Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mandy on June 11, 2005, at 11:26:57
I have been reading the other threads and just wanted to ask opinion on lexapro or klonopin for anxiety. I have been on a number of psych meds for Bipolar I(I guess--noone ever really sure). At any rate I am finally weaned to Wellbutrin SR150mg and Lamictal 300mg and now Lunesta for sleep. I have also been taking lexapro 10mg and would like to get off this because of sexual side effects, but I noticed my anxiety increasing as I wean down. Is it really so awful to take klonopin for the anxiety?? I know everyone says stay away from benzos but if it works and I do not need to increase dosage, what is the harm?
Posted by TerraJo on June 11, 2005, at 12:11:35
In reply to Lexapro vs klonopin for anxiety, posted by Mandy on June 11, 2005, at 11:26:57
> I have been reading the other threads and just wanted to ask opinion on lexapro or klonopin for anxiety. I have been on a number of psych meds for Bipolar I(I guess--noone ever really sure). At any rate I am finally weaned to Wellbutrin SR150mg and Lamictal 300mg and now Lunesta for sleep. I have also been taking lexapro 10mg and would like to get off this because of sexual side effects, but I noticed my anxiety increasing as I wean down. Is it really so awful to take klonopin for the anxiety?? I know everyone says stay away from benzos but if it works and I do not need to increase dosage, what is the harm?
Hi Mandy.
I finally figured out that I was making myself more anxious over being anxious about taking a benzo! Finally decided that was ridiculous.
I am taking wellbutrin and have been only on that for a couple years. Life stresses have really increased for me and my doc started me on 5mg Lexapro with the goal of getting to 10mg. He also prescribed Klonopin. I've taken ativan before (and that was awful and awful to get off) and I was taking xanax for years without feeling addicted in any way. But I really like the Klonopin better. Somehow it makes it so that I don't even get to that stage of freaking out. With xanax, I would just go on with my life until something would increase the anxiety, and then I would take one. Now, I don't seem to be getting to that point which is terrific. It's really embarassing to panic when you are around other people and you have to excuse yourself to go take a xanax!
Lots of people would say that AD's are more addictive, in that they are harder to get off. I think it doesn't matter. If it works for your body, then it doesn't matter. At this point, for me, if I am on this combination for the rest of my life I am just fine with that because I am stabling out and living a normal life. I used to wish I was taking nothing. But maybe getting older has changed that view.
Don't be afraid of something if it works.
T.
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2005, at 18:08:46
In reply to Re: Lexapro vs klonopin for anxiety, posted by TerraJo on June 11, 2005, at 12:11:35
That's the short half-life of xanax. Klonopin has a long one. Go ahead and take it if it works for you. But wean off lunesta? I thought it was not addictive? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on June 11, 2005, at 22:40:22
In reply to Re: Lexapro vs klonopin for anxiety, posted by TerraJo on June 11, 2005, at 12:11:35
> > I have been reading the other threads and just wanted to ask opinion on lexapro or klonopin for anxiety. I have been on a number of psych meds for Bipolar I(I guess--noone ever really sure). At any rate I am finally weaned to Wellbutrin SR150mg and Lamictal 300mg and now Lunesta for sleep. I have also been taking lexapro 10mg and would like to get off this because of sexual side effects, but I noticed my anxiety increasing as I wean down. Is it really so awful to take klonopin for the anxiety?? I know everyone says stay away from benzos but if it works and I do not need to increase dosage, what is the harm?
>
> Hi Mandy.
>
> I finally figured out that I was making myself more anxious over being anxious about taking a benzo! Finally decided that was ridiculous.
>
> I am taking wellbutrin and have been only on that for a couple years. Life stresses have really increased for me and my doc started me on 5mg Lexapro with the goal of getting to 10mg. He also prescribed Klonopin. I've taken ativan before (and that was awful and awful to get off) and I was taking xanax for years without feeling addicted in any way. But I really like the Klonopin better. Somehow it makes it so that I don't even get to that stage of freaking out. With xanax, I would just go on with my life until something would increase the anxiety, and then I would take one. Now, I don't seem to be getting to that point which is terrific. It's really embarassing to panic when you are around other people and you have to excuse yourself to go take a xanax!
>
> Lots of people would say that AD's are more addictive, in that they are harder to get off. I think it doesn't matter. If it works for your body, then it doesn't matter. At this point, for me, if I am on this combination for the rest of my life I am just fine with that because I am stabling out and living a normal life. I used to wish I was taking nothing. But maybe getting older has changed that view.
>
> Don't be afraid of something if it works.
>
> T.It's taken me a long time to get to the point of accepting what you've written. I've been terrified of being dependent on Klonopin.
But, as you say, if it works, what's the harm. I'd rather take the Klonopin that live in terror.
Mandy, what dosage do yo take?
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2005, at 23:50:47
In reply to Re: Lexapro vs klonopin for anxiety » TerraJo, posted by 4WD on June 11, 2005, at 22:40:22
Sorry I thought you were trying to get off the lunesta. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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