Hey everyone. Sometimes I have panic attacks. Well, my psychiatrist prescribed me Ativan to take when I have a panic attack. I take one Ativan when I start getting a panic attack and it usually takes care of it within about 20 minutes. Do you take this medicine? What has been your experience with it?
Ave Maria, I don't take Ativan, but I do get anxiety and panic attacks from time to time. This has only mellowed because I've learned how to better control my thoughts and to take my mind to happy positive places rather than spiraling downwards and out of control which always caused my anxiety and panic.
Ave Maria,
I am about a week behind on your post, but I wanted to ask how you like using Ativan? I was prescribed it about a week or 2 ago for sleep and anxiety and I am not sure how I feel about it yet. Any of your input is appreciated.
I have a script for ativan which I use as a last resort. My anxiety was too pervasive and I didn't want to take it regularly because it can be addicting, or so they say (not sure if they mean physically or psychologically addicting). I take another med for my anxiety daily, Buspar. Like puppydoglvr, I'm trying to learn to identify my triggers and use tools to take my anxiety down a level or two in the event of a Panic Attack. Not quite there yet, but still trying.
Anyway Ativan can be very effective for intermittent attacks which it sounds like you're experiencing. good luck with it...
Hi Ave Maria, how are you doing and how are you feeling? I hope all is well. Just checking in.
Hello Ave Maria,
Yes, I've been given the drug when I had severe anxiety.
HOWEVER, I prefer to call them TERROR attacks rather than panic attacks because it's more representative of how bad they are. I'd wake up early in the morning when it was still dark and I'd feel terror about staying inside my apartment. It'd be minus twenty degrees out in the middle of the winter and sometimes I could barely endure the terror attack long enough to get dressed.
It happens mostly in the winter when it's dark and gloomy and reminds me of the situation I was in when I was raped at the age 9.
Anyway, I liked--a lot--how the ativan worked, but I can see anything that can mellow me out from such terror ONLY temporarily HAS to be BAD as a long-term solution.
Best,
Richard
P.S. You can support me more than being on this site by viewing my vision of peace in an animated walkthru a house in a time of peace:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAE5Zt81hzs&feature=youtu.be
A house like no other...enjoy.
Be careful with Ativan and sleep. It is severely addicting. It does help sleep but it is extremely hard to come off. I take a half of a tablet once in a while. There are other drugs for anxiety and sleep that are not as addicting.
I have taken ativan for about 4 years now,it works really good for me.probably my only complaint about it is that it takes a little while to kick in..its not instant relief.it does make me tired,so I only take it when I am having very bad anxiety,but I only have positive stuff to say about ativan,it has helped me