1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Anyone find Ativan helps?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Lat67
Lat67

When in completely crashed I find half an Ativan and a coffee help? Weird combo I know but it helps me come around.

Anyone else use Ativan?

Thanks.

Lesley

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • diana33711
    diana33711 Lat67

    Posted

    I have never tried Ativan, but when I had Shingles and on an antiviral and large doses of ibuprophen I felt almost normal. I have also noticed that when I have a cold I feel better as far as the extreme fatigue and pain in my muscles goes. It's almost like my immune system is attacking my body unless I have a cold or other infection, and then it attacks the infection and leaves me alone. It is the most horrendous thing I have ever had as far as illnesses go. I was recently prescribed Valium for Meneriers Disease. It's in the same family as Ativan so I'll see when I have a flare up if it helps any. ?

  • jackie00198
    jackie00198 Lat67

    Posted

    I used Ativan for several years. I started out with a very small amount, and then found I needed more and more for the same effect. This is typical. My anxiety level greatly increased, so I used more Ativan to tamp it down. Then I read that long-term use of Ativan is not a good idea. So I gradually got off it. This was possibly the worst experience of my entire life, since Ativan is addictive. But here's the kicker. Once I was off it, my anxiety level went way way down. Turns out, the Ativan was actually causing my anxiety. 

    • Lat67
      Lat67 jackie00198

      Posted

      Wow. Very interesting! I did go off of it for about a year but as I increase my exercise I seem to need it again. It's hard to know what's right. I agree long term is not great.

      But for me it helps when in feeling by really crashed.

      Thanks for your opinion!

    • phillis55984
      phillis55984 jackie00198

      Posted

      Now this is interesting!  I have been thinking of tapering off Ativan.  I've wondered if, overall, I would feel better off of it.  It has been helpful, but I don't like being dependent on meds to manage life.  Maybe that is just the norm for CFS  folks--I don't know.  Maybe we are always looking for something to make life easier.  Frankly, after the last couple of weeks I'm just tired of managing to manage.  Disgusted with myself for getting so negative about the whole deal.

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 phillis55984

      Posted

      Phillis-- I hear you! I don't think there's anything wrong, though, if you know that a drug is helping. But for me, long term, the Ativan was actually causing a problem. Regarding your being negative--I've been reading your posts here, and I think that you are incredibly positive. You're only human, though, and it's impossible to be 100% positive and accepting 100% of the time. This is a very difficult illness we're dealing with. Not only are the physical symptoms hard, but the lack of support and understanding from others is hard. 

    • phillis55984
      phillis55984 jackie00198

      Posted

      The last few weeks have been extremely difficult.  It's not just the CFS; it is also a lot of discomfort from lymphedema and nerve pain leftover from a mastectomy.  The combination, along with the side effects of heart medication, cause sooooo much exhaustion and discomfort that it's been difficult to do much of anything.  Heck!  Face it!  I haven't done much of anything for several weeks.  sad  I'm just  hoping this latest exaccerbation will ease up one of these days.  Being patient in the meantime is a learning experience--one I've learned over and over again and, I guess, one that is just part of life with CFS.  What the heck!  I'm still looking down at the grass, as my favorite distant cousin used to say.  razz

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 phillis55984

      Posted

      I'm so sorry you're having to deal with other medical issues on top of the ME/CFS. I had an aunt with lymphedema from a mastectomy, and I know it's not fun. Also, I understand the discomfort from nerve pain, because I have that, too. In my case, I got it after a relapse of my ME/CFS 2 years ago. Ninety-nine percent of my llife is now spent horizontal. I can't sit, stand, or walk for more than a few minutes, or I start feeling ill. I went through so much rage and depression at my level of disability. Then I thought, you know what, I don't need to add mental anguish to my physical symptoms. What I do need to do is get the most out of every day. I know that sounds trite and corny, but it was a major shift in my attitude, and allowed me to enjoy my life. At this point I have no expectations. If I started feeling better, or if there is some medical breakthrough, that would be great. But I'm not holding my breath. I do hope your latest exacerbation eases up and you start feeling better.

    • phillis55984
      phillis55984 jackie00198

      Posted

      I'm so sorry to hear that you are having to spend so much time horizontal.  No, it doesn't sound a bit "trite and corny" to be able to enjoy life in spite of all the down time.  It sounds wise.  Taking each day as it comes, enjoying what is pleasant, waiting out what isn't--that's wise.  I did have an hour this afternoon when I felt strong enough to take my dog for a walk.  He was delighted, and so was I!  May have to make up for it tomorrow, but it was worth it.  And, thank you for reminding me that the trick is to drop expectatioons and enjoy what I have that is pleasant.  I'm usually able to do that, but I admit the last few weeks have been stinkers.  I'll close this post by  sending you wishes for some vertical hours!

  • phillis55984
    phillis55984 Lat67

    Posted

    I can't drink coffee except decaf, but I do find Ativan helps.  I think the ME/CFS scrambles my brain and it doesn't manage the rest of me as it should, and the Ativan helps quiet it down.  My old family physician once told me he was sure that eventually the scientists who study this stuff would find that it is definitely a brain connected illness. That was years ago.  I guess they now know that about ME though some docs don't think CFS is the same.  From personal experience, I do.

     

  • imsolost
    imsolost Lat67

    Posted

    I wouldn't drink coffee with CFS, I went out recently and had a fruit drink and the bartender spiked it with two table spoons of red bull. I only drank half of the drink and I got very sick and had to go home, I had the shakes, my body was going cold and hot, my upper back and neck went sore and I had insomina for hours. Stay away from caffeine if you have CFS.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.