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Ativan not working

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Sep 25, 2025 | Replies (30)

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Profile picture for kawanhee @kawanhee

This sounds very similar to my story. I was initially prescribed .5 mg Ativan for short term anxiety and began relying on it for sleep. Also tried Benadryl in the middle of the night. Sometimes helped, sometimes didn’t. Wine will help you fall asleep but not stay asleep.
I eventually saw a sleep medicine doctor, then a sleep therapist. After trying to wean from ativan to no avail and trying cognitive behavior therapy, I saw another sleep therapist who prescribed a very low dose of mirtazapine. I successfully did a VERY slow wean (my pcp did not want me on ativan any longer anyway) and am feeling much better and sleeping through the night.
I encourage you to see your doctor as soon as possible. From my experience, waiting won’t help.

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Replies to "This sounds very similar to my story. I was initially prescribed .5 mg Ativan for short..."

How did you wean? Was it a dry taper?

I’m currently taking 1 mg of lorazepam for insomnia anxiety. Some nights it works some nights it doesn’t some nights a half tablet works. I’ve only been taking it for three weeks so I certainly haven’t built up tolerance. Seeing my doctor in another week. saw a sleep specialist who prescribed trazodone 50 mg which didn’t kick in for 2 1/2 hours. So back to lorazepam until I get further direction. I’m tempted to go back to Ambien after a two month break. Maybe it will work better.