Posted by RobertDavid on May 25, 2006, at 1:24:01
In reply to Re: Emsam plus??? some kind of mood stabilizer, posted by ZeitGuest on May 25, 2006, at 0:58:02
> Thanks Rob. For me, Klonapin is indeed be worth considering. And you are correct: I have never tried a benzo before. However, I do have to admit that I am less worried about any sleepy/foggy side effects (after all, the half life is short enough for me get the med out of my system in a day or so) than I am about the potential for addiction or difficult withdrawal if I were to take Klonopin for a sustained period of time.
I think there are misconceptions about "addiction" to benzo's like klonopin. Those that take it for anxiety disorders aren't known to abuse it, escalate dose. They just take what they need to treat their anxiety. There is no real "high" with it. Even many with other addictions such as abusing alcohol don't abuse klonopin. I have a drinking problem and from time to time abuse alcohol. I hate it. But in 12 years of taking klonopin I've never wanted to or had the desire to take more klonpin than the 2mgs I take every night. I believe that's typical.
And you can stop taking it when you want. It's one of the easier benzos to taper off compared to xanax or ativan as it has a long half life. Most people just do a slow taper to minimize withdrawl symptoms. I've gotten off of it before just to prove to myself that I could, the problem was that all my anxiety returned. I need it, it works, it's changed my life, I'm social now. I have no plans to ever stop taking it unless there is some new breakthrough. My doctor feels the same way, I can take it the rest of my life. He says "take it, think of it as your vitamin pill, if you had diabetes you'd need insulin. You have anxiety and you need klonopin." He's right. And the good think is that for most people the anti anxiety benefits do not go away with time, but many of the other side effects will.
For some, they are troubled with some mild depression or a foggy headed feeling. Much of that improves but many, like me, blend something with it to get both anxiety benefits and energy, mood elivation. Benzos also are compatible with many other meds which is a plus. You can take them with SSRI's, MAOI's and many other meds.
Benzos are great drugs, they really help a lot of people. I believe they are the best choice for anxiety and anxiety disorters particuarly SAD. Like my doctor told me, I'm much more healthy without anxiety than I am with it. I will live longer (most likely) taking klonopin than I would if I didn't because anxiety and stress are killers. Anxiety runs in my family. My 84 year old mother takes 1mg of klonopin as well. She was having troubles with her gut probably from anxiety and since taking klonopin it has gone away. Her gut doctor told her to keep taking the klonopin. She has much less anxiety and blends it with Celexa which does the trick for her.
I just think there are some misconceptions about benzos such as the addiction and withdrwal issues. You can stop taking it if you want to, but since it works so good I'm not sure why anyone would really want to. Just my 2 cents worth. Best of luck. Rob
poster:RobertDavid
thread:646882
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060520/msgs/648238.html