Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 24, 2005, at 11:15:07
In reply to Just got out of the hospital, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:52:42
If anxiety is your major problem and you think that it kicks off your depression, why not give the Klonopin 2-3 weeks and see if it helps on its own? Someone here said that benzos can be sedating and make you feel more depressed the first 2-3 weeks and then those symptoms usually lift. (I think that's interesting. I never took a regular dose long enough to get past the daytime fogginess and funky mood.) If THAT doesn't help, then maybe your depression is settled in enough that it needs treatment on its own? In which case, start the Cymbalta at the lowest available dose, 20mg, and see what happens from there. Give it a week or two and if it doesn't help, go up to 40mg, maxing at 60mg if necessary. It took me almost 4 weeks at 60mg to feel like I'd really turned a corner on my depression/anxiety. (I'm now on 40mg because my BP went up. So far, so good.)
If you decide to just try the benzos first, be PREPARED to feel groggy and maybe even a little depressed for 2-3 weeks. Expect it and ride with it. Ask your family and friends to be supportive. I think if you expect side effects, they're much easier to manage. Be kind to yourself during this period. But if you're depression becomes very dark, or if it doesn't lift in 2-3 weeks, try an antidepressant. That would be my advice.
poster:Minnie-Haha
thread:462362
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050222/msgs/462679.html