Posted by Simcha on June 1, 2003, at 21:46:59
In reply to SIMCHA: re KLONOPIN and NEURONTIN: » Simcha, posted by Janelle on June 1, 2003, at 18:57:52
Janelle,
My current pdoc told me that Klonopin could have the side effect of depression. It's interesting that you are experiencing depression while on Klonopin. I'm not sure why you think that Klonopin is a placebo.
For me it stopped me from grinding my teeth at night. It also worked with my restless legs. I noticed that it made me feel good while I was being treated with Celexa and Wellbutrin. For me it was a mood lifter.
My pdoc also told me that Klonopin can interrupt sleep patterns. That is, you may not get the right kinds of sleep in one night.
I hope I have not offended you. As I said, I'm not an expert and I'm no pdoc. I'm just a person who has been treated for Major Depressive Disorder and for some time Klonopin provided some relief from bruxism and RLS.
I was only on 1mg of Klonopin per night. That was for over a year.
My current pdoc suggested that I switch the Klonopin for Neurontin since Neurontin could help me by keeping the bruxism and RLS under control without the interruption of the sleep cycle.
Eventually I titrated up to 600mg of Neurontin per night. So here is my combo:
AM Doses:
40mg Celexa
200mg WellbutrinSR
Before Bed:Neurontin 600mg
During the entire year I was on Klonopin, 1mg per night did the trick. I did not need to increase dosage for effectiveness. Many people on the board have been at the same level of Klonopin for years and have had no problems.I was wondering if the depression was partially due to withdrawal from Klonopin because I've read that withdrawal can include depressive symptoms.
I hope I have not confused you or led you to believe that I have more answers than my experience with Klonopin. Please remember that I'm not a doctor or an expert.
Blessings,
Simcha
> I can assure you with like 100% confidence level that any depressive episodes I go through have NOT kicked in as a result of withdrawal from Klonopin as I have NOT YET started tapering off it!!
>
> Also, Klonopin is anti-anxiety med, not an antidepressant and does NOTHING for depresion. Also, it does NOTHING for me with my anxiety, it's like a placebo because I've taken it for so long. It's a benzo and your body becomes sed to it and it poops out unless you increase the dose, which I have NO intention of doing. I want OFF the stuff simply because it is NOT helping me; Buspar is. I had tried Neurontin and all it did was make me drowsy all day.
>
> How much Neurontin are you on and how is it working? Also, I am guessing you are OFF the Klonopin - how much had you been on and how long did it take you to get off it? Thanks.
poster:Simcha
thread:230335
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030530/msgs/230678.html