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MedHelp Member's Question

Ativan (withdrawal) side effects - vivid dreams?

by wxguy1, Dec 15, 2006 12:00AM
I have been taking 1-1.5mg Ativan and 2 tablets of Benadryl to help me sleep (as advised by my doctor) for about 1 week.  The insomnia was due to anxiety.  I stopped two nights ago because I don't want to rely on the meds.  I was able to drift in and out of sleep for the last two nights but with several long, vivid dreams.  During the day, I feel kinda dizzy and seem out of it.  I was wondering if these conditions could be due to the withdrawal of Ativan.  With all these dreams, am I actually getting the 4-5 stages sleep?  p.s. I took some Restoril (for about 3 nights) before Ativan because it gave me heart palpitation.  Thanks for your comments.
Member Comments (8)

by Aruba417, Dec 15, 2006 12:00AM
I don't think it's withdrawal symptoms, I think it's a side effect. Because I get really vivid dreams that I believe comes from the Xanax I take every so often. As far as I know, Xanax is related to Ativan. So I bet you it's that. I was drving myself crazy for awhile because I couldn't quit dreaming, and it was actually causing me to be MORE tired in the morning because I didn't feel like I was getting enough sleep. And during the day I would think of something, and I didn't know if something had really happened, or if I had dreamed it. So I'm almost positive it's just a side effect.

by wxguy1, Dec 15, 2006 12:00AM
Thanks for your comment and sharing your experience.  I thought it might be withdrawal symptoms because I don't think I experienced it when taking Ativan (with Benadryl).  It's when I stopped taking them and falling asleep by myself that I had all these seemingly non-stop dreams.

by chcnme, Dec 15, 2006 12:00AM
To: wxguy
Hi wx and aruba!  Hope all the vivid dreaming has come to an end for both of you.  All of the drugs you two mentioned can cause some really vivid dream (nightmares in some cases - bad ones), and it can occur as a side effect or a withdrawal.  The Restoril can really cause some "doozies".  It should subside once you are used to the medication, and if it doesn't, tell your doc.  Hope you both rest well!

by wxguy1, Dec 17, 2006 12:00AM
Thanks for your comment.  Can the sleep aids also cause vertigo/dizziness?  I've been feeling it for the past week.  I wonder if it's something neurological and if I should get a MRI or CAT scan.

by chcnme, Dec 19, 2006 12:00AM
To: wxguy
Hi wxguy.  All the medications you mentioned can cause vertigo / dizziness.  (It should have that warning on the label or with the drug information sheet that the pharmacist gave it you - or should have given you.)  A new onset of dizzy spells while taking any of the medications you have mentioned (or dizziness while withdrawing from them) would not warrant further workup by a neurologist for dizziness.  You should, however, tell the doctor who prescribed the medicine that you are now dizzy.  Don't drive or operate machinery if this medicine is making your dizzy.

by trouble1234, Oct 12, 2007 05:17PM
I found some more information on Ativan:  
http://www.kosmix.com/Health/ativan-s

by Rich211, Dec 12, 2007 04:33PM
To: everyone
It is some what of a relief to know that I'm not the only one. My doctor never advised me about the vivid dreams/nightmares I may experience while using Ativan. The dreams seem so real, And I too have the feeling of being really tired in the morning from the dreams. For me, the dreams seemed to come on as I was trying to stop using the Ativan. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences.  

by anxietyqueen102476, Jan 22, 2008 11:46PM
To: wxguy
Ativan is a wonderful drug for anxiety and insomnia as well as panic attacks, and I can tell you first hand that a major side effect of withdrawl is dizziness and insomnia.  Ativan is a very addictive drug and should not be discontinued abruptly, 1-1.5mg is a very large starting dose, especially with the benadryl, I am shocked your doc would prescribe that much with that combination, so of course its a withdrawl effect you are feeling, try taking 1mg, then break them in half to make 0.5mg and taper slowly, you wull feel much better that way.  Good Luck
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