Ativan making anxiety worse??

[neptune93]

I tapered of ativan because I felt like it was making me like the energizer bunny. I would start reading a book, 15 min later do dishes, 20 min later go on a run, 10 minutes into the run get tired of it, go inside watch a tv show for 10 min, then do something else. I couldn't focus on one damn thing at a time. Well I refilled the prescription and I felt great yesterday and the day before but now I actually feel more anxious. Not exactly anxiety per se, but almost like an agitation that makes me on edge, makes me worry more. I function better. Showering, cleaning, not daydreaming all day or dissociating. But I just hate the rotten feeling of agitation and not being able to relax. Would a longer acting benzo help? Such as klonipin. This was the same thing I experienced on xanax except no agitation but more energizer bunny and 15 incremental sessions all day. But this time I keep worrying, I can't be patient, little things annoy me. I'm getting frustrated even thinking about thinking about it.

[jt07]

I never had that experience with Ativan making anxiety worse, but every med can have something called a paradoxical reaction in some people.

[BrianOCD]

How long were you on the Ativan for having these issues?

I noticed it gives me a bit of a boost at first, then over a few weeks kind of levels out, makes me more sleepy/sedated...

[RisingRayne]

Ativan can definitively affect people differently. I would be hesitant personally if I were you to try Klonopin because you could suffer for much longer. Those medications, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin are not first line generally for anxiety. Have you tried SSRI's or SNRI's or even Vistaril/Atarax/hydroxyine? The SSRI/SNRIs are for prevention of anxiety as a whole, Vistaril/Atarax/hydroxyzine are used for short term relief. 

Propranolol, a beta blocker, non-stimulating, can help decrease physical manifestations of anxiety (facial flushing, racing heart beat, twitching). It also is used for performance anxiety (speech giving, test taking). It can make you drowsy at first and has the potential to worsen existing depression since the medication is lipophillic can can cross the blood brain barrier (FYI if you like dets). It is taken 20 to 40 min before anticipation of anxiety inducing event. It is also good for comorbid migraines. It should NOT be used in those with a history of asthma.

People with a diagnosis of PTSD can also have atypical reactions to benzodiazepines (Ativan/Xanax, Klonopin), including increased agitation/anger.

Do you have the same reaction with alcohol or Benadryl? (It works on the same receptor as alcohol and as for the Benadryl, I just ask out of curiosity. 

I wanted to help introduce you to some other therapeutic medications used under the same umbrella of anxiety treatment. The other ones I listed are nonaddictive. SSRI/SNRIs are stimulatory in the first week or two for most people. If you have a history of mania, you should NOT use them (unless under very close supervision) because it can trigger mania and severe insomnia.

Best wishes! As long as you stay positive and patient with finding the right regimen with your doctor, you will get through this just fine. 

 

V/R,

 

RR

 

Edited June 18, 2018 by RisingRayne