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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 BRC on July 12, 2004, at 15:42:49
Hi, I have been taking Klonopin for several years now on a daily basis for severe anxiety. When I first started the dose was.05 twice a day. That was approximetely five years ago.
Trying a host of medication combonation with a variety of AD's, Klonopin has always gave me the most relief from my symptoms. My pdoc. now has me on 4mg a day 2mg in the morning and 2mg at night. I never take more than I am supposed to and I don't drink alcohol.
The Klonopin takes away my symptoms. Could it be that the symptoms are a result of my body being dependent on this medication or is it just simply doing what it is intended to do which is help with anxiety.
I have no adverse effects, no sedation, memory problems, etc. Was just curious if the drug is treating the anxiety or I am having to take the medication because my body has become addicted. Because if I miss a dose my symptoms flare up.
Any comments or ideas would greatly be appreciated. Thanks
Posted by Guy on July 12, 2004, at 17:57:36
In reply to Is Klonopin working?Or Has my body become addicted, posted by BRC on July 12, 2004, at 15:42:49
You are now physically dependent on Klonopin and will of course experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop the med abruptly. (Abrupt cessation from 4 mg is also very dangerous!) The only way to find out if your anxiety disorder in remission is to try a VERY slow taper. If you cannot manage that, then it is likely you still have the original disorder. By the way, does the klono still work well for sleep? My pdoc wants me on 2 mg Klonopin for my anxiety and insomnia. I'm currently on Zyprexa, but the possible side effects scare me.
Posted by Glydin on July 13, 2004, at 8:02:59
In reply to Is Klonopin working?Or Has my body become addicted, posted by BRC on July 12, 2004, at 15:42:49
Physical dependence is probably in place and generally happens when we use a benzo consistently over time. Addiction is different. Addiction involved tolerence, inapproiate use, drug seeking behavior, and psychosocial disruption. You have none of those characteristics.
The only true way to know if you can go without a benzo is to wean properly (SLOWLY, SLOWLY, SLOWLY) and see what happens. In my case, I did wean and did come off Klonopin. But, I would not hesitate to restart if my status changed.
As Guy wrote, should you want to discontinue, slow weaning is very important. This can't be stressed enough, it's most important.
My take is, if you are using a benzo approiately and it's working to increase the quality of your life AND you aren't experiencing any untoward effects, you are lucky and it's great you found a good treatment.
Posted by BRC on July 13, 2004, at 9:22:29
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin working?Or Has my body become addicted, posted by Guy on July 12, 2004, at 17:57:36
Hi, thanks for your response to my post. 2mg of Klonopin at night does not really help me sleep. But I have been on the med for a number of years so I don't know how if would effect you. I do know that it can be used for sleep and is just as effective as Ambiem (sleep aid) at a 2mg dose.
Klonopin (to me) is very effective with anxiety symptoms. But doctors are weary of prescribing the med. because of its potential for abuse and addiction. However, if you have a legitimate anxiety problem then the med. really works.
I have never taken more than I was told. And half of the time I forget my morning dose. So I know that I don't abuse it. I just worry that my body has become dependant on it.
Thanks agian for the reply. Feel free to ask any more questions.
BRC
Posted by BRC on July 13, 2004, at 9:27:55
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin working?Or Has my body become addicted, posted by Glydin on July 13, 2004, at 8:02:59
Thanks for your response to my post. Was just wondering how long was you on Klonopin and did you feel better or worse after you completely stopped using the med?
Sorry, if these questions seem personal. Thanks again for your time in answering my post.
Posted by Glydin on July 13, 2004, at 10:21:02
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin working?Or Has my body become addicted » Glydin, posted by BRC on July 13, 2004, at 9:27:55
I don't mind answering questions at all. In fact, it was one of the reason I returned to this site, to try a lend a little help.
On to my responses:
I was on Klonopin monotherapy for 2 1/2 years after failed trials of AD's. Klonopin worked wonders for my generalized anxiety as well as for panic attacks and agoraphobia. At about the 2 1/4 year time, I was markedly better and decided to start a weaning process. I weaned 1/4 of dose every 2 weeks until .125 mgs for 2 weeks then did .125 mgs every other day for about a week and 1/2, then off. I had a small bout of rebound anxiety at the one week mark and resumed .125 mgs for a day and a half and haven't taken it since - that was 4 months ago. Other than the brief, passing, small amount of rebound, I have had no problems. I actually think I feel better off. I was having some difficulties with short term memory, retention, and a slightly depressive mood when I started weaning and being off has improved those problems. Should my anxiety symptoms rear their ugly head again, the above side effects would not stop me from restarting Klonopin.
Another reason for my return to this board was I also wanted to convey to folks that not everyone has benzo horror stories. Some of us do fine while on, while tapering, and when off. When I arrived on this board in my start up on Klonopin, I got mostly horror stories and a lot of "You'll be Sorry's". Thankful, that gloom and doom did not come true.Toxic anxiety is h*llish and is so life impacting. Do what's good to care for you.
Good Luck to you.
Posted by Philidor on July 13, 2004, at 12:15:13
In reply to BRC, posted by Glydin on July 13, 2004, at 10:21:02
Beware! The side effects of Klonopin DO wear off and many then raise the dosage THINKING the stuff must not be working. That can get you into addiction trouble! The way to test the stuff is to try it out in the social situation(s) that give you trouble and see if your anxiety symptoms are improved. DONT just take more because you don't feel any "buzz" as you first did when taking the med!!
Phil
Posted by Glydin on July 13, 2004, at 15:29:42
In reply to Re: BRC, posted by Philidor on July 13, 2004, at 12:15:13
> Beware! The side effects of Klonopin DO wear off and many then raise the dosage THINKING the stuff must not be working. That can get you into addiction trouble! The way to test the stuff is to try it out in the social situation(s) that give you trouble and see if your anxiety symptoms are improved.
---With all due respect, decreased effectiveness can happen with some folks, not all. A lot of people find a maintainence dose that can work over the long haul. I did.
DONT just take more because you don't feel any "buzz" as you first did when taking the med!!
>
> Phil---I never upped my dose after the first month of use and my dose remained there for 2 1/2 years. Klonopin never gave me a "buzz" either, it just treated my anxiety disorder.
Posted by Guy on July 13, 2004, at 15:48:22
In reply to Is Klonopin working?Or Has my body become addicted, posted by BRC on July 12, 2004, at 15:42:49
BRC, thanks for your response and sorry to keep throwing questions at you. However, I would really like to know if you feel you are now stabilized on 4 mg Klonopin or if you have to keep upping the dose to get the same effect? My main problem, as I mentioned, is insomnia due to anxiety. I am really worried that I would get caught in an ever escalating cycle. Klonopin is a great med because it is so safe, but I don't want to keep upping the dose. Do you take anything else for sleep, or does the K do the trick?
Posted by BRC on July 13, 2004, at 18:42:58
In reply to Re: Is Klonopin working?Or Has my body become addicted, posted by Guy on July 13, 2004, at 15:48:22
Don't mind the questions at all as matter of fact I welcome them. I am stable at 4mg of Klonopin for my anxiety (which is pretty intense). When I take my Klonopin I do not feel sleepy, drugged out, confused, etc. The medication just takes away my physical symptoms of anxiety. I also take the SSRI Lexapro for depression and OCD. So, both meds together complement each other.
A brief history of Klonopin (if you already know this just ignore it but if you don't here it is).
Klonopin is used as an anxiety reducer, for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobias. Klonopin was originally and still is used to treat seizures in patients with seizure disorders. Klonopin is in a class of drugs known as benzodiazapines. The medicine works on the chemical GABA in the brain. This chemical becomes out of balance when we get anxious, nervous, panicky, etc.If you are prone to addiction or think that you would have a tendancy to abuse a prescription medication, then Klonopin may not be the long term answer for you. But if you truley have an axiety disorder then the Klonopin in the theraputic dose will simply help take away the symptoms and you should have limited side effects. I have been taking it for over five years and I just turned 28. Klonopin allowed me to finish college and recently graduated with a double major from a large university. So, used properly it does help.
As for the sleeping problem. My pdoc prescribes the antidepressant Remeron. It is a newer antidepressant. One of the side effects is that it makes you very sleepy. So, I take a 30mg tablet at night and sleep like a baby. Which is a godsend because I used to have terrible insomnia. One of the drawbacks of Remeron is that it causes weight gain in some patients. Because it works on chemicals in the brain that can cause an increase in appetite. Fortunately for me I have not gained any weight. I weigh appox. 160-165lbs. Another antidepressant that doctors use for sleep aids is Trazadone. It causes you to sleep and is very inexpensive because it is available in generic form.
Sorry for such a long post. But talk to your doctors about the treatments I mentioned. I wish you the best and God Bless. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.
This is the end of the thread.
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