Hoping For Others' Experiences With Ativan

[HoneyNut]

Hi All,

I'll try to keep this short. C:

I called my Pyschiatrist today to do my one-week check in with him, to let him know how I am doing on the 1 mg of Abilify.  The 1 mg does not help very much with my irritability/agitation, but has not thrown me into mania like the 2 mg and 4 mg did.  I've exhausted trying the other atypicals commonly used to treat agitation/irritability, so my Psychiatrist prescribed me Ativan.  He did say that if this medication works, he does intend to have me be on it long-term.  So I am to take 1 mg of Ativan (twice a day) in conjunction with the 1 mg of Abilify. I will start this regime tomorrow (Thursday).

I've researched the drug a little, but would like to use you guys as my sounding board.  I am concerned about being on this drug long-term.  So my questions are:

What was your experience with Ativan?
How long were you on Ativan?
Did you have any side effects? If so, what?
Would you recommend Ativan, or is there a different drug I should be considering?

Feel free to add more. C:

Much Appreciation,

HoneyNut

[HoneyNut]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback!

I have tried Lithium prior to Ativan, but it didn't help with the agitation or my Bipolar symptoms. I was unaware that was easy to build up a tolerance with Ativan, but that makes sense on how people end up becoming dependant on the drug.  I hope it doesn't become less effeftive for me in a couple of weeks, but I guess I will just bring that question up to my Psychiatrist when I call him next week.

Day 1, so far so good.  I feel more relaxed, definitely less irritable and snippy.

I am glad to hear that you  did have a positive experience with it though!  Thanks again, for taking the time to write all that. C:

- HoneyNut

[SensationalDiva]

HI,

I can totally relate to the elevated mania with the Abilify. I had a bad reaction to Paxil and had extreme anxiety and panic attacks with irritability so they put me on Seraquel. Was not the drug for me! After 4 days on the Seraquel it had the reverse effect similar to your Abilify experience and it made me very manic and constantly anxious. My Doctor then said try Adivan to get you back on a normal playing field and to deal with the Anxiety. It's been a miracle drug! It worked perfectly. Im sensitive to meds so I started with .5mg as needed. First day... I took 5mg every 5 hours. Second day... felt so good I only took it once during the day and then before bed. Each day I find I need it less and less probably because I'm starting with the Lithium so my anxiety is less. However, for someone like me whos SOOO sensitive to meds and with such trial and error like yourself I found the Adivan (Lorazapam) was SUCH a relief. It doesnt make me drowsy, or zombie like, it literally just took the edge off and calms me. With it I was able to relax and breath a little easier. HOWEVER... Adivan is not a good long term solution because most people build a tolerance within weeks and then you'll find yourself just needing a new solution, plus Adivan can become addictive. My psychiatrist gave me the Adivan for temporary anxiety relief but said if I was going to need something more then just a week or two that he'd switch me to something else that wasnt so addictive and builds such quick tolerance. So Adivans great but talk to your doctor about substitutes if your going to be on it long term. Hope this helps and Adivan has made the world of difference for me as a temporary relief!