![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SBOATRN on October 4, 2002, at 11:01:55
I had wonderful responses to my previous posts regarding postive Klonopin use. I am wondering if you are using Klonopin alone or as a combo. My primary signs and symptoms are anxiety related and I only take Klonopin. Did have bad experiences with two SSRIs in the past. Any good stories with just using Klonopin alone, longer term ?? Thanks, please only positve stuff !!
Posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 12:37:46
In reply to Only Klonopin, posted by SBOATRN on October 4, 2002, at 11:01:55
Hey man, I've been taking Clonazepam (Canadian version of Klonopin) for several years so far. I've taken it with Celexa as a combo in the past and they worked great together for depression. Then for about 6-8 months I took strictly Clonazepam and didn't have a problem with that. Then I tried Paxil and I used them both together but Paxil really didn't work well for me. I changed the Clonazepam to Trazadone during my treatment on Paxil and the Paxil still had me feeling pretty out of it all day. Then I went off of Paxil, cold turkey, and used Clonazepam by itself. Whenever the side effects of withdrawal got bad, the Clonazepam worked. Whenever I felt a panic attack coming on, take a Clonazepam and *poof* it's gone. Once the side effects of the Paxil withdrawal went away I weaned off of Clonazepam and went back to Trazadone, which alone, had me sleeping like a baby. My anxiety was still pretty bad so I got onto Effexor XR which made the Trazadone effectively useless for me. So I started taking Clonazepam with Effexor XR and they worked great together. Right now I'm adjusting my Effexor XR doses because it's starting to make me pretty hyper and the time durations between Effexor XR doses are starting to be further apart (now 36 hours) and the Clonazepam works great for the withdrawal. My Doctor says that I could take up to 1.5mg per day of the Clonazepam but so far the highest I've ever needed was 1mg.So hopefully that answers your questions. The withdrawal is bad from Clonazepam IF you decide to just abruptly stop it (I've done that in the past) but you can definitely live through it. Any of the SSRIs that I've taken had withdrawal effects like ten times as bad.
Personally it's a wonder drug for me
Posted by SBOATRN on October 4, 2002, at 14:26:04
In reply to Re: Only Klonopin, posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 12:37:46
Thanks, that does help. I still need to work on proper dosing and timing of doses. This first week back on has been a little rough and I actually am having some "breakthrough" stuff that feels like a panic attacks. My doc is very supportive of me using this. I was the one who "knew" I didn't need it anymore. Thanks !!!
Posted by johnj on October 4, 2002, at 15:09:35
In reply to Re: Only Klonopin, posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 12:37:46
It sounds like you have had great results, but still seemed to jump around to different AD's. Why? I am trying to change my mix since it isn't working that well anymore and I am on an old TCA, with crappy side effects. I take tranzene, but it really makes me tired, maybe klonopin would be better?? Thanks
johnj
Posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 19:08:30
In reply to Re: Only Klonopin » MJC, posted by johnj on October 4, 2002, at 15:09:35
> It sounds like you have had great results, but still seemed to jump around to different AD's. Why? I am trying to change my mix since it isn't working that well anymore and I am on an old TCA, with crappy side effects. I take tranzene, but it really makes me tired, maybe klonopin would be better?? Thanks
> johnj
Because I have a pretty serious anxiety disorder. I suffer from panic attacks, chronic insomnia, and basically every other symptom of every other anxiety disorder currently recognized. Clonazepam definitely helps to keep me level but it won't allow me to make a 100% recovery. I figure if I'm going to be taking medication to deal with this stuff than I had better do it right and make sure I'm 100% better and might possibly be even able to discontinue my medication at some point during my life. I'm only 24 at the moment.I don't know anything about any of the TCA's, the only drugs I've tried at one point or another are Celexa (worked amazing for my depression), Paxil (which I hated with a vengeance), and Effexor XR (which makes me hyper something or another... makes me feel like I'm on speed). My doctor is now talking about possibly trying Epival. All I know is that through everything Clonazepam has made things a Hell of a lot more bearable. It hasn't cured my problem completely, but it doesn't leave me suffering through every day.
Posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 19:24:54
In reply to Re: Only Klonopin, posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 19:08:30
K, not only is Klonopin (Clonazepam) an absolute blessing for people that suffer from panic attacks, but it also provides one of the sweetest buzzes that you'll ever have. If you don't take too much of it, you can still function perfectly well during the day. But for somebody like me that feels anxiety almost constantly and who only remembers ever being in a state of panic, this drug allows you to completely relax. Nothing can bother you, everything is perfect... With that attitude I find that you can be much more productive during any day.Plus, the withdrawal is fairly simple. If you've ever gone through the withdrawal from any other SSRI than it's peanuts compared to that
Posted by Guy on October 4, 2002, at 20:44:05
In reply to Let me add one more thing...., posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 19:24:54
MJC, would you mind telling me how long you have been on clonazepam and at what dose? I'm at 1 mg, but I'm supposed to be taking 4...main fear is that it will poop out in the long run.
Posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 20:52:44
In reply to To MJC, posted by Guy on October 4, 2002, at 20:44:05
I took Clonazepam for 2 years and yes, it did eventually poop out on me. I was taking first .5 mgs, then 1mg, then 1.5 mg, then 2mg, then up to 2.5mg. However, I was taking it all at the same time, like taking 2 and a half .5 tablets at night before bed. The best way that I find to take them is to always have a little bit in your back pocket. If you feel like you need it, take a half or take a full, whatever. Half usually works good for me for about 4 hours. However, if you have as serious of an anxiety disorder as I have, Clonazepam is simply a way to make it through the day and is not a cure-all. It's more like taking an aspirin for a headache.
Posted by Guy on October 4, 2002, at 21:36:31
In reply to Re: To MJC, posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 20:52:44
Thanks for your response, MJC. I'm still a bit confused though. You say the clonazepam pooped out, but in your previous post you said you are still taking it and that it is working at 1 mg for withdrawal. This doesn't sound like poop out...just wondering. Thanks again.
Posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 23:54:20
In reply to Re: To MJC, posted by Guy on October 4, 2002, at 21:36:31
I was taking it for 2 years just about every day, then I decided to quit taking it all together for 6 months, now I'm taking it again.After the period of about 2 years, it wasn't as effective as it once was and that's possibly because I was taking it all in one dosage. I would be taking 2-2.5mg every night at bedtime.
Now that I'm back on it, I find it's much more effective if you take it in divided doses throughout the day. Your body will basically tell you when you need to take it, and you know how much you can give it per day.
For relief of an anxiety disorder, I highly recommend it. For solving the root problem, I don't think it's possible with Clonazepam. Maybe it worked that way for some people, but for me, it's just like taking an aspirin for a headache. Except in this case I'm taking Clonazepam for a Panic Disorder. When the medication wears off, it's very possible that the symptoms could return. However, taking it in long doses for relief while you weigh out your other alternatives, that would be good.
Posted by BrittPark on October 5, 2002, at 18:21:28
In reply to Re: To MJC, posted by MJC on October 4, 2002, at 23:54:20
I don't know of its efficacy in GAD or OCD or other anxiety disorders, but Klonopin (and Xanax) are considered front line treatments for panic disorder. The goal with benzo treatment of PD is complete remission of symptoms, and it is usually attained. It will sometimes take as much as 6-10 mg of klonopin a day. When symptoms are under control cognitive behavioral therapy is effective. On the med side a TCA is often effective and can sometimes obviate the need for benzos. Other people with PD take large doses of benzos essentially forever. The body grows fairly quickly tolerant to the hypnotic effects of benzos. It is rare to develop tolerance to the anxiolytic effects.
Britt
Posted by viridis on October 5, 2002, at 22:57:59
In reply to Re: Klonopin, posted by BrittPark on October 5, 2002, at 18:21:28
1 mg/day was enough to stop panic attacks for me, and the same dose continues to be effective with no side effects. It's a great med!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.