Posted by Laree on February 28, 2005, at 18:02:21
In reply to Re: Klonopin probs., Xanax XR?? » Laree, posted by SLS on February 27, 2005, at 8:33:13
Dear Scott,
My d/x = Panic attacks as well as generalized anxiety.
(You asked):
> Do you ever experience true panic attacks (a state of absolute fright that includes racing heart, palpitations, shaking, sweaty hands, hyperventilation, etc.) Is your anxiety dependant on the situation like social anxiety or is it there always?--Yes. The racing heart/palpitations especially-I get chest pains sometimes, too. Often I have trouble trying to breathe normally during an episode and (involuntarily) begin taking short hollow frantic gasps of air and feel as if I cannot catch my breath. The anxiety remains quite constant, is usually present when I wake up or soon thereafter, and can last all day.
(You asked):
> I might be forgetful at the moment, but I don't remember anyone complaining of weight gain with Neurontin. Of course, almost anything is possible with these drugs at the level of the individual. It doesn't seem to be pervasive, though. How much weight did you gain. How long did you take it for? Did it help the anxiety at all?--I cannot say exactly how much weight I gained, it was many years ago when I was in high school. I took it for at least a few months. However, it made me feel extemely lethargic and foggy. I have heard many accounts of people gaining weight while on it as well. And the thought of the possibility of Neurontin doing that tells me it's not right for me for this problem because it would perpetuate the eating disorder tendencies that are still (unfortunately) with me that I am trying to work on.
(You asked):
> It would be helpful to know what you have taken in the past. Which treatments helped and which treatments hurt?--The panic is a relatively new (chronic) occurance, I've probably been suffering steadily for about 6 or 7 months now. I did suffer with generalized anxiety a few years back as well, and that was when I was put on Xanax (by a diff. dr.).
It worked quite well but I remember it often made me feel tired much of the time after I took a dose. Klonopin only makes me feel that way occasionally.
I have taken Valium for other conditions and it made me tired and exacerbated my depression to an intolerable degree.
I took Ativan for about a month, and I remember it feeling quite "smooth", but I also recall being irritable while on it. Klonopin seems to have that effect on me sometimes as well. Are you familiar with that reaction to the K, by any chance?
Do you know if depression could possibly be helped by Xanax vs. being potentially furthered by Klonopin??
Also, approximately how long does it take for .25 mg of Klonopin to work, do you know? Thanks!!--L.B.
poster:Laree
thread:462986
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050227/msgs/464568.html