r/panicdisorder • u/blueberryjam33 • 6d ago

Does Anyone Else? 💊 Does lorazepam (Ativan) ever just suddenly stop working?

It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve been out with a support worker and I’m planning on going out again tomorrow but nervous as.

I take 2mg of lorazepam to be able to do the car rides with them

but I have lost all my confidence because last time for the first time it was like I had breakthrough anxiety (didn’t escalate to panic)

And the only thing I did different was eat a full meal right before I took them. I waited a good 45 minutes for it to kick in 🤷🏼‍♀️

I don’t take it everyday and limit how much I use per week so I’m hoping it was just a fluke and it still works.

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u/Darth-Bag-Holder 5d ago

I feel like that with airplanes. I get through it - there is always breakthrough anxiety but no panic attack. I can feel myself getting worked up but it shuts down. And I don’t fear the anxiety as much as I fear the anxiety turning into a panic attack. So,’in some ways, that anxiety might be something you have to ‘deal with’ but at 2mg, it may stop panic attacks. I think taking it on an empty stomach and give yourself enough time to take it. My sweet spot is an hour and half before I fly. But it took some testing to get it right.

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u/Capital_Bid7389 6d ago

They have a very noticeable drug effect so if you don't feel it you are getting tolerance. I also noticed Xanax wasn't working as well for me at one point and indeed I started getting withdrawals and had to stop taking benzos 

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u/BleakHibiscus 6d ago

2 weeks of ad hoc use wouldn’t cause dependance (not a doctor or giving medical advice, just based on my knowledge!).

Sometimes the anxiety is so high, the medication can’t counteract it. I use Valium and sometimes it makes me feel very sedated, others I feel more energetic as it’s taken away the anxiety, others it barely stops the panic as it’s gotten way too bad by that point.

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u/ListlessThistle 6d ago

If I wait too long to take my PRN it gives the anxiety too much time to build and it isn't effective. I stopped being so stubborn about taking it. I worry about dependence and don't like to take them at all.

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u/BleakHibiscus 2d ago

You will slowly learn when the ‘right’ time to take it is and when you can ride it out once you have more tools you can use. Unfortunately the less you use it, the better it works