Anxira/Lorazepam

[715]

Related to my other thread on here, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798520-xanaxalprazolam-and-insomnia/, I was in to see the Doc and he prescribed Anxira/Lorazepam. First though, he was more than eager to prescribe Xanax once again, I asked if there was something milder/less addictive and he suggested this. But reading up on Lorazepam it seems about the same if not harsher than alprazolam. What do you think?

The Xanax I take about once or twice a week, .5 mg.

[muskoka]

I have been taking Lorazapam (also called Ativan) for many many years. I only take it occasionally - when I have not been getting a good night's sleep and wake up tired, and/or when I feel stress that does not go away (the stress/anxiety feels much like I am on a caffine overdose). The only side effect so far is I am a bit more relaxed and do get a good nights sleep.

30 x 1mg pills will last me 6 months or longer.

As I said I only take it occasionally, rarely two days/nights in a row and often go many weeks between doses.

Works perfect for me, may be my body chemistry as my late father and my brother both also take it occasionally and get good results. Before my father died he began taking it nightly for an extended period of time (mistake) and it was a chore for him to cut back.

Ocasional use only IMO, or short time daily then only occasionally once symptoms reduce - I am not a doctor - just some thoughts from my many years of first hand experience using it.

My understanding is it could be habit forming or addictive, and if you use it regularly (daily etc) its benificial effects will lessen.

Some reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam http://www.drugs.com/ativan.html

Doug

[715]

From Wiki; "...and cognitive impairments which may not completely reverse after stopping treatment," also, "...and interfere with the formation of new memories."

I suspect both those side effects could be expected on the higher usage edge of the spectrum, but still...

[Sheryl]

These are benzos, same class as xanax and equally addictive.

If you can truly keep the usage to only once or maximum twice a week then xanax or lorazepam, probably be fine. The problem is that for many people this proves not possible oer the long term and they end up taking regularly, build up a tolerance (so that same dose no longer works), get addicted etc...you get the picture.

A non-addictive alternative which you can buy over the counter is Atarax. For sleep, need the 25mg rather than 10mg strength and dose can be anywhere from 25 - 75 mg according to the individual. Some people are groggy the next morning so do not take the night before you have to drive or get up early. Don't mix with alcohol and, while not addictive, will develop tolerance if taken regularly so keep it to occasional use.

[inbangkok]

Not all Benzos are equally addictive. There is research suggesting that Xanax is more addictive and habit forming because it is very short acting. I have spoken with several Dr's who agree with this from their personal prescribing experience and the research they have encountered.

However, if you are only taking these drugs twice a week, there is little reason to worry.

Edited March 12, 2015 by inbangkok

[Chivas]

These are benzos, same class as xanax and equally addictive.

If you can truly keep the usage to only once or maximum twice a week then xanax or lorazepam, probably be fine. The problem is that for many people this proves not possible oer the long term and they end up taking regularly, build up a tolerance (so that same dose no longer works), get addicted etc...you get the picture.

A non-addictive alternative which you can buy over the counter is Atarax. For sleep, need the 25mg rather than 10mg strength and dose can be anywhere from 25 - 75 mg according to the individual. Some people are groggy the next morning so do not take the night before you have to drive or get up early. Don't mix with alcohol and, while not addictive, will develop tolerance if taken regularly so keep it to occasional use.

Atarax absolutely useless and a waste of time. Took 100mg and nothing happened. Repeated several several times with same end result

[rflusser]

Can I ask where you guys are getting your prescription for lorazepam? I take it for flight anxiety and am running quite low. Do you get it only at the hospital or can a GP prescribe here? I'm in Chiangmai if anyone has specific recommendations. Thanks!

[Sheryl]

Hospital or clinic.  Any doctor can prescribe it, but only hospitals and some clinics stock it - -there are extensive record keeping rerquirements so most prefer not to bother.

 

BTW most GPs in Thailand hold their clinics in hospitals.

[rflusser]

28 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Hospital or clinic.  Any doctor can prescribe it, but only hospitals and some clinics stock it - -there are extensive record keeping rerquirements so most prefer not to bother.

 

BTW most GPs in Thailand hold their clinics in hospitals.

Thanks Sheryl! Would you happen to know what department would prescribe these? Wanted to call around first to make sure they have stock/get pricing/etc.

 

Thanks!

[Sheryl]

Calling around for this never works well. You will usually be told by a clerk who does not really know, that they don't have it. Or, you'll get a nurse who will think you are a druggie and likewise give you the brush off.

 

All hospitals  have this drug. Most clinics do not, unless they are a psychiatrist's clinic. One such is Dr. Kittiwan

 

78/2, Samlan Road, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

Phone  053-814772 - 081-9500674

 

Private clinic will not b the least expensive option, that would be the government psych hospital . www.suanprung.go.th/eng/Contact.php

[rflusser]

6 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Calling around for this never works well. You will usually be told by a clerk who does not really know, that they don't have it. Or, you'll get a nurse who will think you are a druggie and likewise give you the brush off.

 

All hospitals  have this drug. Most clinics do not, unless they are a psychiatrist's clinic. One such is Dr. Kittiwan

 

78/2, Samlan Road, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

Phone  053-814772 - 081-9500674

 

Private clinic will not b the least expensive option, that would be the government psych hospital . www.suanprung.go.th/eng/Contact.php

Wow, fantastic! Thank you Sheryl!

[Blue bruce]

where can I find a government hospital that has a psych ward near Korat. Does alone now if the Suparanee military has a pysch unit

[Sheryl]

Nakhon Ratchasima Rajanakarindra Psychiatric Hospital

 

In Korat

 

government psych hospital

[NancyL]

On 3/15/2015 at 0:03 AM, Chivas said:

Atarax absolutely useless and a waste of time. Took 100mg and nothing happened. Repeated several several times with same end result

Actually Atarax (hydroxyzine) 25 mg works quite well for me.  I don't have problems initially falling asleep at night, but always have to get up once during the night to use the toilet.  If I "allow" my brain to start working, then I can't get back to sleep.  Like the OP, I had been using xanax just 0.25 mg 2 or 3 times a week to get back to sleep.  

 

Then I developed a hive episode that I think is related to my allergy to ants.  Even the little sugar ants they have here were triggering a reaction.  Hydroxyzine 25 mg. was suggested as a "quick fix", with the warning that it would make me drowsy and also a 24 hr non-drowsy antihistamine.  I asked the doctor if it would be OK to take the hydroxyzine instead of xanax for the times when my brain wouldn't let me get back to sleep in the middle of the night and the answer was "by all means".  Try that first and if after 30 minutes you still aren't asleep, take one xanax.  I find that 90% of the time, if I have a hydroxyzine and move my thought away from my personal problems/situation and instead think about some book or movie, I can fall asleep within 15 minutes.

 

 

[Blue bruce]

Thank you Sheryl and others for the posts on Psychiatric hospital in Korat. I recently visited this facility and was highly impressed. The staff were very professional and took the time to talk with me and listen to my symptoms. This seems to be the main problem at most Thai hospitals, they won't take the time to listen and diagnose. I first saw a female physcians assistant who spent almost an hour with me taking all the info. I then saw the doctor who also listened to everything i had to say

 

I left feeling very good with the appointment and also very inexpensive 

[Sheryl]

Glad to hear it. I take it they spoke English well?