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Barbara2 · 12-14-2006, 08:03 PM

I took it daily for about a year and a half and became addicted. As Tessa said, I really wouldn't have cared if it was addictive, except that the side effect was severe fatigue. I felt awful. No energy, couldn't think. My brain just couldn't function well at all.

Finally, my onc looked through what meds I was taking and said, "Oh yeah, Ativan can be addictive and lead to fatigue." I gradually weaned myself off of it, but it took about 3 weeks. One of the physicians assistants told me it could be rough, and it kind of was. But oh when that fatigue went away, I was a new person.

I still take Ativan when I'm sick and want a good night's sleep, or anytime I'm wanting to sleep through the night for whatever reason. But I usually only take 1/2 of a 1 mg tablet.

12-14-2006, 08:03 PM	#11
Barbara2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Dakota. Posts: 621	Be careful about taking Ativan every day or over an extended time I took it daily for about a year and a half and became addicted. As Tessa said, I really wouldn't have cared if it was addictive, except that the side effect was severe fatigue. I felt awful. No energy, couldn't think. My brain just couldn't function well at all. Finally, my onc looked through what meds I was taking and said, "Oh yeah, Ativan can be addictive and lead to fatigue." I gradually weaned myself off of it, but it took about 3 weeks. One of the physicians assistants told me it could be rough, and it kind of was. But oh when that fatigue went away, I was a new person. I still take Ativan when I'm sick and want a good night's sleep, or anytime I'm wanting to sleep through the night for whatever reason. But I usually only take 1/2 of a 1 mg tablet. __________________ Blessings and Peace, Barbara DX Oct 02 @ age 52 Stage 2B Grade 3 Mastectomy "at least" 4.5 cm IDC 1+node ER+61% /PR- Assiciated Intraductual component with Comedo Necrosis Her2+ FISH8.6 IHC 2+ 5 1/2 CEF Arimidex Celebrex 400mg daily for 13 months Prophylactic mastectomy Estradiol #: 13 PTEN positive, "late" Herceptin (26 months after chemo) Oct 05: Actonel for osteopenia from Arimidex. May 08: Replaced Actonel with Zometa . Taking every 6 months. Accepting the gift of life, I give thanks for it and live it in fullness.