Lorazepam for Insomnia User Reviews

• Pea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 19, 2021

"I have taken 1mg at night off and on for over 20 years. Only med that works for me. I feel great in the morning. Not dizzy or confused which I am with no sleep! I will be 72 this year and want to keep taking it while I have some active years left. What do you think?"

• Sle...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 30, 2020

"I have insomnia since 2001; 19 years. I tried all-natural stuff: hypnosis, exercise, manual labor, scented candles, etc. Ativan definitely works. However, as time goes on, your body needs more. I expressed the concern to my doctor of 25 years. He trusts me. He knows I only take it at night. I fear addiction. He said, 'Well, you will live miserably with all-night insomnia every night, affecting your job, sport participation, exercise, and time with family. So, you get addicted. People with diabetes are 'addicted' to insulin. What’s the difference? Take the pills. Go to sleep."

• Geo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 19, 2023

Ativan (lorazepam) "I am 89 years of age and have been taking Ativan 0.5mg for over 25 years for problems with insomnia. I'm fit and well for my age and attribute this in part to sleeping well, in addition to regular exercise. Side effects? I don't think so. All I really know is that I'm better with it than without it."

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2020

Ativan (lorazepam) "After contracting a virus/ assumed COVID in May, I have had chronic insomnia. I’ve tried tons of sleep medications and some would give me a few hours of sleep, others only a couple of hours. Then I tried Ativan! I got 6 hours my first time taking 2mg. I’m now sleeping 8 hours usually and I’m down to 1.25 mg. It’s been a literal lifesaver. I don’t want to be dependent on any drug, but when it comes to survival and well-being, I’m just very glad Ativan exists!"

• Nin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 29, 2019

Ativan (lorazepam) "I am writing this review to help those who may be experiencing insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Mine was the result of extreme past and present trauma. I stopped sleeping completely virtually overnight after a series of traumatic events. I did not sleep for several or more months and began to lose weight rapidly. I went from 60 kg down to 38 kg as a result and became very unwell. After taking myself to the hospital numerous times, I did not find adequate help for my condition there. Eventually, I met a very efficient GP and psychiatrist who, after much trial and error, found help by being prescribed a combination of amitriptyline and Ativan. Although I am still on the road to recovery, this medication combination has helped me immensely. I sincerely hope that no one on earth has to experience the living hell that I did, only to find help when it was almost too late."

• Kra...
• November 9, 2019

"I started taking lorazepam 15 years ago. I was having severe panic attacks, driving myself to the E.R. several times. Not sleeping for literally 3 days. Then, with great reluctance, one night in the E.R. for the hundredth time in full-blown panic. The RN gave me this tiny white pill. I held it in my hand for an hour, scared to take it. But man, am I glad I did. I have been taking 1 mg Lorazepam for 15 years. They work great. 30 pills last me 4 to 5 weeks. I have never increased dosage and they work great. A little groggy in the morning, but so what, better than not sleeping for days and in full-blown panic. I do go 48 hours sometimes without taking one or take one day off then another, because everyone says they are highly addictive. But I also take one every day for months. These things saved my life, and I will take one every day or every other on occasion for the rest of my life. My doctor said, “Do not let fear of addiction stop you from taking one.”"

• ins...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan ruined my life. My psychiatrist prescribed me 2mg to take every night while trying out an antidepressant. After about 7 weeks, I was addicted to Ativan, and when I tried to stop taking it, I had seizures and panic attacks. I had to keep taking it to stabilize. Then I had to switch to Valium and slowly taper off the benzodiazepines to avoid another seizure. It took me a year and a half to taper off, and I now have chronic fear, anxiety, tinnitus, and insomnia. I wish I never touched this drug."

• Ric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 22, 2017

Ativan (lorazepam) "I was prescribed Ativan (aka Lorazepam) because I had a head injury, and my doctor presumably thought that I had a very high level of anxiety. I wasn't getting enough sleep with the head injury, so the doctor's perception was incorrect. But once I started using Ativan, sleep woes disappeared completely, of which I had always had problems staying asleep for virtually all of my life! Ativan (Lorazepam) puts you into a 'deep' sleep, you don't wake up during the middle of the night (or late night for that matter!), cuts dreaming down to virtually zero, and is the best sleep medication I have ever seen! My prescription was for 1 mg and to be taken 1 hour before going to sleep, which is exactly what I did! Effective Rating = 10!"

• Joe...
• August 9, 2014

Ativan (lorazepam) "I was given Ativan for occasional use. I try to use it once every week or once every ten days for sleep (0.5 mg). I'm lucky that I don't have to use it any more regularly because I don't work right now. I find that it helps me relax to sleep, and I wake up feeling and looking rested. The 'looking rested' part is important because it tells me how good it is at actually calming the anxiety. I know that when my anxiety is high, even if I sleep 10 hours, I'll wake up tired and looking tired. But I think this medicine actually does a good job of getting rid of that anxiety, so your body can rest and get into some level of 'deep' sleep. But absolutely, really only use it on the day that you must."

• Ton...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 9, 2024

Ativan (lorazepam) "You are probably reading reviews on this medication due to concerns about taking it and may have come across some 'horror stories' about withdrawal symptoms or getting addicted. I am here to tell you, please do not worry. I was prescribed this drug (0.5mg) due to severe anxiety/insomnia from a night shift job. I had never taken any medication in my life and like many of you, was hesitant about taking this regularly. However, going multiple days without ANY sleep, something needed to change. This pill worked amazingly for me since day one. Just the simple fact that I knew I had something at my fingertips that could give me a full night's rest was a huge mental relief by itself. I would take a pill 2-3 times a week when I had gotten insufficient sleep the day before or in 'emergency situations.' However, I then took it nightly for several years, and when I no longer needed it, I quit cold turkey with ZERO withdrawal symptoms or worse insomnia. This drug saved my life and my career."

• bec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2019

"I have been using this med for sleep, now, for about 30 years, believe it or not. Started on it with anxiety attacks and continued on it for lack of sleep. I take 1 mg. every night and that is it. There are a few nights when it doesn't work, but for the most part, I am sound asleep within 1 hour. I should take it earlier, but I take it about 10:30 or so, read, turn off the light and am soon asleep. I am somewhat sleepy still during the day, but that's better than being exhausted for days on end for lack of sleep."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2008

Ativan (lorazepam) "I find when I have those nights that my brain just can't settle down, either a 0.5 or 1 mg Ativan will help me relax just enough to get a restful sleep. Usually I feel totally energized and fresh the next morning. This is the only thing I have found in almost 20 years that works. However, I can only use it on my worst nights, as it is addictive. That's the only drawback."

• Nic...
• April 30, 2015

"It works GREAT!! I'm 32 yo. I have always been a very light sleeper. Toss and turn all night. Anxiety causes me to lay there and constantly think about everything. I've been on Xanax and too many to name. None work as good as this. So happy every day that I finally get a full night's sleep with no tossing and turning. No side effects. Highly recommend it!!"

• scr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 14, 2019

"Have taken for 15-20 years. Cannot sleep without it. Have had no side effects or interactions with other medicines, etc. Am a moderate drinker, but take no other drugs that would interact with Lorazepam. Highly recommend. I take 1 mg about 30 minutes before bedtime."

• Dig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2019

Ativan (lorazepam) "I have been using Ativan for sleep over the last few months, and I must say it's been a real help. I strongly recommend that you only take it two to three times a week maximum, otherwise, you could become addicted to it and its effects might no longer work. Moderation is the key here."

• Tom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 12, 2016

"I have very loud tinnitus (hissing-ringing in ears) from exposure to noise in submarine engine rooms for several years. I take 1/2 mg lorazepam at bedtime to let 'sleep find me'. I have been taking this for 4 years and have NO after effects. I wake up feeling awake and good. Some sleep meds leave me feeling 'drugged' in the morning. Not so for Ativan. It works well for me and I can stop (have done so at times) with no withdrawal symptoms other than not sleeping well. Good stuff for me. I am not an addictive type and went through high school, Navy, college, and 40 years of work and have NEVER used or tried recreational drugs. Thanks."

• Cor...
• April 24, 2016

"Works like magic when you need sleep or have anxiety. 0.5 is all I need. I get the best sleep with it. Seems like I can never fall asleep at night. I go back and forth in my mind about taking it because I don't wanna get addicted. But I need sleep, so I take it."

• Ben...
• July 6, 2016

"DO NOT take benzos for insomnia - they work great, until you reach tolerance, and then you go into full withdrawal unless you up the dose considerably. By then you probably will have already found the dirty underside of this terrible drug, which is agoraphobia, brutal insomnia, loss of motivation and stunning depression. Next, you'll find out that you cannot withdraw from this drug in a reasonable manner, and the required tapering-off methods could take years. During withdrawal you will have the worst insomnia imaginable, for months on end, and nothing will relieve it, except more benzos than any doctor will prescribe. Don't even start on this evil drug. If you think this is an overreaction, Google 'benzodiazepine withdrawal'."

• sle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2016

"I had trouble getting to sleep, getting a restful sleep, and waking up after a few hours, and sometimes could not get back to sleep. Even when exhausted, my mind was racing a few minutes after I went to bed. I was constantly tired, had no energy to do much during the day. I was prescribed lorazepam, the lowest dose to take at bedtime as needed. However, after a year, I was having so many up and down days because I wasn't sleeping well every night (tried to take it twice a week because I don't like to take medications) that my doctor said to take it every night, which I started to do in December 2015, and I have had the best sleep I've had in six years. I have fibromyalgia, which contributes to the sleep problem. I don't have any side effects."

• ear...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2012

Ativan (lorazepam) "I am an addict in recovery and have been clean for 10 years. I have been prescribed Ativan for both anxiety and sleep. I am a 3rd shift worker and feel this medication can be psychologically addicting, so I do my best to always check my motive for taking it. I try not to take it more than 3 days in a row and only once a day."

• ski...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 15, 2015

Ativan (lorazepam) "I've been on this nightly for about 4 years now because of back pain. I don't sleep well. It does a good job of helping me sleep, but now it is causing my eyes to become very dry, so I will look for an alternative."

• Din...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 6, 2015

"Gave me my life back. When my insomnia kicked into full gear, I tried every natural method I could for only a temporary fix. After years of running on no sleep, I ended up in an emergency room where I was given this medicine and have been taking it ever since. I am able to take it right when I go to bed and awaken normally. 1.5 mg."

• the...
• July 1, 2016

"Ativan/Lorazepam provides a very sound, sustained sleep with few, if any, dreams. I have never had problems getting to sleep, but staying asleep was a real issue. Waking up at 4 AM with an active mind and watching the sun rise, knowing that I would crash at midday, was a pain. Ativan (.5 mg or 1 mg splurge) helps me sleep until the alarm, and I never feel weird or dopey in the AM. HOWEVER, be aware that your body and mind get conditioned, so don't take it nightly (or sleep won't come without it). The pros are the effectiveness and the lack of side effects. The cons are dependency/poor sleep without it. I use it maybe three times per week, and it's fine, alternating a night or two. Never taken it in the day, likely never will."

• Wor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2019

Ativan (lorazepam) "Ativan is the absolute best sleep medication. I sleep better the whole night and wake up refreshed. However, I try not to use it more often than twice a week. When taken more than 4 or more nights in a row and then stopped, I have severe withdrawal symptoms."

• rab...
• December 9, 2013

"My problem is waking up after 2 hrs of deep sleep and unable to get back to sleep. I was prescribed lorazepam 1mg. I cut the pill in half and lay it on my end table. When I awaken from my 2hrs of sleep, I reach out, grab one of the halves, and get back to sleep for 4 hrs. Generally, I wake up refreshed. It works well for me. I don't take this on a regular basis. 30 pills will last me 3 months."