Ativan and Xanax both belong to a group of psychoactive
medication called Benzodiazepine. They are both used for long term anxiety and
panic disorders and also used as a PRN (take as needed). They are both highly
addicting. Both are very similar and both I have had experiences with.
I first tried Xanax. This was years ago when I still lived
in Ireland. I was prescribed the lowest dose and rarely took it because I
honestly felt it did nothing for me. I never asked for a higher dose because 1)
I hated my doctor and 2) I didn’t feel I really had much anxiety. Then, around
2 years ago (I’m completely guessing here), I started having some extreme
anxiety/anger outbursts so my doctor prescribed Ativan as a PRN. I took this as
needed over 1 ½ years, but I never felt it really did anything. I started
taking more and more in hopes that it would do something but instead I just got
disastrous results. When I finished my most recent prescription I knew I was
having a problem and told my psychiatrist that I didn’t think I should be
prescribed it anymore. He agreed. I then decided that since it never really
helped with my anxiety I wouldn’t bother with another kind.
This just changed the last time I saw my psychiatrist. I
talked to him about some minor psychotic symptoms I was having which he put
down to extreme anxiety and said that I should try an anxiety medication. I
agreed to Xanax. He prescribed a somewhat high dose because the lower dose may
have not been enough for the symptoms I was having. I wasn’t that positive that
anything would happen with it. He told me to at least try it when I start
sensing these feelings coming on.
This was two weeks ago. I have tried Xanax three times. It
is working great. My anxiety goes away and I’m calm. The side effects are
killer though. I have trouble staying awake, I have trouble with talking and
writing. I might need to see about a smaller dose. I still don’t know if it’s
going to help with the extreme symptoms, but for the first time I have a plan
against them so I’m feeling hopeful. We just need to give it some time.
Today I’ve been doing some research of which people find is
the better drug. It really is split. Some are on the Ativan team. Some are on
the Xanax team. I’ve read great things about both and horrible things about
both. If there is anyone reading this who has had experience with one of these
medications I would love to hear about your experience with it. Please leave
an anonymous comment below or feel free to email me at mnedoherty@gmail.com or send me a
facebook message if I’m friends with you on facebook.
My next post will probably be Tuesday after my therapy
appointment. I’m really glad I took a few weeks off. I’ve made a lot of steps
forward and I’m looking forward to going in there being able to talk about what
I did instead of things I could be doing (but probably won’t).
I have only tried Ativan but it works well for me. It does make me extremely drowsy though, no matter what amount I take. I take 2 mg as needed because a lower dose does not really help my anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI have tried both but personally dont really care for either one. I am on klonopin now and that helps me so much more. I get two a day which is 2mg. I take both in the morning and they work for 24 hrs therefore its in my system all day. My anxiety is nothing like it used to be. I can actually go outside and be active with my daughter in public. (As long as I have another person with me). I hope you get something out of this eventhough its a bit off topic.
ReplyDeleteAtivan has more debilitating side effects which actually really can mess up your day. Memory loss being one. I took Xanax for six months and it was great. I've only seen people take Ativan and didn't like the results
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