Do you take Ativan ?

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.

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... ?

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.

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 .

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!

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

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.