Weird reaction to ativan

[McMillan]

I'm not sure if this happened because it was wearing off or what but my ear drum was spazzing out!

The best way I can describe it - It's like a sup-woofer speaker going in and out with the beat of the music, only rapidly.

Maybe my brain can't take the Benzo's or maybe just Ativan?

I was first prescribed Klonopin but my doctor talked me into Ativan.

[ecotec83]

Does the sound occur in both ears? I'd almost think that maybe your blood pressure is being raised the the ativan(hypertension) and your heart beat is causing the sound.

[meyaj]

My guess is that it's completely unrelated, probably just a bit of built up pressure in your inner ear. Do you have a cold or anything?

If you find that it's a repeatable effect every time you take the Ativan, then I'd worry about getting it checked out.

Edit: Actually, you may be experiencing rebound anxiety in the form of some weird heart palpitations or something (no need for actual hypertension.) Going from clonazepam to a much shorter-acting benzo could definitely be responsible for this if you've been taking it for a while.

[McMillan]

I think I can safely say it wasn't my heartbeat. It only happened in my left ear.

I could literally feel my eardrum going in and out rapidly. It's a very weird feeling. It has to be the medication as it's never happened before or since.

If this is the medication would Klonopin also have a similar effect?

I prescribed this to take it strictly when needed, not daily. Situational anxiety. Which is pretty strong. So I need something.

[meyaj]

Originally Posted by McMillan

I could literally feel my eardrum going in and out rapidly. It's a very weird feeling. It has to be the medication as it's never happened before or since.

Well then it could just have been a coincidence. If it happens again next time you take ativan, then you've probably got a good reason to connect the two.

[McMillan]

My doctor is trying to talk me into taking a long-term (daily) anxiety medication to replace my situational Benzo.

She's brought up Zoloft and Lexapro. SSRI's scare the **** out of me, though.

[meyaj]

Originally Posted by McMillan

She's brought up Zoloft and Lexapro. SSRI's scare the **** out of me, though.

Those are the two most effective/well-tolerated SSRIs available, she made some good recommendations.

Although I think it's unlikely that it's going to do much for your anxiety, it does help some people, and should be tried. What makes you so scared of them?

[McMillan]

What makes me afraid to take an SSRI are the side-effects

-Weight gain
-Withdrawal brain zaps

Though, this is just what I've gathered on the internet so maybe I'm scaring myself for no good reason.

In your opinion, I have ADHD-I (Adderall XR) and Social Phobia, what would you recommend as far as an SSRI goes in conjunction to my ADHD medication; Zoloft or Lexapro?

[meyaj]

Originally Posted by McMillan

What makes me afraid to take an SSRI are the side-effects

-Weight gain
-Withdrawal brain zaps

Though, this is just what I've gathered on the internet so maybe I'm scaring myself for no good reason.

In your opinion, I have ADHD-I (Adderall XR) and Social Phobia, what would you recommend as far as an SSRI goes in conjunction to my ADHD medication; Zoloft or Lexapro?

SSRIs aren't too bad for weight gain, it's pretty uncommon. The antipsychotics and Remeron are really the drugs to stay away from if that's what you're concerned about. The fact that you're on a stimulant at the same time should more than compensate.

The brain zaps do suck hard, I'm dealing with them right now tapering from a tricyclic, which, along with the SNRIs, are way worse for brain zaps. With SSRIs, a lot of people don't even get them, and for those who do it's often pretty mild (Paxil seems to be a bad offender though.) The brain zaps do not last too long though and, in my opinion, aren't too high a price to pay for the potential to overcome your problems.

I have ADHD-I and Social Phobia too, and honestly I haven't found the right combination yet so I can't speak from experience as to which works best, but while I found Zoloft really easy to tolerate, I had absolutely no negative side effects at all from Lexapro (max dose), so I would recommend that as a first choice. From a pharmacological point of view, I don't think one is more likely to interact negatively with Adderall than the other.

[McMillan]

My social phobia got worse over the years because I didn't get it treated. I was embarrassed but now I'm paying for it.

This is a bad combo to have. AHDH-I, when it went untreated, made my anxiety/phobia worse.

Hmm, I wonder how I'd react to a Adderall XR/Lexapro combo.

[McMillan]

This is also a concern (from their website)

What is serotonin syndrome?
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that may occur in treatment with SNRIs and SSRIs, including Zoloft, particularly when taken along with another drug that increases serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, trouble thinking clearly, a change in mental functioning, sleepiness, or change in your breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure. You should stop taking Zoloft and consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

[ecotec83]

Originally Posted by McMillan

This is also a concern (from their website)

What is serotonin syndrome?
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that may occur in treatment with SNRIs and SSRIs, including Zoloft, particularly when taken along with another drug that increases serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, trouble thinking clearly, a change in mental functioning, sleepiness, or change in your breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure. You should stop taking Zoloft and consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

I don't think that is a very common problem but i would speak to your doctor if your really concerned. The main causes of serotonin syndrome are taking 2 drugs that increase serotonin, two drugs that react to one another or taking migraine medications like tryptans. A competant doctor will be able to properly prescribe ssri's and advise you of any potential risks.