Diving and Ativan

[MDDIVER]

Anyone here ever taken Ativan for getting though the flight to you dive or vacation spot?

My doctor just prescribed me a few for my plane ride. I don't plan on diving the day of my flight in to the Bahamas but I am having trouble finding information about this drug and how long it affects you.

Anyone have any information on this.


Thanks

[RecInstr]

Ativan is the drug Lorazepam. Try here for more information: Ativan (Lorazepam) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList

Shouldn't be a problem as my wife takes these when she flies as well, but may want to ask your Doctor or Pharmacist.


Good Luck!
Tommy D.

[MDDIVER]

I did ask my doctor who is a avid diver, However he just said you will be fine. I just wanted to see if anyone had taken it and dove later. How much does your wife love flying? I have flown once about 4 years ago and it was not fun. If I could have paid to have the plane land and let me off I would have. I am hoping that this works.

[elijahb]

I have not taken Ativan. Try looking here I thought they had some good information about side effects "Ativan can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions." You could also check with DAN

[MDDIVER]

I guess after reading the lable I did get Lorazepam

[texdiveguy]

Lorazepam is a fast acting drug and has a short half life. I have taken the product/Ativan and had no negative effects regarding diving. As with any drug we all respond a bit different. Follow your Dr.'s and prescription directions and you should do well.

[K9Pig]

My father-in-law was given this drug for dementia when he would get agitated/combative, well it didn't work and it made him very violent. A 74 yo man kicking 5 male nurses a** was not a sight to see. The only one who didn't have a black eye was me, I guess knock it off was all he had to here from me...

[scubajane]

Be sure to take it on a day when you have no responsibilities so you can see how YOU respond to the drug. do NOT wait until fly day to take it!! you need to know how you feel and how long it takes to wear off based on YOUR metabolism.
I'm so sorry that flying is so difficult for you. I fly several times a year. I think the part I don;t like is being closed in. search your thoughts about flying and try thinking through what bugs you the most. use your diving skills to help calm you during the flight. It does NOT make sense that we can breathe underwater. it does not make sense that a million pound metal plane can fly. think how do you dive without freaking out, use those same skills in the plane. self calming skills are free and have no nasty side effects.
when my son was young he had serious anger issues. I taught him the very simple technique of recognize reject and replace.
1 recognize the anger (oh no here I go again)
2 reject the anger (I don't like being angry)
3. replace the anger ( I think i'll go jump on the trampoline, or ride my bike)
I hope these things are helpful

[obrules15]

Originally Posted by K9Pig

My father-in-law was given this drug for dementia when he would get agitated/combative, well it didn't work and it made him very violent. A 74 yo man kicking 5 male nurses a** was not a sight to see. The only one who didn't have a black eye was me, I guess knock it off was all he had to here from me...

Older people respond to psychoactive drugs quite differently. That is actually not an unusual story for someone of that age with that problem.

[scuba.pete]

The effects of lorazepam typically last 4-6 hours; but scubajane is right, if you have never taken it, try it when you don't have anything else to do.