Swiching from Lorazepam to Xanax effects while in the process of leveling the hormons

[adina550]

Dear All,
I did convince my doct or to do a panel test in 2 weeks. My last TSH value this last week was 1.3 however the withdrawl effects from Lorazepam were so hard to endure so I went a few days to my doc when I was feeling very restless and discuss the crossover to Xanax which I used to take it very little after the menopause started a few years ago.  She gave the equivalent of Lorazepam to Xanax 0.25 mg 3 times a day.  With Lorazepam I was at 1.75mg but suffering from withdrawl. The equivalency is 0.5 mg Xanax = 1 mg Lorazepam. I've been taking Xanax for 4 days but I'm experiencing increased depression and this scares me since I didn't expect this but I think that the withdrawl from Lorazepam and swiching to Xanax and hormons not being leveled yet might contribute to this.

Does anyoen have experience in this regard?

Thanks in advance

[adina550]

You were so right, Stella. I just came back from the doc and my TSH is now 5.3 whereas 2 weeks ago on Nov 15th, TSH was 1.3. the only change I made was this weening off Lorazepam and finally replacing it completly with Xanax for the last 12 days. How is it possible for TSH to go up so quickly in 2 weeks from 1.3 to 5.3? The doc told me to increase the Synthroid 3 times a week to 88 and the rest to stay on 75.  The FT4 was 1.43 (range 0.8-2.2).  she didn't have yet the FT3 results. Now I am on 2.25 mg/day Xanax to be able to avoid the withdrawl effects of Lorazepam so I'm not taking Lorazepam at all but only Xanax 2.25, 0.75 in the morning, 0.75 at noon, 0.25 at 5pm and 0.5 at night time.  Was it possible that this replacement and increase in Xanax triggered the TSH increase?

Thanks much

[stella5349]

These drugs have more of an effect on the endocrine system then we are lead to believe. and to make things even more worse having issues whether hypothyroid or some other hormonal imbalances can make the withdrawal of taking these meds harder to endure and are really not helping us at all with the symptom of panic that commonly comes with the disease.

I was just talking to a friend of mine going through a partial removal today. She has also been on these drugs and finding now that she has eliminated them - she may have made the wrong decision doing so at this time with her hormones off ( and thyroid sick)

As I explained to her - its like an evil "catch 22". Many thyroid patients feel the need for these drugs and are on them - but the effects of what they do - could make their "true" hormonal issues ( causing the panic and anxiety) worse - in the long run.

At my worst I was on a hefty dose of these drugs myself and the w/drawal was the worst thing I endured along with the hypo he** imbalances causing the panic. It took me months ( almost a year) to totally eliminate these drugs while increasing my hormones correctly with medication to entirely balance me correctly to feel better as a whole.

Xanax and these other drugs like it - have factual proof that it increases the TSH and lowers the FT3 hormone with thyroid, so it is almost definate that when on these drugs an increase of thyroid hormone will be needed to balance thyroid out and any changes in antithyroid meds will also trigger changes on thyroid hormone we need to take in.

A circle of craziness for many thyroid sufferers and doctors are quick to prescribe these antidepressants unaware of truly how it is hurting these conditions we face.

[adina550]

Thanks so much for your reply. I too feel restless and nervous now. These Xanax and Lorazepam are supposed to calm us but it might take some time until our body ajust to the dosage. In my case, I was trying to withdraw off Lorazepam and managed to reduce 0.5 mg but it got more difficult when I continue to cut out 0.25 mg. I knew that I was fine with Xanax for a few years, not having to increase the dosage so that's the reason I asked the doc to swich me to Xanax however I feel that the withdraw side effects are persistent AND the hormons are not leveled yet. And all this happened b/c a doc made a huge mistake in May to take me off Synthroid for a month when my TSH was 53. When I started again taking Synthroid I went through the same pain like you and others when they start taking hormon replacement.
My family is tired of this long process and we all want to have the "old" ME back. We have to stay strong and positive. This what I write in a journal everyday along with other details, how I feel, dosage of meds I take, etc. This forum is a blessing for all of us.

[Brucergoldberg]

i wanted to tell you that i have taken 3 drugs so far.  Xanex, Lorzepam and clonezepam.  The Xanex seemed to make my hashi symptoms worse.  The lorzepam was the best but made me too sleepy.  The clonzepam probably the best for me....

However,  I have terrible terrible anxiety now.  I didnt realize that this could possibly be from this....