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What Causes Persistent Anxiety Even After Ativan Usage?

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Posted on Fri, 2 Jan 2015
Question: Hi yes please, I suffer from anziety disorder and was taking 1 Ativan a day but was running out so I had some relanium 5mg from living in Poland earlier this year - I have had to take 5 over the last 8 hours and still feel panicked. I have some Ativan could I take one now or is it dangerous to mix, should I take another Relanium, the panic re the tablets is making me worse of course. I will go visit my doctor tomorrow when available.
I should also say that I was drinking yesterday for my birthday and this is the reason I am so bad today :-( I have also been to the toilet many times and sorry the 5 tablets is over the past 12 hours not 8. I have also had to travel from Poland to XXXXXXX today so all in all a lot happening.
Many thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is risky to mix the drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hi, XXXXXXX thanks for writing through HCM. I have read your query and understood your concerns.

You are taking Ativan for anxiety. Do you mean that you have taken 5 tablets of relanium in last 8 hours? If yes then taking more tablets would be risky.

You can not take ativan over these many tablets of relanium.

If it is a panic attack then it must resolve within 10 to 15 minutes and if it is continuing for more than 30 minutes then you have generalised anxiety disorder with comorbid panic attacks.

Breathing exercises will help in emergency basis for panic attacks. when you have severe panic attack you can sit at one place and take deep breaths for 3 seconds, hold for 3 seconds and then release in next 2 seconds. continuing these will resolve your panic attacks.

Another method is to start counting backwards from 100, when you will reach 50 and less your anxiety would have been reduced to a significant level.

Visit your doctor tomorrow and ask for antidepressant drugs because benzodiazepines won't help you much. You need drugs which alters chemicals in brain. drugs like paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram would be my first choice.

hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (26 minutes later)
Thank you doctor and yes I have anziety disorder - I take one Prozamel 20mg tablets per day but have not taken yesterday or today as I had left them at home - should I take one now - I am afraid to take anything after the Relanium but I will need to take another Relanium in a few hours I feel. That would be 6 tablets over 14 hours and hopefully I will sleep then - I just need to get through the evening before I can go to the doctor first thing tomorrow. Also when I wake tomorrow should I return to my Prozamel and half an Ativan as per normal and then just go to the doctor?
Many thanks
XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Alcohol makes things worse...

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.

You should avoid drinking alcohol, it makes the anxiety and depression worse.
Do not skip your dose of Prozac [that is Fluoxetine]. though it may not have affected your anxiety because it has higher half life of 3 to 6 days.

There is no need to take Prozac now, it won't affect your anxiety.
You need to divert your mind somewhere else b engaging into activities of your interest. You can listen to your favorite music, read books.

I can not suggest you to take another tablet of Relanium, practice the breathing exercise I have explained to you, It will be beneficial to you. Discuss the plan of management of anxiety after visiting your doctor. Do ask for antidepressant drugs I have suggested earlier, they will control your anxiety in a better way. Avoid alcohol and other drugs, it will make your anxiety worse.

You should return to your previous drug schedule before visiting your doctor.

Hope I have answered your query. if you have further query then I will be happy to help.

If you do not have further clarifications then close the discussion and rate the answer.

wish you good health.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ravi Soni

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 538 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Anxiety Even After Ativan Usage?

Brief Answer: It is risky to mix the drugs Detailed Answer: Hi, XXXXXXX thanks for writing through HCM. I have read your query and understood your concerns. You are taking Ativan for anxiety. Do you mean that you have taken 5 tablets of relanium in last 8 hours? If yes then taking more tablets would be risky. You can not take ativan over these many tablets of relanium. If it is a panic attack then it must resolve within 10 to 15 minutes and if it is continuing for more than 30 minutes then you have generalised anxiety disorder with comorbid panic attacks. Breathing exercises will help in emergency basis for panic attacks. when you have severe panic attack you can sit at one place and take deep breaths for 3 seconds, hold for 3 seconds and then release in next 2 seconds. continuing these will resolve your panic attacks. Another method is to start counting backwards from 100, when you will reach 50 and less your anxiety would have been reduced to a significant level. Visit your doctor tomorrow and ask for antidepressant drugs because benzodiazepines won't help you much. You need drugs which alters chemicals in brain. drugs like paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram would be my first choice. hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help. Wish you good health.