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Posted 10/28/2011 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
doc just prescribed me ativan .5 mg...anyone else taking?  likes?  dislikes?  doc called it his "beer and a ballgame" pill -- sometimes you need to just chill out with a beer and a ballgame...i've taken 2 so far...main thing i've noticed is it makes me tired...and i'm already tired all the time.  anyway- just looking for some thouhgts.  thanks!
Posted 10/28/2011 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Ativan is in the same family as xanax and klonopin, they are benzos. You will feel tired on them because they are sedatives. I just responded to a post you commented on about Zoloft. I would recommend that you take an SSRI or SNRI if you're going to do it for the long haul, as benzos are known to cause addiction. I am currently taking Zoloft before bed and Xanax .5 twice a day until the side effects go away from the Zoloft. I plan on weaning off of the xanax when I hit the 8 week mark with zoloft, and just keep them for an "as needed" thing in case I get any breakthrough anxiety or panic attacks.
Posted 10/28/2011 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
mtgman

I am glad to read that you are working with your Dr. re medications.  Each person will react differently to medications........."beer and ballgame pill" -  I think perhaps that is not a very appropriate term for why this medication should be prescribed.

Please keep in mind that we are not a professional group.  We are here to encourage and give peer support. We cannot directly recommend a drug, changing a drug or doing anything with a drug.

We can share how  a medication helped us or did not help us.  Please do keep on talking with us.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 10/29/2011 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
My experience with Ativan is that if I take too much of it ( in my case,.5 mg is too much) I get really drowsy and I sleep for about an hour. I feel better when I wake up and just very relaxed and spacey. Like I have no cares. If I take a lower does, like half of the pill, then I feel the best because I do not get drowsy but I just get the calming effect of it. I haven't tried other meds. Ativan in general does not make me feel tired if taken in the right dose. I hope this helps you. Maybe you need to half your pill too? I suggest speaking to your doctor about it :)
Posted 10/29/2011 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
thanks all. i've had xanax to take as needed and have never had any propblem with dependency- i could have a 60 pill bottle last for months and months...i do need somethning more regularly now though. the ativan does make me very tired- great for my insomnia! woohoo! but bad when i take one at 7:30 am and hit the sack til 11 am --oops.
Posted 10/30/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Ive been using ativan when needed .5 mg. For me, it only takes the edge off and a couple of hours after taking it i feel like i HAVE to take a nap. I guess taking the edge off panic attacks though is etter than dealing with the full brunt of it:)
Posted 11/2/2011 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
I personally like ativans, but they are highly addicting as well. I have taken a 2mg, and literally felt stoned LOL. The .5 mg's are great if you just need to calm down a bit and it relaxes you, being a sedative. I do not have any dislikes, but honestly, they are not harmful in any way and they also take a while to get used to in your system so it will make you tired at first, but once you have taken a few more, it will be more calming. I do not recommend drinking anything with caffeine while on these, or alcohol (I made that mistake). I felt very energized but tired and wanting to relax which made me jittery and uncomfortable. Take them only when needed, don't become so attached to them, when you are really anxious, take one.
Posted 11/3/2011 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
thanks guys! yeah the addictive factor is something i need to be aware of- i take a bunch of oxycodone for my crohn's disease pain- i am definitely becoming dependant on the oxycodone- a position i am not liking but i have to weight that against the pain relief...I'm working with a pain mgmt doc so they are aware and we're trying to stay on top of it. I'm actually going to try accupuncture there next month.
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