Question:
> Lots of rest might be achieved by Zyprexa, which >here in the AMC it is also given to psychotic patients who haven’t >slept for days sometimes even a week to induce good sleep, to be replaced >later with another Antipsychotic (probably because of the high price).
Thanks again, I’ll check into the Zyprexa. It’s so frustrating getting the right combo. In the mean time, she just is suffering so much from the depression, axiety, lack of sleep and with the depakote the tremor is a big bother.
Response:
>Depakote in combination with Benzo’s like Diazepam (Valium) is a definite >No-No! It may precipitate psychotic episodes, which may include agitation >and extreme insomnia. Risperidal might work for extreme sleeping disorders >but Zyprexa (Olanzapine) will do the job even better. Paxil also may act- >ually worsen sleep disorders and agitation.
Thanks for the info. I’ll have to bring this up with the Doc. Are there any Benzo’s they do prescribe with Depakote? I thought Paxil is a sedating antidepressant and would help with sleep and panic disorder. At this point, she just needs a LOT of rest. If this combo is causing all these psychotic episodes, I’ll definitely have to ask her doctor about a possible change.
Response:
DE DIGITALE STAD Op Mon, 11 Jan 1999, Bill schreef: >Depakote in combination with Benzo’s like Diazepam (Valium) is a definite >No-No! It may precipitate psychotic episodes, which may include agitation >and extreme insomnia. Risperidal might work for extreme sleeping disorders >but Zyprexa (Olanzapine) will do the job even better. Paxil also may act- >ually worsen sleep disorders and agitation. > Thanks for the info. I’ll have to bring this up with the Doc. Are > there any Benzo’s they do prescribe with Depakote? I thought Paxil is
Well, it’s still done, but it’s definitely not advisable. It might be that some of the new BZD-like drugs that are in testing phase now prove to lack this side effect in combination with Depakote, as they are not stronger bound to their receptor in the presence of GABA and don’t have potentiating effect on alcohol and lack the attribute of creating tolerance. I do not believe any of these substances is on the market anywhere, yet, though. (I am talking about Substances like Zoldipem and Aldipem) Aldipem was on the market, but has been withdrawn from the market for its toxicity. So we still have to wait for better medications to come… > a sedating antidepressant and would help with sleep and panic > disorder. At this point, she just needs a LOT of rest. If this combo > is causing all these psychotic episodes, I’ll definitely have to ask > her doctor about a possible change.
Paroxetine (Paxil) like all SSRI’s is regarded as a slightly stimulating Antidepressant. But it can help very well with panic disorder, the most effective ADs for panic disorder still would be MAOIs or the more modern (less side effects) Reversible Inhibitors of MAO-A (RIMAs like Moclobemide), yet they might be slightly less efficient in treating Panic Disorder, too, this is not well established, though. It’s very likely, that if she’s experiencing psychotic episodes, this combo is causing it. Lots of rest might be achieved by Zyprexa, which here in the AMC it is also given to psychotic patients who haven’t slept for days sometimes even a week to induce good sleep, to be replaced later with another Antipsychotic (probably because of the high price). GreetinX X X Bas
Response:
Ay! >My friend was currently admitted to the hospital for a potential >overdose (possible suicide). She was released in 3 days and put on >Depakote, Risperdal, Paxil, Elavil, Ambien. She also had some >Valium’s which was prescribed to her before.
Depakote in combination with Benzo’s like Diazepam (Valium) is a definite No-No! It may precipitate psychotic episodes, which may include agitation and extreme insomnia. Risperidal might work for extreme sleeping disorders but Zyprexa (Olanzapine) will do the job even better. Paxil also may act- ually worsen sleep disorders and agitation. >Her symptoms prior to admission to the hospital was irritability and >extreme insomnia. She could never sleep even though she tried. >Recently I found out from her that she’s had suicidal thoughts a lot >and admitted she tried to overdose herself that day she was taken to >the hospital.
Bummer! These might be benzo withdrawal symptoms! >She was taking Depakote before the hospitalization. She never had >depression so severe where she thought about suicide. Could it be >the Depakote she’s been taking for 3 months? Or is it the Valium 10 >mgs she’s been taking (she is definitely addicted to Valium and took >100 tabs in 2 weeks!) Could that be adding to her severe depression? >I know the Doc didn’t prescribe taking 5-6 Valium 10 mg per day!
Ah, this might clear up the image. As I said before, Depakote (Valproic Acid) associated with BDZs may precipitate psychotic episodes. Further- more benzo’s, especially in high doses, will initially cause euphoria, anxiolytic effect, and sedative/hypnotic effects (drowsiness). Large doses especially will produce dependence and tolerance even to the point where taking more will not stop the withdrawal symptoms. Prominent symptoms of withdrawal include excess sensitivity to light and sound, insomnia, tachycardia, mild systolic hypertension, tremor, sweating, abdominal distress, headaches, dysphory, depersonalization, intense sense of fear, agitation and lethargy. Especially note dysphoria, insomnia and agitation in this row of withdrawl symptoms, because these are exactly the symptoms you are describing as her main problems. So BDZ addiction might well be her biggest problem, adding more meds will definitely not do the trick, she’ll need to be weaned of on valium. The most important thing is she herself recognizes the Benzo’s actually ARE the problem. >Can Benzodiazpine abuse cause severe depression? If they try to wean
BDZ addiction can cause severe depression, just like Alcohol abuse can! >her off the Valium, will that not make her more agitated and less >likely to sleep? She’s already taking so many meds. The Depakote, >paxil, risperdal, elavil and ambien should be helping her sleep but it >doesn’t always do the trick. Then she starts adding all those Valiums.
Initially the symptoms will come worse weaning of of BDZs is highly un- pleasant. But if nothing is done, the next attempt might just succeed… Just stopping at once with such high dose of Valium might cause delirium and convulsions, so stopping cold turkey is probably not a good idea. Valium is definitely not worth being addicted to! Being hospitalized during the weaning of process is probably the best idea, but she might be able to do it herself. Again, most important thing is she’ll start to realize her BDZ-addiction IS the problem and not the answer! If she realizes this she might be strong enough to wean of the Valium all by herself, but it will not be easy… GreetinX & Lotsa good luck for your friend! She’ll need it! X X Bas! DE DIGITALE STAD
Response:
My friend was currently admitted to the hospital for a potential overdose (possible suicide). She was released in 3 days and put on Depakote, Risperdal, Paxil, Elavil, Ambien. She also had some Valium’s which was prescribed to her before. Her symptoms prior to admission to the hospital was irritability and extreme insomnia. She could never sleep even though she tried. Recently I found out from her that she’s had suicidal thoughts a lot and admitted she tried to overdose herself that day she was taken to the hospital. She was taking Depakote before the hospitalization. She never had depression so severe where she thought about suicide. Could it be the Depakote she’s been taking for 3 months? Or is it the Valium 10 mgs she’s been taking (she is definitely addicted to Valium and took 100 tabs in 2 weeks!) Could that be adding to her severe depression? I know the Doc didn’t prescribe taking 5-6 Valium 10 mg per day! Can Benzodiazpine abuse cause severe depression? If they try to wean her off the Valium, will that not make her more agitated and less likely to sleep? She’s already taking so many meds. The Depakote, paxil, risperdal, elavil and ambien should be helping her sleep but it doesn’t always do the trick. Then she starts adding all those Valiums.
Response:
snipped… >If they try to wean her off the Valium, will that not make her more
agitated and less likely to sleep? She’s already taking so many meds. The Depakote, paxil, risperdal, elavil and ambien should be helping her sleep but it doesn’t always do the trick. Then she starts adding all those Valiums. Hi Bill, Valium can cause fatigue, ataxia, respiratory depression, paradoxical anxiety and somnolence. If she is abusing the drug abrupt cessation will result in withdrawal symptoms. She needs to taper off of Valium and be in a detox facility for at least 3 days. Do her doctors know she is abusing the Valium?? This is important information. Best of luck finding her the approriate help she needs. Peace, — —– … Something Deep!
Response:
>Do her doctors know she is abusing the Valium?? This is important >information.
No. I’d like to say something but I don’t want to get her admitted to the hospital again. She wouldn’t be able to make it this time. I wonder if we can work something out with the doc and have her take less at home but monitor her.
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