Ativan vs. Xanax - HealingWell.com Forum

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stkitt
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 18782

Posted 11/28/2009 4:48 PM (GMT -7)

InVein

Hello and welcome to HealingWell. We all appreciate your taking the time to share here. The thread you posted to is 3 years old and may I suggest you start a thread of your own and stick with us as we are a great support group.

Please do feel comfortable in sharing and talking with the wonderful members of this forum.

Again a warm welcome,

Kitt

~~ Kitt ~~
Moderator: Osteoarthritis, Gerd/Heartburn, & Anxiety/Panic
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"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one." C.S. Lewis
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InVein
New Member

Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 1

Posted 11/28/2009 3:13 PM (GMT -7)

I am aware that medications effect different people in different ways. I am 33 and have been in & out of treatment since the age of 10. In regards to Seroquel, I was on it for 2 years and it did not help me with any of my symptoms. The only thing it did was put me to sleep at night and make it almost impossible to wake in the morning. I can't get samples anymore & have no ins. so I tried to get off of it and I am having a very hard time. I went from 250mg to 50mg and still get very sick when I do not take it. I wish I never started.

As far as Xanex, I was on 4 mg a day, now I am on 3. That too is horribly addictive but so far (and I have come almost full circle with medications) it is the only one to help with my anxiety, my night terrors and paranoia. Please, be careful and do not let the doc put you up that high on either medication unless you are SURE you can't do without it! Be safe...Be well

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 23367

Posted 9/26/2006 2:53 AM (GMT -7)

Thanks for sharing and glad to hear you think of yourself as a victor ..........the best way to look at it
Most meds can be addictive IMO but if you need them then by all means take then there is no shame in this IMO.
God Bless
Lyn

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phillippians-4.8
New Member

Date Joined Sep 2006
Total Posts : 2

Posted 9/26/2006 12:47 AM (GMT -7)

My mother had a bad experience with Ativan. It is a very strong and adictive drug. The two are both very similar. They often switch the drugs when one has been on the drug for a long time and it has stopped working at the higher dosages. But they slowly decrease the dosage down and start the other up to a stronger dosage until it reaches the appropriate dosage. My mom has had a better result with psychotic drugs such as Giodon or Seraguil for severe anxiety. I now about the warnings on Seraquil but you have to speak to your Dr. about that. That is a contraversal discussion among Dr.'s. I have found Paxil to help me the best, but my anxiety was not as severe as my mothers. Mine was bad enough to get disability for it. I found psychotherepy to help the best along with the drug. I had to start thinking differently about myself and social things which is something a drug can't change. Anxiety begins with our thoughts. I had to slowly change my way of thinking. I also started reading alot of books on the subject. Joyce Meyer has some good ones that are good.

Also, I took some psychology and oral communication classes that really helped me understand other people's thoughts and perceptions.

Drugs can't change our thoughts but can help with the physical symptoms from the disordor.

The psychotic drugs helped my mother with the chest heaviness she feels that bothers her the most.

This is just a few suggestions from an experienced and victorious, anxiety disorder patient with many mental illnesses in my whole family. I have a lot that I can share if anyone needs more advise. I don't call myself a victim, but I call myself a victor. I won over the anxiety. A victim does not win, just survives.

God bless,

Terri,

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 23367

Posted 9/25/2006 2:45 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks again for the input harry and TIEZ

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harry4
Veteran Member

Date Joined Mar 2005
Total Posts : 1449

Posted 9/25/2006 2:32 PM (GMT -7)

ask a pharmacist how strong her ativan dose is

both meds are very similar, both are valium type

I cant see what the doc is trying to do, ask him for an explanation, I would be inclined to leave her on her ativan, especially if its not a large dose

recovered former longtime anxiety and panic attack sufferer and helper of other sufferers but no training or qualifications in medicine or psychology, any remarks that may be taken as advice must be confirmed with doctor or other health professional

frar
Regular Member

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 365

Posted 9/25/2006 10:37 AM (GMT -7)

Thank both of you for your input.

My mother in law has taken Ativan for the last thirty years. Needless to say, she is addicted to it, is now 86 years old, has been in the hospital for the past month with many ailments.......the doctor has decided to take her off of Ativan and has prescribed Xanax. I didn't think there was any difference (or very little) between the two drugs and just wondered why in the world he would stop one and begin the other at this stage of her life.

TakeitEZ
Regular Member

Date Joined Jun 2006
Total Posts : 22

Posted 9/25/2006 10:17 AM (GMT -7)

personally i feel that xanax is more likely to become addictive...and the withdrawals are ridiculous!!!! i've taken both of these medications so thats my 2 cents......i remember hearing something about one being fat soluble and one being water soluble but i dont know..

Howlyncat
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 23367

Posted 9/25/2006 10:14 AM (GMT -7)

I think you are basically talking about lil difference between the 2 meds I am not totally positive but I know I take ativan and for me it works also daizapam if I need it .........Hoping someone will no if there is a big difference or go to the resources in yellow HW resources and check it out ........You be well and take care
Lyn

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Believe In Yourself......Live Love and Laugh

Never Give up on Yourself ,Your True friends nor your Dignity

Dont Comprimise Yourself....You Are All You've Got

frar
Regular Member

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 365

Posted 9/25/2006 5:14 AM (GMT -7)

Could someone please tell me the difference between these two drugs?

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