Ativan use

[rybonn]

Hey guys fairly new here but have been suffering with anxiety daily for about a year and a half..i have tried about 5 or 6 antidepressants, with none really helping at all, and most making things worse. Right now I take 7.5 mg of mirtazapine to help with sleep, and use Ativan daily. I use between .5 mg and 1.5 mg a day, and have done so for many months. My questions is if others have any experience using Ativan daily long term, and if so were you able to come off it ok? I find its the only thing that really helps me, but struggle daily with should I or should I not take it!? Im terrified of addiction and withdrawl, and so worried im going to make things worse for me in the long run. I typically have anxiety all day every day, to different degrees, some days better than others, and am seeing a therapist and really working on accepting my thoughts and feelings...But I almost feel guilty for using the Ativan like im weak and a failure because im not accepting my anxiety..Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[Magic]

I used to take Ativan one tablet at night(no other meds) they suited me better than any drug.
Then our medical centre was taken over and they will not prescribe them at all.
I think over here there was something going on about people abusing them, so it spoiled it for people like me who were taking them as prescribed.
Don't feel a failure because you take them. I am sure your GP would not prescribe
them if they thought you could do without them.
Yes they are addictive, many drugs are. Maybe the therapist will be helpful to you,
so you can eventually stop them
Take care:hugs:

[rybonn]

My doctor is actually the one that is telling me to take them every day, and he is an addiction specialist. He says that if I use them like he prescribes, the are very beneficial, and are very safe. He compares them to alchohol, and says that the are much safer..I just have read so many horror stories than freak me out, but im sure that they have helped many more than they have hurt..seems like the internet only is full of horror stories..but the do help me, and no body seems to be freaking out about people being on antidepressants, which I have found VERY hard to come off..so i guess its all a matter of perspective. Hope all are doing well!

[Magic]

I wish my GP felt the same way. I have taken many sorts of antidepressants in my life, but I have weaned myself off them.
Not every one can do that. I take Librium and sleeping tablets.(not everyday though)
I would not need them if I could have the Ativan back.
You take care rybonn :hugs:

[flori]

Hi Rybonn and Magic.

I get prescribed Ativan 1mg and diazepam 5mg for my anxiety, but only to be used when really needed.
I felt if I had to use the ativan too many nights in a row, it never had the same effect.

Magic you are right, we here in the UK suffer because of the abuse of others, regarding the above meds. If we are careful, I don`t see the problem.

Rybonn. I like you have also read some horror stories about them. One post even said if a person takes 1 or 2 diazepam every week, the drug never leaves the system. If I had dwelled on what I read, I would have stopped taking diazepam.

If it helps and it is used sparingly, I dont see the problem and neither does my GP.