Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Alternative Medication For Anxiety With Violent Shaking, Heavy Breathing And Leg Weakness
Question: I've been taking 2-3 mg Ativan for several weeks for anxiet. It doesn't seem to help the shaking and heavy breathing that much, and my legs are feeling week. I'm 64. What should I do? I see my psychiatrist this week. Can he tell me how's lowly to stop? Thanks. XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and thanks very much for your question.
What you describe are symptoms consistent with anxiety and panic attacks. The good news is that these symptoms are very treatable. Let me talk about the treatment, and how this applies to your situation.
Treatment of these symptoms long-term is achieved with antidepressants, such as Lexapro. Your doctor prescribed this 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately, these medications take time to have their desired effect in the brain, and they may not fully kick in until 6-8 weeks after starting them. To help with anxiety in the meantime, benzodiazepines such as Ativan are used. It sounds like you feel Ativan is not helping. Let's discuss alternatives.
You can stop Ativan, but you have to slowly taper off of it to avoid having withdrawal. This involves halving the dose, and then slowly tapering by about 25% every two weeks. This should be done carefully with your doctor.
While you are tapering off Ativan, other medications can be used to treat anxiety in the short term. These include Seroquel, Atarax, and Gabapentin. We can discuss these in more detail if you would like.
In the future, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below, because we receive nearly double the payment from this website for direct questions. After asking a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and thanks very much for your question.
What you describe are symptoms consistent with anxiety and panic attacks. The good news is that these symptoms are very treatable. Let me talk about the treatment, and how this applies to your situation.
Treatment of these symptoms long-term is achieved with antidepressants, such as Lexapro. Your doctor prescribed this 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately, these medications take time to have their desired effect in the brain, and they may not fully kick in until 6-8 weeks after starting them. To help with anxiety in the meantime, benzodiazepines such as Ativan are used. It sounds like you feel Ativan is not helping. Let's discuss alternatives.
You can stop Ativan, but you have to slowly taper off of it to avoid having withdrawal. This involves halving the dose, and then slowly tapering by about 25% every two weeks. This should be done carefully with your doctor.
While you are tapering off Ativan, other medications can be used to treat anxiety in the short term. These include Seroquel, Atarax, and Gabapentin. We can discuss these in more detail if you would like.
In the future, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below, because we receive nearly double the payment from this website for direct questions. After asking a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you very much.
Will my legs feel normal again, as well as the shaking and panting stop?
Will my legs feel normal again, as well as the shaking and panting stop?
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes, I believe these symptoms are actually somatic (bodily) symptoms of anxiety. Benzodiazepines can also cause shaking. Therefore, treating the anxiety, perhaps with something other than benzodiazepines as we discussed, will solve the problem. I am hopeful for you, don't worry!
Remember to rate and close this question thread when you are finished.
In the future, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below, because we receive nearly double the payment from this website for direct questions. After asking a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes, I believe these symptoms are actually somatic (bodily) symptoms of anxiety. Benzodiazepines can also cause shaking. Therefore, treating the anxiety, perhaps with something other than benzodiazepines as we discussed, will solve the problem. I am hopeful for you, don't worry!
Remember to rate and close this question thread when you are finished.
In the future, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below, because we receive nearly double the payment from this website for direct questions. After asking a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
