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Does Continuous Intake Of Ativan Cause Alzheimer's Disease In An Elderly Person?
Question: I have been taking Ativan for 40 yrears,2mg moern 2 at nite /keeps me calm and relatively ok . chronic ptsd /the va thinks tht Ativan will give alhimers /im 72 years now sharp as a tack /can not take valium walk around like a zombie /zolof I climb the waslls like a feril cat.my certonin does well with Ativan .question what will replace Ativan and not bring stress attacks back . im doing goode /why not leavr ne alone ,whers the answere/talk to me
Brief Answer:
You can ask for re-evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from HCM for your health related doubts
I can understand your concern. You are 72 and if we go by guidelines then its not very safe to prescribe benzodiazepines regularly at your age. They increase the risk of cognitive decline. But you have mentioned that your memory is sharp and you have no cognitive issues.
Ativan is rapid acting benzodiazepine while Valium is relatively long acting and this is the reason the drug is resulting in zombie like feelings. If your doctor doesn't agree to prescribe Ativan you can ask for re-evaluation and for cognitive tests in order to rule out any memory impairment. Other drugs like Etizolam or Alprazolam can be used. These too are rapid acting and have effects similar to Ativan. Etizolam is relatively safer in these benzodiazepine drugs. Discuss with your doctor for these drugs.
Thanks. Take care
You can ask for re-evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from HCM for your health related doubts
I can understand your concern. You are 72 and if we go by guidelines then its not very safe to prescribe benzodiazepines regularly at your age. They increase the risk of cognitive decline. But you have mentioned that your memory is sharp and you have no cognitive issues.
Ativan is rapid acting benzodiazepine while Valium is relatively long acting and this is the reason the drug is resulting in zombie like feelings. If your doctor doesn't agree to prescribe Ativan you can ask for re-evaluation and for cognitive tests in order to rule out any memory impairment. Other drugs like Etizolam or Alprazolam can be used. These too are rapid acting and have effects similar to Ativan. Etizolam is relatively safer in these benzodiazepine drugs. Discuss with your doctor for these drugs.
Thanks. Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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