Posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 20:30:21
In reply to Ativan Tolerance, posted by AnxiousAndy on September 12, 2004, at 19:23:42
> Hi There,
>
> My question is regarding ativan. I have been taking it for 3 days. The first day I took 3 pills (0.5 mg), the second day 2, and today I took only one. I have been fighting anxiety for quite a long time now, and in the past have been on several ad's...all but one SSRIs and I can tell you, my anxiety and SSRIs just do not mix.
>
> 4 days ago, my anxiety got so bad I went to the hospital - and I have been admitted to an out-patient (I thank God) counseling center...as well as taking some of the steps I originally took to deal with anxiety in the past...and, mircaculously, I feel about 75% better than I did. Some of it obviously has to do with the ativan, but the counseling has been helping too.
>
> I think I can get through this without an a/d. At least, I want to. If I do end up needing one, I think it's going to be Remeron, I've had the least side effects with it. But the thought occured to me that if I can get through this with counseling and no ad's, and deal with the anxiety until I can learn new ways to deal with my guilt/resentments (which I have learned are directly related to my anxiety), that maybe I can just continue using ativan.
>
> For the last 4 years, I have always had at least a couple of pills (again, 0.5mg) in the cupboard, but used them very sparingly - going months and months between using 1 or 2 pills. So, I don't think I've ever come close to developing any noticeable tolerance.
>
> I've read as much as I could stand to search through on the internet about tolerance, and from what I can see, it looks like ativan should not be used for more than 4 months in a row. I've read on another site that addiction can begin as early as 3-4 weeks, depending on the amount used.
>
> I realize this might be a tough question to ask, but I'm going to put it out there: How much and for how long does it take to get addicted? I'm addicted to nicotine, have tried to quit, and I know it's no fun. The last thing I want is to develop another physical dependance. I'm not really concerned about the psychological dependance because, truth be told, I don't want to be on any meds. (Who does, right?)
>
> Does anyone have any experience with ativan? or other benzos? I would just like to get an idea - if I take 2 pills a day, everyday, how long can I safely do that before developing a habit that I can't quit? It seems some people are very concerned about benzo addiction and other places I read about it not being a big deal. I know withdrawal IS a big deal, but it seems like people take the benzo addiction lightly - as if it doesn't happen very often.
>
> I'm sorry for being so long-winded...just trying to get my point across, albeit a little disorganized. Thanks in advance for any advice!
>
> -AnxiousAndyHi Andy,
I have a long experience with Ativan, many years in the past. I developed tolerance quite quickly. I took Ativan every night for about 10 years. It probably took a couple of months of every night usage before I started needed to raise my dose. (I used it for sleep, instead of for the anxiety for which it was prescribed. I guess I took enough at night that it also controlled my anxiety during the day.)
I think that if you are very aware of the dangers, and you appear to be, you will be safe. Do not ever increase your dose above what is prescribed. Don't use it for sleep - it loses it efficacy there very quickly and that's where the tolerance develops so rapidly. Use it only as needed and try to skip days. Be aware that with continued use, it can exacerbate depression.
Just be careful, keep a watch for signs of dependency and you'll do fine.
Marsha
poster:4WD
thread:390082
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040909/msgs/390113.html