Do you take Ativan ?

For the past few years I've experienced slight to moderate anxiety. Today as I was going over my medication orders with the doctor and I requested Ativan 0.5mg prn. I want to know if any other nurses take anything for anxiety ? It feels kind of weird to me to take it when I'm so busy trying to make my patients less anxious.
Yes. I have anxiety issues which get really bad when I'm trying to go to sleep. Things roll through my head constantly and sleeping pills just really don't work for me. As long as it is taken as RX'd and not abused its ok. I wouldnt know if I would want to take it before going to work though, it does not knock me out, but does have sedating effects and can cause memory loss. Best to start out on your days off and see how your body reacts to it.

I don't because the few times in my life I've been prescribed a benzo (pre-operatively or before dental work) I didn't like how it made me feel. Instead I've just learned to deal with my anxiety issues over the years. I certainly don't feel superior to anyone who has to take benzos--far from it. All I know is that those types of meds aren't the answer for me; if they're the answer for someone else, then that's good for them. We're all unique and we need to do what's best for ourselves, whatever that may be.

There are many SSRIs that are anxiolytic as well. Celexa and Lexapro are both good medications for anxiety (they don't work PRN the way benzos do, but they also don't have the same sedating effects).

I'm going to take mine at hs and see how it makes me feel. I guess being a nurse is blessing and a curse. I unfortanately ( excuse spelling) know that there is a pill for everything. I will definitely be careful.

Be careful--I have posted on this several times--if you are pulled over while driving for any reason and they check your urine ANY benzo in your urine --worn off or not-- will land you a DWAI-Prescription Drugs. I was pulled over on my way home after working 17 hours. If I was guilty of anything it was of driving when too tired to be--however they asked me to do a roadside test and being soooo over tired and having not eaten all day I had a hard time with the test. They were really nasty to me--did a BAC which of course was ZERO--I was truly just really exhausted. They then did a urine and found the trace level of benzo I was on. I was being prescribed this legally and was taking it as prescribed. But ended up penalized as a resort. SO PLEASE any of you taking any benzo--even just at bedtime, as it is still in your urine for a period-- know my nightmare! Didn't think that kind of thing would ever happen to me. I am not a big drinker and have never done drugs so it was hard being treated like some addict when I am not--just a tired nurse!

Quote from kloneThere are many SSRIs that are anxiolytic as well. Celexa and Lexapro are both good medications for anxiety (they don't work PRN the way benzos do, but they also don't have the same sedating effects).

Quote from mentalhealthRNBe careful--I have posted on this several times--if you are pulled over while driving for any reason and they check your urine ANY benzo in your urine --worn off or not-- will land you a DWAI-Prescription Drugs. I was pulled over on my way home after working 17 hours. If I was guilty of anything it was of driving when too tired to be--however they asked me to do a roadside test and being soooo over tired and having not eaten all day I had a hard time with the test. They were really nasty to me--did a BAC which of course was ZERO--I was truly just really exhausted. They then did a urine and found the trace level of benzo I was on. I was being prescribed this legally and was taking it as prescribed. But ended up penalized as a resort. SO PLEASE any of you taking any benzo--even just at bedtime, as it is still in your urine for a period-- know my nightmare! Didn't think that kind of thing would ever happen to me. I am not a big drinker and have never done drugs so it was hard being treated like some addict when I am not--just a tired nurse!

Quote from kloneThere are many SSRIs that are anxiolytic as well. Celexa and Lexapro are both good medications for anxiety (they don't work PRN the way benzos do, but they also don't have the same sedating effects).

Buspar is an antianxiety agent that is not a benzo. It has to be taken scheduled, usually bid. Optimal results take 3 to 4 weeks.

Quote from mentalhealthRNBe careful--I have posted on this several times--if you are pulled over while driving for any reason and they check your urine ANY benzo in your urine --worn off or not-- will land you a DWAI-Prescription Drugs. I was pulled over on my way home after working 17 hours. If I was guilty of anything it was of driving when too tired to be--however they asked me to do a roadside test and being soooo over tired and having not eaten all day I had a hard time with the test. They were really nasty to me--did a BAC which of course was ZERO--I was truly just really exhausted. They then did a urine and found the trace level of benzo I was on. I was being prescribed this legally and was taking it as prescribed. But ended up penalized as a resort. SO PLEASE any of you taking any benzo--even just at bedtime, as it is still in your urine for a period-- know my nightmare! Didn't think that kind of thing would ever happen to me. I am not a big drinker and have never done drugs so it was hard being treated like some addict when I am not--just a tired nurse!

Quote from RedhairedNurseThis just doesn't seem fair. I take a benzo at times, one with a very short half life, but one that I take regularly and would probably show up in urine. That would be so NOT right to tell me I'm driving under the influence.

[quote=nurselovejoy88;4694017]for the past few years i've experienced slight to moderate anxiety. today as i was going over my medication orders with the doctor and i requested ativan 0.5mg prn. i want to know if any other nurses take anything for anxiety ? it feels kind of weird to me to take it when i'm so busy trying to make my patients less anxious. [/quoteis this the first time you've taken a benzo. i hope you have educated yourself on this drug. it's one that when taken for any length of time can not be stopped suddenly due to potential of severe withdrawal symptoms. i've read that withdrawing from a benzo can be hell and can also be very dangerous. my mom took it for several years and had a very hard time coming off of it.