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?

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.