Posted by Mark H. on September 14, 2000, at 19:13:15
In reply to Need Opinions- Serzone or Effexor for Social Anx, posted by Donna Lynn on September 13, 2000, at 18:15:35
If Serzone and Celexa make you twitchy, Effexor may as well.
I'm surprised that your doctor thinks you'll get addicted to Klonopin. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, clonazepam (generic Klonopin) is the least addictive of the benzodiazepines. My doctor uses it to help people get off the other benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan).
Another advantage is that you can take very little (I take 1/2 of a 0.5mg tablet each night) and it not only helps with sleep but also with restless leg syndrome, which Effexor and other ADs seem to cause or make worse.
If you tend to increase dosages on your own -- take more than prescribed -- then yes, Klonopin like any tranquilizer in its class can be addictive over time. But if you are good about holding at the amount prescribed, you shouldn't have any problem at all.
I took clonazepam every night for a year and then quit taking it for a few weeks. I had virtually no withdrawal sypmptoms at all (maybe a little restlessness for about 36 hours). Compared to my experience with Valium decades ago, going off of Klonopin was like going off of sugar pills!
Many family doctors do not know that Klonopin is much, much safer and less addictive for many people than its better-known cousins. Usually psychiatrists are the only ones who have the experience and knowledge to know the differences in safety and likelihood of addiction. Generally, they are very comfortable prescribing it.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
P. S. Nothing has helped with my social phobias, if that means avoidance of telephone calls, not wanting to see people, and generally hiding out.
poster:Mark H.
thread:44758
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000905/msgs/44834.html