 35 years. I have over 500 scuba dives, jumped out of air planes, made over 200 speeches and worked on ambulance for two years. No side effects at all. I take 1 mg x day. The only problem is getting off fast. I was on 3 Mg a day now 1 mg. it caused my heart to skip withdrawing. My cardio Doc said "why quit". Really. I have probably been on this med as long as anyone. No ill effects. It does have a bad effect I have seen in about 1 in 10 people I know. They became very agitated. Also I don't use this for sleep. I have no other illness and take no other meds. If you can't sleep try over the counter Unisom. This is an over the counter med and works very well. Give it a chance. | M | 68 | 10 years 2 | 4/19/2016 | 4 | Panic and anxiety disorder | None they just keep me calm and no anxiety | F | 60 | 10 years 1mg | 2/14/2016 | 4 | Hi heart rate from reflex sympathetic dystrophy | None | M | 53 | 10 years 6mg | 1/12/2014 | 4 | High heart rate from reflex sympathetic dystrophy | None | M | 53 | 10 years 6mg | 1/12/2014 | 4 | Anxiety | Forgetfulness, Sometimes Foggy and loss of short term memory. | At first, this drug was awesome. It is still the ONLY thing that makes the panic attacks go away, but trying to come off of this drug after 10years.........WOW.....hard is an understatement. | M | 44 | 10 years 2 MG 1X D | 1/15/2013 | 4 | bipolar/schizo | Works well for treating PSYCHOSIS. My doctor prescribes me Lorazepam for shizoprenia, it works better then all those harsh antipsychotics. My doctor does not prescribe me those anymore. I have been out of the hospital for three years. | Make sure the doctor prescribes you the Generic form called Lorazepam, its cheapier and has the same effectiveness. Ask the pharmacist for the cheapier Generic form chemical name (Lorazepam) | M | 33 | 10 years | 5/18/2007 | 4 | anxiety | sleepiness, addiction It really helped me for what I was taking it for but it was very difficult to stop. | I started taking this drug about 10 years ago to help with some pretty bad anxiety and depression I was having at the time. I started taking a 1mg dose twice a day 1 in morning and 1 before bed. I tapered myself down to .5mg twice a day and then finally was able to get off it for about 3 months this year. I just started taking it in .5mg doses again due to the anxiety and depression resurfacing after 10 years. I dont know if its coming back because I got off the medicine or just that I am having a relapse but I have to honestly tell you that those years in between when I was taking it were the best years of my life. Just be VERY careful not to take this in larger doses. | M | 30 | 10 years | 6/3/2007 | 4 | anxiety | Not sure of any - maybe slight memory loss (but I can't remember) :) | Works well. Take about 0.5 mg to 1mg/day when anxious. I stop taking it for 2 to 4 day stretches at a time with next to no side effects. | M | 54 | 10 years | 10/5/2006 | 4 | Anxiety | Panic Attacks, Insomnia, Anxiety | Be VERY careful taking this medication. It is highly addictve. If you take it long term, be weary of how you stop taking it. The withdrawls are AWFUL. | F | 42 | 10 years | 10/1/2008 | 4 | anxiety, spastic colon | Took this medicine for over 10 years. Thought it was a miracle drug. Worked for me for years. Then, started having problems about 3 years ago on a permanent basis. Went to many doctors to find out what was wrong. TMJ dentist for teeth grinding, Neurologist for muscle tremors, ENT doctor for ear ringing and pulsative tinnitis, and sinuses stopping up at night; 2 expensive MRI's that were normal. Cardiologist for heart palpatations, General Practitioner for insomnia and felt like I was either getting an ulcer or spastic colon, and of course the Psychiatrist. Have neck/facial tremors/spasms constantly, constant ear ringing, caused pulsative tinnitus, rapid heartbeat, memory loss, trouble concentrating, irritability and extreme insomnia. Got to a point where I was taking 1 mg in morning and 1 mg at night. This isn't even the normal dosage, but was having all these side effects. Had severe anxiety and shaking when I didn't take dose on time and couldn't sleep. | Now I have been on the 'Ashton' slow taper down program for about 2 months. Keep a journal of all I do and medicine I take every day to try to figure out a pattern. Still in the process of just switching from ativan to diazepam and getting the dosage equal. 1 mg ativan is about equal to 10 mg diazepam, which is a generic 'valium', but I have found that for some it is more. Lost 10 lbs. Still have hope that this program will work even if it takes me over a year to get off. Will probably always need some type of medicine for anxiety back up, but DO NOT take this medication every day. YOU WILL GET ADDICTED AND WITHDRAWAL IS HORRIBLE! I HOPE to get off of this medicine and only take maybe diazepam or maybe .25 mg of ativan only in specific situations of panic/anxiety, but not regularly. If you take it regularly you better have faith in God because if you don't you will see no reason to continue living when you become tolerant. Honestly, a lot of psychiatrist don't even realize the ad | F | 50 | 10 years | 12/30/2008 | 3 | Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Have been taking for more than a decade, my medical records don't go back further than that. Have since been told I was mis-diagnosed and have BPD and have to go in hospital next week for rapid detox off the Ativan before I can begin the appropriate medication! Am very fearful............. | I currently take 2 mgs. 4 x a daily, and have been taking Ativan for more than 10 years, probably closer to 15. | F | 45 | 10 years | 5/27/2005 | 3 | panic Attacks. | For the last 24 years it worked great. Then this year it just stopped working. It causes like a hot flash and brief ill feeling, then a mild depression. | Been taking it for 25 years for panic attacks as needed. Worked well until last 6 months or so. The manufacturer changed and now it simply quit working. My doctor gave me 10 Xanax to try to see if I like that better. | F | 45 | 10 years 2mg/3x/day | 4/19/2016 | 2 | Anxiety | Swollen throat vomit and pain | F | 23 | 10 years 10 | 1/12/2016 | 1 | Anxiety and major recurrent depression | Poor pulmonary health. Rebound anxiety. Withdrawal at home was hell. | It was needed at the start of my depression but psychiatrist kept me on for too long. | F | 58 | 10 years 6mg | 3/13/2016 | 1 | Anxiety | Worked wonderful at first for anxiety and sleep. No bad side effects in the beginning, but I became an addict after being on it for 10 years. My doctor upped my dose over the years. I went into tolerance withdrawal and ended up in a treatment center. They tried to take me off the drug too fast. I got a second opinion and was put back on the drug to get out of withdrawal. The I was crossed over to librium over a 5 month period. After that I had to taper 5 mg librium every 3rd week. It took me 2 years to be free of that drug. | Benzodiazapines should be outlawed. The withdrawal is miserable! | F | 49 | 10 years 1mg | 9/12/2016 |