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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bsg on December 5, 2000, at 1:16:50
I have tried Buspar and Effexor for my panic disorder and the initial side effects were worse than the illness. The yawn with the fluttering eyelids was especially strange. For now I am just taking ativan and it seems to help just enough to get me through the days. I don't think the disorder will ever go away, so is it possible for me to take ativan for the rest of my life with no major problems? ie. can I have children, etc...I am 23.
Posted by stjames on December 5, 2000, at 1:24:31
In reply to ativan addiction?, posted by bsg on December 5, 2000, at 1:16:50
You should try some of the other AD's, they all do not have side effects or the side effects pass.
Yes you can take Ativan for life. Benzos are very safe meds.james
Posted by bsg on December 5, 2000, at 1:27:57
In reply to Re: ativan addiction?, posted by stjames on December 5, 2000, at 1:24:31
What are some AD's with low side effects?
> You should try some of the other AD's, they all do not have side effects or the side effects pass.
> Yes you can take Ativan for life. Benzos are very safe meds.
>
> james
Posted by ChrisK on December 5, 2000, at 5:27:46
In reply to ativan addiction?, posted by bsg on December 5, 2000, at 1:16:50
Take a look at this site if you haven't already: http://www.algy.com/anxiety/index.shtml
It's all about Anxiety and Panic disorders. Check out the BBS section on medications. Almost everyone there is taking some med for panic. The most common are the SSRI's like Paxil or Celexa.
It's a pretty good group of people.
> I have tried Buspar and Effexor for my panic disorder and the initial side effects were worse than the illness. The yawn with the fluttering eyelids was especially strange. For now I am just taking ativan and it seems to help just enough to get me through the days. I don't think the disorder will ever go away, so is it possible for me to take ativan for the rest of my life with no major problems? ie. can I have children, etc...I am 23.
Posted by stjames on December 5, 2000, at 13:25:53
In reply to Re: ativan addiction?, posted by bsg on December 5, 2000, at 1:27:57
> What are some AD's with low side effects?
>James here.....
It varies so much by person that there is one AD
that is free of side effects for everybody. You just have to try them till you find what works for you.james
Posted by mr. man on December 5, 2000, at 14:32:27
In reply to ativan addiction?, posted by bsg on December 5, 2000, at 1:16:50
I know someone who is addicted to ativan and I knew someone else who may have been addicted or at least was abuseing them for some reason, I would guess the longer you keep taking them the harder it will be to quit in the future, and from what ive read it can be extremely hard for some people, my suggestion is to stay away from ativan, but its up to you, if it really helps you and you want to take it the rest of your life thats something that you can do and still live a productive normal life, but you might want to do some research on the internet, do a lot of research.
Posted by Kinderprize on December 6, 2000, at 2:03:58
In reply to Re: ativan addiction?, posted by stjames on December 5, 2000, at 1:24:31
you can take Ativan for life. Benzos are very safe meds.
>
> james
I get addicted to Ativan within a week. Probably because I had a Benzo addiction for eight years.
Maybe some people have a predisposition to get addicted. I would say they are ok as an adjunct to other treatments.
As far as safe. I would'nt say so. After six years use I had remission use of say a small daily dose for maybe two months after a break of six months. After stopping these small remission periods I am prone to stress related siezure about a month later. I could lose speech for a day. I reckon these drugs are a problem for a lot of people.
I don't know why they work, but I wish there was a better alternative. It's torture having to resist the temptation.
Posted by R.Anne on December 9, 2000, at 18:54:15
In reply to ativan addiction?, posted by bsg on December 5, 2000, at 1:16:50
I believe that Ativan only needs to be taken when needed. I don't know about you but I don't have panic attacks 24/7 and so I only take the ativan as needed. There are so many other things, too, that can relieve anxiety and panic. A hot relaxing bath where you massage your neck and shoulder muscles works wonders for me-in fact I'm in need of some more bath additives-I LOVE hot baths! A brisk walk and other exercise whenever you can will lessen your general anxiety level and possibly the panic attacks. Sometimes, too, I take only a half of a .5 ativan. It works. too. Taking the ativan less often and alternating with other activities and strategies will help you not to get addicted. I'm not addicted to it and have been taking it for 3 years but not on a continual basis. Perhaps, too, a therapist can help you with strategies or an internet search for relaxation techniques and such. Good luck, you can do it!
Posted by bsg on December 11, 2000, at 12:39:38
In reply to Re: ativan addiction?, posted by R.Anne on December 9, 2000, at 18:54:15
> I believe that Ativan only needs to be taken when needed. I don't know about you but I don't have panic attacks 24/7 and so I only take the ativan as needed. There are so many other things, too, that can relieve anxiety and panic. A hot relaxing bath where you massage your neck and shoulder muscles works wonders for me-in fact I'm in need of some more bath additives-I LOVE hot baths! A brisk walk and other exercise whenever you can will lessen your general anxiety level and possibly the panic attacks. Sometimes, too, I take only a half of a .5 ativan. It works. too. Taking the ativan less often and alternating with other activities and strategies will help you not to get addicted. I'm not addicted to it and have been taking it for 3 years but not on a continual basis. Perhaps, too, a therapist can help you with strategies or an internet search for relaxation techniques and such. Good luck, you can do it!
Thanks for all the advice. I do try alternate methods of stress relief, and sometimes it works. I try not to take it everyday and I do usually take .5 unless I am feeling really anxious. I have found however, that if I go more than 2 days without taking it at all, I become very panicky. I don't think it is withdrawl because of the small doses. Maybe it has a placebo effect on me, either way, I am glad to have it as a crutch.
Posted by R.Anne on December 12, 2000, at 15:08:21
In reply to Re: ativan addiction?, posted by bsg on December 11, 2000, at 12:39:38
I am glad to have Ativan on hand too.
This is the end of the thread.
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