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Posted 3/16/2013 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone I've been reading the posts on this forum for quite some time and its nice to know there are others that feel the same or similar and support each other. I have had anxiety for a long time in varying degrees, almost always about health issues or dying. Recently I have lost the ability to fall asleep and it has created the perfect fatigued and stressed situation for anxiety to breed and grow once again.
I have used Ativan in the past to help when anxiety has gotten out of hand and its great. However, I have gotten more of it from the doctors today and I've become anxious about how the pill suppresses the central nervous system. I find myself worrying that if I take it I may feel better but it may effect my autonomous functions while sleeping, such as breathing. It's a very scary notion and its been keeping me from utilizing the relaxing benefits. All I need is a good nights sleep and it has been evading me now for a week.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom or further information about the action of benzodiazepine on the central nervous system? Are my fears completely unfounded? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Posted 3/16/2013 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking ativan for a long time for sleep and it has never affected my breathing. In fact, I take ambien on top of the ativan (on doctor's advice) and I have never had an issue.

The way I understand it, how you would get in trouble would be piling a bunch of medications that are central nervous system depressants on top of each other. And I think you would need large doses of that, given that I am on both ativan and ambien and am fine.

However, I'm not a doctor. The person you should really be talking to this about is the doctor who prescribed the medication. If you have a good relationship with the doctor, it might be a good idea to call and have your worries assuaged.

I hope you feel better! I've also been having issues with sleep because I've had panic attacks before/during sleep and I have a lot of anxiety re: going to bed now. It's the worst. :(

Av
Posted 3/16/2013 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Imag, my Wife has used ativan since it came out its been a life saver for Her, at one time she took about
6 a day for many years, now she uses as needed, I use xanax much the same way, as needed I think Dr's should allow there patients to decide when these meds are needed, and not force them to take a certain amount, she has never abused the Dr's trust.
I hope this makes you feel better.

Larry ***
Posted 3/16/2013 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your input Avrielle, that's where I'm at too. I would get a pounding heart the moment I am slipping into sleep and it would cause me to startle and wake feeling like I'm having an anxiety attack. I've developed a fear of simply trying to sleep.
Posted 3/16/2013 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Igm thanks for your response, it does make me feel a bit better, though the thought still lingers as irrational fear.. Have you ever tried Ativan? And if so, how does it compare to Xanax for you?
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