Ativan...Culprit?

My visit with Neurology got me thinking....I think Ativan got the "ball" rolling downhill, when I started it. The more I read about the medication, the more I suspect it's a major player in my sleep issues--although that's the main reason I take it--to sleep.
I have found that, without it,i take a long time to get to sleep, I sleep a little too lightly,wake a few times per night, but generally don't have the extreme day after "I'm made of oatmeal" feeling....as of yet. I was able to get up and off to work today....and I didn't nap all weekend (or during Thanksgiving LOL)

Neuro said I could try higher doses of Provigil before scheduling the additional sleep studies (must have marked improvement to avoid those.) I dare to say feeling better could be around the corner....

Could this low dose little white tablet be the culprit??? If so...how much impact could be possible?

Just thinking out loud....

I love Ativan But, it's a controlled substance and they don't like to give it out.
It does effect my numbers though. I only take it if I'm still awake at 4a.m.
Yes, it does help you go to sleep, stay asleep and feel good the next morning but as with anything else that's great, it's not good for apnea.

In small doses it probably doedn't hurt you humbers much. It's better to get some sleep. I take klonipin and have been told that at the small dose I take- 2.5 mg over the course of the day- I probably doesn't affect my apnea. I'll admit it's a tradeoff. How are your numbers?
Good luck.
Mary Z.

My numbers are fine and they have been....it's the continuing exhaustion that's the problem and they wanted to look at all things that could contribute.

Ativan is often given to help calm anxiety. Even though you may start with a small amount, often patients need to increase their dosage to get the same affect. There are better sleep aids out there. That said, all of these meds can affect your numbers.

Best regards,

Jersey Girl

SnoozyQ wrote:I have found that, without it,i take a long time to get to sleep

Onset latency increasing is a potential warning sign that should be discussed with your MD for any sleep medication, and especially this one.

The benzos aren't first line drugs for sleep anymore for a good reason, and while there are certainly reasons to prescribe them, it's also important to make sure they're alerted to side effects. So, yeah, this is definitely talk-with-the-doc time.