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Suggest Treatment For Withdrawal Symptoms Of Valium
Question: Hi, I am 77 F. I tapered off Valium 4 mg daily that I had taken for 4 months. It's been 2 wks off Valium. Tinnitus louder and palpitations wakes me up during the night. I had a EKG before taper. I also have GAD. I have Pulsating T and I hear my heartbeat which in turn wakes me up. I've had tinnitus for many years. Can this be a combination of withdrawal and anxiety? Always had fast heartbeat and palpitations over the years.
Do you recommend I go back on Valium, which I don't want to do. I have been under a psychologist care.
Thank you.
Do you recommend I go back on Valium, which I don't want to do. I have been under a psychologist care.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that tinnitus and hearing problems (including increased hearing) can be related to valium withdrawal syndrome.
Besides, it can be triggered by anxiety, which is very common during this syndrome.
Did you reduce the dose gradually or cold turkey?
As you have been having tinnitus for many years, it doesn't seem to be anything concerning.
Nevertheless, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for the possible causes:
- complete blood count for chronic anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction.
These two disorders can trigger all this clinical situation.
From the other hand, your symptoms do not seem to be related to any cardiac disorders.
You should try to remain calm and do not worry about it.
I would not recommend restarting valium, but you should consult with your attending physician and discussing the possibility of starting an antidepressant like SSRI (escitalopram, sertraline, etc.) or imipramine to help you manage GAD and also valium withdrawal syndrome, which is well known to exacerbate GAD.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that tinnitus and hearing problems (including increased hearing) can be related to valium withdrawal syndrome.
Besides, it can be triggered by anxiety, which is very common during this syndrome.
Did you reduce the dose gradually or cold turkey?
As you have been having tinnitus for many years, it doesn't seem to be anything concerning.
Nevertheless, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for the possible causes:
- complete blood count for chronic anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction.
These two disorders can trigger all this clinical situation.
From the other hand, your symptoms do not seem to be related to any cardiac disorders.
You should try to remain calm and do not worry about it.
I would not recommend restarting valium, but you should consult with your attending physician and discussing the possibility of starting an antidepressant like SSRI (escitalopram, sertraline, etc.) or imipramine to help you manage GAD and also valium withdrawal syndrome, which is well known to exacerbate GAD.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I've recently had blood work done
Cbc and thyroid fine . Is there anything I could do for the palpitations they really frighten me. Do you think I need an echocardiogram. Had one two years ago.
Thank you.
I reduced the Valiun slowly. Went down to . 5
Cbc and thyroid fine . Is there anything I could do for the palpitations they really frighten me. Do you think I need an echocardiogram. Had one two years ago.
Thank you.
I reduced the Valiun slowly. Went down to . 5
Brief Answer:
I recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am glad that your blood lab tests have resulted normal.
Coming to this point it is probably just anxiety.
Anyway, if you are really concerned about it, I would recommend performing an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends for a more prolonged time and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If it results abnormal, a cardiac ultrasound may be needed.
Otherwise, there is nothing to worry about!
I recommend discussing with your doctor on the possibility of starting an antidepressant (as I recommended before) to help you manage all your symptoms.
Yoga and meditation can also be useful.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am glad that your blood lab tests have resulted normal.
Coming to this point it is probably just anxiety.
Anyway, if you are really concerned about it, I would recommend performing an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends for a more prolonged time and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
If it results abnormal, a cardiac ultrasound may be needed.
Otherwise, there is nothing to worry about!
I recommend discussing with your doctor on the possibility of starting an antidepressant (as I recommended before) to help you manage all your symptoms.
Yoga and meditation can also be useful.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. Sharks, I just want to ask you more questions. I've been getting quite a few palpitations during the night. At least 4 episodes lasting about 15 to 30 minutes.
Should I be concerned? Should I continue my B12 and vit A supplements.
Any foods I should afford?
What makes everything worse for me is the pulsating tinnitus. During the day
my heart rate goes up and down. After eating I notice it goes faster.
Will all of these symptoms lesson as time goes by? I have been on both celexa and
Lexapro during the years. Can't seem to tolerate them anymore. I am very sensitive to medication.
Should I be concerned? Should I continue my B12 and vit A supplements.
Any foods I should afford?
What makes everything worse for me is the pulsating tinnitus. During the day
my heart rate goes up and down. After eating I notice it goes faster.
Will all of these symptoms lesson as time goes by? I have been on both celexa and
Lexapro during the years. Can't seem to tolerate them anymore. I am very sensitive to medication.
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information.
Coming to this point, it is important examine your heart rhythm for a more prolonged time in order to record and then examine these episodes of palpitations and rule in/out possible cardiac arrhythmia.
An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter monitoring) is needed for this purpose.
I can not determine if your situation will improve spontaneously or needs to be treated without performing the above mentioned tests.
Regarding antidepressants, I would recommend riconsulting with your attending physician and discuss the possibility of switching to other antidepressants like sertraline or paroxetine, which do not cause heart palpitations or any ECG changes (Lexapro and celexa can cause shortening of QT segment in ECG and thus trigger palpitations).
Regarding the food, I would just recommend avoiding caffeine intake and energy drinks, which can trigger this situation.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing all the best!
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information.
Coming to this point, it is important examine your heart rhythm for a more prolonged time in order to record and then examine these episodes of palpitations and rule in/out possible cardiac arrhythmia.
An ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter monitoring) is needed for this purpose.
I can not determine if your situation will improve spontaneously or needs to be treated without performing the above mentioned tests.
Regarding antidepressants, I would recommend riconsulting with your attending physician and discuss the possibility of switching to other antidepressants like sertraline or paroxetine, which do not cause heart palpitations or any ECG changes (Lexapro and celexa can cause shortening of QT segment in ECG and thus trigger palpitations).
Regarding the food, I would just recommend avoiding caffeine intake and energy drinks, which can trigger this situation.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing all the best!
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
If you have any other uncertainties you can ask me directly at any time on the link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
I would be happy to review all your tests as soon as you can upload them for another professional opinion!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
If you have any other uncertainties you can ask me directly at any time on the link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
I would be happy to review all your tests as soon as you can upload them for another professional opinion!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, yesterday I went to the ER fast heart beat. Had EKG. Chest X-ray and lab blood work. Dr feels this is probably due to Valiun withdrawal. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
My opinion:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I agree with your doctor that all this clinical situation may be related to valium withdrawal. But we can not prove it.
From the other hand, a resting ECG can not examine your heart rhythm for a long time.
A Holter monitoring would help exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia. If it results normal, you should consider anxiety and valium withdrawal as the main cause of your symptoms.
In such case, you should discuss with your attending physician on the best treatment options to help you manage your anxiety.
An antidepressant would be a long term therapy (otherwise valium and other benzodiazepines which should be used only as short term therapies) for GAD and also help relieve valium withdrawal symptoms.
I remain at your disposal whenever you need to discuss with me again!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
My opinion:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I agree with your doctor that all this clinical situation may be related to valium withdrawal. But we can not prove it.
From the other hand, a resting ECG can not examine your heart rhythm for a long time.
A Holter monitoring would help exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia. If it results normal, you should consider anxiety and valium withdrawal as the main cause of your symptoms.
In such case, you should discuss with your attending physician on the best treatment options to help you manage your anxiety.
An antidepressant would be a long term therapy (otherwise valium and other benzodiazepines which should be used only as short term therapies) for GAD and also help relieve valium withdrawal symptoms.
I remain at your disposal whenever you need to discuss with me again!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much Dr. Sharks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful to you!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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