NeuroTalk Support Groups - Anyone use Ativan for anxiety

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Anyone use Ativan for anxiety

I wondered if anyone uses Ativan or ahd. I don't ahve a problem with it except I don't think I have enough, and don't use it everyday.

When I feel anxious, (more then usual) I take the one tablet, not sure of dose, maybe a .05 or 1 mg. Then it is generally the one.

It is something the PCP gave me in flares of anxiety, not a daily med. So I call for a refill, (get one month only) only a few times a year.

I tried Effexor , Paxil prozac, but too many vivid scary dreams. I do have vailum at 5 -10, I have 10 mg right now for muscle spasms, but last 9 months have not taken it daily. I wonder if my days would be better if I remember to take the 5- or 10 valium a day, and keep the Ativan for peek days?

I backed off on the valium when I was looking for a part time job for the purpose of drug testing.

Maybe that is the problem, I have more problems on my shoulders with working now, and less medication in me?
Di

My husband uses it daily. 5 mgs a day. He has tried to lower it but it hasn't worked out very well. He has been on it for years. Before that it was klonapin. For the most part it keeps his anxiety down to a minimum but at times he does have the rare panic attack.

I have tried so many times to stop taking klonopin, and it just did not work, I went in disaster mode. It works for me, not as strong as valium, have you tried it, it does not make me tired.

Just to point this out if you didn't know this already,
Valium at 10mg is the equivalent to .5mg klonipin...and has a longer acting half life.stays in your system longer and the easiest form of getting off/tapering sown if that is really what you want to do in the futere.
Benzos in general help people to live so are really necessary for so many people to help them cope.
For me I was using them as a crutch...unfortunately my pdoc would have left me on them if I had not suggested that I get off of them...
We all have to take what works best for us...thankfully there are medications out there that can help us to function as best as we are able.
(((HUGS))))
bizi

My daughter uses Klonopin, I never thought about trying it.

The reason for starting the Valium was its BEST muscle relaxant properties. Over the traditional ones, Valium is the only true muscle relaxant per the neurologist. She only perscribs as I do not ahve it daily, and use half doses. It has kept from frequent ER trips for Migrain/ headpain/

You all will laugh, but I am afraid to consider Klonopin? I don't know if it will help the spasms for the cervogenic head aches, and I am afraid (LOL) of not being able to get off it, YET I do understand what you say valium addicting proerties.
It sounds so stupid to be afraid of Klonpin and relaxed about Valium???
But, I do have such great muscle relaxant results, I don't know that I will on Klonopin.

I took Valium 10 mg everyday for years, then when job hunting just stopped. When I had head tensions from spasms start I would take it a day or two...
You know what too, the Generic Valium, doesn't even give me an effect, If I took a brand I would be la la la!

I wondered though, if Valium didn't offset anxiety....
Di

I too am on Klonapin for anxiety and it works well.

I was on Valium years ago, I think it had more of a sedating effect for me in the beginning. then it seemed I needed more just for the anxiety. I had to go off it, and the withdrawal was tough.

Hugs, Nanc

just wanted to say if I was not clear that valium acts longer than klonipin, both are benzos and potentially addictive...it is easiest to withdraw from the vallium because it comes in smaller doses and can be cut into even smaller doses than the klonipin.
hope this is clearer.
xanax acts the quickest and therefore the easiest to become "addicted to and the hardest to get off of.
IMO
bizi