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Asking for Father, Male, 71 years old, karachi
My father has been taken rivotril 2mg along with other medications such as qusel for a long time (5-6 years or so) for sleep deprivation and uneasyness. the condition only worsened few days back with the medications so another general physician made him abruptly stop all medications. After few days of stopping he is facing some serious body weakness, exhaustion and imbalancing issues. Recently he complained that when he slept for few hours he woke up with shock and felt as if he as been unconscious. can these be related to abrupt stopping the medications?
It is very difficult to answer about current issues, yes it is the fact that medicines should not be stopped abruptly until indicated and I think you should ask you physician about current condition and meanwhile get an neurological opinion for the assessment of dementia and Parkinson’s disease, and why your father was taking rivotril and qusel.
Thank you for considering this platform. Currently the symaptoms which your father is facing can occur due to abrupt withdrawal of rovotril (clonazepam), furhther more spontaneously waking up usually occur when some one is not having deep sleep, as he was also habitual of rivotril and quesel.
Considering my point of view, here this would be very necessary to look for the reason behind worsening of his condition?
Does he was regularly taking the medications?
Does there any history of any chronic medical or neurological diseas? Particularly looking for Hypertension, Diabetes melitus or history of any stress?
Is he using any other medication beside these?
Patient
Post Owner
Thank you doctor for your response. He is diabetic but its controlled. Prozac which i forgot to mention rivotril and qusel were the main medications. As you asked for any neurological issues i am not sure but the reason for have insomnia is very similar to that of restless leg syndrome. Although its just self diagnosis no psycatrist has ever referred him to any neuro so far.
5 years ago
I am sorry to hear that your father is unwell. You have stated that he had been taking Rivotril ,clonazepam, for about five to six years. I assume that he has been taking these fairly regularly. Withdrawal symptoms are indeed associated with sudden cessation of benzodiazepines. These include sleep disturbance, irritability, increased tension , confusion and range of perceptual problems. I suggest that you see a Psychiatrist for a full assessment of behavioral issues he is experiencing and further manamgent.
Patient
Post Owner
Thank you for your concern. He was taking the medicine for having difficulty in sleep (which seems like symptoms of restless leg syndrome but its just self diagnosis) After consulting a psychiatrist these medicine were prescribed to him along with Prozac which i forgot to mention earlier . I am still planning to consult a neuro though.
5 years ago