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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cache-monkey on March 17, 2005, at 2:02:51
Hey all,
So I'm trying to decide on whether to switch from Klonopin to Ativan or Valium. One of the things I don't like about the K is the sedation (that and I feel like a decently high -- 1.5 mg -- dose isn't working enough on my anxiety).
Does anyone have any experience between Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium in terms of the amount of sedation they caused? Or is this just one of those things that varies according to the individual chemistry?
(For those who would counsel avoiding benzos altogether: I understand the concern about the difficulty of eventual withdrawal. That's why I'm avoiding Xanax, which totally worked at a comparable dose to my K, and wasn't sedating. I'm not thrilled by the idea of being on a benzo, but both my therapist and my psychiatrist seem to think it's a good medium-term strategy.)Best,
cache-monkey
Posted by awatts on March 17, 2005, at 10:20:05
In reply to Sedation and Benzos..., posted by cache-monkey on March 17, 2005, at 2:02:51
I would not worry about eventual withdrawal from benzos. You just have to taper very slowly if you want to stop. Xanax may take months to taper off of, but so what? - if your quality of life is improved.
Tolerance is the big concern - needing higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect. For me, tolerance happened very quickly with regular use of Xanax. It took more time, but I also became tolerant to Valium to where I was taking 40 mg per day. I've been taking Klonopin for years, now. No tolerance - in fact, I've reduced my dosage several times over the years.
I always carry Xanax with me for a full-blown panic attack only.
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 17:36:33
In reply to Re: Sedation and Benzos..., posted by awatts on March 17, 2005, at 10:20:05
I've been on them all, and they have all worked differently on me at different times. I don't like klonopin, it just makes me stupid. Xanax worked fine for a long while and then just started to make me feel tired. My first trial with benzos was with valium years ago. I'm now back on it [brandname, yes it does make a difference] and it's working fine. I've never had a problem with increasing the doseage. When my anxiety symptoms are gone that's my dose. They're not hard to come off of, no harder than AD's which I've never had problems with either. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Smeegle on March 18, 2005, at 23:55:36
In reply to Re: Sedation and Benzos..., posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 17:36:33
I have been on Xanax, Valium, Ativan and now Klonopin. For me, Xanax and Valium provided the lease amount of relief. I took Ativan daily "as needed" for nine months while in cancer treatment and when treatment ended, he pulled the Ativan. I had zero problems stopping it like that. I am now on Klonopin "as needed at bedtime" and find it much more sedating and longer acting. I sleep very well at night, but can't see myself functioning very well at work or school on even a half dose during the day. But then your mileage may vary.
SMees
This is the end of the thread.
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