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What Causes Breathing And Swallowing Difficulties While On Ativan?

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Posted on Sat, 2 Jan 2016
Question: I am having BP and CAD(2013).Weight is 76 kg and height 166 cms. From From May1st 2015 to Nov 18 i took olmezest 20,indreal 10 mg,cilarcar 5 in morning ,afternoon 75 mg of asprin and in night atrosave 10 mg,atvin 1 mg . in addition to above tablet i took inderl 10 mg and clonazep .25 mg in night. since i have lot of night mares and no sound sleep doctor advised to stop taking inderl 10 mg in night. Aug 4 i stopped inderl and from aug 9 i dont have sleep at all..i wake around 2 pm .so doctor suggest to take ativan 1 mg on sep. November i had some breathing and swalloing difficult in evening time and Dr advised to stop inderl if possible. after stopping inderl for 4 days i had palpation and balance problem.i met a new cardialogist suggested by friends.He took echo and changed the prescription to concorAM5 in morning and clopilet-A 75 in afternoon and olmezest in night and changed ativan 1 mg to restyl.5 mg and he advised me to take after restyl after 2 week.so i stopped taking ativan 1 mg from Dec3. after changing to restyl i feel more drowsy in morning and my bp also 100/60 .i informed this to my new cardialogist and he suggested to stop olmezest 20 mg and restyl and advised to check bp after 3 days. since i stopped inderl and not having sleep and told him i will try .25 mg. He said ok. after 3 days my bp is normal after stopping olmezest but i dont have sleep for 2 days after changing to .25 mg .I informed this to my doctor and he told continue ativan then for sleep. My problem is restyl is for .5 mg i am getting more drowsy and eye irritation in morning and up to afternoon.Difficult to go for walking and yoga..i really want to stop these sleeping tablets. i am very happy with my new cardialogist but i dont want him to distrub ,as he reduced lot my of bp tablet he asking me to continue ativan . I always prefer natural sleeping . i really hate this sleeping tablets. in short from may to sep mid clonezep .25 mg,sep mid to dec 3 ativan 1 mg,dec 3 to now restyl .5 mg. if i reduce to 2.5 mg i dont have sleep.if i changed to .5 mg sleep with night mares moring dizziness and eye irration..which one to continue and how to stop these? i am not anxiety person.i need advise..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
CBT is the best form of therapy which can be offered to you.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I can certainly understand your concern.

I have worked through your query in detail.

You really seem to experience all the ill effects of both sleep deficiency as well as medication side effects.

Few standard recommendations I suggest.

Avoid Inderal and Concor for BP control, since both can cause or worsen insomnia.

BP can be excellently maintained with Olmezest and Cilacar. Both these are not associated with insomnia as their side effects.

It is best to avoid and not restart ATIVAN, as it is a long acting drug responsible for maximum morning sedation.

At the moment, Clonazep 0.25 mg every alternative day for 2 weeks followed by one tab every 3rd day for 1 week before finally stopping the drug will help to get over this drug by tapering mechanism.

And Do not restart Restyl. It is little use to you.

The best way to overcome sleep deficiency in your case is CBT-Cognitive and Behavioural therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to ameliorate factors that perpetuate or exacerbate chronic insomnia, such as poor sleep habits, hyperarousal, irregular sleep schedules, inadequate sleep hygiene, and misconceptions about sleep. CBT is most effective for primary insomnia, but it is also effective for comorbid insomnia as adjunctive therapy.

The components of CBT include the following:

Sleep hygiene education
Cognitive therapy
Relaxation therapy
Stimulus-control therapy
Sleep restriction therapy.

CBT was proved to be superior to sedative drug therapy in treating insomnia, especially when there is no underlying causes like anxiety or depression.

I can discuss each step in detail in case if your willing to know them in depth in your follow up query.

Please check with your physician if he shares my view and can offer CBT to you.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (1 hour later)
Thanks for your answer. In Tapering Mechanism will i get any sleep disturbance or any withdrawal symptoms and is it disturbing to my day today activities. Switching back to Ativan 1mg to clonazepam .25 mg what may be the side effects or will i get enough sleep. I will always sleep as soon as i lie down on bed .

IS This CBT is also with drugs or how it will be?
How long this therapy ?
who will do these ?
where will i get this therapy?
How much cost it will take?
Is this therapy can take after tapering or when to start this therapy?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
CBT does not involve drugs.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I can certainly understand your concerns.

I apologize for the delayed response owing to my work schedule.

I have worked through your query in detail.

Tapering should only cause mild discomfort.

The side effects are very minimal.

It is important to start CBT simultaneously to attain good control over sleep.

The sessions of CBT may last 6 to 8 weeks.

The overall cost may be in between 5 to 8 thousand INR.

A sleep therapist or clinical psychotherapist will handle CBT sessions.

This therapy will NOT involve drugs.

Please update me your residential address so that I can provide any nearby CBT centers.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (7 hours later)
Thanks Doctor. I am at XXXXXXX ,XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Relevant address provided

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I apologize for the delayed response.

Address
The Clinic
26/1 Arcot Street,
T XXXXXXX XXXXXXX - 600017,
Tamil Nadu, XXXXXXX

Phone number
Clinic: 0000

Email address
YYYY@YYYY

Location
XXXX is located in the heart of XXXXXXX near the famous Pondy Bazaar junction in T XXXXXXX

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you



Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prasanna Heijebu

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1422 Questions

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What Causes Breathing And Swallowing Difficulties While On Ativan?

Brief Answer: CBT is the best form of therapy which can be offered to you. Detailed Answer: Hello, Sir. I can certainly understand your concern. I have worked through your query in detail. You really seem to experience all the ill effects of both sleep deficiency as well as medication side effects. Few standard recommendations I suggest. Avoid Inderal and Concor for BP control, since both can cause or worsen insomnia. BP can be excellently maintained with Olmezest and Cilacar. Both these are not associated with insomnia as their side effects. It is best to avoid and not restart ATIVAN, as it is a long acting drug responsible for maximum morning sedation. At the moment, Clonazep 0.25 mg every alternative day for 2 weeks followed by one tab every 3rd day for 1 week before finally stopping the drug will help to get over this drug by tapering mechanism. And Do not restart Restyl. It is little use to you. The best way to overcome sleep deficiency in your case is CBT-Cognitive and Behavioural therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to ameliorate factors that perpetuate or exacerbate chronic insomnia, such as poor sleep habits, hyperarousal, irregular sleep schedules, inadequate sleep hygiene, and misconceptions about sleep. CBT is most effective for primary insomnia, but it is also effective for comorbid insomnia as adjunctive therapy. The components of CBT include the following: Sleep hygiene education Cognitive therapy Relaxation therapy Stimulus-control therapy Sleep restriction therapy. CBT was proved to be superior to sedative drug therapy in treating insomnia, especially when there is no underlying causes like anxiety or depression. I can discuss each step in detail in case if your willing to know them in depth in your follow up query. Please check with your physician if he shares my view and can offer CBT to you. Post your further queries if any. Thank you.