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Suggest Treatment For Headache Caused By Lorazepam
Question: May 19th I threw out my back and my customer gave me a total of 1.5 mg of Lorazepam. I took .5mg immediately and 1mg that night. Had a great sleep. Such a good sleep, I took .5mg every so often to get a good night sleep over the next week. I think 4 additional times total. On Tuesday, May 26th and 27th i experienced horrible dizziness, possibly some short term memory loss, anxiety (from the symptoms? or the withdrawal?) and a headache. The dizziness has subsided substantially. Now, that I've gained an understanding of what I'm experiencing, I don't have tremendous feelings of anxiety. However, today is the 6th day since my last dose. I'm writing to you with a slight head ache that does not go away. I'm not the same as i was 2 weeks ago. I was fine. I wish I never took these pills. I can get through the day, but the slight headache and occasional dizziness is a reminder that I made a mistake and self medicated myself and I'm paying the consequences. I'm frustrated. I have weddings and summer parties coming up and I just want to be myself. I appreciate your advise.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry at all.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
You took lorazepam around six to seven times over a period of seven to eight days. The dose was low and the drug was not taken daily. Usually people do not experience any problems after using lorazepam sparsely as you did, though some rebound anxiety may occur. That is why, I am not sure that your current problems are entirely due to lorazepam only. For occasional users, six days time is more than enough to get back to normal, unless some other factors are in play.
One thing that must be taken into consideration is alcohol. Alcohol and lorazepam act on same receptors in the brain and therefore, both have the same withdrawal symptoms. That is why, each can ameliorate the withdrawal of the other. I feel that the present symptoms are not due to the lorazepam tablet taken six days ago, but probably due to a heavier than usual intake of alcohol in the meantime.
Whatever the cause, I do not feel there is any cause for concern. There has been no lasting damage and whatever symptoms remain, will gradually go away over the next few days. But during this period, avoid alcohol completely if possible.
There is one more thing I would like you to do. Keep an eye on your blood pressure. You will most likely find that it is slightly elevated.
Forget that you ever took those pills and stop berating yourself. There is absolutely no need to worry.
I hope this clears up things for you. Please feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
No need to worry at all.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
You took lorazepam around six to seven times over a period of seven to eight days. The dose was low and the drug was not taken daily. Usually people do not experience any problems after using lorazepam sparsely as you did, though some rebound anxiety may occur. That is why, I am not sure that your current problems are entirely due to lorazepam only. For occasional users, six days time is more than enough to get back to normal, unless some other factors are in play.
One thing that must be taken into consideration is alcohol. Alcohol and lorazepam act on same receptors in the brain and therefore, both have the same withdrawal symptoms. That is why, each can ameliorate the withdrawal of the other. I feel that the present symptoms are not due to the lorazepam tablet taken six days ago, but probably due to a heavier than usual intake of alcohol in the meantime.
Whatever the cause, I do not feel there is any cause for concern. There has been no lasting damage and whatever symptoms remain, will gradually go away over the next few days. But during this period, avoid alcohol completely if possible.
There is one more thing I would like you to do. Keep an eye on your blood pressure. You will most likely find that it is slightly elevated.
Forget that you ever took those pills and stop berating yourself. There is absolutely no need to worry.
I hope this clears up things for you. Please feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The last two doses were taken and I drank 6 drinks and 4 drinks, respectively. The weekend prior to the first dose I had an unusually enormous night drinking. After the intense withdrawals were felt, I had no inclination to drink alcohol. It wasn't until the symptoms started to subside that I attempted to drink a few drinks... and learned it didn't help. If anything, the alcohol aggravated my conditions.
I've taken your advise. No alcohol. I'm still not 100%. There's a slight feeling of what was extremely intense a week ago. Each day, i feel improvement. My blood pressure is about what it has been 117 / 77 last night. 114/77 this morning. My heart rate seems low at 59 and 60. Although, I can't remember when I last took my rate. I sleep a solid 7 or 8 hours of sleep without interruption. I never sleep that well.
I really don't have any questions. Things are on the up swing. If there's anything more to add let me know.
Thank you. Your advise had been very helpful.
XXXX
I've taken your advise. No alcohol. I'm still not 100%. There's a slight feeling of what was extremely intense a week ago. Each day, i feel improvement. My blood pressure is about what it has been 117 / 77 last night. 114/77 this morning. My heart rate seems low at 59 and 60. Although, I can't remember when I last took my rate. I sleep a solid 7 or 8 hours of sleep without interruption. I never sleep that well.
I really don't have any questions. Things are on the up swing. If there's anything more to add let me know.
Thank you. Your advise had been very helpful.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Vitamin B complex supplements may be taken.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I am glad that you are improving every day. I am also relieved that the blood pressure is normal, as I was worried that hypertension may be adding to your symptoms. The pulse rate is fine.
I am sure that you will be just as before in a few more days. Just keep off alcohol in the meanwhile. Even after that, drink only in moderation. Avoid binge drinking. Taking vitamin B complex (especially thiamin) for some time may also help you as alcohol often causes deficiency of these. There is no risk of overdose of these vitamins as they are water soluble and the excess is excreted in urine. If you do not wish to take supplements, just ensure that your diet is nutritious.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Vitamin B complex supplements may be taken.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I am glad that you are improving every day. I am also relieved that the blood pressure is normal, as I was worried that hypertension may be adding to your symptoms. The pulse rate is fine.
I am sure that you will be just as before in a few more days. Just keep off alcohol in the meanwhile. Even after that, drink only in moderation. Avoid binge drinking. Taking vitamin B complex (especially thiamin) for some time may also help you as alcohol often causes deficiency of these. There is no risk of overdose of these vitamins as they are water soluble and the excess is excreted in urine. If you do not wish to take supplements, just ensure that your diet is nutritious.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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