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Posted 7/6/2008 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken the generic Adavant (Lorazepam) for 20 years.  I was up to 2.0 mg daily.  I have gotten myself down to .5 now but, I can tell the difference greatly.  I fret about things alot more.  I'm seriously considering taking abit more because I am a worrier kind of person to begin with.  Oh yes, and my physician and neuro both gave me the ok to wean myself off if I chose to.  Well, now I choose to take 1.0.  What do you think of that? eyes
Posted 7/6/2008 8:08 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Peg,

I think if you have your doctor's ok with this than do it.  Anxiety is a horrible thing to deal with.  If atavan is what makes you feel better then go with it.  I am sorry you are not feeling real well.  I hope you feel some relief real soon.  Have you ever tried some of the other meds that are supposed to help with anxiety?  Paxil is the first thing that comes to mind.  It takes a while to work though.  Just a thought.

Posted 7/6/2008 10:13 PM (GMT 0)

TY Gretchen,,,,TY for agreeing with me... lol...i am going to have to try something different i think....after 20 years I am thinking that it's just too long for it to be still helping anyway.

Posted 7/6/2008 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ladies- I take clonazepam .5 to 1 mg for anxiety. The bonus about that one and MS is that it may help a little with nerve pain and muscle spasm. (just a little and not enough if you have those severe). I don't need it every day. I finally found a good counselor that has given me some very good practical coping strategies for anxiety (and panic attacks...did I mention I once convinced myself I'd been poisoned by tainted ice cream...those are the times the clonazepam is a must ;)
There is a good workbook, I think it's called the MS Workbook, actually, with very good strategies and worksheets.
I also know my anxiety is lower (and less med needed) if I can just manage some regular excercise. Even a short walk or a little yard work will help. And my CD "Relax into Restful sleep".
On a side note- Paxil, and sometimes I think other antidepressants work for some- Paxil increased my anxiety quite a bit. That can happen so just something to watch for.
Posted 7/7/2008 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
My husband takes paxil for an anxiety disorder.  He tried many others before he found that one.  He did say that it took great patience to take paxil to relief.  It is known to make the anxiety worse before it gets better.  He had to use atavan while on paxil so he could get through it.  Now he just uses the paxil.  It took him about two weeks for the increase to subside and about six weeks before he could tell it was working.  He has been on it now for about 3 years.  Most people are not willing to wait that long.

Posted 7/8/2008 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Gretchen, that is good clarification- I don't think the doctors ever said that it might do that and then get better. I believe I used it for less than two weeks. Good to know it might be open to trying again some day, with something added for those first weeks. Willow
Posted 7/8/2008 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Willowmom,

I hope you are feeling better soon.  Like I said before, anxiety is a horrible thing to deal with.  I don't usually have a problem with it but I sure do hate it when it is there!!!  Don't suffer needlessly, get help with that.

Posted 7/8/2008 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I took Ativan for 10 days and then discontinued it. I tried switching to Ambien but couldn't tolerate it. My Rheumy gave me a good book idea. It's called An Idiot's guide to stress managment. I'm waiting for it to come in from the book store. Maybe you can make little changes from reading the book and then wean yourself off. I have heard from some pp that they can be very addictive. But if it is working then that's a good thing.
Best of luck
Carolyn
Posted 7/8/2008 3:47 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Carolyn,

It is good to hear from you.  I love those idiot books.  They have an idiot's guide to MS as well!!!  It is a great reference type book. 

I hope all is well with you.

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