Do you take Ativan ?

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Specializes in LTC.

For the past few years I've experienced slight to moderate anxiety. Today as I was going over my medication orders with the doctor and I requested Ativan 0.5mg prn. I want to know if any other nurses take anything for anxiety ? It feels kind of weird to me to take it when I'm so busy trying to make my patients less anxious. :o

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

Yes. I have anxiety issues which get really bad when I'm trying to go to sleep. Things roll through my head constantly and sleeping pills just really don't work for me. As long as it is taken as RX'd and not abused its ok. I wouldnt know if I would want to take it before going to work though, it does not knock me out, but does have sedating effects and can cause memory loss. Best to start out on your days off and see how your body reacts to it.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I don't because the few times in my life I've been prescribed a benzo (pre-operatively or before dental work) I didn't like how it made me feel. Instead I've just learned to deal with my anxiety issues over the years.

I certainly don't feel superior to anyone who has to take benzos--far from it. All I know is that those types of meds aren't the answer for me; if they're the answer for someone else, then that's good for them. We're all unique and we need to do what's best for ourselves, whatever that may be.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

There are many SSRIs that are anxiolytic as well. Celexa and Lexapro are both good medications for anxiety (they don't work PRN the way benzos do, but they also don't have the same sedating effects).

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm going to take mine at hs and see how it makes me feel. I guess being a nurse is blessing and a curse. I unfortanately ( excuse spelling) know that there is a pill for everything. I will definitely be careful.

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Be careful--I have posted on this several times--if you are pulled over while driving for any reason and they check your urine ANY benzo in your urine --worn off or not-- will land you a DWAI-Prescription Drugs. I was pulled over on my way home after working 17 hours. If I was guilty of anything it was of driving when too tired to be--however they asked me to do a roadside test and being soooo over tired and having not eaten all day I had a hard time with the test. They were really nasty to me--did a BAC which of course was ZERO--I was truly just really exhausted. They then did a urine and found the trace level of benzo I was on. I was being prescribed this legally and was taking it as prescribed. But ended up penalized as a resort. SO PLEASE any of you taking any benzo--even just at bedtime, as it is still in your urine for a period-- know my nightmare! Didn't think that kind of thing would ever happen to me. I am not a big drinker and have never done drugs so it was hard being treated like some addict when I am not--just a tired nurse!

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There are many SSRIs that are anxiolytic as well. Celexa and Lexapro are both good medications for anxiety (they don't work PRN the way benzos do, but they also don't have the same sedating effects).

when i've had prlonged, anxiety episodes, i went on an ssri...which helped me tremendously.

i don't like benzos...they make me depressed, and i can't afford those effects.

leslie

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.
Be careful--I have posted on this several times--if you are pulled over while driving for any reason and they check your urine ANY benzo in your urine --worn off or not-- will land you a DWAI-Prescription Drugs. I was pulled over on my way home after working 17 hours. If I was guilty of anything it was of driving when too tired to be--however they asked me to do a roadside test and being soooo over tired and having not eaten all day I had a hard time with the test. They were really nasty to me--did a BAC which of course was ZERO--I was truly just really exhausted. They then did a urine and found the trace level of benzo I was on. I was being prescribed this legally and was taking it as prescribed. But ended up penalized as a resort. SO PLEASE any of you taking any benzo--even just at bedtime, as it is still in your urine for a period-- know my nightmare! Didn't think that kind of thing would ever happen to me. I am not a big drinker and have never done drugs so it was hard being treated like some addict when I am not--just a tired nurse!

Thanks for the warning. Didn't realize they would do that to legally prescribed drugs, especially something that yo may have taken days ago.

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There are many SSRIs that are anxiolytic as well. Celexa and Lexapro are both good medications for anxiety (they don't work PRN the way benzos do, but they also don't have the same sedating effects).

I'm going to second this. Paxil, Luvox, Zoloft, Prozac as well as the ones listed above are often used for anxiety disorders and a better choice than benzos or, god forbid, barbituates. They don't give you that hangover effect or memory loss that can severely impede your ability to function. I'm wondering if you discussed these possiblilities with your md. You could also try antihistamines as well.

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Buspar is an antianxiety agent that is not a benzo. It has to be taken scheduled, usually bid. Optimal results take 3 to 4 weeks.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
Be careful--I have posted on this several times--if you are pulled over while driving for any reason and they check your urine ANY benzo in your urine --worn off or not-- will land you a DWAI-Prescription Drugs. I was pulled over on my way home after working 17 hours. If I was guilty of anything it was of driving when too tired to be--however they asked me to do a roadside test and being soooo over tired and having not eaten all day I had a hard time with the test. They were really nasty to me--did a BAC which of course was ZERO--I was truly just really exhausted. They then did a urine and found the trace level of benzo I was on. I was being prescribed this legally and was taking it as prescribed. But ended up penalized as a resort. SO PLEASE any of you taking any benzo--even just at bedtime, as it is still in your urine for a period-- know my nightmare! Didn't think that kind of thing would ever happen to me. I am not a big drinker and have never done drugs so it was hard being treated like some addict when I am not--just a tired nurse!

What? I know you're serious but this sounds totally unreasonable on the laws part!

Just curious, where did they collect your urine, surely not on the roadside! lol

This just doesn't seem fair. I take a benzo at times, one with a very short half life, but one that I take regularly and would probably show up in urine. That would be so NOT right to tell me I'm driving under the influence.

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This just doesn't seem fair. I take a benzo at times, one with a very short half life, but one that I take regularly and would probably show up in urine. That would be so NOT right to tell me I'm driving under the influence.

i think it's reasonable to suspect the benzo as cause, when the op was acting incredibly tired.

if she hadn't been so overtired, more than likely that one thought wouldn't lead to another.

leslie

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