Started Shaking With Increased Heart Rate. Feeling Cold And Suffocated. Taking Ciplar And Lonazip. Worrisome

Posted on Fri, 12 Apr 2013

Question: my mother started shaking suddenly. the shake started from legs and reached her brain. Her eyes were also open. She was feeling increase in heart rate and lost conscious for a few moments. she was feeling suffocated also. Moreover she claims that whenever she tosses from one side to other side in the bed at night she feels shiver in her body. we have consulted one doctor he told this is a panic attack and given two medicines ie. Ciplar LA 40 and Lonazip 0.5. Also one medicine Lonazip MD 0.5 when same type of attack will come in the future. Please explain me about this disease and also about these medicines. What are the effects and side effects of these medicines. I m very worried about my mother.

Answered by Dr. Polash Sannigrahi (1 hour later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Panic attack is a condition characterised by sudden episodes of fear or apprehension in an individual.
It can be due to stress or emotional factors, any abnormality in blood pressure or blood sugar levels, chronic illness, lack of certain essential nutrients in diet, exposure to any phobic situation, etc.

Regarding the medications:

1.Ciplar LA 40 is pharmacologically Propanolol, an anti hypertensive medication also used to treat anxiety & panic.
Side effect include: nausea, hypotension, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, etc.

2. Lonazip 0.5 is pharmacologically Clonazepam, an anxiolytic medication (reduces anxiety)
Side effects include: drowsiness, confusion, loss of memory & motor function, etc on long term usage.

So, the medicines prescribed by her Doctor are correct, please continue them as advised.
However, if symptoms still persist, then kindly consult the treating Doctor or a Neurologist for further management.

There is no need to worry, your mother will be fine.
Make sure that she is not taking any stress, maintaining adequate hydration & having a nutritious balanced diet.

Wishing her a Good Health.

Let me know if I need to clarify further.

Thanks & take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Polash Sannigrahi (13 minutes later)

thank you doctor for your detailed explanation. But can you further suggest about balanced diet. ie what she can take in breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Answered by Dr. Polash Sannigrahi (19 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for your follow up query.

The diet should include the following things:
1. Lots of fruits & vegetables
2. Avoid high carbohydrate & high fat foods
3. Milk & milk products to be consumed regularly
4. Multivitamin & multimineral supplements can also be taken such as Vit D, Vit B12, calcium, etc
5. If she takes non-veg diet, then fish & fish oils can be taken.
6. Also include foods XXXXXXX in antioxidants like nuts.

Hope I have been able to answer your query.

Please let me know if you have any further queries.

Regards,

Dr. Polash Sannigrahi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar