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Are Insomnia And Nervousness Withdrawal Symptoms While Weaning Off Ativan?
Question: I was prescribed Ativan, had been on them for 10 days. 6 nights @ 1.5 mg, 2 nights @.1 mg and 1 night @ .5 mg. Off of them for 3 days, having insomnia and nervousness. Is it possible after just 10 days to be having withdrawal symptoms? and if so how long do they last?
Brief Answer:
could be withdrawal
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question. It is possible that you are having some withdrawal from the ativan. It is not common to have withdrawal symptoms after such a short course of the medication, but it is possible. Ativan is a powerful sedative and central nervous system depressant and your initial dose was pretty high. When you come off such a medication the nervous system often gets excited and gets hyper-stimulated. You should be over the worst of it 3 days out but symptoms could last for up to another two weeks until your nervous system calms down and gets back to normal. If you were having insomnia before the medication and if that is why it was prescribed then some of the original insomnia may be returning. I hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks for using HCM.
could be withdrawal
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question. It is possible that you are having some withdrawal from the ativan. It is not common to have withdrawal symptoms after such a short course of the medication, but it is possible. Ativan is a powerful sedative and central nervous system depressant and your initial dose was pretty high. When you come off such a medication the nervous system often gets excited and gets hyper-stimulated. You should be over the worst of it 3 days out but symptoms could last for up to another two weeks until your nervous system calms down and gets back to normal. If you were having insomnia before the medication and if that is why it was prescribed then some of the original insomnia may be returning. I hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks for using HCM.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
This is my second attempt at a reply question, not sure if the first one went out ok.
Thanks for the reply --answer the unknown for me.--FYI-- it's three days out as of today and today was the worst one. I Hope it gets better.
Ativan was prescribed due to anxiety and insomnia ( never had those before) started when I began a Z-Pack antibiotic for a sinus infection?????
Do you have tricks for getting over this rebound or do I just tough it out.
Will be seeing my primary doctor about these same issues-- I appreciate your input
Thanks for the reply --answer the unknown for me.--FYI-- it's three days out as of today and today was the worst one. I Hope it gets better.
Ativan was prescribed due to anxiety and insomnia ( never had those before) started when I began a Z-Pack antibiotic for a sinus infection?????
Do you have tricks for getting over this rebound or do I just tough it out.
Will be seeing my primary doctor about these same issues-- I appreciate your input
Brief Answer:
yes, this is the first follow up I have received
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
It is true that after you stop ativan, the withdrawal can get worse over the next few days but It should start getting better from here on out. It may be that the ativan just masked the anxiety and insomnia that you were having anyway and you are not really withdrawing just having a return of the original anxiety and insomnia.
It is very important that you check with your doctor to figure out what is going on. You may need labs and other testing done. It is very unusual that the anxiety and insomnia started after a Z-pack. You could try some benadryl to help you sleep.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
yes, this is the first follow up I have received
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
It is true that after you stop ativan, the withdrawal can get worse over the next few days but It should start getting better from here on out. It may be that the ativan just masked the anxiety and insomnia that you were having anyway and you are not really withdrawing just having a return of the original anxiety and insomnia.
It is very important that you check with your doctor to figure out what is going on. You may need labs and other testing done. It is very unusual that the anxiety and insomnia started after a Z-pack. You could try some benadryl to help you sleep.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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