Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Shivering, Lightheadedness And Tingling In Limbs After Taking OptiMind And Nyquil?
Question: So I bought a medication called optimind. It advertised that it would increase focus, alertness and brain function. So I thought that sounded cool. I took one and it felt like adderal. Which I had taken as a child. Not precribed, but recreationally. Kids do dumb things. Anyway. The recommended dosage was two so I took that the next day and felt fine all day. That night I was feeling a little sick so I took some nyquil. A little over the recommended dosage. Then the next day I went to a class. During class it felt like what I would assume was a panic attack (never had one before). I was shivering, though I knew the room was warm. I felt lightheaded. My arms and legs felt numb and a little tingly. I had a strong feeling that I needed to leave and lay down. I was very concious of my heartbeat and felt like it was beating incredibly fast. I kept thinking that I was going to die. It was very scary. I have been having issues with anxiety ever since. This was about a month ago. What do you think was the problem during the initial incident? Why would it be causing anxiety still today? And is there any way to treat it other than going to the hospital? I'd like to note that the anxiety has become gradually less, but I still cannot feel comfortable in my daily life. I have never experienced anything like this before.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Any medication which acts on the central nervous system has the potential to sway the delicate and very intricate neurotransmitter balance in the brain hence provoking side effects like anxiety in your case.
It is difficult to pinpoint which component in Optimind was the cause or if it was a combination of things, because Optimind isn't one single medical ingredient it contains many different components which act on the nervous system in different ways from each other. Some of them are herbal products which aren’t well studied at all.
Anyway I think their chemical effect after a month is over now. So it’s not the direct drug effect now, but it is more a psychological issue which you are dealing now, probably due to you being more prone to anxiety. You are finding it difficult to cope with that experience and the stress you went through has triggered more permanent anxiety symptoms.
You will gradually get better, but for a short period of time it could help taking a course of benzodiazepines like alprazolam 0.25 once or twice daily for 2-3 weeks. It shouldn’t be taken for longer as it creates tolerance and dependence. Actually it would be ideal if you could avoid it and try exercise, relaxation techniques and activities like yoga, but if it really is affecting you functioning a short course of benzodiazepines should help. Avoid substances like caffeine and alcohol.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Any medication which acts on the central nervous system has the potential to sway the delicate and very intricate neurotransmitter balance in the brain hence provoking side effects like anxiety in your case.
It is difficult to pinpoint which component in Optimind was the cause or if it was a combination of things, because Optimind isn't one single medical ingredient it contains many different components which act on the nervous system in different ways from each other. Some of them are herbal products which aren’t well studied at all.
Anyway I think their chemical effect after a month is over now. So it’s not the direct drug effect now, but it is more a psychological issue which you are dealing now, probably due to you being more prone to anxiety. You are finding it difficult to cope with that experience and the stress you went through has triggered more permanent anxiety symptoms.
You will gradually get better, but for a short period of time it could help taking a course of benzodiazepines like alprazolam 0.25 once or twice daily for 2-3 weeks. It shouldn’t be taken for longer as it creates tolerance and dependence. Actually it would be ideal if you could avoid it and try exercise, relaxation techniques and activities like yoga, but if it really is affecting you functioning a short course of benzodiazepines should help. Avoid substances like caffeine and alcohol.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
