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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tepiaca on March 3, 2003, at 17:30:01
Today I took .5mg of clonazepam in the morning.
My anxiety with people was almost gone.It help
me alot with my SP.The only thing I didnt like it
was that I was very acelerated , I couldnt concentrate in one thing , because when I was doing a thing ,I couldnt stay calm , I wanted to start doing another thing. For example right now ,
Im typing in the computer very fast ,and I want to end fast cause I have the feeling of wanting to do soemthing else
Is this normal?
Does anyone had has the same thing? I cant concentrate it in one thing
Thanks
Tepiaca
Posted by dave1 on March 3, 2003, at 19:10:08
In reply to First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal?, posted by Tepiaca on March 3, 2003, at 17:30:01
The klonopin should calm you down and not make you hyper/agitated as you described.
I've had similiar experiences when I take Ambien, a sleeping pill. It supposed to be similiar to a benzodiazapene, according to my pdoc, but it makes me hyper.The fact that the klonopin reduced your anxiety right away makes more sense because benzodiazapenes don't have to build up, the work immediately.
Dave
Posted by viridis on March 3, 2003, at 20:53:43
In reply to First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal?, posted by Tepiaca on March 3, 2003, at 17:30:01
Just guessing, but it could just be a huge feeling of relief after being crippled by anxiety for so long. I felt a lot of enthusiasm when I started on clonazepam, and although a bit sleepy at first, was also more energetic (or at least focused on useful tasks). I think it was sort of a "release" from the weight of all the worries. Most of this settled down after a week or two, and since then I've just felt normal.
However, you do need to be cautious about "paradoxical" (reverse) reactions to benzos and the possibility of hypomania. I think this is pretty rare, but not impossible. I hope that you have a good doctor monitoring your situation, and you might want to build up the dose of clonazepam slowly if it's having strange effects.
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 23:32:30
In reply to First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal?, posted by Tepiaca on March 3, 2003, at 17:30:01
Hi Tepiaca,
Sounds like some hypomania? I have heard of this happening in a few individuals. Klonopin, in my opinion, is a very good med and has worked for me anyway. See if these feelings subside a little as time goes by. Is this the first time you have ever taken Klonopin?
I am glad to hear it helped so well, but concerned about your "mania" it sounds to me. It may be, like I said, your body getting used to it. Keep us posted, we're here for you:-)
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------
Today I took .5mg of clonazepam in the morning.
My anxiety with people was almost gone. It help
me alot with my SP.The only thing I didnt like it
was that I was very acelerated , I couldnt concentrate in one thing , because when I was doing a thing ,I couldnt stay calm , I wanted to start doing another thing. For example right now ,
Im typing in the computer very fast ,and I want to end fast cause I have the feeling of wanting to do soemthing else
Is this normal?
Does anyone had has the same thing? I cant concentrate it in one thing
Thanks
Tepiaca
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 23:36:10
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal?, posted by viridis on March 3, 2003, at 20:53:43
I was thinking this too after I just posted and saw what you wrote here. (it could just be a huge feeling of relief after being crippled by anxiety for so long) I agree. I am glad that it helped with a release of all the worries for you as you said. Keep well:-)
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------
Just guessing, but it could just be a huge feeling of relief after being crippled by anxiety for so long. I felt a lot of enthusiasm when I started on clonazepam, and although a bit sleepy at first, was also more energetic (or at least focused on useful tasks). I think it was sort of a "release" from the weight of all the worries. Most of this settled down after a week or two, and since then I've just felt normal.
However, you do need to be cautious about "paradoxical" (reverse) reactions to benzos and the possibility of hypomania. I think this is pretty rare, but not impossible. I hope that you have a good doctor monitoring your situation, and you might want to build up the dose of clonazepam slowly if it's having strange effects.
Posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 0:09:33
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal?, posted by viridis on March 3, 2003, at 20:53:43
Hi Tepiaca,
Hmm, the dreaded hypomania? Who knows. Maybe a better question is, "is this revved up feeling bothering me?". How disturbed are you by this? Overall, does the Klonopin better or worsen your functioning? Is the extra energy getting you into trouble? If it is not bothersome or dangerous, enjoy it! That's just my philosophy, though.
By the way, don't some folks with bipolar use Klonopin as an adjunctive mood stabilizer?
I think Viridis might have a good possible explanation. Relief from the crippling anxiety is freeing up energy. I remember Klonopin feeling kind of energizing, especially at first. It relieved all the anxious fatigue.
Best of luck,
Matt
Posted by KrissyP on March 4, 2003, at 19:57:28
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal?, posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 0:09:33
I get the "revved up" feeling and I've only been back on Efexor for a week. I like the feeling but it disturbs my sleep unless I take it with Seroquel and Klonopin, and NOW Lamictal too. Klonopin wasn't explained being given to me to help my bipolar II, so I don't know if it is given as an adjunctive mood stabilizer? It helps me sleep.I also know that Klonopin leaves me feeling kind of energized at times too though, especially at first. Ahhhhhhh the cycle of trying to find the right meds.
Best of Luck
Kristen:-)
Hmm, the dreaded hypomania? Who knows. Maybe a better question is, "is this revved up feeling bothering me?". How disturbed are you by this? Overall, does the Klonopin better or worsen your functioning? Is the extra energy getting you into trouble? If it is not bothersome or dangerous, enjoy it! That's just my philosophy, though.
By the way, don't some folks with bipolar use Klonopin as an adjunctive mood stabilizer?
I think Viridis might have a good possible explanation. Relief from the crippling anxiety is freeing up energy. I remember Klonopin feeling kind of energizing, especially at first. It relieved all the anxious fatigue.
Best of luck,
Matt
Posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 20:16:09
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » mattdds, posted by KrissyP on March 4, 2003, at 19:57:28
Krissy,
You're Bipolar II? What is that like? What symptoms do you get?
Sometimes I have trouble seeing the difference between anxious depression and bipolar II. I am most likely missing something, but when I read up on BP II, it sounded almost identical to GAD, generalized anxiety disorder. For example, difficulty sleeping, feeling "keyed up", agitation, irritation, depression, etc. How does a psychiatrist do a differential diagnosis of the two disorders. Just curious.
When you get hypomania, do you go on spending sprees or have grandiose thoughts, or anything like regular mania? Or is it just elevated mood.
Anyway, I'm really curious to hear from someone who has BP II. To me, it seems like quite a different disorder than classic bipolar.
I would wager that I could get a BP II diagnosis if I had the right pdoc. I have a lot of the same symptoms that BP II's have, but my diagnosis is GAD / panic disorder / depression (which comes from the GAD / panic attacks.
Please fill me in!
Thanks,
Matt
Posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 20:17:03
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » mattdds, posted by KrissyP on March 4, 2003, at 19:57:28
Krissy,
You're Bipolar II? What is that like? What symptoms do you get?
Sometimes I have trouble seeing the difference between anxious depression and bipolar II. I am most likely missing something, but when I read up on BP II, it sounded almost identical to GAD, generalized anxiety disorder. For example, difficulty sleeping, feeling "keyed up", agitation, irritation, depression, etc. How does a psychiatrist do a differential diagnosis of the two disorders. Just curious.
When you get hypomania, do you go on spending sprees or have grandiose thoughts, or anything like regular mania? Or is it just elevated mood.
Anyway, I'm really curious to hear from someone who has BP II. To me, it seems like quite a different disorder than classic bipolar.
I would wager that I could get a BP II diagnosis if I had the right pdoc. I have a lot of the same symptoms that BP II's have, but my diagnosis is GAD / panic disorder / depression (which comes from the GAD / panic attacks.
Please fill me in!
Thanks,
Matt
Posted by KrissyP on March 4, 2003, at 20:30:42
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » KrissyP, posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 20:16:09
I was diagnosed, yep, with "mild bipolar" or I guess my doc called it BipolarII. I get rapid mood swings but more depression. I have to say though I am about ready to post-because starting back on the Effexor is getting me manic as I am RIGHT NOW LOL. I experience ALL of this:
"GAD, generalized anxiety disorder, difficulty sleeping, feeling "keyed up", agitation, irritation, depression"-thus going back on Effexor AND Lamictal at bedtime. In my opinion, I believe a psychiatrist would note their patients' symptoms to a tee, and then go from there, as mine did. I told him I was either "way up" or "way depressed". I never get the grandiose feeling-per say, but I have felt that way at least once.
YES, BEFORE I was diagnosed with Bipolar II, I spent alright- $5000 worth in about 2 months. I knew I had a problem. But I also like to buy things-a vice I guess? When I get hypomania I talk fast, and move FAST where I almost bump and actually do into the wall or trip. Literally-
"trippy" :-)I'm tellin you though, that Effexor-XR definately elevates my mood-it helps my depression BIG TIME.
I believe that "Bipolar II" is quite different than Bipoar I, where one's mood is severely grandiose, drives fast, spends, etc. I knew a person who actually went to an auction and bought a car in her manic phase! yikes. If you have any more questions, please ask-I'd be happy to share, I hope this helped a little?
I gotta go eat dinner:-)
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------Krissy,
You're Bipolar II? What is that like? What symptoms do you get?
Sometimes I have trouble seeing the difference between anxious depression and bipolar II. I am most likely missing something, but when I read up on BP II, it sounded almost identical to GAD, generalized anxiety disorder. For example, difficulty sleeping, feeling "keyed up", agitation, irritation, depression, etc. How does a psychiatrist do a differential diagnosis of the two disorders. Just curious.
When you get hypomania, do you go on spending sprees or have grandiose thoughts, or anything like regular mania? Or is it just elevated mood.
Anyway, I'm really curious to hear from someone who has BP II. To me, it seems like quite a different disorder than classic bipolar.
I would wager that I could get a BP II diagnosis if I had the right pdoc. I have a lot of the same symptoms that BP II's have, but my diagnosis is GAD / panic disorder / depression (which comes from the GAD / panic attacks.
Please fill me in!
Thanks,Matt
Posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 23:29:02
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » mattdds, posted by KrissyP on March 4, 2003, at 20:30:42
Krissy,
Thanks for the info! This is interesting to hear from someone who has it. This certainly seems different from GAD, and what you describe actually seems more traditionally bipolar.
Now that you have described it, I don't sound much like that at all. Although my anxiety fluctuated all over the place before I got better, I never acted much different. In other words, I was consistently boring.
Best of luck, and keep posting. You're fun to hear from.
Matt
Posted by KrissyP on March 4, 2003, at 23:48:09
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » KrissyP, posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 23:29:02
hiya:-) Yes GAD is an anxiety disorder while Bipolar is a mood disorder. Neither is fun huh?
You have GAD right? Do you ever sweat, get nervous, red blotchy neck? I do when I am nervous but the Effexor usually helps that when it is in my system. I do have GAD.
Best of luck to you too:-)
Kristen------------------------------------------Krissy,
Thanks for the info! This is interesting to hear from someone who has it. This certainly seems different from GAD, and what you describe actually seems more traditionally bipolar.
Now that you have described it, I don't sound much like that at all. Although my anxiety fluctuated all over the place before I got better, I never acted much different. In other words, I was consistently boring.
Best of luck, and keep posting. You're fun to hear from.
Matt
Posted by Jack Smith on March 5, 2003, at 13:18:29
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » KrissyP, posted by mattdds on March 4, 2003, at 23:29:02
> Although my anxiety fluctuated all over the place before I got better, I never acted much different.
HOW did you get better? Your symptoms sound very similar to mine!!!
JACK
Posted by KrissyP on March 5, 2003, at 14:36:11
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » mattdds, posted by Jack Smith on March 5, 2003, at 13:18:29
Hi JACK,
Are you asking Me(Krissy) or matt?
Just wondering:-)
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------> > Although my anxiety fluctuated all over the place before I got better, I never acted much different.
>
> HOW did you get better? Your symptoms sound very similar to mine!!!
>
> JACK
Posted by Jack Smith on March 5, 2003, at 19:44:44
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » Jack Smith, posted by KrissyP on March 5, 2003, at 14:36:11
I was asking Matt, hence his name in the post . . . Though you have been a help as well Kristen.
Posted by Jack Smith on March 6, 2003, at 18:43:52
In reply to Re: First dose of Klonopin today .Is this normal? » mattdds, posted by Jack Smith on March 5, 2003, at 13:18:29
> Although my anxiety fluctuated all over the place before I got better, I never acted much different.
Did you forget this???
HOW did you get better? Your symptoms sound very similar to mine!!!
JACK
Posted by mattdds on March 6, 2003, at 22:59:13
In reply to Attention MattDDS!!!, posted by Jack Smith on March 6, 2003, at 18:43:52
Jack,
What I meant by that is, although my anxiety fluctuated a lot, I never had any behavioral disturbances that would have indicated anything near traditional mania.
My point was that some pdocs may well have diagnosed bipolar II, perhaps because that diagnosis seems to overlap a lot with GAD and is certainly en vogue today. To be honest, I still don't really think there is a big difference between the really soft bipolar people and GAD.
I also have comorbid panic disorder, which I think has a strong genetic component, because I have mitral valve prolapse. People with this have been shown to have a higher rate of panic disorder. I went to the ER a few times last year because I thought for sure I was dying! Pretty embarrassing now. The best thing for panic for me has been CBT, which has reduced all my anxiety symptoms by about 80%. Even though that is great improvement, I felt I always had a great deal of somatic anxiety that was unrelated to my "distorted thoughts". After 6 months of panic, I also developed a state of almost constant depersonalization / derealization. The CBT worked wonderfully for 80%, but I was left with 20% residual. Could I live like that? Sure I could. But Klonopin erases pretty much all the rest, so I take that daily. I was in quite a sick state last time this year, it's amazing how far I've come.
So my symptoms were panic, depersonalization / derealization, muscle tension and pain, especially in the neck and back area, weird headache that did not respond to regular headache meds, malaise (so bad for a while, I was sure I had cancer). I would also ruminate constantly, and seemed I couldn't shut it off.
Many people would say that since I responded so well to CBT I must not have been that sick. But the truth is I was REALLY sick! My psychiatrist urged me to take a year off dental school, and I scored in the "extreme" ranges for anxiety and depression for many months before I got help. I tried to start a discussion about CBT earlier, but most people seemed convinced it was only for people with minor problems, and that only meds helped people with "real" problems. This always pissed me off. My experience was the exact opposite! I had some major problems, and meds didn't do much (looking back, I doubt they did anything (except Klonopin), especially in my worst state.
I told Krissy I would discuss what I did to get better in psychological babble, and I plan to get pretty in depth over the weekend when I have more time. Next week is spring break, so I will post a lot. Perhaps if one person benefits some, it will be worthwhile!
Take care,
Matt
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