Ativan in cancer patients?

Question

My Grandmother was diagnosed with pancratic cancer in Oct, she is not taking chemo or radiation, no life saving measures can be done only comfort measusrs for her. Why would her doctor perscribe Ativan for her? It makes her loopy. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Ativan is to help calm her down. I'm sure she is anxious about everything and it will keep her calm. I get panic attacks and when they get bad, i take xanax, which makes me loopy too - i think the more she takes it, the more she'll build up a resistance and it will be less likely to make her loopy. I'm sorry to hear about her diagnosis and wish her a painfree passing and comfort to you and your family.

Answer 2

ATIVAN is brand name of basic Drug Lorazepam.Lorazepam is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. Pharmacologically, it is classified as a sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant. It is given for sleep. I am a heart patient undervent CABG surgery and i am on Ativan 2 mg for the past 16 years. I have become addict to it and without this I can not sleep. Since I am also above 60 doctors have advised me to continue.

Now coming to your mother a cancer patient should be suffering a lot that too without the treatments. She must be having acute pain and not getting sleep. So the Oncologist has prescribed her ativan to have some sleep atleast. There is absolutely no need to worry about administrating this drug. It will bring some relief atleast. Let her continue.

Why not try some dosage of Chemotherapy or radiating as otherwise Cancer is dangerous and suffering will be more. I am unable to add anything more except praying for your Mother - as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA-

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Ativan is used for anxiety. When a pt gets in pain, and is dying, it causes anxiety. Increases in anxiety causes an increase in the amount of pain. The Ativan is used to take the edge off and relax her.
If grandma is dying from pancreatic cancer, she deserves to be as pain free as possible and as peaceful as possible.
Too many times family members only think if themselves. I have had families ask me to stop giving pain medications so grandpa can wake up and talk to them. They do not realize the pain meds is their only comfort. Intractible pain is terrible and I cannot stand to see an elderly man or woman cry. I cry with them.
I work with an oncologist who is an *** and will not prescribe pain meds and anti anxiety drugs. I would never go to him. I try as hard as I can to keep from referring new patients to him because of this.

Answer 5

Ativan has a tranquillizing effect, but be careful. If she takes too much, Ativan has been known to cause hallucinations. If that happens, you could have a very bad situation on your hands.

Answer 6

Many cancer patients take ativan for anxiety or as an anti-nausea medication. My son takes it during chemotherapy (1 or 2 ml) to control nausea. The larger dose makes him sleepy and loopy. Fortunately he doesn't need to take it too often. He generally takes the lower dosage and it takes the edge off, he relaxes, and is pretty comfortable through his treatment.

You should talk to your grandmothers doctor though in order to find out why and what dosage he is recommending. If anything it will ease your mind.

You can read more about (Lorazepam) Ativan (which is from the family of drugs known as Benzodiazepines) at
Medline Plus:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202084.html

"Benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZ-e-peens) belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system).

Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety. However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or tension caused by the stress of everyday life.

Some benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). However, if used regularly (for example, every day) for insomnia, they usually are not effective for more than a few weeks.

Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure. Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, and lorazepam are used in the treatment of certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses."

Answer 7

oooooooo Ativan is good.
It makes all your worries go away while your on it.You also don't think of the pain while your on it.Last year when I was diagnosed with cancer I was so anxious and stuff they just gave me some of that and and I was better.

Answer 8

Ativan is the brand name of a medicament known as Lorazepam. It is a sedative, helps to calm the person too. If it is making her 'loopy' you could inform the doc about it and have it discontinued.

Hope that helps
Rgds
Lex

Answer 9

Yes, my friend had colon cancer and was prescribed pot by the Dr. (We live in B.C.) He had no problem with his chemo, or his appetite, and lost very little weight. He did great for 2 years, but unfortuntely he just found out the cancer has spread to his stomach & liver.

Answer 10

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