Posted by RobertDavid on October 4, 2005, at 14:43:27
In reply to Whoops! Found your other posts below. Thanks (nm) » JaneB, posted by JaneB on October 4, 2005, at 11:47:58
I took Neurontin once as a blend, but it didn't work and I had side affects. I have taken Klonopin for 11 years. It made me functional, I could leave the house and actually work again. But I always seemed to lack a "zest" and seemed a bit depressed. I was also kind of flat if you will. Some refer that feeling to the "benzo buzz".
So through the years I tried everything. I read about everything. Nothing worked. The only med I didn't try was a MAOI which I believe would work and work great, but never could get myself to go with gaining 10% of my body weight, most likely lose my libido not to mention the issues with certain foods.
So I have kept on with Klonopin and have played with the dose. The high end was 3mgs once a day at bedtime. It worked okay for my anxiety, but I was otherwise feeling kind of out of it. I finally made a decision to drop down to a lower level, but found how hard that was to do. It took me 4 months to get from 3 to 2 mgs to minimize the withdrawals.
I have been at 2mgs for 3 years and been functional. It never really helped me sleep and I have always suspected it affected my mood. I have been fortunate to be able to work with a dr. that is one of the leading researchers and experts in the world regarding anxiety and depression. He told me 6 months ago that Lyrica could be an answer for me to get off Klonopin and improve my mood.
Finally it's out. I was shocked when he laid out a plan to have me completely off Klonopin and 100% on Lyrica in about 3 weeks. I was so concerned about withdraws not to mention my lack of response (or side affect profiles) of the other meds. Anyway, day by day I'm feeling so much better, no anxiety and my mood is soaring. I'm down to 1mg on Klonopin and at 100mg of Lyrica. Every three days I drop down .25 on the Klonopin and go up 50mg on the Lyrica.
My doctor says that Lyrica is in application with the FDA for anxiety disorders. He really likes the studies he's seen and seems to understand exactly how it works on the GABA receptors. GABA is what Klonopin works on, but it works on it in a different way. Lyrica is not a benzo so getting off of it, should I choose to will be much easier. And should I want to try the upcoming MAOI "EMSAM" that he tells me will be out in about 6 months (which will apparently eliminate the major side affects and the food issues) I will be able to take them both at the same time.
There is lots of info on Lyrica by doing web searches. You mentioned sleep and pain. It's ironic that pain and helping people with pain sleep is what Lyrica is approved for by the FDA. For me, those are just positive side affects. I am sleeping much better. It also improves moves and studies report that it acts as an anti depressant. Sounds even better for you.
Basically what my doctor says (and again, he is one of the few that really knows these meds) that Lyrica delivers a very potent drug similar to Neurontin, but at low low doses. It's somewhat different in other ways. It will be a replacement drug for those that take Neurontin, but unlike Neurontin will be more affective for people like me (and perhaps you). The side affect profile is small and any dizziness or that sort of thing disappears within a few days, at least for me.
Like you I am so tired of searching for answers. I've tried it all. The SRI's don't work for me and I believe really only works good for about 25% of the people that take it for anxiety. I've tried everything else, all kinds of blends, psycho tropic meds and have just stuck with Klonopin and have just been waiting for new meds to come out. The two I have been waiting for have been Lyrica and EMSAM as mentioned.
This is the first time every I have had a positive affect so quickly. And while I'm withdrawing from Klonopin too. Hard for me to believe. I'm feeling so good I pray this won't change. My doc says it will just get better as when I'm off Klonopin I'll be at 300mg of Lyrica. May need to go to 450mgs, but he believes in taking the lowest dose that's effective.
From what you tell me, though I'm not a doctor (but feel I know more about meds and this lousy disorder than most) you sound like a prime candidate for Lyrica, with your pain, sleeping issue, anxiety and depression, all things this single drug improves.
But if you go on it, you'll need to taper off Klonopin as you go up on the Lyrica. If you take both it will be a bit much and you will feel that sedated feeling as it's like doubling up on the Klonopin.
Anyway, how's that for a short answer. Sorry to rattle on. I hope you find some of this helpful. I so understand how you feel. I'm 49 and have dealt with this all my life. I even went back to school and got a degree in psych because at that time, 20 years ago there were so few people that knew how to treat this curse of a disorder.
It's really working for me. Nothing else has with the exception of Klonpins partial benefits. I just hope it continues....
poster:RobertDavid
thread:561978
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051003/msgs/562778.html