Does anyone have any experience with Ativan (Lorazepam)?

[Kutjara]

My shrink has decided I need a course of Ativan to manage my anger issues. She assures me that the side effects are minimal and that I'll feel like an entirely new, sweet and lemony-fresh Kutjara just as soon as I pop the first little white pill.

Now, I've heard the same glowing endorsements of Prozac, Welbutrin and Ritalin in my time, all of which turned me into a slavering maniac, so I'm understandably a bit skeptical about the curative properties of the latest wonder drug.

I'd be eternally grateful for some personal insights from DUers who have experience of the drug. Is it the magic bullet for anxiety/anger or is it snakeoil?

Thanks in advance for any advice I receive.

[WCGreen]

1. They used Ativan and Morphine on me to keep me basically

comatose while they tried to figure out what was wrong with me...

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. I haven't taken Ativan, but I've taken other benzodiazepines

I understand your skepticism, but you're mischaracterizing Ativan in it. Prozac and Wellbutrin are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a much different (and more unpredictable) class of drug than benzodiazepines, which are basically tranquilizers that work on specific neurotransmitters, typically GABA, an amino acid that regulates norepinephrine, the "fight or flight" neurotransmitter.

In my experience, benzodiazepines have virtually no side effects. However, mental addiction is quite possible with prolonged use.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam

[piesRsquare]

3. I've never heard of Ativan being used for "anger issues"

...but then, I'm not a shrink.

I've only heard of Ativan being used for severe anxiety (i.e. panic-attack type anxiety) and, most frequently, to assist with sleep.

Myself, I took it for two days to help with sleep; didn't respond to it well. My mother takes it regularly to help her sleep.

Ativan is a "downer", a sedative; it's in the same category as Valium. I was told by my doc that it's actually stronger than Valium.

Depending on the nature of your "anger-issues", an anticonvulsant such as Lamictil (Lamictal?) might possibly be more helpful, as opposed to a sedative.

I would suggest you ask your shrink what she thinks about treating the anger issues with anticonvulsants (mention Lamictal) as opposed to Ativan, and haver her explain the ups and downs about each and why she would favor one or the other.

I'm not a healthcare professional, but I do have extensive experience with this stuff. Lamictal is widely used as a mood-stabilizer, and is considered to have fewer side-effects than most anticonvulsants. Your shrink should know about it. It's one thing to sedate, it's another to stabilize; however, I cannot make that kind of judgment, as I am not a doctor. There could be a very good reason that your shrink prescribed Ativan as opposed to an anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer; perhaps the specifics of your case indicate that you wouldn't be responsive or whatever. I would suggest you ask about it, though.

Good luck...and keep us all posted!

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. Sedation is relative to dosage

If you take 20 or 30 milligrams of Valium, yeah, you're gonna be pretty relaxed. Benzodiazepines certainly have sedative properties, but I think it's misrepresentative to imply that taking an undetermined dose will render one unable to operate heavy machinery.

[fizzgig]

5. may i ask where you got your information?

i have never heard of ativan being used for a mood stabilizer. i'm bipolar and took lamictal as a mood stabilizer and ativan for anxiety. a friend of mine who is bipolar also takes lamictal as a mood stabilizer and his doc has never suggested using ativan to stabilize his mood.

i'm not saying your wrong, and i know how crazy body chemistry can be, i'm just curious.

[piesRsquare]

14. Sorry if my post was confusing...

I was kinda sleepy when I wrote it...

I didn't mean to imply that Ativan was used as a mood stabilizer. I've never heard of Ativan being used as a mood stabilizer either.

What I attempted to communicate in my post was that I've never heard of Ativan being used for "anger issues", which is why I suggested the possibility that the OP might feel better if treated with a mood stabilizer as opposed to a downer/tranquilizer.

I'm also not a doctor nor pharmacist...just experienced and familiar with this kinda stuff (which is definitely no substitute for training/schooling).

I'm on anticonvulsants, too--I have temporal lobe dysfunction, which brings with it mood instability, seizures and...anger issues! I got referred for a brain scan 12 years ago specifically because of the anger outbursts (which is how the temporal lobe problem was discovered). And the anticonvulsant worked (works) like a charm. Many people I've known and met who have (have had) "anger issues" have done very well on anticonvulsants. It was for this reason (these reasons?) that I suggested the OP discuss anticonvulsant therapy with his/her shrink.

Myself, I'm actually not on Lamictal...I'm on Trileptal ("heavy-hitter"). I've known people who have done well on Lamictal, which is why I mentioned that one in particular; it's a good one to start with, from what I've been told by different doctors. Depakote has just too many bleepin' side effects (I know this from lots and lots of personal experience--ugh!)

Anyhoo, be well, take care! :hi:

[badgerpup]

11. Not healthcare professional either...

but have had to take stuff to be able to cope and stay marginally functional. Yes, all prescribed and monitored by Sainted Doctor.

Ativan...seems to help with anxiety, may take the edge of the emotional explosive aspect of being angry enough for you to get in control of the situation. It may mellow you out too much though...to the point of putting you to sleep.

Don't drive until you're sure how it's going affect you; driving down the road slapping yourself in the face to in order to stay alert is rather disconcerting...and makes people stare.

Lamictal...this stuff does a decent job, but has a side effect of headaches. This may last for up to two weeks before your body adjusts, then they go away. I found lamictal really helped with severe mood swings and explosions that I was dealing with...sort of leveled things out, but without the zombification. (braaaaiiiinnnssss)

[fizzgig]

6. i LOVE my ativan

i've taken it for anxiety for two years now and it works wonders for me (i can't fly without it). it just mellows you out.

the only problem i've encountered is that it slows me down a tick, something i can't have if i'm at work. but remember, when it comes to body chemistry YMMV

good luck to you :hug:

[MilesColtrane]

7. My Dad was put on Ativan towards the end of his life.

It produced a paradoxical reaction.

From Wiki...

A paradoxical reaction to benzodiazepines, a class of psychoactive drugs considered a minor tranquilizer with varying hypnotic, sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxing properties may create exactly the opposite effects on susceptible individuals such as an increase in anxiety, non-sedation and convulsions. <1>

[Connonym]

8. I've used it for anxiety

I actually prefer it over Xanax (which is what I'm now taking). I find that Ativan isn't as sedating as Xanax. I can actually function without feeling like I'm a zombie. And actually, now that my stress level has decreased some I think I'm going ask to switch back because I prefer the Ativan overall.

Following your doctor's advice, of course, take the smallest recommended dosage. It's really not a drug where if some is good, more is better. One nice thing is that Ativan is has no taste and can be chewed or allowed to melt under the tongue if you don't have water or if you're having issues with nausea (it's actually sometimes used to treat chemo-related nausea for that reason).

I understand your desire for some personal experiences (I also find that helpful with a lot of things) but, bottom line, if you trust the words of us lounge chuckleheads over your doctor then I think you need to reexamine your relationship with your doctor and perhaps find one that you better trust.

In any event, I hope that you find some relief from your anxiety issues. I know first-hand that it can be miserable. :hug:

[fizzgig]

9. i agree that it is better than xanax

i took xanax only a few times and the effect was usually opposite from what it was supposed to do

[ismnotwasm]

10. Not a doctor

So no medical advice. We've used it in the hospital for anxiety, hospital psychosis, intractable nausea, or occasionally pre-procedure sedation. I've never heard of it's use for anger. It's a benzo. Benzo's can be addictive, and the other problem is they can have quite serious and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. (Benzodiazepines and alcohol are the two drugs we have specific withdrawal monitoring protocols for)

I'd check into the dose, length of time your provider plans to keep you on it, all that kind of thing.


I do like it for my patients. It's has milder effects than some.

[Akoto]

12. My mother was placed on Ativan after her heart attack.

Post-attack, she had terrible anxiety issues at night. The doctor prescribed a small dose of Ativan to be taken every night before bed. Worked like a charm, too. She actually got a good night's sleep.

[femmocrat]

13. I took it for awhile for anxiety. Can't say if it helped.

I didn't notice any difference with it.

[Kutjara]

15. Thanks for all the input, guys.

I find it helpful to hear about other people's experiences. Doctors tend to sugar coat the benefits and side effects of the medication they prescribe, so it's useful to get a reality check from actual users.

Just to clarify, my shrink believes that my anger and poor impulse control stem from deep anxiety issues with a side-order of PTSD. She's using the Ativan (together with a tricyclic antidepressant) to attack the anxiety, which will hopefully take the rest of its pals with it when it goes.