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Benzos Lorazepam 2mg, 3x daily is not helping (and I don't abuse) any idea why? Plz help!

R

RyanFourDub

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Jun 3, 2012
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My doctor will only prescribe me 2mg of Lorazepam 3x daily and it's not helping my anxiety and nervousness. He refuses to prescribe me anything else because Im an ex alcoholic and I have high liver enzimes and he says that ativan is not metabolized by the liver, but by some other function...but it's not freaking working AT ALL!!! I've been on it for almost a year and I still have anxiety attacks...although not nearly as bad as before. Much more mild now, but still...there must be SOMETHING else out there that can help me compared to this crap I'm taking. It's just a waste of money in my eyes! I have, unfortunately, had to resort to buying xanax from a friend...and 1mg, 3x daily completely stops my anxiety, but my doctor won't prescribe it to me. Anybody have any ideas (outside of obtaining things illegally?) There MUST be something else out there that would work better for me and doesn't wreck my liver. Thanks!!!
 
Tolerance

Benzos are indicated for short-term (2-4 weeks) use only, any longer and tolerance builds and dependence sets in, and they end up increasing anxiety in the long run. You keep buying those Xanax on the street and your tolerance will grow even higher, your dependence will worsen, and your anxiety will be even worse than it is now.
 
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Try therapy, yoga, exercise and eating a healthy wholesome diet. Those should all help improve your condition.
 
That's a rather excessive dose to be on for "nervousness". High dose daily benzodiazepines should only be prescribed to those with debilitating anxiety. Tolerance builds quickly with benzodiazepines, and if they're not helping, then you should taper off them.

There are better safer alternatives, and I'll bet that if you investigated the other options listed above, diet and exercise will get you further than any medication.
 
I know that oxazapam is prescribed for alcohol withdrawal.
Also self medicating with xanax over and above what you were prescribed will screw up any legit prescription schedule for recovery.
Don't know if being an ex alcoholic was the reason for the doctor's visit, but if it was then oxazapam might be a better option.
Just my 2 cents on the issue.
 
Yeah you don't want to try to replace alcohol with benzodiazepines, which you've effectively done. They are both GABAergic drugs acting in very similar ways.
 
It is my understanding that Lorazepam is best used for a as needed basis. At least that's what my Dr tells me. I used 1mg whenever I feel a panic attack coming on. It works quickly but it only lasts for a short time. I would suggest going to a different Dr and explaining the situation (how ativan doesnt work for you and you want to try xanax). Just my 2 cents.

Cheers!
 
I would suggest asking about a switch to Klonopin (clonazepam). I think your doctor might be open to that suggestion, and I think it might work very well for your anxiety and nervousness. Make sure, though, you are getting an equipotent dose, though I don't think this would be much of an issue as Klonopin is usually prescribed in larger doses. The smallest tablet in production is 0.5 mg, which equals at least 0.5 mg Xanax, with some sources saying about 1 mg. It also has a very long half-life, so these doses will build up, and it is a good anti-panic benzo, as well.
 
^ A longer half-life benzo will only increase his tolerance and dependence to benzos by continually binding to the receptors.

That is unless he was supplementing his Lorazepam scripts with street benzos like Xanax, which he is. So, in his case, I agree, a benzo like Klonopin or Valium would be the way to go if it will work with him.

To Keyani, I agree, benzos should be used on an as needed basis. They're a surprisingly benign and useful tool when used strictly for panic attacks or situations with very high anxiety; it's when they're used multiple times daily that they will become a problem.
 
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