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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

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Posted on Sat, 7 Jun 2014
Question: I have took ativan for help with insomnia, starting in 2008, last year used it very little. Had a severe panic attack this January went to emergency room, I talked about dying so they put me in the psych ward. Since I got out I have been taking mirtazapine, first 15mg, changed to 30 2 weeks ago. I also took 1mg Ativan for sleep and .5 in the morning. I was down to .5 for sleep in April and sometimes in morning. I had some server anxiety in mid April so I went back to 1mg for sleep and .5 in morning, but now have build up tolerance, having severe anxiety, server gastro problems, had endoscopy and colonoscopy friday, I have hiatal hernia, GERD, now bleeding internal hemorrhoids. I'm at my wits end don't know what to do, called my psychiatrist last Monday, never called me back. I took 1.5mg last night just to get a nights sleep. Don't know what to do, I was on Lexipro/escitaprolam until last year it quit working so I stopped taking it. restarted in January without ativan, that's what panic attack in january, insomnia for 8 days
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Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can take paroxetine and start JPMR

Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.

I think, you have generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks. In that case, you need both medication and psychotherapy. In medication, along with mirtazapine, you can try paroxetine. It is a antidepressant and has very good effect on anxiety disorder. You have been also taking ativan, which contains lorazepam. It has high addictive and tolerance potential. Better to take it on sos basis rather than daily intake. You can also try some relaxation exercise like JPMR or deep breathing exercise, that would help to control anxiety in control.

In case, you have any more query, you can ask.

Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

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

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2496 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia

Brief Answer: Can take paroxetine and start JPMR Detailed Answer: HI Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query. I think, you have generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks. In that case, you need both medication and psychotherapy. In medication, along with mirtazapine, you can try paroxetine. It is a antidepressant and has very good effect on anxiety disorder. You have been also taking ativan, which contains lorazepam. It has high addictive and tolerance potential. Better to take it on sos basis rather than daily intake. You can also try some relaxation exercise like JPMR or deep breathing exercise, that would help to control anxiety in control. In case, you have any more query, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist