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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 Molly Straight on July 17, 2001, at 21:07:48
What advice do you all have for my son who wants to get weaned from klonapin and ativan? He has been on both for panic disorder for over a year now. He is also on 300 mg of tofranil at night for depression. His psychiatrist believes he is likely actually Bipolar II. He has developed high blood pressure and is only 21. I believe his psychiatrist will suggest Neurontin. Thanks.
Posted by Alan on July 18, 2001, at 9:23:28
In reply to Switching from benzos to Neurontin, posted by Molly Straight on July 17, 2001, at 21:07:48
> What advice do you all have for my son who wants to get weaned from klonapin and ativan? He has been on both for panic disorder for over a year now. He is also on 300 mg of tofranil at night for depression. His psychiatrist believes he is likely actually Bipolar II. He has developed high blood pressure and is only 21. I believe his psychiatrist will suggest Neurontin. Thanks.
You might want to try this link for xanax but it still applies to the benzos that your son are on:
http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html
Slowly is of course the name of the game. Go by how it feels, not necessarily by a strict regimen (but you of course will want a strategy of tapering to start). It might take a month or two, or it might take a couple of weeks - it is highly individual. Any sign of panic, keep the dose where it is for the moment or go back up in a small increment.
You might suggest to your pdoc if they suspect BPII that ADDING neurontin would make sense because if your son has an underlying panic disorder, keeping benzos in the picture (even if it is in a slightly moderated format than now) is sometimes more effective than just neurontin and an MAOI.
Or the other alternative is to eventually take the benzos on just a PRN basis (as needed) when he feels that breakthrough panic is about to surface.
Best,
Alan
Posted by Mitch on July 18, 2001, at 13:02:57
In reply to Switching from benzos to Neurontin, posted by Molly Straight on July 17, 2001, at 21:07:48
I would strongly suggest the doc ADD the Neurontin on first BEFORE starting to taper any benzos. Otherwise you won't be able to tell if Neurontin is causing problems or if it is a benzo withdrawal. It seems to me that if the benzos are working why try to stop them anyways?
Mitch
> What advice do you all have for my son who wants to get weaned from klonapin and ativan? He has been on both for panic disorder for over a year now. He is also on 300 mg of tofranil at night for depression. His psychiatrist believes he is likely actually Bipolar II. He has developed high blood pressure and is only 21. I believe his psychiatrist will suggest Neurontin. Thanks.
Posted by Alan on July 18, 2001, at 13:46:26
In reply to Re: Switching from benzos to Neurontin » Molly Straight, posted by Mitch on July 18, 2001, at 13:02:57
> I would strongly suggest the doc ADD the Neurontin on first BEFORE starting to taper any benzos. Otherwise you won't be able to tell if Neurontin is causing problems or if it is a benzo withdrawal. It seems to me that if the benzos are working why try to stop them anyways?
>
> Mitch
>
> > What advice do you all have for my son who wants to get weaned from klonapin and ativan? He has been on both for panic disorder for over a year now. He is also on 300 mg of tofranil at night for depression. His psychiatrist believes he is likely actually Bipolar II. He has developed high blood pressure and is only 21. I believe his psychiatrist will suggest Neurontin. Thanks.
*********************************************I would have to agree with Mitch on this - although I was suggesting the same thing but for different reasons.
It would be interesting to know why one would want to stop the benzos if your son has an underlying panic disorder. A Dx of BPII would probably benefit from the benzos too.
Alan
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