Ativan Side Effect Question?

Question

I'm on ativan for Anxiety Attacks for over 1 month now and have taken it about 6 times. Im worried that the doctor will make me start taken it on a daily basis but i dont want to become addicted or relient on it! When i take it though i've been getting dizzy and become very drowsey which isnt the best becuase usually im at work or school when they occur and the medication is needed. Should i see the doctor about changing medications or should i just live with the side effects?? HELP

Answer 1

There are several other medications that can be prescribed for Anxiety that have fewer side effects than Ativan. Ativan can also be very addictive. I would talk to your doctor about other options or get a second opinion. You may also do better by contacting a Psychiatrist instead of a primary care physician. Primary care physicians often give this kind of medication on a whim and a Psychiatrist will be more familiar with Ativan and other options for anxiety.

Answer 2

First of all, you need to find out what it is that may be causing your panic attacks. Ativan is highly addicting and most do not function very well, if at all while taking it. Ativan should only be used in traumatizing situations, ie, after a rape, accident or something unbearable-and should only be used on a temporary basis.

There are many diseases out there that can cause an upset in how the brains chemistry works. Sometimes it can just be stress. If thats the case, buspar is a great medication for anxiety without many side effects.

But, I am still concerned with what would be causing it.
Some diseases you should be tested for are something that might be causing harm to a main organ such as the kidney's or liver.

I would have the doctor run some specific tests. Too many psychiatrists get away with pill pushing.

Have you had a liver panel done? Have you had a urinalysis done?

Have them check your liver for sure as you could have liver disease...such as HCV-which doesnt always show up in a standard lab because one, the ALT and AST levels can appear within normal ranges and two-they have to actually test you for HCV using an antibody test. (testing for the presence of virons)

What happens is that the liver is damaged and thus in turn causes a buildup of toxins in the body. Not only does HCV pass the blood brain barrier, but all the toxins that the liver is unable to filter.

Almost the same scenerio with the kidneys and diseases that affect them as well.

Mental illnesses do not appear for no reason. Get further testing!

Meanwhile, cut out all caffiene related foods, coffee, chocolate...do not use mind altering substances.

If you have to take tylenol, do so, but try one pill instead of two.

Last but not least, talk to your doctor. A psychiatrist is not the correct person to see, seek the advice of your doctor and have him run an antibody test for hcv regardless of the presense or absense of HCV risk factors. Over 15% of those with HCV have no idea how they contracted it, but it's as easy as getting your ears peirced, regardless of how old you were when you had it done.

Dental proceedures, surgeries, getting your nails done can all spread HCV.

Usually the first symptom of HCV in many are mental illnesses such as panic attacks...depression, brain fog.
What is sad, but true is that many of the drugs that are supposed to help the side effects of hcv can actually make the situation worse.

Good luck

Answer 3

If you're taking it that frequently, you may need to be on something every day, but certainly not Ativan. I would make another appointment with my doctor if I were you, and tell him that you're needing the medication very frequently and you don't like the side effects. Ask if there is something you could take every day to prevent the anxiety attacks, rather than treating them once they occur. That will save you from the effects of the anxiety too.

Answer 4

With that strong a dose, I have had memory loss...I will be doing crazy things and the next day, my friends and loved ones will tell me what I was doing and I don't remember.