Need Advice on taking Ativan

idlehunters
idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hey Everybody!

I am going thru a tapering schedule to get me off the Oxycodone. My Onc has added Ativan to the withdrawal procedure but I am confused when I am suppose to take it. EXACTLY...what is it suppose to do??? Maybe then I can figure best time and how often to take it. Onc said it would help get me thru the periods I would be doing without the Oxy because it is at those times that I get sick to my stomach, stay balled up, cry like a baby, can't eat, can't poop, my heads is dripping with sweat but I have goose bumps.... oh my gosh, I am a junkie.... for real! I have only taken 2 of the Ativan so far. 1 during the day yesterday and it didn't seem to do anything. BUT, I took one at 2am....man... I have not slept that good in a long time! We didn't get out of bed til 3pm. I feel wonderful today. Normally, I wake up faithfully every 3 hours during the nite for a OXY FIX.... not last night. Also, how long does it usually take this 1mg pill to work? When do you all take them...and for what???? Thanks guys!

Jennie

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Ativan
    I have a prescription for it but do not take it on a regular basis. My need at first was due to anxiety for fear of flying and it helped calm me down. Now I take it because of upcoming tests or I feel anxious or my heart feels like it is overworking for being so nervous. I also have the 1 mg tablet and it usually starts working within 1 hour or so. If I am over anxious sometimes it doesn't do too much to me. I think my anxiety blocks the effect of the pill sometimes. Hope you do well getting off the oxy. I knew someone who was addicted to that and I pray you get through this soon.

    Kim
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    #3
    Ativan
    I had been taking vicoden for about 8 months,and I got to where I could not sleep,and started itching every night.It took about a month or so to completely get it out of my system.At that time,oct.08 I started on ativan twice a day,and zoloft once a day,and now I sleep good.I usually take 1 when I get up,and 1 when I go to bed with a half a zoloft.I take the ativan for angxioty,and it helps alot.I have been taking it for about alittle over a year.I hope this helps.It will get better soon.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    karguy said:

    Ativan
    I had been taking vicoden for about 8 months,and I got to where I could not sleep,and started itching every night.It took about a month or so to completely get it out of my system.At that time,oct.08 I started on ativan twice a day,and zoloft once a day,and now I sleep good.I usually take 1 when I get up,and 1 when I go to bed with a half a zoloft.I take the ativan for angxioty,and it helps alot.I have been taking it for about alittle over a year.I hope this helps.It will get better soon.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Brenda3.16
    Brenda3.16 Member Posts: 209
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I take ativan on occasion
    I take ativan on occasion when I can't sleep and it really helps me for that. I took it a lot when I was first DX. I never felt addicted to it. Brenda
  • greybeard64
    greybeard64 Member Posts: 254
    #6
    I started taking the oxy for
    I started taking the oxy for pain and found one of the side effects was an increase in energy. Once the pain was managable I was still taking the oxy so I wouldnt sleep all day. I ask the Doc about this earlier on and he said it has the effect on some but not many, and dont worry, about using it for that instead of pain. I have asked him several times since then as it worries me to be taking them as I have heard the stories of addiction. He continues to tell me not to worry about it. I can go through a day now without taking them but I take a nap, that day. If we are going somewhere on the bike (motorcycle) I always have a few pills with me as a safety precaution so to speak. He (my Doc) continues to tell me not to worry about it and fills my script everytime I call?? I figure with everything else I am "adjusting" to I am going to take his advice and not worry about it either.
    I do take ativan, for anxiety, I get weird in large crowds, to much noise, hospital settings, cant relax (mind) enough to sleep etc... Tried sleeping pills for the latter but felt like a truck hit me in the morning YUCK. Its funny I sleep well now with them but they dont knock me out if I have to take one during the day.
    good luck, you'll get there, and dont worry so much about "being and addict" I dont think you are but regardless part of this whole process is mental and less worrying makes things easier on all fronts.
    chris
  • P_I_T_A
    P_I_T_A Member Posts: 133
    #7
    It's an anti-anxiety med
    I had a prescription for it when I was on chemo. Plus, I would get an IV dose before my infusion started to prevent nausea. It's seemed to do the trick, but I didn't like taking it at home cause it had a tendency to knock me out for a couple of hours.

    -DJ

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