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What Causes Shallow Breathing While On Lorazepam?
Question: Hi, I'm doing a slow taper off of Lorazepam at 6% every 10 days. I am at .30 right now and will be done in approximately 50 days.
My question is I woke up the last two nights with a racing heart and shallow breathing. When I put my oximeter on, it read 90. After a few deep breaths, I brought it back up to 97, but when I would relax and try to go back to sleep I checked it again and it was around 92.
Should I be concerned? What could it be? Sleep apnea or withdrawal?
My question is I woke up the last two nights with a racing heart and shallow breathing. When I put my oximeter on, it read 90. After a few deep breaths, I brought it back up to 97, but when I would relax and try to go back to sleep I checked it again and it was around 92.
Should I be concerned? What could it be? Sleep apnea or withdrawal?
Brief Answer:
You probably have an anxiety attack! NO need being concerned!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Your tapering off is gentle and am sure you would be able to do this smoothly without any issues. Your symptoms are not typical of withdrawal but of a possible anxiety attack. Try to relax and breath deep during such episodes. Between, why were you on lorazepam?
If this happens once in a while, it does happen to many like that and there is no cause for alarm. If it happens like daily, then we may need to get you on anti anxiety medications....Lorazepam might have been used for this.
I wish you well and hope to hear back from you!
You probably have an anxiety attack! NO need being concerned!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Your tapering off is gentle and am sure you would be able to do this smoothly without any issues. Your symptoms are not typical of withdrawal but of a possible anxiety attack. Try to relax and breath deep during such episodes. Between, why were you on lorazepam?
If this happens once in a while, it does happen to many like that and there is no cause for alarm. If it happens like daily, then we may need to get you on anti anxiety medications....Lorazepam might have been used for this.
I wish you well and hope to hear back from you!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What I'm worried about is that it happens while I'm sleeping. When I woke up and measured my oxygen saturation level it was 90. I wonder what it was when I was sleeping. Anxiety attack in my sleep? I never had those before I took this medicine. I have anxiety now, but never had it before.
I was prescribed this for insomnia induced by a bad reaction to an antibiotic. I took it for a week and stopped, then had bad withdrawals, so I had to go back on and slowly taper.
I was prescribed this for insomnia induced by a bad reaction to an antibiotic. I took it for a week and stopped, then had bad withdrawals, so I had to go back on and slowly taper.
Brief Answer:
Just observe this only!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this precision.
I understand your worries but this is classical of an anxiety attack. Observe and report the frequency of this to me. If it gets pretty concerning, then I will want to treat it. Yes, anxiety does happen even in their sleep. Be calm and relaxed and we will follow through for proper understanding and put in place to address any worries.
I am here for you! I will gladly address any issues as they arise. keep me posted.
Kind regards!
Just observe this only!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this precision.
I understand your worries but this is classical of an anxiety attack. Observe and report the frequency of this to me. If it gets pretty concerning, then I will want to treat it. Yes, anxiety does happen even in their sleep. Be calm and relaxed and we will follow through for proper understanding and put in place to address any worries.
I am here for you! I will gladly address any issues as they arise. keep me posted.
Kind regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Anxiety can affect my oxygen saturation?
Brief Answer:
YES!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Anxiety makes you to breath rapidly and shallow which doesn't allow for enough oxygen transfer and that is the reason for possible low oxygen saturation values. If you had a real problem with saturation, it will not get easily adjusted like you just reported.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
YES!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Anxiety makes you to breath rapidly and shallow which doesn't allow for enough oxygen transfer and that is the reason for possible low oxygen saturation values. If you had a real problem with saturation, it will not get easily adjusted like you just reported.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok Doc, if you say so.I guess it gives me some peace of mind. You would tell me to the hospital if you thought I needed to right?
Brief Answer:
Yes, I will never delay you seeing a doctor!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If there was the least doubt on my mind and the need to see a doctor, I would have recommended right away. At this time, it is just out of place and unless something else come up like repeated episodes or increase severity, I will not recommend a doctor's visit at this time.
Keep me updated and I wish you well.
Yes, I will never delay you seeing a doctor!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If there was the least doubt on my mind and the need to see a doctor, I would have recommended right away. At this time, it is just out of place and unless something else come up like repeated episodes or increase severity, I will not recommend a doctor's visit at this time.
Keep me updated and I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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