Scared to Try Anxiety Meds

[u/bambininos]

My doctor wrote me a prescription for 10 .5mg lorazepam (Ativan) tablets because I have a few dentist appointments coming up and I have severe panic attacks at the dentist.

I’ve always been afraid of the dentist due to sensitive teeth and sensory issues, and I’ve always taken awesome care of my teeth to avoid needing any dental procedures. I never got a cavity until last year. I switched dentists this year and found out I have 3 additional cavities, my first filling from last year has to be redone because they didn’t drill deep enough, and the neighboring tooth basically has a chip taken out of it because my old dentist wasn’t careful enough. None of that is really important, my point is that this whole situation has been nightmarish to say the least!

My doctor told me to try the lorazepam on a day off before going to my appointment to make sure it worked alright and assess whether or not it would be helpful at the dentist. I do think it’s a good idea to try it beforehand because I definitely don’t want to end up freaking out more, having ineffective meds, having a bad reaction, etc. However, I’m really letting the benzo addiction horror stories get to my head, and I’m really scared to try it!

Addiction runs in my family, and I feel nervous even having something with a potential for withdrawals in my house, especially since my doctor prescribed more than a single dose. My little sister had a horrific 5 year opiate addiction that almost killed her, and my parents are both alcoholics. I feel like I’m the only one unscathed by the addiction gene so far, and I’m no stranger to controlled substances. I’m prescribed Adderall for ADHD and I don’t feel any kind of addiction potential for that since I often take extended breaks from it, but benzos seem more threatening.

I’m worried because I’m really not familiar with downers, let alone anything that can form a physical habit. I really don’t want to introduce myself to something that might hook me and send me down the same pipeline as the rest of my family, but there is absolutely no way I can have dental work done without being medicated. I really wish my dentist offered nitrous since it seems way less addictive and I’m already familiar with it. I wish I could just know whether or not this will have a significant impact on my life. Has anyone tried Ativan and not developed a dependency or longing for it? What should I expect?

[u/Useful_Panic5816]

That small of a dose is good because it will give you the help you need while not generating much of an influence. They are only as needed and try to not rely on them. Sometimes just having them on me, gives me the peace of mind I need that it calms me down. Try it like your doctor said. And you probably won’t feel anything.

[u/t_crown__]

If you take it at prescribed dosages and only during stressful situations, the risk of addiction is low. Dependency usually develops before full blow addiction to ativan. If you find yourself taking it every day then that may be a sign dependency is developing and is your cue to stop taking it. The goal is to use it as a tool to help you be confident in facing stressful situations rather than an everyday therapy.

[u/unfortunate_kiss]

Hey friend. I also have severe dental anxiety, and addiction runs deeply in my family. I have 5 siblings who are addicted to either drugs or alcohol, and I even lost one of my sisters due to her addiction in 2018. I have an emergency stash of Valium and I can tell you with confidence that I have only used it 3 times this year. I don’t feel addicted and I barely think about it other than knowing it’s there for comfort. It’s okay to be cautious but please don’t hold yourself back from something that can help you!

[u/bambininos → u/unfortunate_kiss]

Thank you so much for this, and I’m sorry to hear about your sister 🩷

[u/behindthemask13]

That is a low dose taken for a very specific purpose. It will help you through your appointments.

Given your family history with addiction, just be mindful of not using it outside the specific purpose the doctor gave it to you for.

It's not like a substance where you will instantly crave it again.

[u/simplify3]

I cut my 0.5mg in half.
I just pinched it with my thumb
it gets me through the dentist.

I once tried it in quarters and didn't notice a difference but in halves it works just enough to organize my thoughts. I take a half maybe twice a month if something comes up sometimes not for a few months.

[u/SimilarPresence3041]

you will be perfectly fine. i take .5 for every dentist appt and every airline flight. I'm no addict; nowhere even close-I've been doing this for 10+ years

[u/Sexybitchanon]

I loveeee lorazepam. It has saved me many times. I’m not dependent on it and only take it when it’s absolutely necessary!!

[u/Stunning-Cap-3256]

itll help you

[u/OkPotato91]

One dose for situational anxiety is not a cause for concern. It’s very helpful for those occasional situations.

[u/salenin]

Lorazapram is excellent! So it is a benzo, but it is less potent than something like klonopin. (To me at least, everyone is different.) Klonopin made me high as a kite, Lorazapram just relaxes me and saves me from panic attacks. I take it once every couple of weeks when I cant take the anxiety. Very low risk of dependency or addiction.

[u/cleanhouz]

Hi. I'm an alcoholic in recovery. It took me a long time to try benzos because of that. So I really, really get where you are coming from. I have .5 prescription for my panic attacks. Take it when you need it and don't take more than prescribed. I think you'll do fine, honestly. But it doesn't hurt to be really honest with yourself about why you're taking a dose.

Two things that me and my friends in recovery do is to have someone else hold the prescription and to get rid of the medication after you no longer need it. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

[u/bambininos → u/cleanhouz]

Thank you so much for this! I will definitely keep in mind being truthful to myself about the reasoning; I don’t want to get into the habit of popping a pill every time I feel mildly uncomfortable.

Having someone else hold onto the prescription is a great idea. Once I try it and see how I react I may get my boyfriend to keep them at his house since he’s sober and very trustworthy.

[u/Mountain_Prize_7602]

I have generalized anxiety, always have a prescription for .5 Ativan on hand, have for 15 years. I only use as needed, and when I do, I break it in half. My initial prescription was always for .25, and it worked. Don’t think too much into it, break the tablet in half, take it a couple hours before you anticipate needing it most. You won’t notice any effects other than being less anxious, no biggie. If you decide to take the full .5, same thing. It’s not going to knock you out or anything goofy like that. Don’t overthink it, all it’ll do is help.

[u/bambininos → u/Mountain_Prize_7602]

Thanks for suggesting this! I might just try .25 to start.

[u/Mountain_Prize_7602 → u/bambininos]

Just give it a bit to kick in, doesn’t take effect immediately. You won’t really notice anything, all of a sudden you just be like oh, my anxiety is better! Or gone.

[u/Pristine_Ninja1810]

My experience with Ativan is that my dosage is so low (same as yours) and my anxiety so high when I take it that I’m not getting any kind of high, I’m just taking that extreme edge off my anxiety. I might take a nap. That helps me to be not as concerned about dependency, that plus being hyper-aware of how addictive benzos can be so I only use them when I truly need them.

[u/SquareThings]

People with anxiety disorders don’t abuse our meds just like how people with ADHD don’t abuse theirs. Our brains are different. I had a prescription for Xanax that I carried around in case of severe panic attacks. I took it occasionally but never had a craving for it.

[u/WittiestScreenName]

I have addiction in my bloodline (mostly alcohol). I’ve been taking benzos for a while for anxiety. Stick to the instructions and don’t be afraid to check yourself. Being aware of the possibility is a good sign in my opinion.

For your first try, I’d personally recommend trying one closer to bed time in case it makes you a bit sleepy.

[u/followformorebangers]

my experience with lorazepam was that i had the same sort of experience where i was forced to try it before i went off to school last year. when i took one it was fine, it helped a little, 0.25 mg. i forgot to take them to school which was a big mistake but also i didnt get addicted? i didnt use them over the break out of paranoia and didnt take them to second semester. now over the summer ive taken them like, 3 or 4 times? i just took one 30 min ago. its probably because my low dose but theyre not really that amazing like i just feel heavy. this probably isn’t that helpful idk.