"was given ativan at first of several er visits for panic attacks and later on shooting pains in my legs. i had recent surgery, felt something wasn&#039;t right. told my doctors, tests showed nothing so ignored like most women and put on antidepressants. soon after, panic attacks started. ativan helped but did not address the cause. 2 months later finally diagnosed with b12 deficiency caused by pernicious anemia. by then had severe nerve damage. to this day i cannot walk and am extremely intolerant to heat and cold. at times my nerves act up and i take 0.5 mg ativan or less to get me through it or help me sleep. doctor won&#039;t prescribe much so judicious when i take it. gabapentin eases pain but ativan is only med that calms my nerves."