Ativan versus xanax question

[CathyT]

Hi all,

Occasionally I take .25mg xanax for anxiety or to get a really good night's sleep. I'm pretty sensitive to meds. My brother said that he liked Ativan more. He said it seemed to carry over into a better mood the next day too. So my doc gave me a prescription for it to try. Its .50mg. Does anyone have any idea how .50mg of Ativan would compare to .25mg xanax?
I have an MRI next week, and I'm claustrophobic, and I want to take one of these drugs before it. I have enough time to play around with them, but was wondering what your experiences might have been. Unfortunately, the Ativan pill is almost too small to cut in half. I'm thinking the whole .50mg tab might affect me more than the .25mg of xanax. Any ideas? Thanks.

[joy]

I'll bump this up for you. My suggestion would be to just call them and ask what they would recommend for this. I'm sure there are plenty of people with your same worries. They can get you waht is needed also. If you just call. I'm hoping for good people there for you. Good luck!

[Nana4&cntn]

Cathy, I have taken both meds. I find ativan to be stronger than xanax. You need to just try it and see how your body reacts to it. Everyone is different. The last MRI I had I had to take 2mg of xanax. I have been takeing thes meds for over 20 years, so I have a higher tolerance. I take a total of 1.25mg xanax daily and .75 of clonazapam at night to help stop panic attacks during the night as it remains in your system longer.

You really just have to try it and make sure you stay home and just sit, incase it makes you really drowsy.

I hope this helps,
Kathy

[CathyT]

Thanks Joy and Kathy,

Yes, I'll try them both at home first. I can't remember how much I took for my last MRI, but I think it was too much. I got panicky from feeling so woosy! How silly is that?? haha
I just have to take a couple days and "waste" them on trying different dosages of both drugs. They offered to give me I.V. valium, but I figured it would cost a ton more money, so I'm just going to take one of these meds I have already. Fortunately, its a larger MRI tube. Unfortunately, the exam is of my brain, so they have to cover my head with a cage. Here's hoping I can keep it together! Hope I don't break their 5 million dollar machine, trying to get out fast!
Thanks for your help.
P.S. I came down to half my dose of zoloft about a week ago, because of the massive diarrhea it was causing. That decrease in itself has caused me anxiety. I was sooooo impressed with how good I felt on the zoloft.......but I just can't live my life on the toilet!
I would be happy...........but on the toilet. haha

[tic chick]

cathy*bunch,

they're both about the lowest dosage of the med. different people react differently to meds. because ativan works so well for your brother, doesn't mean it will work the same for you. you have to find what works best for you.

i would also try the drugs on different days and see how they work.

the best think about the valium iv is that if you start to get panicky during the mri, they can just inject some more of the drug into your iv line and it will act immediately. it's better than getting a shot or waiting for another pill to work. i would pay the extra money to make sure i was comfortable during the procedure.

gee, sorry about the side effect of the zoloft, especially since it was working so well for you. maybe you can try increasing it again at a later date? maybe it might not cause that same effect.

hoping everything turns out well for you,
jeannie

[CathyT]

Thanks Jeannie!
I just wish I didn't have to sacrifice a few days of getting anything done, in order to try the different drugs/dosages! I'm sure I'll spend alot of time sleeping!

[Naominjw]

Does anyone have any idea how .50mg of Ativan would compare to .25mg xanax?
Thanks.

Everyone is different. 0.25mg Xanax takes the edge off her anxiety. Mellows her out. She takes it before medical procedures or other stressful situations.

.5mg Ativan knocks her on her butt. She takes in for severe symptoms that must be stopped immediately. She sleeps a long time. It makes her body hurt and she hates it, but takes it when absolutely necessary. Some people sleep from just 1/4 of one of those tiny pills. Hard to even see that amount--yet can knock some people out.

One relative, however, had a paradoxical reaction to it. It was given for a seizure, and he became psychotic (temporarily) from it (side-effect).

-"Naomi"

[CathyT]

Thanks Naomi,
Yes, people are really different. I can take .25mg of xanax, and have a wonderful night's sleep, whereas others can't get that with 1mg.
I tested it out yesterday and think I'll take .75-1mg of the xanax. I've decided not to even "play around" with the Ativan, since I've never taken it before. I'll try it after the MRI is over. I'm going with the xanax, since I'm familiar with it and know it works for me. I wouldn't want to get psychotic in the MRI machine! I'll be crazy enough as it is! ;)

[joy]

I hope you decide to not play around with any of the drugs you "might" could get. It is very dangerous, trying out anything. Never mind IF the doctor hasn't prescribed it, LOL. Just Good Luck with it all.

[CathyT]

Oh Joy, I'm VERY careful with these kinds of meds! Thanks for your concern! :)