koa Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 My doctor prescribed me enough ativan to take a 1mg pill once a day every month... Well first of all I don't really need ativan every day. Secondly, I have found that when I take one milligram as prescribed it has almost no effect on me that I notice. I was prescribed 2 mg ativan pills in the past by a different doctor, but this doctor feels that 1 mg should be enough for me. So, I guess I have to admit that I take the drug differently than prescribed. I don't take it every night, but when I do I tend to take two or three one milligram pills (2-3mg), because this is the dosage at which I feel that the drug is working. What are the risks of disobeying my doctor's orders? Is this considered an abuse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManWitPlan Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 Assuming you haven't taken the benzo for a long period of time not taking it isn't going to hurt. In fact taking ativan as needed is usually better than taking it every day. Because of tolerance and dependance. I was given xanax by a doctor and tried it and didn't notice a difference so didn't take it anymore. Now if the drug was an antipsychotic thats different. Those you need everyday usually. But a benzo like ativan is probably okay to take as needed. That said I would recommend not taking too much more than you were prescribed and voicing this concern with your doctor next time you see him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 That would be classed as non-compliance, However its easy to fix. Talk to your doctor and see if you can get the script changed to something like take one and an aditional one as required. Explain that you don't need it constantly, but when you do need it that one just isn't cutting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 You say that when you took it in the past, you took 2mg pills. But now, to get the proper effect, you take 2-3mgs? That is concerning. What are the criteria that 2mg, and particularly 3mg, have to meet before it you consider it to be "working?" As others said, you are being non-compliant. Bring it up with your pdoc. I would tell him or her that you were non-compliant on 1mg, because you have used 2mg in the past, and that has always worked for you. But maybe it is also worth adding the 3rd mg; putzing around with benzos should be a red-flag to both of you. Also, have you enrolled in a CBT class yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittyloaf Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 I find it troubling that your pdoc doesn't know how much you're taking. Especially as it seems like you may be building a tolerance to it and benzos can be addicting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted April 15, 2012 Author Share Posted April 15, 2012 You say that when you took it in the past, you took 2mg pills. But now, to get the proper effect, you take 2-3mgs? That is concerning. What are the criteria that 2mg, and particularly 3mg, have to meet before it you consider it to be "working?" I consider it working when I feel a sense of relaxation come over me that reduces my anxiety, and possibly a sense of slight sleepiness. I posted this in part because I am concerned about the prospect of becoming addicted to ativan... I guess I had not considered that taking more ativan might be causing me to build up a tolerance. The thing is, I've told my doctor what I'm doing with the ativan, how I've been taking it differently than he prescribed, and he said NOTHING, and has continued to write the same prescription again for me. Maybe though I should bring it up with him AGAIN, in case he didn't register it before. Crtclms, where do I get enrolled in a CBT class? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 Your pdoc or your health services? I'm not 100% sure, I didn't have to ask, my pdoc enrolled me in one almost as soon as I started seeing him. The MSW that led the class is part of my pdoc's "team" He also has a NP and another MSW working with him (I just found this out myself). My pdoc actually just enrolled me in another CBT class, focused more on my mood disorder, with the MSW I haven't met. But I have to wait to get my headaches under control. Anyway, I have GAD, and it really helped me. I still need daily meds, but I can talk myself off the ledge a lot. I find if I need my PRN, it is because of a genuine shock, or extremely stressful situation (like when my husband just had brain surgery). Even if the work seems insulting at first, stick with it. A lot of people don't like the first one or two lessons, because they feel overly-simplistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpmaster Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Yep get the CBT. Even then you may stll need benzos, depending on your needs. I did 22 (1 hour) sessions with a CBT expert and it was awesome. Another option is to get a good self help book. However even after all of that, I still need my diazapam. Im prescribed 10mg daily but like you, I dont need it daily, and sometimes I need a little more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Navel Cord Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 I am doing this same thing. The pdoc prescribed .5 Lorazepam. I have to take 4 at a time, making it 2mg, in order for it to work. I didn't tell him that, though. I actually forgot to mention it to him the other day when I saw him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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