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Is Taking Klonopin,Lorazepam And Lyrica Togther, Safe?

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Posted on Sat, 5 Jul 2014
Question: Dear Dr Grief,
I have been of Klonopin (for Firbromyalgia) for a numbr of years. It helps me sleep thru the night.
When I complained about pain during the day, she added Lorazepam ( 2x a day ) to the above.
Anotehr neurologist putme on Lyrica, 50 mg a day. I had a bad experience with Lyrica 3 years ago.
I am worried that taking all 3 drugs will sedate me too much. I am at risk for falling and should be alert
during the day, especially when I am driving. What do you think? Thankyou for our reply.

These drugs which are mostly prescribed for anxiety, have also affected my
memory. If you know of any other side effects, please letme know.
Thank you.
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need management

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!
Klonopin and lorazepam are from the same family and either one of them should be used as use of both potentiate the effects and sedation and may result in troubles the risk of falling during the daytime is one of them. Lyrica is pregabalin and it is fibromyalgia agent and analgesic so i would not say to stop it.It will help the fibromyalgia.
And you are right about the memory lapses, too much sedation does that.
Here is some other side effects of lyrica you requested.
Dizziness (8-45%)
Somnolence (4-36%)
Peripheral edema (16%)
Ataxia (1-20%)
Fatigue (5-11%)
Xerostomia (1-15%)
Weight gain (16%)
Tremor (11%)
Blurred vision (1-12%)
Diplopia (12%)
1-10%
Asthenia (5%)
Edema (8%)
Facial edema (<3%)
Hypotension (2%)
Neuropathy (2-9%)
Pain (5%)
Disorientation (<2%)
Constipation (5%)
Weight gain (4%)
Accidental injury (4%)
Abnormal thinking (2%)
Confusion (<7%)
Amnesia (<6%)
Vertigo (1-4%)
Hypoesthesia (2-3%)
Euphoria (2%)
Decreased libido (>1%)
Incoordination (2%)
Vomiting (1-3%)
Balance disorder (2-9%)
Myoclonus (4%)
Nasopharyngitis pain (1-3%)
Flu-like syndrome (1-2%)
<1
Addiction
Anemia
Diarrhea
Gynecomastia and breast enlargement
Epididymitis
Esophagitis
Dysmenorrhea
Dystonia
Heart failure
Hirsutism
Uveitis
Now regarding fibromyalgia I want you to know that it is a chronic pain condition and it needs a complete management from diet and lifestyle to compliance in medicines.Maintain proper sleep routines and keep the food journals. Slowly wean off caffeine, because abruptly stopping caffeine will increase fatigue and pain, headaches, anxiety, and sleep disturbance.avoid alcohol completely for 6 months minimum.No tobacco and no consumption of chemical-laden foods, refined sugars, white flour, aspartame, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).No rich carbohydrates.
A diet high in fresh vegetables, fish, and fiber. Green, leafy, and yellow vegetables is recommended.
Fruits such as citrus fruits, apples, berries, cantaloupe, and peaches may be preferred.
Antioxidants like Vitamins (eg, C, E), minerals (eg, selenium, zinc), and phytochemicals and vitamin D supplements will help.
Seek a rheumatologist for further management.

Following general principles help the sleep trouble reduce

Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than needed
Avoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleep
Avoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pm
Keep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothly
Do not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bed
Avoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtime
Do not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime either
Avoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remedies
Slow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or book
Avoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the night
Avoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself)
Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature
Exercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm)
Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleep
Cognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes
Sleep hygiene education
Cognitive therapy
Relaxation therapy
Stimulus-control therapy
Sleep-restriction therapy
Try Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues.
Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousal
Avoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the evening
Avoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying.
Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia.

I hope it helps.Don't forget to close the discussion please.
May the odds be ever in your favour
Regards
S Khan
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Is Taking Klonopin,Lorazepam And Lyrica Togther, Safe?

Brief Answer: Need management Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! Klonopin and lorazepam are from the same family and either one of them should be used as use of both potentiate the effects and sedation and may result in troubles the risk of falling during the daytime is one of them. Lyrica is pregabalin and it is fibromyalgia agent and analgesic so i would not say to stop it.It will help the fibromyalgia. And you are right about the memory lapses, too much sedation does that. Here is some other side effects of lyrica you requested. Dizziness (8-45%) Somnolence (4-36%) Peripheral edema (16%) Ataxia (1-20%) Fatigue (5-11%) Xerostomia (1-15%) Weight gain (16%) Tremor (11%) Blurred vision (1-12%) Diplopia (12%) 1-10% Asthenia (5%) Edema (8%) Facial edema (<3%) Hypotension (2%) Neuropathy (2-9%) Pain (5%) Disorientation (<2%) Constipation (5%) Weight gain (4%) Accidental injury (4%) Abnormal thinking (2%) Confusion (<7%) Amnesia (<6%) Vertigo (1-4%) Hypoesthesia (2-3%) Euphoria (2%) Decreased libido (>1%) Incoordination (2%) Vomiting (1-3%) Balance disorder (2-9%) Myoclonus (4%) Nasopharyngitis pain (1-3%) Flu-like syndrome (1-2%) <1 Addiction Anemia Diarrhea Gynecomastia and breast enlargement Epididymitis Esophagitis Dysmenorrhea Dystonia Heart failure Hirsutism Uveitis Now regarding fibromyalgia I want you to know that it is a chronic pain condition and it needs a complete management from diet and lifestyle to compliance in medicines.Maintain proper sleep routines and keep the food journals. Slowly wean off caffeine, because abruptly stopping caffeine will increase fatigue and pain, headaches, anxiety, and sleep disturbance.avoid alcohol completely for 6 months minimum.No tobacco and no consumption of chemical-laden foods, refined sugars, white flour, aspartame, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).No rich carbohydrates. A diet high in fresh vegetables, fish, and fiber. Green, leafy, and yellow vegetables is recommended. Fruits such as citrus fruits, apples, berries, cantaloupe, and peaches may be preferred. Antioxidants like Vitamins (eg, C, E), minerals (eg, selenium, zinc), and phytochemicals and vitamin D supplements will help. Seek a rheumatologist for further management. Following general principles help the sleep trouble reduce Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than needed Avoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleep Avoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pm Keep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothly Do not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bed Avoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtime Do not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime either Avoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remedies Slow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or book Avoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the night Avoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself) Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature Exercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm) Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleep Cognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes Sleep hygiene education Cognitive therapy Relaxation therapy Stimulus-control therapy Sleep-restriction therapy Try Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues. Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousal Avoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the evening Avoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying. Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia. I hope it helps.Don't forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour Regards S Khan