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Have a prescription for Ativan, scared to take it

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 9/29/2010 4:16 PM (GMT -7)
I went to see my doctor 2 weeks ago and while waiting in the waiting area I started to feel anxiety comming on.All because I feltstupid going there and telling him that "I think I need help, I think I have anxiety/panic attacks" And that "I felt stupid for being there, and he reassured me and he checked my blood pressure and it was 159/98 and my heart rate was 146! Wow high eh?! I told him before he put the cuff on my arm that I felt like I was having an attack right now and that mybp was going to be high because I can feelit going up and I can feel my heart rate going up and up and up, felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest. He checked my heart and said it sounded normal nothing to be alarmed about. He gave me a perscription to ativan I haven't had to use any yet, and I have had them for 2 weeks now.
Now today I was feeling great, I helped my husband paint our bedroom, just hada great day. Noticed that it was 5:30 pm and we were getting hungary and that we had onlyhad a grilledcheese for lunch and my little boy even said he was hungary, so I ordered a pizza, went and picked it up, came home and ate it. After I was finished eating it I all of a sudden felt very dizzy! Like the whole room was spinning. Then I felt sick to my stomach. I have been reading on the internet about dizziness and I haven't really got anywhere, except that it may be symptoms of panic/anxiety attacks. SinceI haven't taken any adivan yet I am wondering if may I should because I get my self all worked up and think that I am having a stroke, then my heart gets beating and then I think I may be having a heart attack. I feel alright right now, but wondering if I should take my ativan and maybe that will make me stop thinking I am dying. I have never taken one before and I don't know what it will do to me! I have been feeling dizzy for like an hour and a half now.
What should I do!
Posted 9/29/2010 4:36 PM (GMT -7)
Hello and if you feel your having a panic atttack, you have the medication from the Dr., then I would think it may be wise to use it. However, I would also mention to your Dr. that you had a dizzy spell and some nausea as a very fast heart rate could also cause these sx.

Just lay down and relax...........let the medication work. If you continue to feel dizzy and nauseated please call you Dr.
Posted 9/30/2010 3:22 AM (GMT -7)
Ativan (lorazepam) is a good drug for anxiety. I have used it for years, and it helps me very much.
Posted 9/30/2010 12:48 PM (GMT -7)
Anxiety and panic affect different people in different ways and so there is a process of learning what anxiety will be like for you specifically. It also sometimes changes with time.... so you may get new symptoms in the future and/or stop having other symptoms.

Please don't beat up on yourself or feel stupid for reaching out for help. We all need help from time to time and you deserve to get that help. Keep in mind that doctors go into the field specifically because they want to help people. Also you can always go to a therapist and/or psychiatrist who would have more specialized experience around anxiety than a family doc.

As far as the Ativan... trust your doctor who gave it to you because he believes it could help. Start small, try it out, and educate yourself about it. It's not one of those drugs that takes weeks for you to feel the effects. Try taking it when you first notice your symptoms kicking in. You can also learn about some of the non-medicinal approaches that help with anxiety such as breathing and other calming techniques and challenging negative thoughts. Stick around... you'll pick up a lot even just reading other posts. :-)
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