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Stopping Ativan....now Progesterone and Bi-est don't seem to work the same. Why????

by LEE
(USA)


Hi, Wray,

Basically, I'm a wreck. I was prescribed a low dose of Lorazepam for anxiety for a horrible round of Labyrinthitis. What I now think is that, over time, I was having withdrawal symptoms, would go back to the doctor who just said to take more of it more often. In the middle of all of this I had many dose changes of progesterone cream and bi-estrogen. I am apparently very sensitive to Ativan, as I was only taking 0.125 mg twice a day for about 9 months. As a nurse, I realized I was gaining tolerance and having interdose withdrawal. I went to a psychiatrist and he told me to stop it cold turkey since the dose was so low. My last progesterone levels were a little low but my estrogen to progesterone ratio was within limits. I have been using 30 mg of Progesterone twice a day along with Bi-est 80/20 0.0125 mg (not much, I know) twice a day. I am now having sugar cravings, joint pains, palpitations, tight chest, in addition to other withdrawal symptoms from the Ativan. I'm 6 days from my last dose and will never again take another one. I know some of what I am feeling is due to stopping the Ativan, but I think the bioidenticals aren't working the same way since I stopped the Ativan. I read somewhere where there is a connection between Ativan and Progesterone R/T GABA. I don't know if I need to increase my Progesterone, or if my estrogen is the problem.

Any thoughts? Thanks.....

Comments for Stopping Ativan....now Progesterone and Bi-est don't seem to work the same. Why????

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Feb 22, 2012
 Stopping Ativan....now Progesterone and Bi-est don't seem to work the same. Why????
by: Wray

Hi Lee I'm happy you've stopped the Ativan, although going cold turkey off any benzo drug does cause adverse side effects. The symptoms you're now experiencing are due to a rise in oestrogen. But why the Ativan kept it suppressed, or what's causing the rebound reaction I don't know. Benzo drugs do decrease the sensitivity of the GABA A receptors, see here. Which in turn would lessen the anxiolytic effect progesterone has, see here, here, here, here and here. But you don't appear to have an increase in anxiety, well you haven't listed it. I recommend 100-200mg/day progesterone, more if symptoms are severe. So the 60mg/day is to my mind too low. Coupled with the added oestrogen you using, it would have an uphill battle. The typical 20-40mg/day that is recommended does not raise levels to that found in the luteal phase. One study found that using 40mg/day "…. only low plasma progesterone levels were found (median 2.5 nmol/l)". The ranges for the luteal phase are 15.9 - 63.6 nmol/L (5 to 20 ng/ml). Men secrete <3.18 nmol/L (<1 ng/ml), see here. 60mg/day would not do much better. I don't believe any woman needs more oestrogen, in any form, see our page on HRT for more info. Ray Peat has more info too, see here. Oestrogen is an excitatory, inflammatory hormone, found high in all inflammatory diseases. Hence your joint pain. Th1 induces inflammatory cytokines, Th2 induces anti-inflammatory cytokines. Studies have found that induction of Th2 cytokines can reduce inflammation. Progesterone causes a shift from Th1 to Th2 immune response, increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Continued below.
Feb 22, 2012
 Stopping Ativan....now Progesterone and Bi-est don't seem to work the same. Why???? Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Lee On the other hand oestrogen is an excitatory hormone and enhances the immune response, causing inflammation. Moreover, oestrogen stimulates the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP’s) which are enzymes that degrade protein and cause inflammation. Excess MMP’s are found in RA. Excess oestrogen is found in RA, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Oestrogen causes prolongation of the QT interval, which results in palpitations, arrhythmia and Torsades de Pointes. Whereas progesterone shortens the QT interval, see here, here, here, here, here and here. Continued below.
Feb 22, 2012
 Stopping Ativan....now Progesterone and Bi-est don't seem to work the same. Why???? Part 3
by: Wray

Hi Lee Progesterone is essential for normal lung function, relaxing airways and increasing volume. Oestrogen causes constriction of the smooth muscle. See here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Please have a vitamin D test done, it's low in all inflammatory conditions. In fact low in most of the world's population. For more info on vitamin D levels, testing etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray

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