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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Donna Lynn on September 13, 2000, at 18:15:35
Hi again, my doctor refuses to put me on Klonopin for my social phobia. He says I'm gonna get addicted big time. He knows me. I am still on 100mg Trazodone at bedtime, and my depression is lifting, but my social phobia is not being addressed. I tried Celexa and then Serzone and neither helped me. I threw up, lost 5 lbs, jumped out of my skin and at the same time wanted to sleep my life away (figure that one out). I had a constant New Years Day hangover. Try taking care of a baby and toddler feeling like this!!! I asked for something else. So now I'm going to stop by his office for some samples of Effexor. Does anyone know if I'm going to be in the same boat (nausea, dizziness, weight loss, mood swings) as I was with the others when added to the Trazodone? I'm so scared now, I keep jumping from one thing to another desperately looking for the Quick Fix (wishful thinking, eh?) I HAVE to be able to get up and tend to my kids, and I can't sleep at anytime during the day. So, the side effects issue is so important. Can someone out there steer me in the right direction? Hey Rick, are you around for some advice?
Posted by noa on September 14, 2000, at 15:34:31
In reply to Need Opinions- Serzone or Effexor for Social Anx, posted by Donna Lynn on September 13, 2000, at 18:15:35
What else have you tried? Paxil? Wellbutrin?
My GUESS (totally random) is that effexor will be a better bet for social phobia, but who knows. I take both. That is an option to explore, too.
For me, the combo of both effexor and serzone works, because the effexor is the activating drug (for me--others find it sedating), addressing the bulk of my depression, etc., and the serzone is more sedating for me, and counteracts the undesirable activating effects of effexor, like insomnia, twitchiness, restlessness, etc. I know it has something to do with them acting on different serotonin receptors, but I don't have a good grasp on that and definitely can't explain it. Perhaps one of our more scientifically adept friends here will be able to elaborate on that.
If you start either of these, go slow, adjustment can be challenging. Serzone can be a rough adjustment for a few weeks.
Posted by Mark H. on September 14, 2000, at 19:13:15
In reply to Need Opinions- Serzone or Effexor for Social Anx, posted by Donna Lynn on September 13, 2000, at 18:15:35
If Serzone and Celexa make you twitchy, Effexor may as well.
I'm surprised that your doctor thinks you'll get addicted to Klonopin. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, clonazepam (generic Klonopin) is the least addictive of the benzodiazepines. My doctor uses it to help people get off the other benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan).
Another advantage is that you can take very little (I take 1/2 of a 0.5mg tablet each night) and it not only helps with sleep but also with restless leg syndrome, which Effexor and other ADs seem to cause or make worse.
If you tend to increase dosages on your own -- take more than prescribed -- then yes, Klonopin like any tranquilizer in its class can be addictive over time. But if you are good about holding at the amount prescribed, you shouldn't have any problem at all.
I took clonazepam every night for a year and then quit taking it for a few weeks. I had virtually no withdrawal sypmptoms at all (maybe a little restlessness for about 36 hours). Compared to my experience with Valium decades ago, going off of Klonopin was like going off of sugar pills!
Many family doctors do not know that Klonopin is much, much safer and less addictive for many people than its better-known cousins. Usually psychiatrists are the only ones who have the experience and knowledge to know the differences in safety and likelihood of addiction. Generally, they are very comfortable prescribing it.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
P. S. Nothing has helped with my social phobias, if that means avoidance of telephone calls, not wanting to see people, and generally hiding out.
Posted by Donna Lynn on September 14, 2000, at 19:46:53
In reply to Re: Need Opinions- Serzone or Effexor for Social Anx, posted by Mark H. on September 14, 2000, at 19:13:15
>Thank you for your messages, both of you. I ended up doing the effexor. I didn't know what to do, I had to make a decision. I went on the Effexor 37.5mg today. Scared to take it, I've had nothing but problems with all the meds for social anxiety, and I've been feeling so crummy. I get along ok out in the world (I like using drive-thru's). But its like when people seem to stare at me, I feel like they have no right to do that without my permission even tho yeah its a free country. The ones who like to stare, wow, that makes the hair on my arms stand up. Like, what the hell are you looking at. No, they aren't LOOKING at me, just happen to be looking my way? I can't help but think they are analyzing me without my permission. Yeah, it's weird to feel that way but I can't help it. Just the idea that someone can "think" something about me in their heads- that's judging in my book. Like when you meet someone, you KNOW their little computer in their brain is going dee dee dee dee dee, assessing the situation and thinking up what they think of you-and they come to an immediate conclusion of whether or not they like you. It all happens so quick. You KNOW you're being socially evaluated. That's what I like to call it. And I just don't like it. I just want a med that makes me not care if people "think" something about me. I want to just shrug it off. But right now, going from med to med, I'm a freakin mess. I can't get relief because the side effects are wiping me out and I can't function. I say I'd rather be squirrely and feel healthy, than be sociable and feel like I'm dying of some terminal illness. So, I'll keep reading the posts and see what everyone else is doing and taking.
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