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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 Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
I just realized I forgot to ask that question in my post about my update.
I'm on Klonopin (low dose) .25 twice a day. Is it possible it can increase depression?I feel so BLAH and tired on it- almost like a zombie. How can you feel happy when you are too tired to experience emotion?
I'm in a catch 22 thing here. I need the Klonopin becuase of the akathasia, and yet I am now becoming more depressed because of it.
Life is grand.
Posted by mmcconathy on February 23, 2005, at 17:05:01
In reply to Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
hey i saw you on paniccenter.com , if you see me posting im mmcconathy87
Later!
Posted by awatts on February 23, 2005, at 17:57:46
In reply to Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
> I just realized I forgot to ask that question in my post about my update.
>
>
> I'm on Klonopin (low dose) .25 twice a day. Is it possible it can increase depression?
>
> I feel so BLAH and tired on it- almost like a zombie. How can you feel happy when you are too tired to experience emotion?
>
> I'm in a catch 22 thing here. I need the Klonopin becuase of the akathasia, and yet I am now becoming more depressed because of it.
>
> Life is grand.I've taken Klonopin for years. I had been taking more, but now I take exactly what you are taking (0.25 mg twice a day). When first starting Klonopin it is very common to experience sedation and sometimes increased depression. It usually takes 2 or 3 weeks for these side effects to go away.
Klonopin is very strong stuff. Even 0.25 mg x 2 may be too much for you. If you are still having sedation problems after a few weeks, I'd try 0.125 mg x 2.
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 18:07:42
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by awatts on February 23, 2005, at 17:57:46
I didn't like klonopin, switched to valium. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by MM on February 23, 2005, at 18:33:09
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 18:07:42
I take all my klonopin at night (.5 mg)to help with sleep and anxiety, and I think that helps me not feel too blah during the day (I'm on other stuff too though, but of course). You could also try taking just a little bit less if you find the blah doesn't go away after a while because you do become acclimated to it. I didn't like valium or a couple of other ones, so maybe you'll find a different one (maybe a shorter lasting one) that you like better.
MM
Posted by Glydin on February 23, 2005, at 18:48:30
In reply to Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
awatts post highlights some things I found true on startup with Klonopin. The first two weeks of use, I found I had sedation and foggy thinking. There are certainly reports of it increasing depression. I did not find that to be the case for me, but there was an adjustment period. I've been on it as a single therapy for 3 years.
Posted by Nixon on February 23, 2005, at 19:01:00
In reply to Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
> I just realized I forgot to ask that question in my post about my update.
>
>
> I'm on Klonopin (low dose) .25 twice a day. Is it possible it can increase depression?
>
> I feel so BLAH and tired on it- almost like a zombie. How can you feel happy when you are too tired to experience emotion?
>
> I'm in a catch 22 thing here. I need the Klonopin becuase of the akathasia, and yet I am now becoming more depressed because of it.
>
> Life is grand.Hi,
I can relate to the symptoms you are describing. I take a low dose long-acting benzo which is usually librium 10mgx2 and is now valium 5mgx2. When I get feelings of depression or sluggishness what I do is try an break the cycle. I will skip a dose on a
a day I feel as though I am too down. It seems to work. Good Luck. JN
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 19:52:13
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression? » Spriggy, posted by Glydin on February 23, 2005, at 18:48:30
That's what I think it did to me. Increased depression. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Mr.Scott on February 23, 2005, at 22:44:26
In reply to Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
Personally I believe that benzo's can worsen depression, and most doctors I have spoken with agree. At the same time some reports suggest just the opposite. I think everyone is different, but your suspicions aren't at all strange. After all...it's a cns depressant.
Scott
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 23:48:44
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression? » Spriggy, posted by Mr.Scott on February 23, 2005, at 22:44:26
I believe that if you have anxiety that interfers with the quality of your life and your ability to leave your home, work, socialize, etc., a benzo alleviates the anxiety so you can lead a semi-normal life. If it is left untreated you develop depression, as I did. In my opinion only. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 24, 2005, at 8:49:34
In reply to Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
Klonopin (clonazepam) can most definitely have depressogenic effects, perhaps more so than the other benzodiazepines. I have experienced this first-hand. Klonopin has been reported to possess serotonergic properties, but they are poorly understood.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on February 24, 2005, at 8:53:56
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by awatts on February 23, 2005, at 17:57:46
Hi.
> When first starting Klonopin it is very common to experience sedation and sometimes increased depression. It usually takes 2 or 3 weeks for these side effects to go away.
Hmm.
I'm glad you posted this. I really hadn't thought that the increased depression that Klonopin caused might only be temporary. However, thinking back 15 years ago, I do remember being on Klonopin for quite awhile. I don't remember complaining of depression. It's a great drug.
- Scott
Posted by Speed on February 24, 2005, at 13:45:35
In reply to Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Spriggy on February 23, 2005, at 16:58:42
> I just realized I forgot to ask that question in my post about my update.
>
>
> I'm on Klonopin (low dose) .25 twice a day. Is it possible it can increase depression?
>
> I feel so BLAH and tired on it- almost like a zombie. How can you feel happy when you are too tired to experience emotion?
>
> I'm in a catch 22 thing here. I need the Klonopin becuase of the akathasia, and yet I am now becoming more depressed because of it.
>
> Life is grand.I have taken klonopin and ativan. Both eliminate anxiety and depression for me. In fact I would take the ativan continually if it was not addictive. This is my experience.
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 17:14:07
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by Speed on February 24, 2005, at 13:45:35
But according to the Threads, all drugs are addicting. Your body gets used to them inclusing AD's. Even medical drugs as Aspirin taken for a HA let's say, can cause rebound HA's if taken for a period of time. If taken as Rx'd and they help you live a "normal" life then so What? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by awatts on February 24, 2005, at 18:01:09
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression? » Speed, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 17:14:07
> But according to the Threads, all drugs are addicting. Your body gets used to them inclusing AD's. Even medical drugs as Aspirin taken for a HA let's say, can cause rebound HA's if taken for a period of time. If taken as Rx'd and they help you live a "normal" life then so What? Fondly, Phillipa
Well, certainly many good drugs are addictive. But I agree with you - if your quality of life is improved, "so what?". Tolerance is much more of a concern to me. If you have to keep taking higher dosages of a drug, that's when you can get into trouble.
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 19:48:31
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression?, posted by awatts on February 24, 2005, at 18:01:09
I know with myself, that when I began to feel better my personality dictated that I try and take a little less. I am deathly afraid of medications as predinisone killed my Mother at agae 48. This was before much was known about the side effects from this powerful drug. At least drugs like valium have been around as long as the above. I never would abuse a drug, I like a clear headed feeling. This always kept me from drinking during the day when I drank beer. It was reserved for nighttime when I was unwinding. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Laree on February 25, 2005, at 21:24:55
In reply to Re: Do Benzos cause depression? » awatts, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 19:48:31
I have been on various benzodiazepines and found Valium gave me a (distinct) depressive reaction both times I was on it.
--LB
This is the end of the thread.
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