[Miss E]

In the past, 1mg tablets of Ativan do nothing for me.I'm going in for an MRI and they're going to either give me 2mg or 4mg. The only time I've taken a higher dose I was also given a sleeping pill with it so I don't remember how I felt.What are your experiences with a single higher dose of Ativan?I was told I need someone to take me there and back because I'll be groggy, but how can I expect to feel? Is it similar to the feeling you get on things like Tylenol 4's? (Where you have a complete indifference to things or everything is fun like oh, I'm in a tightly enclosed box? Yay box!)Completely different? What's your experience?(I'm not looking for long-term use answers, just people who have had it as a single dose for whatever reason)(I know it's addictive and a bitch to withdrawl from, I'm only having it once so that's not going to be a problem)It's orally in that you swallow the pill (not dissolved). Which is what I've had in the past.oh! Also, How long does the feeling last? The MRI is only 40mins, and I was told to take it 30mins before, but I'd like to take in an hour before if possible so I'm in the midst of feeling okay before I get there.(I also don't drive but was advised the bus is a bad idea and to get someone to take me there and home)

[JT289385]

Well truthfully pretty much all you are going to feel is a tiredness and a bit happy = You have absolutley nothing to worry about You will not even no it was in your system come the next day !!!!!!!!!!!! Hope all goes well with You !!!!!!!!

[CynthiaEMT]

It really depends the person. Some people 2mg will make them feel really"loopy"while others don't feel much from it at all. The only time I took it was when I was going to have an IV (I was very needle phobic at the time), it made me feel a little drunk, I knew what was going on but everything felt a little wobbly. To me it was similar to a high dose of hydrocodone (which is like Tylenol 4). Definitely have someone drive you if you take it even if you feel okay, because if something happens and you drive with it and get pulled over you will end up with a DUI/DWI.

[midnightmoon62]

Well, since its a narcotic, by law you will have to have a driver regardless.My q, is how are they giving it to you (iv or oral), and how have you had it given in the past?1mg orally will take about 30 mins to kick in for me, and I dont feel medicated but do feel calmer. 2mg orally takes the same amount of time to kick in for me, and I dont feel f'ed up, but I do feel medicated.IV will kick in immediatly. At 1 mg I definatly feel medicated, and at 2 I feel f'ed up.For MRIs I take 1mg IV and for bone marrow biopsies, I take 2 mg IV. Thats just my experience.If you are taking it orally, you should let it dissolve under the tounge, and take it about 30 mins before the proceedure.

[Az R]

It's more common to use a benzo like Versed with a shorter half life for procedures like this, but that could depend on how long they're expecting the MRI to take, which will depend on what they're looking for.Yes, you probably will need someone to get you there and back. Driving on these medications, especially if you haven't developed tolerance to the sedation is not advised. And given how drowsy and sedated it can make you, navigating a public transportation system isn't advisable either. The expense of a taxi may be justified if you don't have someone to take you.The effects of Ativan last for several hours, usually between four and seven. It can vary a little because of kidney function and other factors, but it's very reliable in that window. It takes between 30 minutes and an hour to kick in, depending on what you've got in your stomach. Since I assume they've advised you not to eat anything, or eat anything heavy, it'll probably be in the shorter range of things.It's a very safe medication. Taking it, especially at a strong dose creates a feeling of relaxation, lethargy and sedation. It's rather doubtful that you'll feel intimidated at all by the experience, and it wouldn't be surprising if you actually doze off in the MRI. For some people the experience can be similar to the opiate in Tylenol 4, but that's a rather different drug. The feeling of fun... not really. The stress and anxiety of being in a closed place probably won't bother you at all. One of the other effects is that it blunts the formation of new memory, so your recollection of the experience will be hazy and incomplete, and any stress you do experience will quickly fade.