Posted by Snowie on October 19, 2000, at 7:19:14
In reply to Re: Alternatives to benzos?, posted by Buffet on October 19, 2000, at 0:56:25
Buffet,
See my replies after yours.
> > I also take approximately 1.5 mg. of Xanax per day (.5 x 3). I'm down from 3 mg. per day thanks to Neurontin. For some reason Neurontin works on anxiety for me -- sometimes even better than the Xanax. I've heard it doesn't work for everyone, but I thank my lucky stars that this drug works for me. Among your list, I've tried Prozac, Effexor XR, I have a prescription for Ritalin (which I have decided not to fill), and Zoloft.
> > You may want to try Klonopin, which was a libido boost for me. It's also a benzo like Xanax, so expect to be on it for the long haul. BuSpar is not an SSRI, and it did nothing for me except made me angry. I think it's time you see a psychiatrist.
> I have read a few posts about neurontin, and have looked up some info on the internet. I am very interested in giving neurontin a try. However, I don't want to go into a new doc and give him the idea that I know better and this is what I want prescribed. Then again, I guess it won't hurt to ask.. Also, isn't its use as an antianxiety/AD drug 'off label'? Meaning, if prescribed, will my insurance cover it? Does yours or are you paying out of pocket? Also, what dose are you taking - 100, 300, 400, +++? I've heard of 1000mg + for it to work. Is it similar in action or class to depakote?I take Neurontin for anxiety. A pdoc had suggested it a while back and I poo-pooed his idea. After that recommendation, I tried a sample pack just to see if I liked it, and it worked almost immediately. I've heard of Depakote (my sister takes it or used to take it), but I don't know much about it. My understanding is that Neurontin is marketed as an anti-convulsant, but so was Klonopin for a long time, and it also helps with panic disorder, GAD, and social anxiety. Presently, I take 300 mg. (100 mg. x 3) of Neurontin per day, but I want to increase it. It's one of those little quirks -- for some reason it works for me but who really knows why? That's the reason why I always steal a quote, "Prescribing psychotropic drugs is an art, not an absolute." As long as my pdoc prescribes it, my insurance has to take it. Since there is no generic, I just pay $15. I don't have a problem asking for a medication. I usually tell my pdoc(s) that if something works, so much the better. If it doesn't, I certainly won't continue taking it. By the way, Serzone can also be used in place of a benzo.
> I'm also considering the klonopin because of the almost immediate withdrawal symptoms of xanax. If I forget to take it in the morning and go to work, I'm a frazzled mess by noon. Or, if the doc forgets to call the prescription in on time - oh hell...cold turkey two days in a row is a nightmare.
Xanax has that effect on most people; consequently, I've rarely forgotten to take it! It had that effect on me when I first started taking it, but it doesn't do that quite as much anymore. I have tried Klonopin twice. For my body, the generic clonazepam wasn't nearly as effective as the Roche Klonopin, but some people can't distinguish between the difference, so why pay the difference? If you decide to try it, try them both.
> Thanks for the input.No problem ... stick around.
Snowie
poster:Snowie
thread:46592
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46744.html