Ativan Vs. Xanax? Options

[mommyof5]

Went for follow up w/ my doc. last week and I tried to tell her that Ativan doesn't work for me like Xanax does. She insists that Ativan is better that Xanax because it lasts longer. I got frustrated because I know my own body, and what works for me. Anyone else had this problem with their dr? Also, has anyone else had this same experience w/ that Ativan vs. Xanax. Have you found anything that works better that xanax for anxiety/insomnia? It seems to cure both of my problems (insomnio/anxiety) and doesn't leave me feeling hungover the next a.m. Advice please?

[gunner43]

Mommy:

In regards to your question Ativan works longer in that it takes longer to take effect but lasts much longer where Xanax is a fast acting anti anx and can become
really addicting. I can use ativan at night to sleep and the next day it is still working. Xanax is fast working where the next day you feel alittle anxious.

The Docs say that if you take more than 2 mg 1 week you could have a dependency problem. My doses are .5 mg. Good luck

[Nancy0531]

My DR just switched me to Klonopin, instead of Xanax.
Couldn't sleep at all last night we will see what happens tonight, if not I'm insisting I go back to Xanax.

Nancy

[dicannon]

I was taking xanax, but would wake around 3, so the Dr. prescribed me Ativan. I could not get to sleep at all. Doc thought that since it was longer lasting I wouldn't wake. I'm back on xanax, only .25 at night. I generally don't wake. I have to double the dose right before my period.

[ysgwd]

I am newly on Ativan. Finally getting some sleep after almost ten years of hours to fall asleep then waking up at 2-3 am and hours more to fall back again. I am not exaggerating about the hours it takes. I just lie there listening to great ambient music, either meditating or doing progressive relaxation, but always awaken feeling like was partying night before....anxiety is not a party...

quit watching tele because think the glow from the screen messes with melatonin production, tried 5htp, magnesium, valerian, catnip, etc....

words can't describe how disappointed I am that it took Ativan and I couldn't do it naturally!

[Ksxroads]

Having tried all the *natural* ways, meditation, herbs aromatherapy, and I still have problems going to sleep. The doses prescribed for me to take of Ambien, or Ativan do not help when I am going through the sleepless phase. I see where you say you take more at the beginning of your period. I had my uterus removed in 1983. It does seem that the sleeplessness is cyclical and lasts about 4-5 days. By which time I am so exhaused and brain dead for several days afterwards. It seems that not only am I unable to sleep, I have muscle twitches and jerking along with it. Dr has tested potasium levels and they are normal. It is just something I guess I have to endure.

[pandabear]

hi, I've taken them all. every system is different, Ativan and zanax are benzos so just be careful they can be addictive! But they are needed for anxiety!! The problem I found with ambien is it relaxes the body not the mind. My best to everyone on this roller coaster ride. We will be ok with support and this website.

[rendy]

I was given xanax but it made me more anxious. Ativan works for me for the most part .5mg 2xs a day. I stll have some anxiety but wont take more because of the addition concern. I can't really say they help me sleep but I can sleep at all because the anxiety is gone.

Does anyone know at what dosage it is easier/harder to get off this stuff?

Thanks!

[treehugger]

I was given xanax but it made me more anxious. Ativan works for me for the most part .5mg 2xs a day. I stll have some anxiety but wont take more because of the addition concern. I can't really say they help me sleep but I can sleep at all because the anxiety is gone.

Does anyone know at what dosage it is easier/harder to get off this stuff?

Thanks!

I have been on 1mg ativan for 3 and 1/2 years. I take one to three of them as needed and at one point took 1 mg two times a day. Had no problem coming off of doing that, but the less mg's you take the easier it will be to get off anything, start taking 1/2 your normal dose then take it down to one time a day. like i said i just stopped taking it all the time.

[chico]

I have just started taking Ativan again because my anxiety is so bad I'm barely functioning - I take 1/4 of a 1mg tab (is that .25 I guess?). Anyhow, it works and the effect lasts for ages. I will take another 1/4 tab tonight. I can't believe the dosage on the bottle though, it says "take 1 tablet 3 times daily". Blimey, if I were following those directions, I'd be a zombie! So I hope the reduced dose will continue to help me. It does say not to take continuously for more than 10 days, so I will be monitoring myself carefully.

I don't mind the slight sleepy effect it gives, I find that restful and peaceful after the hell that high anxiety has put my body and brain through over the years, but especially the last few months. I am a meds-phobic but frankly, I am now more scared of the anxiety than the meds. I just desperately want some peace and a break from the anxiety-monster that has been riding on my shoulders and winding me up, trying to kill me!

[gevalia]

I prefer xanax over ativan because xanax will knock my anxiety down to a manageable level and I can also use it as a sleep aid. Ativan treats my anxiety but doesn't help me sleep. I am careful to use xanax only when I really need it. I have a relative who has used both and prefers ativan. I think it is a very individualized thing.

[Sariah]

I've not taken Ativan, but I do know xanax is faster-acting and is probably better than ativan for those of us who only get panic attacks and sudden anxiety occasionally. Since I did not need to take the xanax on a regular basis, there was not a steady supply in my system so when I had the occasional panic attack and took one, it worked pretty darn fast. If you need something to work fast, xanax is great, but I would imagine if you are taking Ativan on a schedule and it's in your system all the time, it would work just fine.

[alinam]

I have just started taking Ativan again because my anxiety is so bad I'm barely functioning - I take 1/4 of a 1mg tab (is that .25 I guess?). Anyhow, it works and the effect lasts for ages. I will take another 1/4 tab tonight. I can't believe the dosage on the bottle though, it says "take 1 tablet 3 times daily". Blimey, if I were following those directions, I'd be a zombie! So I hope the reduced dose will continue to help me. It does say not to take continuously for more than 10 days, so I will be monitoring myself carefully.

I don't mind the slight sleepy effect it gives, I find that restful and peaceful after the hell that high anxiety has put my body and brain through over the years, but especially the last few months. I am a meds-phobic but frankly, I am now more scared of the anxiety than the meds. I just desperately want some peace and a break from the anxiety-monster that has been riding on my shoulders and winding me up, trying to kill me!

I can certainly relate to just wanting some peace. I've been taking the ativan 1/2 mg twice a day and 1 mg at bedtime for six months now. I really hate having to take a controlled substance, especially since, some days it only takes the edge off. In the good ole' days when I only had a low level of persistant anxiety and panic attacks that lasted 20 minutes then went away, I went on 20 mg of paxil and it seemed to keep the whole thing under control. In December, my body went bonkers with a HIGH level of anxiety and "flashes" of panic that come in waves about every five minutes! I've tried three different AD's and two other anxiety meds since then and I still feel like it's barely suppressing the anxiety. I'm currently up to zoloft 75 mg and I've been on that for almost a week. I'm praying that by week two, I'll feel more like a human being. I can't even remember what life was like before Decemeber. I vaguely remember going to do things without being totally miserable with anxiety but that memory gets more and more distant.

My primary doc gave me klonopin and said I should take it two times a day, twelve hours apart and that should keep me on an even keel, but it made me sleep really light and I would wake up with terrible anxiety. I couldn't take it during the day because I have to work and it made me groggy and crabby. Besides that, it didn't last any longer than the ativan did. I do occasionally take 1/4 to 1/2 mg of xanax if the ativan is just not working, especially if I can't fall asleep. I feel like a junkie when I look in my med. drawer and see all the pill bottles. And I get so upset that none of them really works to make me feel better and be the mom I want to be that I've been known to start crying and throw all the bottles across the room.

My doctor says I'm in peri and I'm sure that's why my anxiety disorder is out of control. She put me on a low dose birth control, which made me worse. I had to quit taking it during the second pack. Then went to a gyn np who recommended bioidentical hormone cream but wouldn't check any hormone levels so I'm afraid to try that.

[scaredvalerie]

alinam........I know just where you are coming from......I feel the same way about my meds.......I take xanax 3 times a day and like u said it just takes the edge off......I also take a beta blocker for the palps and it is suppose to help with the anxiety.........but some days nothing helps.......I have tried ADs in the past and I just cant take them.......klonapin made my heart race,,.....so xanax seems to be the only thing that takes the edge off.......but I really just want to feel normal again........I want to enjoy doing things like I use too........now dont get me wrong things are better than they were last year at this time but not back to the old me....Im 2yrs post this month.....have lost loads of weight....good luck on the zoloft maybe it will help you alot!!..........Valerie

[Webalina]

I've taken both and haven't really noticed much if any difference between the two. I was just glad the panic stopped. I didn't really pay attention to how long it worked.

I've have that problem with docs before. They tell you what to do, it doesn't work and then they argue with you and say it DOES work. I should know!

[alinam]

alinam........I know just where you are coming from......I feel the same way about my meds.......I take xanax 3 times a day and like u said it just takes the edge off......I also take a beta blocker for the palps and it is suppose to help with the anxiety.........but some days nothing helps.......I have tried ADs in the past and I just cant take them.......klonapin made my heart race,,.....so xanax seems to be the only thing that takes the edge off.......but I really just want to feel normal again........I want to enjoy doing things like I use too........now dont get me wrong things are better than they were last year at this time but not back to the old me....Im 2yrs post this month.....have lost loads of weight....good luck on the zoloft maybe it will help you alot!!..........Valerie

It's a really scary thought that you are two years post and still going through this. I'm fourty and just started falling apart six months ago. I can't imagine going through this for another ten or fifteen years!

[Iradan]

I was given xanax but it made me more anxious. Ativan works for me for the most part .5mg 2xs a day. I stll have some anxiety but wont take more because of the addition concern. I can't really say they help me sleep but I can sleep at all because the anxiety is gone.

Does anyone know at what dosage it is easier/harder to get off this stuff?

Thanks!

Rendy,
When it comes to BZD, it is not only dosage but also how long you been on it, that makes them hard to get off.
I am on xanax almost 4 years, yes, 0.25 most days once, or 0.5 max, consider very low dose. I tried to taper off slowly, anxiety was through the roof.
Since anxiety is cycle related, I now certain, I am not planning to quit until my hormones level out or I find any suitable substitute for xanax.
It does not make me anxious, on good day, I take it before bed, and sleep 8 hours straight, unless I have night sweats before and during TOM, but still sleep through.
I have read that ativan is easier to taper off, as it is longer acting, and the dose you take is the lowest, I think 1 mg a day.
Xanax < 2 mg is also very low dose, but the tapering protocol suggesting replacing it with longer acting BZD if one wants to get off, and do it very slowly.
I did not see much ill effects on days I did not take it, except same old internal vibrations, but these are due to low estrogen anyways.
HTH,
hugs,
I.

[scaredvalerie]

Iradan.......I look at it this way.......if something is working and helping us through this awful time in our lives I dont care if it is addicting,,,,,,I know that sounds bad but my life was a living he** before I started on the xanax......I take between .75 and 1 mg a day....I have been on it for 9 months....Im not happy about having to take anything but it works and thats all the matters to me at this point........at least I can function and have an almost good day for the most part......I fought for 6 months about taking it and when I finally did I was like "why did I fight taking this for so long".......and now I say "if I have to be on this low dose for the rest of my life who cares"........but thats just my feeling........no one should have to feel guilty for needing it and taking it for this anxiety we are going through with these hormones......and when the right time comes Im sure we will beable to wean off.............Valerie

[Iradan]

Iradan.......I look at it this way.......if something is working and helping us through this awful time in our lives I dont care if it is addicting,,,,,,I know that sounds bad but my life was a living he** before I started on the xanax......I take between .75 and 1 mg a day....I have been on it for 9 months....Im not happy about having to take anything but it works and thats all the matters to me at this point........at least I can function and have an almost good day for the most part......I fought for 6 months about taking it and when I finally did I was like "why did I fight taking this for so long".......and now I say "if I have to be on this low dose for the rest of my life who cares"........but thats just my feeling........no one should have to feel guilty for needing it and taking it for this anxiety we are going through with these hormones......and when the right time comes Im sure we will beable to wean off.............Valerie

Hi Valerie,
I think exactly the same, if I am to stay on this dose for the rest of my life, then I will. I don't consider myself to be a "drug addict", as I don't take it to get high, I don't increase dose, and waited too long to start on it, waaaay too long, to the point, that I was dysfunctional mess from hormonal madness and my mother's death from cancer, I had no choice.
Every time I want to blame xanax for this or that symptom, I remember why I had to take it to begin with, ALL THE SYMPTOMS I had before I started on xanax.
I will deal with weaning off when there is time for it, there are many medications that must to be taken for life: insulin, BP medications, even HRT, ADs...you name it.
Xanax and similar has bad rep because it is psychotic medication and has potential for abuse, high doses of BZD can make one really "high".
I worry less about addition, I know, I must sleep, work, drive, and most days I just take this low dose before bed, so I have quality sleep.
It totally cleared my indigestion and IBS, it helps with spastic muscles, but it is not cure it all magical pill, but it surely takes care of phobia and anxiety/panic.
Best,
I.

[surreallife]

Iradan.......I look at it this way.......if something is working and helping us through this awful time in our lives I dont care if it is addicting,,,,,,I know that sounds bad but my life was a living he** before I started on the xanax......I take between .75 and 1 mg a day....I have been on it for 9 months....Im not happy about having to take anything but it works and thats all the matters to me at this point........at least I can function and have an almost good day for the most part......I fought for 6 months about taking it and when I finally did I was like "why did I fight taking this for so long".......and now I say "if I have to be on this low dose for the rest of my life who cares"........but thats just my feeling........no one should have to feel guilty for needing it and taking it for this anxiety we are going through with these hormones......and when the right time comes Im sure we will beable to wean off.............Valerie

Exactly what my therapist said when I said I only take it when everything is unbearable when the shaking/anxiety hits bad. She asked me why I punish myself by not taking it more often and not wait for it to be unbearable, I mentioned not wanting to get addicted. She said taking one or two or even 3 if I had to on the bad days won't hurt...'why keep wasting days climbing the walls'. Then she doubled my prescription.

[Iradan]

Exactly what my therapist said when I said I only take it when everything is unbearable when the shaking/anxiety hits bad. She asked me why I punish myself by not taking it more often and not wait for it to be unbearable, I mentioned not wanting to get addicted. She said taking one or two or even 3 if I had to on the bad days won't hurt...'why keep wasting days climbing the walls'. Then she doubled my prescription.

We all tend to do it, waiting too long to take the pill will only make anxiety to escalate to major panic attack, based on my experience.
There are days that I have to take 3x 0.25, when I am at work and adrenalin can't stop pumping, and pumping, not much I can do. It does not meant that next day I will continue to take the same dose, there are days I just take it because it helps with sleep and I am not taking chances with having one sleepless night anymore.
I think your doctor is right, the biggest mistake is to toughen it up, been there and done this, no need to suffer needlessly.
I don't think how BZD is bigger evil that any HRT, whatever has effect on our brain, hard to stop it. Think how potent hormones are, when they drop, we literally going crazy, I guess this justifies for appropriate medical care, LOL.
I am glad Xanax works for me, I surely don't want to go back to being nut case anymore.
My GP has no problem Rx Xanax, she takes Ativan herself, she is 6 years junior but already knows what perimenopause can do.

[Ceramista]

Well, I just found this message board and site. I am a little overwhelmed. It is wonderful to see that I am not alone. I have felt very alone and it has been one hell of a time. I live on a hill in Italy. I have a B&B and from the outside everything looks great, and it is, to some extent. Last year, four family members and 2 friends became ill with cancer, this year another one. I went home and visited the states for the first time in four years in May, and had missed my first period in April. I came back to a huge construction project and my property torn up more than expected and proceeded to get 3 periods within about 3 weeks. Then something just clicked. I fell into a spiral so deep, I can only equate it with trying to hang onto a vertical surface covered with oil. My husband just watched in horror as I begged and pleaded with him to put the property up for sale -- a property we have spent 6 years renovating. I could not sleep and could not eat. I started to drop weight almost immediately through constant diarrhea. I went to my gp and she put me on zoloft 50 and xanax .50 mg for the evenings. Coming from a medical family, the thought of being on benzos freaked me out but I did not have a choice. Guests started arriving, and I went through the motions, only to go back into my private quarters and want to die. I have started tearing apart the anxiety issues which are non menopausal. The zoloft severely worstened the IBS symptoms. I am starting to come out of this round of terror/panic and starting to see that I might still be alive next year at this time. I wanted so desperately to get off of the xanax, but I cannot sleep. can. not. sleep. And without sleep, the life of a B&B owner/potter/writer completely falls apart . I am doing this in a foreign country and feel homesick for the first time in 15 years of living abroad. Sorry for going on and on.

The xanax seems to work well for me but I am also very nervous (big surprise) about addiction. Right now, I am taking .25 in the late afternoon/ evening, seem to manage to fall asleep, and then taking another .25 when I wake up. If I don't do this, my mind gets so overtired from racing thoughts and dwelling on what ifs. I *think* i am pmsing now but not even sure.

I have taken myself very slowly off of the zoloft because of the IBS which it aggrevated. After reading what I have read here ( I have no one to talk to about this) I think I might keep with the xanax in low dose to make sure my tired mind and body gets some rest.

Thank you for listening. It has been so hard.

[scaredvalerie]

Ceramista.......Welcome to PS........ you will receive a lot of info on this site........and like we have all said......if the xanax works then dont worry or fight it,,,,,,there are worse things to have to take........and like many have said in the past.........if you are worried about addiction then it wont be a problem.......folks who get addicted are people who dont care if they are.........this med doesnt give us a "buzz" it helps us make it through the day.....but I fought it for months also...then once I could live an almost normal life taking it I decided that if it worked then Im not going to worry about it........I can take xanax and function normally and thats all that matters for now..........have a great day...........Valerie...