brokenchina Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Hey everyone, A few days ago my psychiatrist talked about putting me on lorazepam. She said it'll be taken "as needed", so not daily, just when I'm having a really hard time with anxiety. I'm not sure of the dosage yet as I haven't seen the prescription, but I'm kind of worried about it. I'm nearly 17 years old and my mother says I was on lorazepam when I was maybe 10 or 11 (though I don't really remember it...) I've heard about all the addictive/tolerance properties and how potent it is, etc., and in my untreated anxiety I can't help but feel pretty worried about it... As a quick background, I was diagnosed with bipolar over the summer and was put on Wellbutrin and Abilify while in the hospital. So I couldn't be on anything for my anxiety and the Wellbutrin--as it's know to--made it worse. So now I'm having to go back on a stronger medicine for my anxiety now that I'm just taking lithium for the bipolar symptoms and the Wellbutrin was stopped a couple of weeks ago. (And the Abilify about a month ago.) So, yeah, essentially I'm just feeling worried about it. I've read about it and stuff but haven't really heard more anecdotal things about it so I was wondering if you guys could tell me about your experiences with it? Like I said, I've been on it before but I was, like, 10, so I don't remember any of it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tryp Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 I never had any tolerance or any issue with addiction. I took it for sleep and anxiety as needed and daily for a few months and it did help. Unfortunately I had a severe side effect and had to stop, but generally it's a pretty benign medication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertolobat Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 There is a lot of bad press lately with the benzos (this includes lorazepam), but in general, as tryp said, they are quite reliable and with a low side effects profile (that is, if your dose is low to moderate). The bad press may be because, as always happens with any drug, there will be some people who will tend to abuse them so as to get a "high" feeling. And you will be taking the drug "as needed", so the risks of tolerance and addiction will be very low. Trust your doctor, don't deny yourself a potentially useful med for your general quality of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Eh, I've been on longer acting benzos (Valium and Klonopin) for a few years now. Once my doctor switched me over to lorazepam, I can't remember why, and I couldn't keep taking it because it made me really weepy for some reason. The longer acting ones never do that to me. Not that this will happen to you. I was taking it several times a day. So maybe that's why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonicwhite Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Nothin to worry about. You have a good pdoc who thinks your anxiety needs to be put in check. So Just go with her plan and enjoy the side efects because when you take it it's going to melt your anxiety all away I hope. I should of said enjoy the benifits of the drug and pls don't worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Navel Cord Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Lorazepam does a lot of good for me... I am quite often on edge, anxious, or panicky and it helps a lot with calming me down. There is potential for abuse and addiction, yes, but thats true of a lot of medications. Just take the dose as prescribed, the way your doctor wants you to take it, and you will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojatta Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 I started lorazepam PRN in July and it has been really helpful for me. I find it works best if I take it before my anxiety gets out of control. It doesn't necessarily eliminate the physical symptoms (racing heart and palpitations in particular), but it slows my thoughts down to a more comfortable speed. I've found that I have a decreased tolerance for anxiety now that I have something that I know will get rid of it. It is tempting for me to use it all the time because I like being able to think at a speed I can follow, but I try to limit myself to 3-4 doses/week unless there is something particularly stressful going on. If I have a week in which I don't have much stress, I try to keep it go 1-2 doses. Good luck and I hope it gives you some relief! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 I found Wellbutrin to make my anxiety skyrocket. I just came off of it. If you're sensible with the Ativan, addiction isn't really an issue. You don't want to abuse it, just use it when you need it. Tolerance can build up, but I've managed to cut my dose of Xanax in half over 6 months. Just take it as needed. Would you rather be anxious or taking a benzo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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