Lorazepam

[Cary and Mo]

Hello!

Does anyone out there have any recent experience with Lorazepam? I have searched the boards and have found posts from a number of years ago; I'm looking for more recent insight.

Here's my situation: I've been having panic attacks for about two years now. They come at random. It took me a long time to figure out what they were. I'm not medicated. I have had success in cutting drastically down on caffeine, exercising, talking frankly about it with friends and family, and reading some great books such as "Self Coaching" and "Don't Panic". The last trip to Disney, I suffered a most heinous panic attack before setting out to the airport. I don't even remember getting there, it was so bad.

This time (we will be there in 3 days!) I thought I would talk to my doctor. He provided me with a prescription for 10 Lorazepam. I have not taken any yet as I've been panic free or have been able to deal with panicky feelings without them. I'm a preparer, though, so I got the prescription filled.

My question to you out there is, if I take one, will it wreck me for the rest of the day? My first trip down, I took Gravol, and felt like a zombie for half the day. Does anyone know how quickly Lorazepam wears off and whether or not you can proceed to enjoy the rest of your day after taking one? I have no idea what effect this will have on me. I really don't want to take it if it's going to knock me cold as I don't want my husband to have to deal with me and our 8 year old.

My plan is to take one the day before to see how it affects me...however, I am still interested in hearing someone else's story.

 

[brighteyes]

I have not taken this so I am not sure how it will affect you. I think this also comes in different strengths, so it would depend on how many milligrams the script is for.

I guess the only thing would be for you to take it before you leave to be sure how it would affect you.

Good for you though for taking the steps to deal with these panic attacks on your own. I have never had one, but they look scary for those who suffer from them.

My mother I think takes this med as well for her panic attacks, but can't say how it affects her since she takes many other meds as well. So it is hard to judge which meds affect her and which don't.

Good luck and don't give up.

Stephanie

 

[jtdl]

I've never taken it myself but am familiar with it. It doesn't usually make people "zombie-like" but people react differently. I suspect your doc prescribed the lowest dose 0.5 mg tabs? It can make you drowsy (lots of people are Rx'd it for sleeping) but the effects usually don't last too long - probably 4-6 hours. Definitely try one before your trip to see exactly how it affects you - on a day when you don't plan to be driving or doing much of anything other than taking it easy at your house. If the tabs are 1 or 2 mg strength and you find they make you too drowsy, you can always cut them in half and try a lower dose.

 

[CdnTink]

I have taken this before and use it on an as needed basis. I suffer from anxiety and in times when I can predict that it will worsen, such as flying I use it to take the edge off. I usually use 1/2 pill with no effect on my clarity or alertness. I always take it when flying and have had no ill effects from it. Even when taking it in the morning. It only suppresses the anxiety and panic not everything else and doesn't have a tranquilizer effect.

If you have a naturopath in your area or see one currently, there are herbal remedies that produce the same result, and I have used these effectively as well. The best advice I have is to try it before you use it or need it and start with 1/2 or 1/4 of recommended dosage. That way you can judge the effects for yourself.

I'm very thankful that this drug is available, it helps to keep my anxiety down, when it would normally make it very difficult for me to do things. Another tip, try square breathing, if you haven't already. You can find out more about this through Dr. Joy Brown's website. Good Luck!!! And good for you for trying to conquer your own challenges.

 

[Cary and Mo]

Everyone is so helpful. I checked the jar and it's 1 mg. Unfortunately, those suckers are so little that I can't imagine cutting one in half. I'm going to test drive one the day before and hope that it doesn't zonk me out completely. I would hate to have to take one the day of travel then have my whole first day at Disney be a haze - those days are so precious LOL!

Again, thanks to everyone for offering advice on what can be a very sensitive, personal issue. Ironically, I don't have a fear of flying - just getting down to the airport and clearing security, etc. It's a fear of feeling trapped...and there's no way out of that line where if it's in a grocery store, at the teller, etc. - you can just walk away.

Silly, really!

 

[NikP]

There is also a herbal remedy called Rescue remedy. Our local health food store sells this. It is a liquid and you put 2 drops on your tongue when you start having any stress. One of my good friend just told me about this. Her doctor told her about it, and she heard it mentioned on the red carpet at the Oscars. Apparently the stars take this to calm their nerves.

 

[Cary and Mo]

I have a small spray of this that I keep in my purse. It doesn't work for super intense panic attacks. I have also tried herbal formulations called "Mental Calmness" and "GABA" which stands for a very big word that I don't remember. Both are chewables. I keep these things in my arsenal but sometimes the herbals don't help. Going to have to claim the rescue remedy in my carry on as a liquid, LOL!

Thanks for the tip!

 

[maggieb9975]

Hi, I take Lorazepam on a as needed basis...I find it lasts about 4 hrs....if i need it to get to sleep I take 2 pills 1 mg each. You can get the med in .5 MG, which I find doesn't make me sleepy, just calm........
I find 1 mg can make me tired....I would try one at home before you go and see how it affects you because everyone is different. They can be cut in half...a pill splitter works or get the pharmacist to do it for you....

My DD age 25 suffers from random panic attacks and she is on Prozac...it is a wonder drug for panic attacks.....perhaps worth looking into....she swears by it.....
Have a great trip!