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What Causes Anxiety Despite Taking Clonidine?

Posted on Sat, 17 Sep 2016

Question: i was on valium 5mg for one year tapered down to 2,5 then 2mg over the last 3mos quit it entirely just about six days ago. have been taking 80 mg of diovan for bp and .05 clonidine at night to control my morning bp and morning anxiety. had to increase my clonidine to .05 mg twice a day because of anxiety during the day and elevations of blood pressure associated with the anxiety. is this related the valium withdrawal and if it is when can i expect i t to go away i don't want to take the valium anymore.

Answered by Dr. Ralph Chambers (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hello. Yes, this is from the Valium withdrawal

Detailed Answer:
Hello. It can take up to two months after you stop the Valium for the withdrawal symptoms to resolve. You should be able to drop back to the once a day clonidine dosage in another month or so. Please let me know if you need any more information please

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Ralph Chambers (25 minutes later)

I'm just concerned about the when i was on the edarbi as low as 20 mg my pressures were in the 106/65 to 102/ 65 range and i was dizzy now on divan i saty about 125/82 but when the anxiety comes it can go as high as 150/98 during a panic attack then if i take the extra clonidine it goes down. i just get frightened and now an not sleeping that great. edarbi is so much stronger i could start with 40 mg but then i would have to go off the clonidine but that helps to block to panic its confusing to me. what do you think.
,

Answered by Dr. Ralph Chambers (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The clonidine is mostly for the anxiety symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Clonidine helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety so you may not need in a short time. You may only then need either the diovan or the edarbi to control your blood pressure

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Ralph Chambers (36 minutes later)

do you think it was wrong to just stop the 2mg or should i have tried to cut the pill down to i mg i only have 5mg tablets. but i would rather tough this out and use the clonidine I'm so sick and tired of the valium i idont think 1mg is going to do anything

Answered by Dr. Ralph Chambers (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can just tough it out

Detailed Answer:
I see no reason to go back on the Valium at this point--you're basically over the worst part and it shouldn't be much longer before you feel better.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj