Shown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by krybrahaha78 on February 28, 2005, at 21:19:38
anyone on here use klonopin as needed for their anxiety or just one tablet a day? My doc prescribed me .25 to .5 as needed, but the bottle says take 1/2 to one tablet daily? Could i get proper anxiety relief just by taking one tablet daily? Or, is it better to take as needed. He gave it to me primarily for social phobia.
Posted by fires on February 28, 2005, at 21:28:56
In reply to klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by krybrahaha78 on February 28, 2005, at 21:19:38
> anyone on here use klonopin as needed for their anxiety or just one tablet a day? My doc prescribed me .25 to .5 as needed, but the bottle says take 1/2 to one tablet daily? Could i get proper anxiety relief just by taking one tablet daily? Or, is it better to take as needed. He gave it to me primarily for social phobia.
I was taking 2 mg per day for sleep. Then I cut back some and began using 1 mg at bedtime and up to 1 mg as needed. My pdoc didn't like that. Said it was not a good idea. Too much fluctuation if you go with lower dose one day then higher the next...
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2005, at 22:33:33
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by fires on February 28, 2005, at 21:28:56
A lot of others will probably answer your Post. I feel that if you truly have social anxiety, and it interfers with your life daily, you probably need to have a steady level in your body. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Kon on February 28, 2005, at 23:48:12
In reply to klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by krybrahaha78 on February 28, 2005, at 21:19:38
I've been taking klonopin as needed (with variable dosage depending on situation)for over 2 years for social anxiety. Usually vary between 1-2 mg. Works great. I don't know where I lie on the SAD spectrum. I have many symptoms of so-called generalized SAD but lean toward milder form but when it comes to performing-type situations (public speaking, performing in groups, etc.) I have severe panic-type anxiety. Klonopin works well. I guess I have mild generalized SAD with severe performance (situational)anxiety. Either way, klonopin works well for both
Posted by SLS on March 1, 2005, at 7:19:49
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2005, at 22:33:33
> A lot of others will probably answer your Post. I feel that if you truly have social anxiety, and it interfers with your life daily, you probably need to have a steady level in your body. Fondly, Phillipa
I tend to agree with this.
Klonopin has a very long half-life and tends to stay in the body longer than the other
benzodiazepines. It is ideal for a situation like yours. What's nice about using it regularly is that it can prevent panic attacks rather than trying to treat them once they have already appeared.As Phillipa said, wait for some more responses to your question.
- Scott
Posted by sdb on March 1, 2005, at 13:30:11
In reply to klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by krybrahaha78 on February 28, 2005, at 21:19:38
I need 2mg one to two hours before a performance. 1mg made once even more nervous. I have never used Klonopin permanently.
Posted by cubbybear on March 3, 2005, at 2:34:15
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by sdb on March 1, 2005, at 13:30:11
For the first time, I tried .5 mg klonopin as needed during anxiety spells last month, while waiting for a higher dose of Parnate to kick in. On one particular day, my anxiety was very bad. The Klonopin was definitely a much better way to go to counteract anxiety in this kind of situation than Xanax, which doesn't last more than 4 hours for me.
I think there's something to be said for keeping a supply of Klonopin AND Xanax on hand for transient anxiety or insomnia situations--in essence having a faster acting benzo for sleep and a slower benzo to get you through the whole day if anxiety rears its ugly head once in a while.
Posted by SLS on March 3, 2005, at 9:50:40
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by cubbybear on March 3, 2005, at 2:34:15
Hi CubbyBear.
In the absence of medication, is your anxiety episodic, or does it remain constant throught the day, day to day? Have you ever had a panic attack?
- Scott> For the first time, I tried .5 mg klonopin as needed during anxiety spells last month, while waiting for a higher dose of Parnate to kick in.
Posted by cubbybear on March 4, 2005, at 0:37:28
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed--any experiences?, posted by SLS on March 3, 2005, at 9:50:40
> Hi CubbyBear.
>
> In the absence of medication, is your anxiety episodic, or does it remain constant throught the day, day to day? Have you ever had a panic attack?
>
>
> - Scott
>
> Normally, MAOI Parnate kills off any and all symptomatic anxiety as it puts my depression into remission. If I were to discontinue the Parnate and try to go without it, the odds are 100-1 that within a few months if not less, something(s) in my personal life would trigger anxiety. It would probably build in intensity over a few days, and develop into a panic situation. There would be fluctuations during the day, with some days worse than others. But inevitably I would finally go over the cliff into a full-fledged depression/anxiety episode.Last month was a rare exception in which several things in my personal life added up to cause some break-through anxiety even while I was taking Parnate at my regular dose. Increasing it from 30-40 mg. killed the anxiety again. I stayed on the higher dose for a few weeks to get stabilized. But I wanted to see if I could go back to the lower dose without an anxiety relapse, so I did that about one week ago and am now keeping my fingers crossed. The original triggers of the anxiety have disappeared and my personal life is now OK, so hopefully, I can remain at the lower dose. I hope this answers your questions.
Posted by SLS on March 4, 2005, at 4:41:42
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed--any experiences? » SLS, posted by cubbybear on March 4, 2005, at 0:37:28
> Last month was a rare exception in which several things in my personal life added up to cause some break-through anxiety even while I was taking Parnate at my regular dose. Increasing it from 30-40 mg. killed the anxiety again. I stayed on the higher dose for a few weeks to get stabilized. But I wanted to see if I could go back to the lower dose without an anxiety relapse, so I did that about one week ago and am now keeping my fingers crossed. The original triggers of the anxiety have disappeared and my personal life is now OK, so hopefully, I can remain at the lower dose. I hope this answers your questions.
What are your reasons for avoiding 40mg as a long-term treatment? Is it just on "principle"? Despite what is written in the PDR, I see that Parnate is usually most effective between 40-80mg. 30mg usually doesn't do the job. Perhaps you haven't fully realized the additional improvements you could glean at 40mg.Best wishes.
- Scott
Posted by cubbybear on March 5, 2005, at 7:53:56
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed--any experiences? » SLS » cubbybear, posted by SLS on March 4, 2005, at 4:41:42
>
> What are your reasons for avoiding 40mg as a long-term treatment? Is it just on "principle"? Despite what is written in the PDR, I see that Parnate is usually most effective between 40-80mg. 30mg usually doesn't do the job. Perhaps you haven't fully realized the additional improvements you could glean at 40mg.That's a good question, but the fact is that after so many years of doing well on 30 mg. and not sensing any potential to do even better, that's where I think I should be. Another reason for not going higher is that increasing the dose to 40 mg/day would mean taking 365 additional pills per year, which would translate into an additional. . .who knows with Glaxo Smith Kline?. .. perhaps another $300, net out of pocket.
Lastly, I tend to be conservative when taking any meds--want to see if I can do OK at the lower doses (except for stuff like antibiotics, of course).What I really need is a personality pill (!) that would eliminate the harmful and self-destructive aspects of my personality, like always running late for work or having a short fuse. Not even a higher dose of Parnate can change that, I know from experience. cubbybear
>
Posted by alwayzblue222 on March 11, 2005, at 2:59:03
In reply to Re: Parnate dosage » SLS, posted by cubbybear on March 5, 2005, at 7:53:56
I have taken Klonopin both at a scheduled regimen and as an on-need basis. I have both 1 and 2 mg options. Originally it was the only thing that we (p-doc & I) were using to help with my anxiety-thats why i was taking it on a regular basis. But my anxiety gets so bad, that we are trying to find another med that will take care of it, or a combo. Right now I take it as needed, because I take an old drug for anxiety that seems to help with my constant anxiety. The klonpin is taken when I face a situation that I know will produce higher amounts of anxiety.
Posted by meds4life on March 12, 2005, at 11:44:47
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed or taken regularly » SLS, posted by alwayzblue222 on March 11, 2005, at 2:59:03
Hi,
I'm in the posting mood today. This is the second message I've responded to. I take Klonopin on a regular schedule. My doctor said to take it as needed, but the anxiety is constant, so I take it daily. The Doc was fine with that. However, I would like to return to something that helps with both anxiety and depression long term (like for life!) Because after 4 bouts of suicidal depression, I can't go there again. Unfortunately, all the wonderful drugs that helped with both anxiety and depression (Effexor, Paxil) caused 40+ pounds of weight gain. Long story short, What do you use on a daily basis besides Klonopin for anxiety?
Posted by dms777smd on March 12, 2005, at 14:38:39
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed or taken regularly, posted by meds4life on March 12, 2005, at 11:44:47
That's a good question.I've tried all the SSRIs, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Trazadone, some antipsychotics, TCAs, and alot of the benzos. The only thing that works for me is the benzos. I'm on Xanax 1mg 3 times a day and that still isn't enough because it only lasts 4-5 hours for me.I have constant anxiety like you and I'm wanting to try to switch over to Klonopin because it lasts longer and I know it works for me pretty much the same as all the other benzos. A doctor told me that(sorry to say) some people with this type of constant panic and anxiety only do well on the benzos and said alot of people have to take the Xanax 4 times a day and even the longer acting ones(like Klonopin)2-3 times a day. He said even with the Xanax XR,which is supposed to last 24 hrs, some people still have to take it 2 times. It really sucks because these drugs are definitely the only ones that work for me and they're so addictive. But I'm going to keep taking them, start exercising, eat better, talk to a therapist and hopefully I can get this under control enough to start backing off the benzos. Have you tried doing any of that? I know that being physically healthy will usually make a persons mind more healthy so I'm gonna try it. In the past I was scared to even run a little because it speeds up my heart and throws me into a panic attack. With these pills I don't get scared as much so I'm going to try it. You should try the same if you haven't yet and hopefully it will work for both of us. Why can't there be a once in a lifetime pill that keeps us calm and happy??? Guess that's just how life goes.
> Hi,
> I'm in the posting mood today. This is the second message I've responded to. I take Klonopin on a regular schedule. My doctor said to take it as needed, but the anxiety is constant, so I take it daily. The Doc was fine with that. However, I would like to return to something that helps with both anxiety and depression long term (like for life!) Because after 4 bouts of suicidal depression, I can't go there again. Unfortunately, all the wonderful drugs that helped with both anxiety and depression (Effexor, Paxil) caused 40+ pounds of weight gain. Long story short, What do you use on a daily basis besides Klonopin for anxiety?
Posted by CK1 on March 13, 2005, at 21:22:20
In reply to Re: klonopin as needed or taken regularly » meds4life, posted by dms777smd on March 12, 2005, at 14:38:39
I tried Klonopin for a month and it helped very much with anxiety. HOWEVER:
1) Benzos are known for creating tolerance long term meaning you are going to have to up your dose periodically to get the same effect.
2) They can make depression worse so I wouldn't recommend them for if you are also suffering from depression
3) They tend to cause cognitive impairment over the long term (Klonopin made me forget EVERYTHING at 1mg a day) I would forget words in conversations.
4) You think SSRI's are hard to get off of!!!! Getting off benzos, even after 1 month, is HELL!
5) Be careful and stay at a VERY low dose. Although they are extremely safe, they do have major downsides.
If Social Anxiety is your problem, I'd highly recommend you start with an SSRI like Paxil, Zoloft. Or, if your Social Anxiety isn't debilitating, I'd recommend getting testing for
1) Pyloria
2) Hypoglycemia
3) Nutrient Deficiencies
4) Candiosis
Rule out any underlying medical conditions that cause anxiety before you start taking prescription drugs!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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