I was prescribed fisrt Valium, then Adivan, for anxiety. But, neither pill is helping me. I seem more agitated when taking them, and I have been dealing with severe depression. Is there any recommendation ? I was wondering if this medicine was just having a reverse reaction with me, and I should ask if this could be considered common ?
I have taken, first Valium, then Adivan, for anxiety, but it seems they just cause more agitation, and depression.I have told my doctor, but she seems to be stuck, or not really care.
Is there any other medicine that could help? or, am I just having a reverse reaction ? I have been taking these meds off and on for two years, and I’m really at the end of my rope.
Answer:
Actually, reports of this exist, but it’s relatively rare-it’s called Benzodiazepine-Induced Disinhibition. The quote from Wikipedia (a good reference source where I looked up half life info on the various benzos) regarding paradoxical reactions to Valium bears repeating:
Rare paradoxical side effects can include: nervousness, irritability, insomnia, muscle cramps, and in extreme cases, rage, and violence.[23][24][25] If these side effects are present, diazepam treatment should be immediately terminated.
One thing I would encourage checking first, however, is the possibility of withdrawal reactions, which can occur between doses if you take them on a relatively frequent schedule. It’s more common in benzo’s with a short half-life like xanax. Ativan has a short to medium half life whereas Valium has a longer half life.
If you’d like further info, check the following reference r suggest your doc do the same:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam
I take quetiapine for depression and thoughts. I also have anxiety. Quetiapine, for me was a true saver. It calms everything down without making you feel too drowsy.
Since the Ativan and Valium are not helping you need to call the doc and let him know. He cannot read your mind and therefore has NO CLUE that meds are not working for you. Call tomorrow and report this to him.
Try regular exercise and an absorbing hobby, like knitting.
If you take a half hour walk twice a day, and then start bicycling or roller skating, it may help you to cope a little better.
I recommend knitting as a hobby because I have a friend who was able to give up Ativan after she took up knitting, because she got so calm and happy from doing it.
Actually, reports of this exist, but it’s relatively rare-it’s called Benzodiazepine-Induced Disinhibition. The quote from Wikipedia (a good reference source where I looked up half life info on the various benzos) regarding paradoxical reactions to Valium bears repeating:
Rare paradoxical side effects can include: nervousness, irritability, insomnia, muscle cramps, and in extreme cases, rage, and violence.[23][24][25] If these side effects are present, diazepam treatment should be immediately terminated.
One thing I would encourage checking first, however, is the possibility of withdrawal reactions, which can occur between doses if you take them on a relatively frequent schedule. It’s more common in benzo’s with a short half-life like xanax. Ativan has a short to medium half life whereas Valium has a longer half life.
If you’d like further info, check the following reference r suggest your doc do the same:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam
It sounds like you could be suffering a paradoxal effect from these particular medications. That happened to me when I took Klonopin. I would suggest asking about Xanax. It is the only medication I have used for anxiety that has not caused me any negative side effects and it is very effective in relieving anxiety when given in the right dosage.
Everyone is different. Therefore everyone can react differently to various medications. I cannot take SSRI’s because I get negative side effects and some of them even make my depression and feelings of agitation worse. They have labeled me “treatment resistant”. All I can suggest is to keep trying until you find the right one for you…