Anxiety Support Group

Of course I have to tell you to ask your dr first, but I was having the same problem and .5mg was not working. I was advised to take 2 when my anxiety was high. But what worked better for me was taking it 4 times a day for a week. Then the 2nd week 3 times. Then I went down to 2 times a day. Until you get used to it, it ges you sleepy so I wouldn't drive while on it. Try to relax and rest or keep busy at home. Good luck and God bless!

i had the same thoughts last nite....will speak to my dr next week and keep u posted,

I was taking ativan for about a month and my doctor told me to take it twice a day when I felt I needed it. I believe I was taking .5mg as well and it did calm me down. I was going to go on an airplane and asked my doctor how much to take and he said to take 2 of them. I would definitely consult with your doctor though before you up the dose.

OK. Well the reason i didnt want to ask my doctor about this is because they wont give me a higher dosage and they told me only to take it every other day.. one thing i notice about when i take it is that my heart rate lowers a lot and i just didnt want anything bad to happen.

I've used ativan for a couple yrs now. I take 1mg twice a day, and 2mg before bed.

I take it by letting it dissolve under my tongue, but the reason for that is that I have a feeding tube so my meds have to be crushed and put thru the tube. With ativan, it can be dissolved under the tongue and is quickly absorbed, so no need to crush it and put it thru my feeding tube.

Most meds don't work that way, they are swallowed (or crushed, in my case) and take time to absorb into the bloodstream. Ativan just happens to be one that can be dissolved, like nitroglycerin can be, which is used for angina attacks with people with heart issues.

Some good feedback, thanks. I also take Ativan and find that it does offer some relief, albiet, not as much as I'd like. Definetly beware of the slower heart rythem, mine goes very low at times too. It sounds like though you all can tolerate larger amounts than what I've been taking but I to don't think my doctor will raise it. I feel lucky at times that they even give it to me at all, the way they act. I need to have mine raised or take more so I will keep your advice in mind and also talk to my doctor. I have hypothyroidism as well so I have to be careful of my heartrates.

I have a very bad tremor in my right hand, I had a surgery for Scoliosis 10 years ago after I got out of the surgery I was on morphine and the shaking stopped, well fast forward 10 years and the shaking has now gotten progressivly worse. I went last week to my doctor and without giving him 5 min to see me he already had a prescription ready for me to fill for ativan. He saw how stressed out I looked and I can honestly say that my shaking has decreased, and I am a lot more calm. He prescribed .05 also but I am wondering if I need to stay on this and will he have to increase my dosage later or will I be able to get off of it and be okay without it coming back full force.

The reason it is put under the tongue (usually) is for eg anxiety it gets into your system quicker.
Ativan for me helps alot at the right dosage.
But please take note! this drug is VERY addictive and if on it too long one can have terrible withdrawal symptoms.