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Suggest Remedy For Sleeplessness While On Paroxetine And Lorazepam
Posted on
Fri, 4 Dec 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 4 Dec 2015
Answered on
Mon, 4 Jan 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I just moved to Prescott A month ago. I developed anxiety and went to urgent care. they gave me lorazepam 1 mg and said go to a doctor for a long term. Solution. I don't want to be addicted to medication so I have only taken a half pill about 5 times . 3 weeks ago I went to a doctor who gave me Paroxetine HCL 10 mg which I take just before bed. He said see him in 6 weeks. The anxiety seems to be a little better, but I am not sleeping at night. Lucky if I fall asleep by 6 am in the morning and get a couple of hours of sleep. I am exhausted.
I tried camomile tea and magnesium oxide tablet a few nights ago. I got more sleep that night, but the next day I was really depressed. I am scared, but I really need sleep, but don't want to become addicted.
What should I do? 6 weeks seems too long to see the doctor again. Any advice?
I tried camomile tea and magnesium oxide tablet a few nights ago. I got more sleep that night, but the next day I was really depressed. I am scared, but I really need sleep, but don't want to become addicted.
What should I do? 6 weeks seems too long to see the doctor again. Any advice?
Brief Answer:
Detailed Consultation and regular follow-up required
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to HCM
Thanks for your question.
You're right to be wary of Lorazepam -- if used in the long term it can be addicting and there can be withdrawal.
The proper treatment for anxiety is an antidepressant like Paroxetine, which it sounds you have already started. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the full effect of this to kick in, so in the meantime it is fine to continue taking lorazepam to help you sleep and deal with anxiety. I would reassess the need for Lorazepam when you see your doctor again in 6 weeks to see if it is still necessary at that time.
You might benefit from an increase in the Paroxetine to improve your sleep.
In the meantime, an over-the-counter solution is MELATONIN supplementation. Take 3mg 30 minutes before going to sleep; this dosage can be increased to as high as 10mg nightly if needed. This should help!
Regards
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your 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 (http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/psychiatry). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Detailed Consultation and regular follow-up required
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to HCM
Thanks for your question.
You're right to be wary of Lorazepam -- if used in the long term it can be addicting and there can be withdrawal.
The proper treatment for anxiety is an antidepressant like Paroxetine, which it sounds you have already started. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the full effect of this to kick in, so in the meantime it is fine to continue taking lorazepam to help you sleep and deal with anxiety. I would reassess the need for Lorazepam when you see your doctor again in 6 weeks to see if it is still necessary at that time.
You might benefit from an increase in the Paroxetine to improve your sleep.
In the meantime, an over-the-counter solution is MELATONIN supplementation. Take 3mg 30 minutes before going to sleep; this dosage can be increased to as high as 10mg nightly if needed. This should help!
Regards
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your 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 (http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/psychiatry). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you , Doctor.
Is it OK to take the lorazepam at the same time if I try melatonin? If so, how far apart between the two? (Especially since I am taking the paroxetine hcl just before bed.). I will keep you in mind if I need future advice.
By the way I moved here to Prescott, Az, from Staten Island a month ago. Wasn't planning on high anxiety and depression. My docs were at NYU. Just to say!
Have a good night.
Is it OK to take the lorazepam at the same time if I try melatonin? If so, how far apart between the two? (Especially since I am taking the paroxetine hcl just before bed.). I will keep you in mind if I need future advice.
By the way I moved here to Prescott, Az, from Staten Island a month ago. Wasn't planning on high anxiety and depression. My docs were at NYU. Just to say!
Have a good night.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
You're very welcome! I'm sorry you had to leave care at NYU, they're fantastic down there.
You can take lorazepam and melatonin together, yes. If you want to space them apart, I'd recommend taking melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime, and then take lorazepam as needed if you wake up, but not after 3AM as this will cause you to be too sleepy in the morning.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. I prefer this venue in which to work with you. It would be my pleasure to be your 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 (http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/psychiatry). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Followup
Detailed Answer:
You're very welcome! I'm sorry you had to leave care at NYU, they're fantastic down there.
You can take lorazepam and melatonin together, yes. If you want to space them apart, I'd recommend taking melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime, and then take lorazepam as needed if you wake up, but not after 3AM as this will cause you to be too sleepy in the morning.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. I prefer this venue in which to work with you. It would be my pleasure to be your 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 (http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/psychiatry). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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