Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Insomnia, Flushing Sensation In Face And Upper Body?
Posted on
Sun, 22 Mar 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 22 Mar 2015
Answered on
Tue, 14 Apr 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : have been taking 1 mg. of ativan for 2 months for insomnia,it does help but somtimes i feel heat,like a flushing sensation in my face and upper body,can you explain this. starting to taper off now,pschychiatrist says this is a low dose and will not be hard to taper off,thnx for your response
Brief Answer:
Ativan can cause flushing, 1 mg is easy to taper off
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.
Yes lorazepam (ativan) can cause flushing and heat like sensation. I have not get such side effect in any patients of mine but data suggests that it is side effect of lorazepam in 1% of the patients. Specifically in people with high blood cholesterol, high density lipoprotein(HDL) decreased, low density lipoprotein(LDL) increased, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia.
Your psychiatrist is right that 1 mg daily dose is not high. You can stop by taking half tablet(0.5 mg) for 2 weeks with simultaneously applying some measures called sleep hygiene.You can find the same in below mentioned link.
sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene
Hope i have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Ativan can cause flushing, 1 mg is easy to taper off
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us.
Yes lorazepam (ativan) can cause flushing and heat like sensation. I have not get such side effect in any patients of mine but data suggests that it is side effect of lorazepam in 1% of the patients. Specifically in people with high blood cholesterol, high density lipoprotein(HDL) decreased, low density lipoprotein(LDL) increased, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia.
Your psychiatrist is right that 1 mg daily dose is not high. You can stop by taking half tablet(0.5 mg) for 2 weeks with simultaneously applying some measures called sleep hygiene.You can find the same in below mentioned link.
sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene
Hope i have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
when i am down to .5 ativan can i start trying some natural supplements at night like valerian to help me continue to get to sleep,thnx XXXXXXX
also how long will it take for the ativan to be completely out of my body,do you think i will have withdrawal symptoms,thnx XXXXXXX
also how long will it take for the ativan to be completely out of my body,do you think i will have withdrawal symptoms,thnx XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
you can take natural supplements after stopping ativan
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
You can take supplement like valerian. But inform your doctor that you are going to take. As it may add to sedative effect of ativan and can cause more sedation.In my opinion if you feel sleep disturbance after completely stopping ativan, you can take such supplement initially.And it should be avoided in persons who are allergic to it or with liver problem.
As you have taken for 2 months,it will be cleared from body maximum within 3-5 days and not detectable after that in urine drug test. However it can be detected in hair follicle testing up to 90 days.
Considering your dose and duration there is least chances of withdrawal. And if you will stop by tapering gradually there will be no significant withdrawal at all. May be initially for 2-3 days you have some sleep discomfort. But that even can be curtailed by 'Sleep Hygiene' as I mentioned earlier.
Hope this answers your query, feel free to ask if you have any question yet.
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
you can take natural supplements after stopping ativan
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
You can take supplement like valerian. But inform your doctor that you are going to take. As it may add to sedative effect of ativan and can cause more sedation.In my opinion if you feel sleep disturbance after completely stopping ativan, you can take such supplement initially.And it should be avoided in persons who are allergic to it or with liver problem.
As you have taken for 2 months,it will be cleared from body maximum within 3-5 days and not detectable after that in urine drug test. However it can be detected in hair follicle testing up to 90 days.
Considering your dose and duration there is least chances of withdrawal. And if you will stop by tapering gradually there will be no significant withdrawal at all. May be initially for 2-3 days you have some sleep discomfort. But that even can be curtailed by 'Sleep Hygiene' as I mentioned earlier.
Hope this answers your query, feel free to ask if you have any question yet.
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i often get this heat sensation and flushing when i lie down to go to sleep. these symptoms only started after i started ativan. my blood pressure is not high,dr always measures it when i see him regularly and he says it's very good, also cholesterol is not high. so i am hoping that these hot sensations go away when the ativan is out of my system. do you think this will be the case? thnx for your responses. XXXXXXX ps i have always been an excellent sleeper,this is my first ever experience with insomnia.it started with some anxiety which i have talked with a therapist about. although the ativan got me to sleep , i became a little nervous that i would become habituated to sleeping only with the ativan. thnx again XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
yes your side effect will go away, no possibility of habituation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Your physical examination is fine. Your problem of flushing has been started only after taking ativan. This suggests that your hot sensation will go away after stopping the ativan.
1 mg dose for 2 months is not likely to cause dependance if you have taken under medical suprvision.You will not be habituated.No need to worry. Just taper it off slowly with other measures as described above.
Hope I have answered your query. If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback so I can improve service. In future you can contact me directly if you wish on this site with this link: http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
yes your side effect will go away, no possibility of habituation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Your physical examination is fine. Your problem of flushing has been started only after taking ativan. This suggests that your hot sensation will go away after stopping the ativan.
1 mg dose for 2 months is not likely to cause dependance if you have taken under medical suprvision.You will not be habituated.No need to worry. Just taper it off slowly with other measures as described above.
Hope I have answered your query. If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback so I can improve service. In future you can contact me directly if you wish on this site with this link: http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi dr. I just have one more question,the psychiatrist that I have been seeing,is the same one that prescribed the Ativan. one month ago we tried lunesta and ambien,both drugs gave me one hour of sleep and made me very dizzy,so we went back to the Ativan.then we tried mitrazapan[remeron] I tried it for 4 days but also became incredibly dizzy,so she took me off and we went back to Ativan. i.m also seeing a naturopath who I told the psychiatrist about.she has prescribed some vitamins and nutritional supplements. the psyghiatrist has said that she doesn.t think I am depressed but that in order to restore my sleep architecture I should go on lexipro. after she told me about this drug [that I would have to stay on it for one year and certain other side effects] I felt I didn't want to go that route. do you think there are other routes to 'sleep architecture',thnx XXXXXXX ps I am 67 years of age and have never been on an anti depressant before.
I didn't get an answer to my latest question XXXXXXX
I didn't get an answer to my latest question XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
treatment depends on diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for more question.Sorry for delayed response.
Insomnia are of two types.
Primary insomnia: No other physical or psychiatric problem and only problem of sleep disturbance. In this treatment foe sleep disturbance is to be done.Drug from benzodiazepine group like ativan would help.
Secondary Insomnia: Sleep disturbance is secondary to some physical or psychiatric problem. In this treatment of underlying problem is the mainstay of the treatment. Benzo can be given for short time.
In both situation Sleep Hygiene should be followed.
If your diagnosis is only primary insomnia,ativan is helpful. Considering your age ativan 1 mg for long term would not cause any harm by chance if you need to take.After 15-20 years of long term use benzo can cause cognitive disturbance.
If you have confirmed diagnosis of depression Lexapro will sure help as insomnia is a part of depression symptoms.For diagnosis of depression detail history and mental status examination by psychiatrist is required.
Ativan should be continued or not(in minimum possible dose of 0.5 mg) depends on severity of your insomnia and diagnosis of insomnia type.
Regards and wish you good health.
treatment depends on diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for more question.Sorry for delayed response.
Insomnia are of two types.
Primary insomnia: No other physical or psychiatric problem and only problem of sleep disturbance. In this treatment foe sleep disturbance is to be done.Drug from benzodiazepine group like ativan would help.
Secondary Insomnia: Sleep disturbance is secondary to some physical or psychiatric problem. In this treatment of underlying problem is the mainstay of the treatment. Benzo can be given for short time.
In both situation Sleep Hygiene should be followed.
If your diagnosis is only primary insomnia,ativan is helpful. Considering your age ativan 1 mg for long term would not cause any harm by chance if you need to take.After 15-20 years of long term use benzo can cause cognitive disturbance.
If you have confirmed diagnosis of depression Lexapro will sure help as insomnia is a part of depression symptoms.For diagnosis of depression detail history and mental status examination by psychiatrist is required.
Ativan should be continued or not(in minimum possible dose of 0.5 mg) depends on severity of your insomnia and diagnosis of insomnia type.
Regards and wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
THE PSCHYIATRIST TOLD ME THAT LEXIPRO MAKES YOUR SEX DRIVE PRCTICALLY DOWN TO NOTHING,THIS SIDE EFFECT REALLY BOTHERS ME,I HAVE NOT STARTED THE DRUG FOR THAT REASON,PLUS I AM NOT DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION. IS IT YOUR OPINION THAT LEXIPRO,COMPLETELY DIMINISHES SEX DRIVE,THNX XXXXXXX I DONT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY SHE SUGGESTS LEXIPRO,AREN'T THERE OTHERS WHICH DONT BOTHER THE SEX DRIVE?
Brief Answer:
if no depression, no need of lexapro
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and sorry for delayed response.
Yes lexapro can affect sex life.But it is not in all patients always and it is also not like that sex drive will be no more.Incidence rate of sexual dysfunction due to escitalopram varies from 5 to 15%.
As you do not have diagnosis of depression, in my opinion no need of lexapro. It is an anti depressant and specifically useful in depression and anxiety disorder.
If you diagnosis is pure primary insomnia benzodiazepine would be drug of choice or Z group of drugs like zolpidem or eszopiclone can be used.
Bupropion is the anti depressant drug which do not cause sexual dysfunction.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care.
Http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
if no depression, no need of lexapro
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and sorry for delayed response.
Yes lexapro can affect sex life.But it is not in all patients always and it is also not like that sex drive will be no more.Incidence rate of sexual dysfunction due to escitalopram varies from 5 to 15%.
As you do not have diagnosis of depression, in my opinion no need of lexapro. It is an anti depressant and specifically useful in depression and anxiety disorder.
If you diagnosis is pure primary insomnia benzodiazepine would be drug of choice or Z group of drugs like zolpidem or eszopiclone can be used.
Bupropion is the anti depressant drug which do not cause sexual dysfunction.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care.
Http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
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
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
