Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

23,095 Members
43,240 Posts
2 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Anxiety Support Group

Lorazapam Questions and Concerns

shaky
shaky

A couple years back my Doctor prescribed me a low dosage of Lorazapam. I'm reading now that's too long to be taking it but that's a whole other issue. I take it mainly, sometimes just half a pill to fall asleep when I'm laying in bed with racing thoughts. Also helps before social events I think. Takes the edge off. Last couple months I have been hiking more and have been more active and feeling better so I slowly stopped taking it and felt better than I have in sometime. Been stressing about my job and slowly started taking it again. I never really why I feel good or bad sometimes. Never know to blame my anxiety or medication or what. But I'm feeling BAD. Instead of getting up at 6 I lay in bed til 9. nausuaus and throwing up in the morning. Forgetful. Dizzy. Depressed. more anxious and less motivated. My question is has anybody else had experiences with this drug. Going on and off. Feeling better in every way while NOT taking it. I appreciate any feedback 

itsraining
itsraining
I've had that reaction to alprazolam and my pharmacist recommended that I switch to a different benzo and that I may not have that reaction to all of them. I haven't tried switching yet as I don't use them often, but maybe that could work for you.
shaky
shaky
Thanks to both of you for the replies. I'm about reading to start seeing a new doctor. possibly next week. The doctor I have been seeing has little interest in my concerns and just does a lot of guessing I believe.
luckystars
luckystars
i have been on that drug for years off and on, just as you have been. I sometimes wonder if it is mind over matter. I seem to take it before social events, or anything that might trigger the feeling of panic. I have tried several times to stop it, but I feel like it is something I cannot do alone. I think if I was around others experiencing the same feelings it would be much more helpful. I have been practicing Mindfulness Mediation and it seems to help. It keeps me in the present and not going ahead of myself and thinking of "All The Things That Might Happen", and I never seem to go to good results, always results that I don't want. I wish I could say something prolific that would help you. Maybe practicing mediation or mindfulness and stay in the now might help. It is not an easy thing to do, but it does help. You can find sessions on UTube. I hope your journey becomes more comfortable and successful. Blessings.....
shaky
shaky
Thanks for your reply. I also was taking it before social events. Then pretty much daily cause work was stressful. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and take a half and fall to sleep. I slowly started cutting back and I have not had any lorazepam for 9 days. When I was on it I would have so much trouble getting going in the morning. It would take hours. Now I'm up early every morning. My head is 100 % clearer. One side effect I'm aware of is a messed up stomach but getting better. And "All the things that might happen" Is an issue of mine and one of the things it helped with but I will deal with that other than the way I have with this medication. Good luck on your journey as well and thanks for the advice and reply
Joesmoe2
Joesmoe2
I think the benzos lower your serotonin level if your susceptible to depression. Are you taking a antidepressant along with the Lorazepam? I been taken this stuff for like 10yrs or so..wait a sec what was I just mentioning oh yeah I've been taking Lorazepam for 10yrs or so off and on and I get the same side effects when you start back up because your body isnt use to it. Can you just take the ativan like at a different time during the day? Ask your doc. Mediation helps before bedtime, and getting off the electronic devices like a hr prior to going to bed. Good luck! Break a leg.