Migraine

Hello,

I was just prescribed Ativan for anxiety (not for migraines) after a trip to the ER with an axiety attack a few days ago. I'm only supposed to use it as needed when I feel an attack coming on. I had not been diagnosed with anxiety before.

I have noticed from reading online that it is sometimes used in conjunction with other medications for treatment of migraines and was just curious of other people's experience with it.

When I was in the ER the other night, I was given Xanax to help me calm down. After I came home I slept for a day. I got up today and went to work and felt like I was in a fog all day. And then, wouldn't you know it, got a migraine when I got home. It's rainy today so that might be a trigger or from sleeping so much and not eating/drinking enough, but I was thinking it might also be the after-effect of the medication they gave me in the ER. (I have not taken the Ativan yet.)

Thanks for any info you might have!

Here's some information on Ativan for you!

I personally haven't had a good reaction to it, but as with everything, everyone's mileage may vary! My grandmother used to LOVE her Ativan , and swore by it for her anxiety relief.

I tried it only once. My neuro prescribed a very low dose (half of a .5 mg tablet) to help with my insomnia. I had a bad reaction to it and it didn't help me sleep, so I didn't use it again.

Of course, everyone is different. I tend to be very sensitive to meds. Hope it helps you!

I took Ativan daily for a time. It's been several years, so I don't remember exactly why I was put on it or why I stopped. My psychiatrist prescribed it.

I didn't have any trouble taking it, no side effects at all. And I didn't have any withdrawal or other symptoms when I stopped taking it. I know I took at least a whole tablet, but other than that, I don't remember the dose.

My experience with Ativan was good. I'd recommend giving it a try. If you don't like it, you can stop taking it.

Gretchen in Mississippi

Ativan and Xanax are both benzodiazapines (BZDs) -- SORT OF. Ativan is a mid-acting BZD 2. Xanax is a short-acting BZD 1. Ativan is FDA approved for anxiety, short-term insomnia, epilepsy, nausea/vomiting, and pre-op sedation. Xanax is approved for anxiety and panic disorder. Both of these meds are pregnancy category D, so if there's any chance of being pregnant, don't use it unless you talk to your doctor about that first.

I've used both. Neither really made me sleepy, but for me, the Ativan worked better.

Hope this helps!

I took Ativan twice...my GP prescribed it to help me "sleep when my body feels "agitated"" (when I get paresthesias, tinnitus & wake up shortly after sleep, gasping).

I had severe dysthesias, my tinnitus got worse & had severe muscle cramps both times. I became extremely agitated.

I'm extremely sensitive to meds, so I wonder if I'll ever finds meds that help.

Ursula,

I just took my Ativan last night, as a matter of fact. It is prescribed on a PRN basis for two reasons for me: it stops my rotary vertigo, and it knocks down severe agitation that I sometimes experience right at the beginning of a migraine.

I've always done well with benzodiazapines, no matter how long-lasting they are. I usually find them to be calming, somewhat sedating, etc. Every once in awhile when they wear off I have a little rebound agitation, but it's never been bad.

Like Teri said, Ativan is a fast-acting but mid-lasting benzo. I like it because when I'm having either vertigo or agitation, I need something pronto.

I don't think you have much to lose by trying it once, frankly. Like Gretchen said, if you don't like it you can stop!

Good luck.

Lynne

I took Ativan right after my thyroidectomy. I was agitated up the wazoo from the dregs of anesthesia and from going hypocalcemic and existing with severe muscle spasms and their resulting pain. It worked very, very well for me then, and helped me to get some sleep during the hyperthyroid insomnia stretch. I was very thankful for it, and I'm glad the ER doc that did my calcium drip sent me home with it. A few months after that, while still trying to get past the hyperthyroid plus insomnia thing and some cortisol upswing issues, I tried it again. It still worked, but not as profoundly as before.

I was prescribed .5mg Ativan for panic attacks/anxiety a few years ago. It did wonders for both conditions and seemed to work a lot faster for me than Xanax. It also didn't leave me tired during the day and would still allow me to work.