jazee
Newbie
Reged: 09/16/04
Posts: 47
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I did a bunch of reading on Benzodiazepines and Valium is widely known to have muscle relaxing properties. However I don't like the fact it stays in your system so long (although you don't "feel" it after a day or two). I was looking at some of the other Benzos. Klonopin has the longest half life of the others. But Ativan/Lorazepam (which has a slighlty longer half-life than Xanax) is the only Benzo other than valium I have been able to find a few references to it having muscle relxing properties. Besides Valium are they all the same in this respect or are there definite differences?
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sunflower29
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Reged: 04/13/04
Posts: 147
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In my own benzo experience (I've mostly been taking klonopin (clonazepam), but have tried ativan a few times and very weak IOP Valium, which probably shouldn't count), I found ativan to have the most muscle relaxing properties of them all. I do think benzos react differently to each of us, but I found ativan to have less a "hypnotic" effect, in that it didn't effect my cognition as much, my thinking remained the same, though less anxious, but it felt like it was going through channels that made its impact felt strongly on my body, and this physical relaxation also resulted in my mind relaxing. I found ativan to be quite unique from klonopinin this respect because klonopin does effect my thinking, more than I would like, and my personality somewhat, whereas the few times I took ativan, I still felt very much like myself, my thinking ability wasn't as effected, and the muscle relaxation was far more pronounced than with klonopin or the crappy valium I tried.
So, I guess I should just be comparing my experience with klonopin and ativan because those are the ones I've been prescribed from local GPs, and whose ingredients and potency can be trusted (relative to IOPs).
Hope this helps! The only way to know for sure is to try them out and see what works best for you.
Good luck! 
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Stardog
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Reged: 08/28/04
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Quote:
In my own benzo experience (I've mostly been taking klonopin (clonazepam), but have tried ativan a few times and very weak IOP Valium, which probably shouldn't count), I found ativan to have the most muscle relaxing properties of them all. I do think benzos react differently to each of us, but I found ativan to have less a "hypnotic" effect, in that it didn't effect my cognition as much, my thinking remained the same, though less anxious, but it felt like it was going through channels that made its impact felt strongly on my body, and this physical relaxation also resulted in my mind relaxing. I found ativan to be quite unique from klonopinin this respect because klonopin does effect my thinking, more than I would like, and my personality somewhat, whereas the few times I took ativan, I still felt very much like myself, my thinking ability wasn't as effected, and the muscle relaxation was far more pronounced than with klonopin or the crappy valium I tried.
So, I guess I should just be comparing my experience with klonopin and ativan because those are the ones I've been prescribed from local GPs, and whose ingredients and potency can be trusted (relative to IOPs).
Hope this helps! The only way to know for sure is to try them out and see what works best for you.
Good luck!
A lot of people complain about Ativan making them feel tired or woozy. I had the same experience. On paper it sounded perfect, but in practice I just couldn't handle it. Anyway, not to take away from you, sunflower, just confirming your point that we're all different.
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Listvoer
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Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 384
Loc: New America
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I have to agree with stardog... of all the benzos i've been prescribed, ativan was probably the worst for me. I'd forget to do the most basic of things, and this was while I was in college so i'd end up doing stupid things like showing up for lab 4 hour late, at the end, or i'd confuse days and start to go to the wrong classes. I had to get changed from that to xanax and was much better off, at least for a while. Xanax had it's own issues with me, but compared to ativan it was quite an improvement.
L - posting at 4:21 am and watching an Ambien commercial on TV. I'm going to hate the alarm in 3 hours....
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zippy66
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Reged: 09/17/04
Posts: 213
Loc: The Spine
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Turning into an Ativan bashing post but, oh well, I was extremely dissappointed with Ativan. I wanted something potent with a longer halflife than xanax but a short enough one that didn't leave me groggy the next day. As said above, on paper it looked like the perfect choice but I still haven't had a good experience with it. The onset for me seems to take forever and never really peaks comfortably. Maybe its just a tolerance issue so i won't throw them away.
Zip66
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rockystuart
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Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 206
Loc: San Fran Bay Area, Calif
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Hi zippy - I didn't follow the thread but ativan and xanax are not effective as muscle relaxers - Vallium is still king there.
Ativan/lorizepam is also able to be used sublingulaly(dissolve under tung(sp!!!) or in cheek) About 50% of the dose goes right to blood; and the rest is processes as a normal oral dose. That will cure onset time but dose must be upped.
Used in hosp/ER for benzo withdrawl cases - I have an older friend who gfound this out.
But ativan/xanax is useless for spasms. VAllium CAN make be pass out and soma is only alternative. flexeral or robaxinjust oouuuuzzzzz me too much
I
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jazee
Newbie
Reged: 09/16/04
Posts: 47
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I've been trying to find the right dose of Ativan for my flying anxiety. I tried a 3.5mg does but it barely seemed to effect me. Onset is long, takes about an hour to kick in. I only felt a very mild relaxed feeling. Occording to dosing info, 3.5mg is "suppose" to be a high goes, it would be equivalent to about 1.75mg Xanax or 17.5mg of Valium. I was expecting these Benzos to make me feel much more relaxed/zonked out. I'm using a generic brand from an IOP. Could I have gotten a diluted version, or is 3.5mg of Ativan for a full size man, really not going to make you feel that tranquilized? I guess they do call this class of drigs the "minor" tranquilizers.
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zippy66
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Reged: 09/17/04
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Jazee,
For flying anxiety don't count on ativan. I think the sublingual approach requires a special sublingual tablet as suggested before. Stick to Xanax or even valium. If the Xanax wears off, take another. Use a 2 mg and you will be happy.
Zip
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dman22
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Actually, hospital-grade IV Ativan will nearly put you out a day or too. So it's really not minor. It's used, in ER's, on the frontline to slow-down the heart for stimulant overdoses.
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rockystuart
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Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 206
Loc: San Fran Bay Area, Calif
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HI - Are you looking for loos of anxiety or tranquilization/sedation? Ativan(lorizepam) and xanax (aliziopram) are , respectively anxiety and panic reducers. They have low sedation or tranquilization.
That;'s why they are useful/prescribed; they allow you to function. If you want the sedation/tranquility then valium cloniopin are a good choice. Or better yet why not ask Dr. for Versad 30mg. Not only will you be non-anxious, non-panicy but YOU WON'T even remember the flight. Or take a normal dose(1-4mg ativan) and a scotch. If the doors are shut there is NO WAY you can fall out of the plane!
I was taking 10mg ativan/day before they shifted it to 4-8mg xanax for panic.
AQnd the standard ativan is suitable for sublingal use; it comes on a fabric substrate that makes it harder to disolve in water (a la Rophenal). That is true for almost all drugs; you can chew cigaratte tobacco (sublingual absorption) even though cigaretts were designed for smoking
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Opie_Yates
Old Hand
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 458
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Klonopin actually has a very pleasant, minty taste and quicker action when placed under the tounge (about 10 minutes). I take 1 2mg Klonny and 2 350 mg. Soma OR just 10 mgs Valium to get to sleep at night and to not wake up hurting. They each have the exact, same effect on me. DO NOT try Soma under the tongue! 
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Better living through the pharmaceutical sciences.
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lailajo
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Reged: 08/22/03
Posts: 115
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Rocky,are you kidding about the scotch? I don't take benzos,so maybe I'm misinformed,but I didn't think it was safe to mix benzos and alcohol,as they are both respiratory depessants. Or is that just valium?
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zippy66
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Reged: 09/17/04
Posts: 213
Loc: The Spine
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DO NOT MIX ANY BENZO OR CNS DEPRESSANT WITH ALCHOHOL PLEASE
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dman22
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Loc: Everywhere
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Benzos and booze is like mixing a cocktail for coma or death. Personally, I really wouldn't recommend that to anyone. I always remember that even if I'm tolerant, it might not be the same to someone else since we all react differently.
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Listvoer
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Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 384
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Eh, i've been taking benzos for more than a decade and a half, and while I don't recommend any type of heavy drinking with benzos or anything like that, sometimes a single glass of wine or a single beer with the med before bedtime isn't much to worry about. Assuming you have some tolerance to benzos, although I doubt anyone is going to die from 1 mg of xanax and 1 glass of wine. I'm not recommending this to anyone, but in my personal experience it helps the med supply last longer and at worst I get a restful night's sleep.
YMMV of course...
L
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dman22
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Reged: 05/01/04
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Thanks for sharing the info. My cousin went into respiratory arrest after mixing one 10 mg. Valium and a shot of whiskey.
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 384
Loc: New America
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Sorry to hear of your loss. As I said, I don't recommend such things, but most folks get away with it in when done in very small doses such as that (1 valium and 1 single drink IS a small amount for anyone who occasionally drinks and has been prescribed the med for some time) and have no problems. As usual, everyone should follow the directions on the bottle and you shouldn't have any trouble. It's not such a danger (in very small doses, once again) for someone like me, a person who takes anywhere between 50-80 mg valium & 4-6 mg xanax or thereabouts daily and have been to some extent for 10=15 years.... so if i've skipped a dose or 2 during the day, a glass of wine with desert & then 1 valium poses little risk for me, personally.
YMMV
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rockystuart
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Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 206
Loc: San Fran Bay Area, Calif
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Quote:
Rocky,are you kidding about the scotch? I don't take benzos,so maybe I'm misinformed,but I didn't think it was safe to mix benzos and alcohol,as they are both respiratory depessants. Or is that just valium?
yes I waskidding about scotch - I cannot drink even 1/4 beer. butif your locked ina plane mightnbeOK. and low dose (i.e. non-tolerant 10mg val or 2mg xanax or ativan is safe to take 1 drink. dont get resp depression unless you are highly tolerant or mixing with a painkiller.
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dman22
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Reged: 05/01/04
Posts: 264
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Thanks for the kind words. I completely understand where you guys are coming from. I suppose it's just as similar to Nyquil which has alcohol in it too. Regards..
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lnd4508
Old Hand
Reged: 06/23/02
Posts: 450
Loc: USA
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If you want muscle relaxing results, just order up some Soma. It's very easy to find and can be pretty cheap. But definitely DO NOT take more than recommended. You will be slurring your speach and falling all over the place for sure. But one Soma can get you through just about anything.
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