Lorazepam for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2023

Ativan (lorazepam) "In 2020 my anxiety was really bad. The doctor kept convincing me to take Ativan when I have anxiety attacks, I refused at first because of the danger I’d heard of using Benzos. Once my anxiety got so severe I couldn’t breathe so I went ahead and tried it at 0.5mg Ativan, it took about 30 minutes and then I became completely calm and didn’t feel anxious. A year comes I’m taking 1 mg every night to help with my insomnia, my anxiety gets severe at nighttime and it’s the only pill that has helped me. I also have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), I’m on the spectrum, Borderline personality disorder (BPD), and severe anxiety. No antidepressant has ever worked for me. I tell the doctor how I’m taking 1mg every night to help me and the doctor tells me I’m only supposed to be taking it as needed. So he stops giving it to me and I’m forced to stop taking it and now I’m back to having anxiety attacks."

• Garne...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 18, 2019

Ativan (lorazepam) "With diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, major/clinical depression, adult onset ADD with BPD on the side, Ativan has been in my life for a while and I have never had a problem with it and it's never negatively affected my life. It's maybe saved my life a few times."

• Johnny...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2013

Ativan (lorazepam) "After recovery from prostate cancer 8 mos. ago, I began experiencing panic attacks & General Anxiety Disorder. I have tried 3 different therapists (psychobabblers), and 4 different SSRIs, all to no avail. The only effective treatment that resolved my difficulties was Ativan. My prescription is 1 mg up to 3 times a day as needed. 1 mg per day works 90% of the time. It's rare that I need 2, and never 3. Without it I'd be looking for the highest bridge."

• RAG
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 16, 2022

Ativan (lorazepam) "I've taken ativan as a last resort during my time with it, in other words using it as needed and not a set schedule like some of the other people here. It has always been the 0.5mg dose that I have. From the times I have used it, it has worked wonders in helping deal with anxiety or panic. Not only that but I think another important aspect of ativan for many people is it being recognized as a "saftey net". Just knowing it is there as a way out can make one feel more calm when going through a difficult time and ultimately not even taking it and it still works."

• Hypoc...
• March 11, 2019

Ativan (lorazepam) "I was diagnosed with panic disorder at 8 years old, and when I was 13, the panic attacks became severe. My psychiatrist finally prescribed me 15 pills per month of 1 mg of Ativan. I’m now 18, and just went through a really hard time. I relapsed into severe anxiety, had to quit all my schooling. My panic attacks can last for hours, and this is the only thing that provides relief during those sleepless nights. If it weren’t for Ativan, I’d have gone to the hospital 30 times now. It is pretty easy to become dependent. I’m tapering off, went from 0.5 mg per day to 0.25 mg, to skipping days. The withdrawal symptoms are not terrible, but they’re definitely uncomfortable. I suffered vertigo, insomnia, and increased anxiety. Advice to anyone taking this medication: Never cut cold turkey. Although rare, it can cause seizures if you stop the medication suddenly. Also, it’s very easy to become dependent on it. Please be careful."

• 1975LRT
• February 21, 2014

Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan has made a tremendous difference in my life as my anxiety was out of control, and panic attacks were frequent. I don't find that it makes me tired, and I like how the effects are quickly felt. I used to take 1 mg but now only take 0.5 mg once a day; twice if I need it. I can skip days the odd time if I am at home and things are peaceful. I was put on Valium and couldn't handle that at all - Ativan was a lifesaver for me!"

• Mia
• January 15, 2020

"I've been on lorazepam for over 20 years. 1mg twice a day as needed. Have to take one at night because my brain never stops. It was my saviour med. If someone says they have something that will stop your paralyzing panic attacks and non stop anxiety, what would you do? I jumped right on it. Now I can't find a med doctor who wants to prescribe it! They want to put me in rehab?? I've had two heart attacks from my panic attacks so no, I'm absolutely terrified to get off the med. I also have very high blood pressure. So what I'm seeing is this could be the end of me because lorazapam is the only thing giving me somewhat of a normal life and Dr won't prescribe it. I'm Agoraphobic, have such bad panic attacks that they wake me up. Sometimes twice a night. I also suffer from depression, PTSD, OCD. Looks like I'm doomed. Thx doctors"

• Rigas
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2022

Ativan (lorazepam) "This medication has saved my life. I always suffered with panic attacks, agoraphobia and anxiety. I wasn't taking anything for my condition and was simply surviving, not living. 3 months ago I tried a melatonin supplement which contained passiflora incarnata and had a really bad reaction. I couldn't sleep for 7 days straight and it triggered severe anxiety. On day 7 I stopped taking the supplement but it left me with EXTREME anxiety which wouldn't go away. Doctors gave me seroquel, risperidone, zoloft, nothing worked. I am going to try lexapro. I went through 3 months of hell. One of the doctors prescribed me Ativan and I am so happy he did. It's the only thing that worked, I was contemplating suicide because I felt horrible dread feelings 24/7. Words can't explain how bad I felt I was in hell. Ativan is the only thing that truly helped me and stopped the anxiety at its tracks. I couldn't sleep before it, I would wake up every 20 minutes and have horrible anxiety dreams. Ativan saves."

• missr...
• December 3, 2014

"I have bad anxiety about medicines. The only reason I began to trust this one was because I was in the ER with really high blood pressure and a headache that had me considering to shoot my brains out. The nurse gently asked if she could give me something to 'bring down my blood pressure'. I said yes because I was desperate. I later found out it was an anxiety need and it really did the trick. Calmed my butt right down and I felt normal. Finally! I only use it when anxiety is getting out of hand. I'm not into relying on pills daily for this type of thing, but it makes me feel safer knowing I have the 'antidote' in my bag should I need it. It works for me even when I don't take it, knowing it's in my bag."

• Medical...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2012

Ativan (lorazepam) "I had a great experience with Ativan. It does a great job of heading off a panic attack when you feel one coming on. It works very quickly (5 minutes or less). It doesn't make you feel drunk or high, but more just kind of relaxed and mellow (a bit sleepy). I took a very low dose, as needed, and it's just nice to have something in case I need it, that wasn't real addictive or habit-forming. Like having a spare tire. You don't have to use it very often, but it's comforting knowing you have one, and it will get you through. I didn't notice any side effects at all, to be honest, except for feeling sleepy when I took it sometimes, but that's not always a bad thing."

• Hotmom
• July 10, 2018

Ativan (lorazepam) "I’ve been taking 0.5 Ativan for 15 years. It’s a miracle drug for me. It keeps my mind more stable and calm. Keeps my anxiety under control as well. I sleep like a baby with this drug. I wake up refreshed every morning. I usually take one 0.5 after dinner every night. There are days I do fine without it, but I love knowing it’s in hands reach at all times. I highly recommend Ativan. Keep it a small dose and you will be fine."

• Vicky...
• June 3, 2016

Ativan (lorazepam) "Works great! Been suffering with anxiety for a while now, was very hesitant on taking any kind of medication. Was given this medication in the hospital, and within 20 minutes, I felt relaxed and calm. Wish I wasn't so hesitant and took it sooner. Great for when anxiety attack comes on."

• Raay_09
• December 15, 2014

"I suffer from social anxiety - it's situational. I can go out to the grocery stores and other things, but it usually happens in class. I tried 1 mg today, and it worked great. It felt so good to feel calm around people and give good eye contact without my heart racing. It makes me sleepy hours later, but I'm fine with that."

• MahryT
• November 2, 2016

Ativan (lorazepam) "I am on Lexapro since I was 16, so for the past basically five years, I've struggled with anxiety. My doctor decided about three weeks ago to give me Ativan as a 'break the glass kind of emergency' immediate anxiety relief. I've only used it twice since then and I don't know how to describe this medicine other than quiet. It makes everything so quiet, and for someone with anxiety, it's a miracle. I've learned what the onset of an attack looks like, and by taking this medicine within thirty minutes, I am calm, collected, and have completely avoided what might have been a mental breakdown. Honestly, this drug is such a lifesaver. It does make you a little sleepy, but nothing at all unbearable. I can take it any time of the day. It's amazing."

• Skeeter
• October 19, 2014

Ativan (lorazepam) "I was given a prescription for this 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. It is the one thing I can count on to help slow spiraling thinking. I have never taken it regularly until recently because of some major life stressors. I would normally take 0.5 mg in the morning once in awhile, but now I have been advised by my Dr. to take up to 0.5 mg three times a day as needed while I adjust to Zoloft. I have not needed it more than twice in a day. It sure helps, and so far I have never had any problems stopping taking it."

• Noon
• October 14, 2016

Ativan (lorazepam) "About a week ago, I experienced a somewhat traumatic event that kept me awake at night. I felt as soon as the sun went down, my anxiety started to gradually rise until I had pain in my chest and was hyperventilating. Nothing could calm me down or get me to sleep. I finally went to see my doctor, and he gave me 10 days of Ativan. Last night was the first time I took one, or any benzo for that matter, and it was like a miracle worker. Within 10 minutes of taking one 0.5mg sublingual tab, it's like all the anxiety in me went out the window. I felt I still needed to control my thoughts to steer away from provoking an attack, but it sincerely helped calm me down to a point where I felt safe and was able to sleep. Definitely recommend."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2009

Ativan (lorazepam) "I have been on Ativan or lorazepam for 7 years now. It has saved my life. My now grown children say it is my nice pill. And yes I wasn't a very nice mom when they were growing up. So it is a fair statement. I need it also as an on-the-spot anti-anxiety, for depression, and nervous breakdowns."

• It wo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 23, 2022

Ativan (lorazepam) "I am frustrated with doctors and the opioid crisis because Ativan works and doctors no longer prescribe it due to junkies and miss use. I have PTSD I’ve been prescribed everything but my tried and true Ativan lately because of junkies . The manufacture of Ativan should sue the Canadian government that thinks they know what is best for our individual needs . Bullying Canadian doctors and putting the fear of ‘ misuse and addiction’ into not prescribing it when required has had a detrimental effect on my health ."

• Jasej...
• April 25, 2013

Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan will definitely help calm you down, but stick to the script! If you quit cold turkey you will have withdrawals for a week. You build a slight tolerance for it and want more. If you give in and take more you will run out before refill time and then come the withdrawals! But it does do its job on anxiety!"

• Kandi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2013

Ativan (lorazepam) "I have been in the hospital for 5 days now and today I just received some bad news about my health. I started freaking out and had a panic attack with a lot of anxiety. They decided to give me Ativan through my I.V. It completely calmed me down and helped me. Thank goodness it did!"

• Sa68
• February 25, 2016

Ativan (lorazepam) "I started taking Ativan in 1997. My first and only time in a psychiatric ward. I was diagnosed with panic attacks. When I first started taking them, the first 3 days were an absolute nightmare. I was getting more side effects being on them than without. I told the doctor, and he told me to give it a few days and that this side effect would go away. I was literally going to sleep (in and out of sleep?) with a bible in my arms. Finally, the 3rd day it did start to take effect and my panic became less frightening. I started in 1997 @ 0.5 MG 3x a day and now in 2015 I take 1mg 3x a day. It has never given me a problem except for those few days when I started the dosage."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2012

Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan has changed my life for the better. I can do things now that I used to have to avoid because of my anxiety, such as public speaking and being in high places. I even went on a roller coaster last month for the first time in 20 years. I have extreme hypertension (taking Lisinopril for that), and sometimes blood pressure spikes will trigger an anxiety attack. I take a 0.5 Ativan when that happens, and in about 20 minutes I'm fine. I'm so grateful to now have this medicine."

• Paul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2023

Ativan (lorazepam) "I am 67 years old. I was prescribed Ativan in the early 1980s. I got addicted and after 5 months was taking 12 a day instead of the prescribed 6. I threw them down the toilet then ended up at my gp with acute withdrawal symptoms. He did a six-week withdrawal plan. I lost the memory of that 6 months. I also lost a lot of my memory up to that point. As a person who has suffered memory loss and lack of emotion for the last 40 years and my life wrecked I implore people not to take this drug."

• Kelly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2016

Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan has been so, so helpful for anxiety and panic attacks. It can be addicting, so I try to only take it when I really need to, not more than a couple of times a week. But it definitely has helped me, and I would recommend it to those with bad anxiety."

• Carol
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2019

"I had a stroke, 9 actually. An artery filled with plaque broke loose after my unattended high blood pressure. Each of the pieces of plaque was considered a stoke. It change my personality almost completely. I have daily anxiety attacks and I started drinking which I never have before. It seems that I don’t care about anyone except me now. No empathy. I have a husband of 44 year and he’s sick and a disabled son. I tried therapy but he just kept bring up the past about how my parents treated me and I couldn’t handled that. So I started leaving once a month. I have too much anxiety. The Dr put me on 2mg a day of Lorazepam and I can control it better plus Zoloft. Zoloft alone did nothing. But if I didn’t have the Lorazepam to take daily, I don’t know where I’d be. I wish the DEA would stop being so strict on it when it’s given to those who really need it and long term. Nothing else has helped me."