Mrs.

[shearn184]

I am 75 years old and take Restoril 30mg for sleep at night and have been taking Ativan 1mg along with the restoril about an hour or 30 minutes beforehand. I have noticed I have a rash under my armpits and experiencing itching on my neck and behind my ears on my head. Could this be caused by the Ativan? If so could I switch to Xanax .5mg and take with the Restoril. It seems I have to take a combination to be able to sleep. Thanks

[kirk8]

I think both of you guys could get a prescription for a steroid skin cream such as Triamcinolone .1%.  It's really good for rashes.  But in Shearn184's case, It really sounds like your problem could be solved by just switching to another  benzodiazepine.  

I wouldn't pacifically ask for Xanax.  Doctors hate it when we do their jobs for them.  I would just ask for an alternative to Ativan.  He may know of something that would work better for you.

Doctors do have to be careful when prescribing sleep medicine to seniors or those with pre existing conditions.  Some sleep medicine can lower heart or respiratory rate.  I think benzodiazepines, which many people think of as anxiety medicine, is often prescribed because there is less risk of complications.

[HarryWmG]

I stand corrected I'm only 67 and have severe sleep problems - on CPAP for life (or at least next 10 years). Skin cream is great for me to moisturize by ruff on skin and helps prevent rashes.

[kirk8]

I don't know why HarryWmG says taking sleep medicine is bad at your age.  It's pretty common for doctors to prescribe benzodiazepines to patients who are well into their 90's.  You're still a young buck.  

Rash is a rare side effect of Ativan.  As for Xanax, it is a different drug so you probably won't get a rash with it.  Only your doctor can make the decision to start you on it but I don't see a problem.

[HarryWmG]

Ms. Hearn taking sleep medicine is unadvisable at our age. Nutritious food is best sleep medicine taken in the morning when you rise with a spark of sunshine in your eyes. The purpose of sleep is to remove toxins accumulated in brain during last waking hours of the immediate day before. Hot (warm) bath at bedtime will ease one into restful sleep. The warmth of a mate in bed is also sleep enhancing. Give us some feedback.