Posted by SBOATRN on March 5, 2003, at 17:49:39
In reply to Re: To Jack, Anxiety symptoms » SBOATRN, posted by Jack Smith on March 5, 2003, at 17:07:49
Don't mind the questions at all. Yes, I've tried SSRI's. My difficulties began about a year and a half ago. Very stressful time and I ran out of ability to cope. So, I went to the doctor. Main stuff was the panic thing, but family history was for depression, so off we went to try and treat what was thought of then as a dual problem. I tried Zoloft and Paxil. Trials of 3-4 weeks with both. Horrible side effects. Lost 8 lbs ... made me 109 lbs. Sweats, nausea, no appetite, NO sleep, and panic through the roof. Awful. Couldn't take it. We discussed options. I was VERY reluctant to try other classes of AD's. Did try Buspar ... side effects were like SSRI's for me. We decided on Klonopin due to long half life and the lack of it making you feel *really* good. That was my concern with just Xanax ... some people use it fine. I was afraid I would like it too much !!! I started out at .25mg AM and PM. At first, I did find it sedating and slightly *fuzzy* brained ... but great for the panic and anxiety. This passed after about 2 weeks. I then researched it and found only information that it was a drug from hell and NO ONE should take it. So, I weaned off at one month. NOT A GOOD IDEA !!! Everything returned ten fold !!! Went back on and have been on almost a year. I titrate for my symptoms. Some days it's just .125mg and some .375mg total in .125mg times 3 or .125 mg once and .25mg at night. Most would say this isn't a therapeutic dose, but it works for me. I also did some life changes - that helped too. I don't work as much and try to keep lifestyle fairly healthy. I do notice a lack of drive and motivation at times, but this is not new to me ... so I just make myself *engage*. Klonopin has helped a great deal, but the *magic* is how we can help treat ourselves. I think the Klonopin has helped me to take action on baggage I needed to for a LONG time. My therapist has people who have taken it for a number of years without tolerance... just a dose range that works for them. That's where I am and I plan to stay. Hope this long writing helps !! Good luck to you !!!
poster:SBOATRN
thread:206205
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030301/msgs/206231.html