Do you take Ativan ?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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

It is not factual that Ativan will leave you with a hangover no matter when you take it. I was prescribed xanax but switched to Ativan because I CAN even take it during the day when needed without the sedating affect xanax had...of course the dose I take isn't high either, 1 mg.

My advice to you is to go see your doc and request to go on an SSRI (antidepressant) for a trial. There are a variety of them that are used for anxiety and as you have read from previous poster; they work. Also remember that they take about one month to take effect in most cases and it can take longer and sometimes shorter.

Ativan will leave you with a hangover no matter when you take it. The SSRIs usually don't have those type of side effects. Do a search on them. I know a nurse who took Paxil for social anxiety; she told me it worked great. Other SSRIs have been mentioned and are good picks as well.

I include this link; it is a good succinct explanation of SSRIs and their effects and also talks about them being used for anxiety.

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.

I'm on an SSRI for all kinds of anxiety and panic attacks and depression. It does help tremendously, but every now and then I get a mild panic attack. Definitely better than the 3-4 major ones I was having per day 14 years ago. Yes, weaning off them is rough (did it twice for two pregnancies and one year of breastfeeding) but if you have a support system, its doable. But unless you plan on getting pregnant I don't see why you'd need to worry about weaning off of it. Unfortunately, I'll be on this for the rest of my life or until my liver revolts. Whichever comes first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have encountered anxiety as a huge problem with many nurses, including myself. Experience and maturity seems to alleviate some anxiety, but in the meantime the symptoms can be debilitating, to say the least.

My answer is that antidepressants do help, without the stigma of testing positive for benzos, but on the other-hand if one has an MD's prescription, then it's legal... ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I take Ativan every once in a while- every few months. Whoever listed hot chocolate as an alternative has probably never had a panic attack! When I get an anxiety attack I try and breathe through it for a while but when it gets bad enough for an Ativan it literally takes me a half hour to get to my medicine cabinet because I can barely move. Then I end up laying on the floor in the fetal position crying until it mercifully subsides. Ativan takes the edge off without giving me a hangover (I tried half a Klonopin once and was useless for a good 24 hours).

I took an SSRI for depression/anxiety once upon a time, but I didn't like the side effects. And weaning off of them was pure hell.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ float.
Benzos have a HECK of a lot more adverse effects than SSRIs and have higher potential for addiction. SSRIs will also help prevent the physical symptoms of anxiety attacks long term instead of just popping a pill for a quick fix 'til the next anxiety attack comes along. You should review your pharmacodynamics.

review my pharmacodynamics? try again .:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
I went through a particularly stressful time some years back, and my MD put me on a combination of oxazepam and lorazepam. After about three days I was having severely depressed episodes alternating with panic attacks.

I stopped taking both substances and was more or less back to normal within a day. I decided to put up with the mild insomnia and avoid both Ativan and Serepax like the plague....

I prefer a more natural approach, like a cup of warm cocoa before bed. When it comes to anxiety, I seek the source and address it if possible, or if not, accept that I can't change the situation and get on with my life.

I was also put on benzos PRN for panic attacks after experiencing PTSD a long time ago. I hated the way it made me feel. I was depressed as well. I was a total witch the next day. It just had a weird effect on me, I guess. When I addressed my MD about the side effects, she prescribed an SSRI. I took that for 2 months and felt like a witchy zombie. So when I told the MD about my concerns, she said that I should take the benzos more often, and then told me to take Ambien hs. Ummm...how about we get to the root of the problem instead of more meds? I dropped the MD, started working out, researched stress reduction, and have never taken a benzo since.

My stress reduction therapy now is to look over at my puppy when she is rolling on her back entangled in the dock line that she uses for a toy!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

Hey all, careful...this is bordering on breeching the TOS by providing medical advice....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ float.

My stress reduction therapy now is to look over at my puppy when she is rolling on her back entangled in the dock line that she uses for a toy!

OMG, this works for me also. pet therapy is awesome.:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Hey all, careful...this is bordering on breeching the TOS by providing medical advice....

Agree. Suggestions for alternatives drug therapy is giving of medical advice. Will close this thread.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment