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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 22, 2003, at 0:17:44
I'm taking a trial of Buspar for GAD, but also have Klonopin PRN for days when I need something extra.
2 months ago I was taking Klonopin only, .5mg twice a day. It completely got rid of my anxiety and after a few weeks of sedation and flatness, I was feeling a little energetic again, but thought nothing of that.
Then, a few days ago, I took Klonopin for the first time in 4 days, for an anxiety reaction. Again, the anxiety disappeared and I really noticed a definite mood brightening effect too.
Is this usual for Klonopin? If so, by what mechanism does it work? (IE which neurotransmitters...I thought it only affected GABA??).
Or, was the mood lift I experienced merely a psychological reaction to anxiety relief?
Anyone have any info? Thanks all.
Posted by sedona on October 22, 2003, at 1:05:44
In reply to Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 22, 2003, at 0:17:44
> I'm taking a trial of Buspar for GAD, but also have Klonopin PRN for days when I need something extra.
> 2 months ago I was taking Klonopin only, .5mg twice a day. It completely got rid of my anxiety and after a few weeks of sedation and flatness, I was feeling a little energetic again, but thought nothing of that.
> Then, a few days ago, I took Klonopin for the first time in 4 days, for an anxiety reaction. Again, the anxiety disappeared and I really noticed a definite mood brightening effect too.
> Is this usual for Klonopin? If so, by what mechanism does it work? (IE which neurotransmitters...I thought it only affected GABA??).
> Or, was the mood lift I experienced merely a psychological reaction to anxiety relief?
> Anyone have any info? Thanks all.Hello- I don't really have any answers for you, but I started taking Klonopin daily about a week ago. I, also, have noticed an improvement in my mood. I haven't been getting as emotional, and I haven't been getting annoyed/irritated with people, as I sometimes do when my mood is low. So, I have also been wondering if just the fact that my anxiety has been lowered with the Klonopin that my mood has improved. I have also read that Buspar may have some mild antidepressant effects, so depending on how long you have been on your trial, the Buspar may also be a factor.
By the way, did you notice a mood brightening effect the last time you took Klonopin regularly?
Hope you get some answers
Posted by Elle2021 on October 22, 2003, at 4:28:45
In reply to Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 22, 2003, at 0:17:44
I have been taking Klonopin for quite a while. I never noticed any kind of mood brightening effect. I did notice that when I took it regularly, it seemed to make me really depressed. I now take it every once in a while for insomnia, which doesn't cause any extra depression. :) Elle
Posted by nickm on October 22, 2003, at 7:35:02
In reply to Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 22, 2003, at 0:17:44
Hi, about all I can say is that I took Klonopin, 0.25 mg, for sleeping restless leg, and it worked for about a year. After that, it had no effect on me. I switched to Xanax to sleep. I take 0.25 mg three nights, then rest one so as not to get addicted. My wife is now dependent on Klonopin, and the doctor recently had to up her dose to 4-5 mg a day for anxiety.
Be aware though: Klonopin is a depressor of the Central Nervous System, and it will come back to bite you. Like Xanax, Ativan, and the other benzodiazepines, is highly addictive, and most research papers you find on it through www.google.com or other search engines, will tell you that it shouldn't be used for more than 2-4 weeks, or certainly a few months. It's relief should be a temporary tool, not a permanent one.
All benzodiazepines are ticking bombs, accidents waiting to happen.
I would advise you to be very careful how you use it, and for long.
In my wife it eventually aggravated her depression.
Nickm
Posted by Emme on October 22, 2003, at 9:37:56
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by nickm on October 22, 2003, at 7:35:02
Based on my own experience, what I've seen other peopole post here, and what my doctor has told me, I disagree with the assertion that all benzos are accidents waiting to happen.
My own experience is with clonazepam. Some say it worsens their depression, for some it helps their depression. I've taken clonazepam for a couple of years. I've neve had to escalate the dose for anxiety control. Instead, my dosage has floated both up *and* down depending on need. My doctor has many patients who have used the same dose years without needing to increase it.
Yes, one develops physical dependence, but that's not something I worry about as long as the quality of my life is improved. I can't speak for everyone, but at times my dosage has been low enough that I think I could taper off entirely without too much trouble. Besides, there are other drugs, including ones that don't cause physical dependence, that will cause problems if you get off them too fast.
Emme
Posted by sedona on October 22, 2003, at 11:42:44
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by Emme on October 22, 2003, at 9:37:56
Yes, I agree with what you have said. For years I was scared to take a benzo, fearing the addiction. I also take antidepressants, but am unable to take the higher doses that are often required for anxiety disorders, due to their side -effects. In my case, my antidepressant does a lot of the work, and then I take a small dose of Klonopin to take care of the rest. For me it has been a good choice and I wish I had done it sooner.
Posted by KellyD on October 22, 2003, at 21:04:29
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener? » Emme, posted by sedona on October 22, 2003, at 11:42:44
Sometimes I feel like the Klonopin poster child. My experience has been good, and a return to the living of life. I feel like I am always defending this med - but, I do not discredit anyone's experience and I believe it has been a nightmare for some - someone name me a drug that doesn't have that distinction?
I did not find mood elevation, other than it was wonderful to be able to function without excess, toxic anxiety. I'm sorry that's not the case in all situations.
Posted by Viridis on October 23, 2003, at 2:30:58
In reply to Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 22, 2003, at 0:17:44
Klonopin helped greatly to relieve my anxiety, and as a result, helped my mood a lot too. I take other meds as well now, but Klonopin has made the biggest difference by far. I've been on the same low dose (1 mg/day) for 2 1/2 years with no need for a dosage increase, and my pdoc has many other patients who have had a similar response.
Klonopin may cause problems for a small proportion of patients (as all of these meds can, especially the newer antidepressants), but I certainly feel much less like a "timebomb" now than I did a couple of years ago. Constant stress is very unhealthy, and benzos have a long track record of safety and effectiveness.
There's some evidence (cited in a thread a few months ago) that Klonopin increases serotonin levels in brain synapses, which could partially explain its mood-brightening effects for some.
I should add that Xanax has a more pronounced mood-lifting effect for me, but unlike Klonopin, I seem to have developed substantial tolerance to it, so restrict my use to rare occasions. Klonopin just seems to keep on working, with no side effects and no need for dosage adjustment.
Posted by freedom2001 on October 24, 2003, at 3:57:10
In reply to Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 22, 2003, at 0:17:44
> I'm taking a trial of Buspar for GAD, but also have Klonopin PRN for days when I need something extra.
> 2 months ago I was taking Klonopin only, .5mg twice a day. It completely got rid of my anxiety and after a few weeks of sedation and flatness, I was feeling a little energetic again, but thought nothing of that.
> Then, a few days ago, I took Klonopin for the first time in 4 days, for an anxiety reaction. Again, the anxiety disappeared and I really noticed a definite mood brightening effect too.
> Is this usual for Klonopin? If so, by what mechanism does it work? (IE which neurotransmitters...I thought it only affected GABA??).
> Or, was the mood lift I experienced merely a psychological reaction to anxiety relief?
> Anyone have any info? Thanks all.Klonopin affects the GABA primarily. But at slightly high doses, it does affect the serotonin system, helping your illness.
So klonopin is a unique benzo as compared to other benzos.
I have been taking 2mg klonopin per day with my 80mg prozac for my OCD.
Posted by femlite on October 25, 2003, at 9:05:56
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by nickm on October 22, 2003, at 7:35:02
Hi Nickm,
I have read some of your earlier post about your wife and my heart goes out to you.
At the risk of poking at wounds, i would like to ask you a question.
Is there any other possibilities as to why your wifes depression got worse (beside the benzo I mean).
I know they have a physical dependency potentital. But Im not sure how I could get by right now with out them.
Drugs causing physical dependecy and drugs causing rebound are two equally frustrating, but different issues.
I guess Im more afraid of the rebound.
warmest regards
> Hi, about all I can say is that I took Klonopin, 0.25 mg, for sleeping restless leg, and it worked for about a year. After that, it had no effect on me. I switched to Xanax to sleep. I take 0.25 mg three nights, then rest one so as not to get addicted. My wife is now dependent on Klonopin, and the doctor recently had to up her dose to 4-5 mg a day for anxiety.
>
> Be aware though: Klonopin is a depressor of the Central Nervous System, and it will come back to bite you. Like Xanax, Ativan, and the other benzodiazepines, is highly addictive, and most research papers you find on it through www.google.com or other search engines, will tell you that it shouldn't be used for more than 2-4 weeks, or certainly a few months. It's relief should be a temporary tool, not a permanent one.
>
> All benzodiazepines are ticking bombs, accidents waiting to happen.
>
> I would advise you to be very careful how you use it, and for long.
>
> In my wife it eventually aggravated her depression.
>
> Nickm
This is the end of the thread.
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